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The nickname is a sucker punch that almost makes me take a step back because she’s the only one who ever really used it.

“What’s up?”

She turns around to face me, glancing up with the softest look in her eyes. “Are you okay?”

It’s a loaded question, so I go with the easiest lie. “I’m fine.”

“I don’t have to go back with you.”

The thought of leaving her alone here makes anxiety rise in my chest, and there’s not a chance I’m doing it.

“Yes, you do.”

“You seem… mad at me.”

My next breath comes out in a whoosh. Ashley has always been really conflict adverse, preferring to avoid the tough stuff rather than facing it head-on. It’s frustrating as hell, but maybe age and maturity have made her more open to having actual conversations with people.

So, it’s only fair that I meet her halfway.

“I’m not mad at you. I’m just… I don’t know. To be honest, you being here is kind of fucking with my head.”

Despite her non-confrontational nature, I still never thought she’d completely ghost me. Surely, loving someone makes you do hard things for them.

But it didn’t. Not for her. Or else she just never loved me.

Fuck.

Her eyes shine with emotion and she cups my jaw, rising to her tiptoes to press a kiss to my lips and making me melt.

“I’m so sorry. I promise I won’t hurt you again. Just tell me what you need. Space. Answers. Blowjobs. Just name your price, cowboy, and I’m happy to pay it.”

The grin pulling at my lips can no longer be suppressed, and some of the tension eases out of my body. Being with her again is a lot to process, but I need to try and enjoy the good times while they last.

“I’ll take you up on the last two.” I lift her into the truck, taking some extra and unnecessary time to squeeze her ass. “I’ll probably never get running boards.”

“You won’t hear me complaining.”

After I get back inside the truck, I turn the radio on to get updates on traffic and weather, but I’m only half-listening. My mind is skipping ahead, and Ashley notices my brooding.

“What are you thinking about?” she asks.

“When are you leaving Montana?”

She’s silent for a few beats, and I wonder if I’ve offended her. I didn’t mean the question how she probably assumes that I did.

“I’ll be gone as soon as possible. Don’t worry. I don’t plan to be a freeloading guest at the ranch for very long.”

Fuck.

She definitely assumed I meant something other than what I did.

I like having a plan and being prepared whenever possible. Of course, shit out of my control is always going to come up in life, but I do my best to eliminate controllable sources of stress.

And Ashley leaving again is something I want to be mentally ready to handle.

“You can stay as long as you want. I was just curious what your plans are.”

“I guess the short answer is that I don’t know. Brady lives in Italy at the moment, but he’s going to fly back stateside for a visit after I get my feet back under me. We’ll probably meet in California and I might stay there. Who knows.”