“Trent.” Wyatt steps between us and puts his hand on my chest. “Not like this. Not today.”

“He’s sitting out here! Dad is dyin’, and he’s fucking sitting there.”

“Dad understands,” Wyatt says, trying to get me to relax. “Don’t do this.”

I stare at my brothers as I push the air out of my nose. I’m fuming. We’re stronger in numbers and Zach needs to go in. “He’s the one he’d listen to the most.” I choke on the words. “He’ll listen to him.” I point at Zach, and his face pales. “If he tells him to fight—” My throat starts to close and my chest aches. “He’ll listen to him.”

“You don’t know that,” Wyatt tries again to reason with me.

I do know it. Zach has always been the one Dad hears. When we were younger, if Zach told Dad it was his fault, none of us got in trouble. I don’t think he had a favorite, but if he did, Zach would be it. Sure, he’s listening to Wyatt and me, but he’s waiting for him.

Mama walks through the doors and looks at the three of us ready to fight. “Not happenin’ here, boys. You three are goin’ to get along and that’s that.”

I see the fear in her eyes. She’s right. We don’t need to be doing this here. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Sorry, Mama,” Zach says and moves back to Presley.

“Good. Now, they started the first transfusion. He’ll be here a few days. I want you all to head home and get some rest. I promise I’ll call you if anything changes.”

“Mama,” I start to protest.

“No,” she refutes. “This isn’t a suggestion. Go home, shower, and come back in the mornin’ when we know more. This is comin’ from your father, and you don’t want to go against his wishes, do you?”

“No,” Wyatt says and gives us each a look that says we’re to do as she asks. Dad listens to Zach, where as Wyatt is the one Mom trusts to get us to listen to her. She doesn’t leave room for a discussion and arguing will upset her.

“I love you all,” Mama says and kisses each of us on the cheek. “I’m sorry we lied to you. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

I pull her into my arms and kiss the top of her head. “We’ll do whatever we can.”

She pats my back and looks in my eyes. “I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose him.”

Her eyes fill with tears, and I squeeze her again. “Then convince him to fight, Mama.”

Chapter 14

Grace

I t’s been three days since Rhett collapsed. Trent has been at the hospital or working, and we haven’t had a chance to see each other or talk about anything. He texts me every day, telling me he can’t wait to see me, but our communication has been minimal. Presley told me that the blood transfusion worked well, and they’re now talking about chemo options. The last thing I want to do is add stress to Trent’s plate about where we stand.

His focus is where it should be, but he asked me to come over when he gets off work in an hour. I decide to head over early because I can’t handle just sitting here. I’ve talked myself into and out of a million things that he could say.

It wouldn’t be crazy to think he’s changed his mind, but God I hope he hasn’t.

I pull up to his house and look around. I haven’t been here in a while, but everything is still the same. His car isn’t outside, but I still have my key, so I can let myself in.

His house sits on the southern edge of his family’s land. It’s not big, but it’s perfect for him. The house is decorated with deep mahogany wood, leather furniture, and all very masculine art on the wall. He’s a simple man, and doesn’t need much, but he let me do some small things to make the house more homey.

I walk in and set my purse down, but then he emerges from the back room, scaring me half to death. “You’re here?”

“I came home to grab something,” he explains. “What are you doin’ here already?”

My heart races as he approaches. “I didn’t want to wait.”

“I’m glad you didn’t. I’ve been goin’ out of my mind.”

Trent’s body moves with such assurance. His sandy-blond hair is in disarray. His dark blue eyes shine with wonder. Everything inside me clenches when he stops in front of me. My breathing grows shallow, and I fight the urge to jump him. This is what has never been an issue for me. Trent makes my blood pump, and I come to life around him.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because I don’t know what we’re doin’, sweetheart. I don’t know what you want or what this means for us.” His hand rises to caress my cheek, but he drops it and blows out a deep breath. “I’ve pushed you away and messed with your head, and I’ll never forgive myself. I don’t want to do that anymore. I love you.” Trent, who seems to have run out of restraint, hooks his finger in mine. “If you want to be with me, you’re going to have to be the one to decide.”

I’m terrified to say what I’m feeling. Years of the back and forth between Trent and me are playing tug-of-war inside me. No matter how much I want to dive in and embrace his love for me, a tiny voice is telling me I’m a fool and that he said all of that as a way to keep me away from Cooper. He doesn’t know about the disastrous kiss between Cooper and me, but now is definitely not the time to tell him.

“I’m scared,” I admit, offering a safe answer.

“You think I’m not?”

I look up at him. “What do you have to be scared of?”

“I have no idea what you’re thinkin’ right now. For the most part, I’ve always been able to tell where your head is, but I don’t right now. It’s killin’ me. The only thing I know is what I feel and that there’s nothing in this world I want more than you.”

I stand before this man that I’ve spent my entire life loving. A man who, no matter what I do, I can’t eradicate from my heart. Our love may not be perfect, but nothing in life is. I want him by my side. He’s who I’ll always need.

“I don’t know how to live without you. I don’t want to try to learn, either.”

His arms are around me in an instant. “Say it,” he commands.