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“It’s only a matter of time. They’re working to be better for you, Reagan. That’s going to need a response soon and you’d be crazy to walk away from the men you clearly love when they’re fighting so much for you.”

CHAPTER 48

West

I shot a worried look at Mills over the table at the diner. I’d never seen my oldest brother break down before but it’d been a long few days; made worse by his revelation that our parents had fucked him over and left us all in a state of financial failure. He’d never told us. He’d given up all of his savings and worked hard to get the ranch back to a good place but he’d done it all alone and he’d suffered for it. We’d all suffered for it. In the two days since he’d cracked, after Maxie cracked him, things already felt different. I felt closer to him.

“I’m fine, West.” Mills flashed a small smile and rolled his eyes. “A guy has one little mental breakdown and suddenly everyone’s worried about him.”

Tate slapped his shoulder as he slid into the booth next to him.

“One little mental breakdown? Is that what we’re calling you crying like a baby?”

“Yep. Unless you want me to shove my foot up your ass.”

I laughed but the sound froze in my throat when the door to the diner opened and Reagan walked in with Maxie and Nellie. I catalogued everything about Reagan in a single sweeping glance and I was on my feet before I even understood what I was doing. She was sad. And tired. I could see the bags under her eyes and I wanted to wipe them away.

She looked over and spotted me striding across the diner towards her. Her eyes went wide and she shifted Lucky in her arms so he was between us instead of at her side. She looked up at me when I stopped in front of her.

“West…”

I didn’t know what to say. I’d strode over like a lunatic and all I could do was stand there and stare at her. Luckily, Lucky had my back. He squealed for me and nearly punched his mom in hisefforts to get to me. I gently took him and smiled down at him when his normally cranky little face lit up with a smile.

“That decides it. Looks like we’re having lunch together.” Maxie patted my back and winked at me. “Y’all mind moving to a table?”

Reagan looked like she was going to argue but Maxie gave her no room to. It was amazing to watch my sister, the sister who’d always been so easily walked all over, command a situation without hesitation.

I rested my hand at the small of her back as she followed Maxie to a table. I watched goosebumps form on her neck and clenched my jaw to stop my body from reacting like a horny teenager. I wanted to drag her into my chest and kiss her until she promised to come back home and never leave. I couldn’t stop myself from leaning closer to whisper against her ear.

“You look beautiful, kitten.”

She stopped at the table and looked at me over her shoulder.

“Did you pick up lying lately?”

I smiled and slid my hand around her waist.

“No. You’re beautiful. An absolute sight for sore eyes. And if you don’t point out that I look tired, I won’t point out that you do, too.”

Her lips quirked up at the sides.

“If you think I look tired, you should see how I feel.”

Maxie had wrangled Tate and Mills over from the booth and I knew my private moment with Reagan was over. Tate and I sat on either side of her and Mills chose the seat directly across from her. Maxie and Nellie sat on either end side of Mills with matching grins on their faces.

“Isn’t this fun?” Maxie smiled and elbowed Mills. “I’m so glad we ran into y’all. Consider this our first official family outing of many. Even though we’re not all here.”

Lucky grabbed my beard and tugged at it while making happy sounds. I rubbed his back and leaned in to inhale his special baby smell. God, I missed him. I missed him and his mom being in the same house with us.

Reagan’s phone rang and she looked at it with a guilty blush staining her cheeks. I had to wonder if she was thinking of all the calls she’d ignored from us.

“It’s Harley. I’ll be right back. Sorry.”

I watched her slip outside and when I looked back at my family, I could tell we were all on the same page. Reagan had to come back home.

Mills leaned back in his chair as he watched Reagan.

“I’m going to ask her to come with Lucky when we pick him up tomorrow. I don’t want to take him away from her again.”