Page 65 of Resisting Isaac

I whirl around to see Wyatt. Not sure where he came from, but Ivy probably radioed him or sent an emergency husband smoke signal into the sky. “Walk. Now.”

“I didn’t mean?—”

“I know you didn’t,” he says through clenched teeth. “But now’s not the time to explain. Let’s take a walk. Before my wife murders you on camera.”

He yanks me out of the set and toward the pasture behind the stables. I don’t fight it.

My knuckles throb. My pride aches worse.

Elena radiates unadulterated anger at me with her laser beam eyes as I leave. Even Sophia looks annoyed. I shoot them both the most apologetic look I can manage.

I fucked up. Bad.

I know it. I just don’t know how to fix it.

When we’re far enough away from the barn, Wyatt turns to face me.

“What the hell has gotten into you?”

A feral woman I never saw coming.

I run a hand through my hair, still wired with adrenaline. “I don’t know. I just—I saw them. And it looked like he was, I don’t know, disrespecting her. And I just snapped.”

Wyatt studies me.

Then he sighs. “Anything else you want to tell me?”

“No,” I say, locking my jaw tight, trying to keep in the truth.

“I’m not asking you to spill your guts about whatever is going on with you and the actress,” he says evenly. “But Iamtelling you to get your head on straight before you ruin this whole opportunity for my wife, the ranch, and forher.”

Silence stretches between us. Heavy. Uncomfortable.

My brother is a man of few words so it’s usually not an issue. But knowing I really pissed him off this time, not in the semi-amusing way I normally do, combined with trying to gage how much I’ve fucked up my—whatever it is—with Elena, is making me twitchy.

Wyatt inhales deeply then levels me with a stare.

“I spoke with Noah Wilder the other day. They’re struggling to hang onto decent hands this summer. Could use some help.”

I shake my head. “I’m not running away just because?—”

“Not running, Isaac. Getting some distance. Finding some space to clear your head.” His brows dip inward. “Before I have to clear it for you.”

I glance back toward the set. Wondering if my spitfire girl will ever talk to me again. Knowing it’s best for her if I leave without making any more of a scene.

“Yeah, okay,” I say even though I hate it. “I’ll call him. Probably ride out there tonight.”

Wyatt appears relieved. “I’ll try to smooth things over with Eli. Make sure he doesn’t sue us for your unstable ass.”

“Thanks. Please tell Ivy I’m sorry.”

My brother stares so intently at me, I squirm.

Then he gives me his version of a grin. The man still isn’t what one would call expressive. “I get it. Just like the last bar fight you got into. No one disrespects a woman in front of you. It’s honorable. A little fucked up. But honorable.”

Except it isn’t like that this time. Not at all.

That was about a woman being called a blatantly disrespectful name. And I was more than a little drunk at the time.