Page 62 of Here With Me

“He’s a rival trainer who’s mad Ellie picked me instead of him. She’s killin’ it in the barrel racing scene right now, which makes sense as to why he’d cover the arena in nails. He knew she’d be trainin’ with me.”

Fisher’s nostrils flare. “How much of a threat is this guy? Should you contact the authorities?”

“She just said they couldn’t get a face on the camera. What’re the cops gonna do?” Jase’s cocky tone has me kicking him underneath the table with a glare.

“Creatin’ a paper trail for trespassin’ will help if there’s another incident,” Fisher explains. His clipped voice edges on annoyance at Jase’s dumbass comment. Can’t say I blame him.

“We shoulda reported it,” I agree. “But my first gut reaction was to get it cleaned up right away and take care of Ranger. But since there’s footage, I can show them what we have.”

“I’ll text Sheriff Wagner and tell him to swing by the ranch tomorrow,” Jase says, pulling out his cell.

“I can call him myself,” I say, harsher than I intended to, but his demeanor is frustrating. He never gave a shit about the ranch when we were dating, and now he’s acting like he gives a damn.

With a shrug, he pockets his phone. “Alright, just thought I’d take somethin’ off your plate.”

He hasn’t a goddamn clue what’s on my plate.

“Thanks, I appreciate it. But we’ll get it sorted.” I give him a tight-lipped smile and nod toward Fisher so he gets the hint to makeniceconversation with him.

“Did you get unpacked?” Jase asks him before grabbing his beer.

“About halfway. Still need to buy some furniture, but the necessities are put away.”

“Where did ya buy a house?” I ask because I actually don’t know where he lives.

“Five minutes outside of town on 107.”

So about ten to fifteen minutes from the ranch.

“Nice, so not too far from Jase.” I smile. After Jase moved out of his mom’s house, he rented an apartment in town so he was closer to the office.

“I actually found a house I wanna buy.” Jase grins.

I raise a brow. “Really?”

Jase was never interested in settling down or making any big plans because all he cared about was himself and doing the bare minimum. While we were dating, it wasn’t that big of a deal since I still lived in my parents’ house and wasn’t planning on leaving for college. Now, it’s nice to see him taking his life and career more seriously.

“That’s why I was late. I was talkin’ with my banker. Plannin’ on makin’ an offer tomorrow.”

I reach over and squeeze his hand. “Jase, that’s amazin’! Congrats!”

That’s a big step for him, especially at his age. I’m genuinely proud of him and how far he’s come.

“Proud of you, son,” Fisher says, holding up his Budweiser and waiting for Jase to clink his back.

Jase gives him a curt nod and finally lifts his glass. “Thanks.”

Taking a sip of my drink, I’m relieved the uneasiness has dwindled.

“Do you have any pictures?” I ask.

Jase whips out his phone and scrolls to the listing. “Three bedrooms and bathrooms, large backyard, dining and living rooms. Newly remodeled kitchen.”

“That sounds like a dream!” I smile wide when he scrolls through the photos. “Looks beautiful.”

“That’s big,” Fisher says. “Alotta house for one person.”

“Well, sure now, but I don’t wanna be single forever. Someday, there’ll be a wife and kids livin’ there, too.” Jase gives me a look that makes my skin crawl. I’m not sure if he’s gauging my reaction to him dating other women or to the idea of him settling down, but either way, he better get any thoughts of us getting back together out of his mind.