Page 167 of Knot my First Rodeo

Hunter- The situation here is handled. Gidge is safe. Sorry I’ve been hard to reach, we’ve been dealing with a lot. You can come home now.

My breath leaves my lungs slowly.

Gidge is safe.

That’s the part that matters most to me. Whatever happened is over, and whatever has Hunter running around like his ass was on fire, is handled. Relief floods my chest.

Then I read the message again.

‘Sorry I’ve been hard to reach, we’ve been dealing with a lot.’

My jaw tightens.

A lot? A fucking lot?

I stare at the screen, as anger like I’ve never felt before burns through my body. Because his fucking motorcycle club was having issues. Not him. Meanwhile, I had my first heat ever, states away, and with strangers.

Turns out they’re my alphas and scent matches, but that’s not the point.

I spent days terrified and confused, trying to figure out what the hell was happening to my body. Through all of it, my brother couldn’t be bothered to answer a single message.

Not one.

I texted him asking for help finding blockers.

Nothing.

I called him because I was scared.

Nothing.

I told him I needed him.

Nothing.

Now suddenly, he's got time to text me? Now suddenly, it's sorry I've been dealing with a lot.

I let out a short laugh and scrub a hand across my face.

Unbelievable.

The stupid thing is that part of me still missed him and checked my phone every day, hoping he'd finally answer.

I read the message one more time before dropping my head back against the porch swing.

‘You can come home now.’

My eyes narrow.

That's it?

Not are you okay? How was your first heat? Sorry I disappeared while your entire life exploded.

Just you can come home now.

I swear, men lose brain cells in groups.

Eventually, I type out three different responses. The first one would probably start a fight. The second one sounds way too hurt. I delete them both.