Page 39 of Stick Around,

The shout came from every direction at once. I sat back on my ass, the arena’s dust still swirling around me. Kellan appeared at the rail, vaulting over with his face drawn tight with worry. Reid jogged in from the main stable aisle, Walter bounding at his heels, while Enzo stepped out of the tack room, rag in hand.

Great. I’d managed to summon all three of them with my incompetence.

“Are you okay?” Kellan reached me first, dropping to his knees, his hands moving over my arms, searching for injuries.

“I’m fine, just a bruised ego.” Embarrassment heated my cheeks. “What were you all doing? Watching me?”

Enzo crouched in front of me, his eyes scanning my body. “Did you hit your head? Any dizziness?”

I shook my head. “No. I tripped and landed on my hands and knees.”

Reid knelt beside me, his presence calming. He didn’t bombard me with questions, just settled a solid hand on my shoulder. Walter sniffed at my boots with concern.

I felt ridiculous surrounded by three gorgeous men all because I’d fallen off a stick. “I’m fine, really.”

The concern on their faces slowly melted into relief, then into something more complicated. An awkward silence stretched between us, filled with unspoken words.

I became acutely aware of Kellan’s hand still on my arm, Enzo’s knee brushing mine, and Reid’s steady presence at my side.

Enzo’s gaze flickered to mine before dropping to the ground. “You were amazing with the kids today.”

“You saved our asses.” Kellan’s thumb traced small circles on my skin. “You should stick around for a few more weeks.” The usual playfulness in his voice was replaced by something earnest that made my stomach flip.

Reid, still kneeling quietly beside me, finally spoke. “It feels right having you here.”

My heart twisted with the way they looked at me with hope and vulnerability. I opened my mouth, though I had no idea what to say. No one had ever looked at me like these three men were looking at me now.

Before I could formulate a response, Reid’s brow furrowed slightly. “But every cabin is booked solid. If you stay, we’d need to figure out where you’re going to sleep.”

I should say no. I should grab my stick horse, drive back home, and forget this whole fantasy.

Walter nudged my hand with his cold, wet nose, making a satisfied little grunt when I stroked his head, his tiny body vibrating with happiness.

Happiness.

I was happy here. I wasn’t wallowing. I wasn’t overthinking my future. I was proudly prancing around an arena on a stick horse with three men cheering me on. It would only be for a few more weeks until Marisol was able to work, and then I’d go back to dealing with reality again.

I looked up at Reid, then over at Kellan and Enzo. “I’ll stay.”

Chapter 14

Midnight Restlessness

Reid

I’d been tossing on the air mattress for almost two hours before admitting defeat. Every shift of my weight produced a rubbery squeak that echoed in the sparse guest room. My shoulders ached from tension, and my thoughts wouldn’t quiet.

Quinn was sleeping in my bed.

Her staying with us made more sense than her finding somewhere else for a few weeks and having to drive every day. We needed her help with the camps, but knowing she was curled up in my sheets, her scent mingling with mine, was wreaking havoc on my ability to sleep.

But so was the air mattress.

Walter huffed from his dog bed in the corner, annoyed at my constant movement.

I swung my legs over the side of the mattress, wincing at the loud protest of rubber. Maybe the couch would be better. At the very least, it wouldn’t announce my every movement to the entire house.

Regardless, I needed to sleep. The past few days had been nuts with the kids’ camps starting, the influx of inquiries for lessons and cabins, and people randomly showing up. We hadn’t anticipated the latter, but luckily, Quinn had handled that like a pro for us.