Page 51 of Timber's Line

“I don’t want you to be a duck,” he whispers.

“Why do you even care?”

“Because I need you.”

“But why?”

He sighs, “I can’t put into words why. I just know when you’re around, things feel right.”

“I don’t know.”

“We have plenty of time to get to know each other, but I’m going to win your heart in the end.” He sounds so positive.

I sit back and let the rain wash all my thoughts away. Eventually, he walks away. Once he knows the truth, he won’t stick around.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

DAYTON

I meant every word I said to her—I’m winning her heart in the end.

“You think you can break through?” London asks me as I join him and the others on the porch. Memphis and Easton are by the barn, watching her. No one wants to leave her alone, but I knew she needed to be.

“I hope so. All of you dented my thoughts.” I chuckle.

“It took a long time, hard head and all.” Diego laughs.

“Fuck off.”

“You know it’s true,” Kash says, joining us.

“Dayton, you have been a tyrant to be around these past couple of years, but we stuck by you,” Silas chimes in. He went pretty hard on me in the cage. I was surprised he didn’t kill me. He smirks as if he can read my thoughts.

“I realize that now,” I admit.

“Now, what are you going to do?”

“I guess let this play out.” I look down at the ground.

“We’re going to help you,” Ty replies.

“Why would you do that?”

“Because if I don’t, you will kick my ass in our next fight.” Ty grins.

“I’m sorry, what fight?”

London laughs. “Sal got you a fight. Are you not following this?”

“He did?”

“Yes. Ty volunteered. At the end of the show, there will be a fight between the last two men standing. But there will be several fights before that, all money going to charity.”

“Wait, so if I’m the last one standing, I’ll have to fight twice?”

“So cocky, but yes,” Brick snorts.

“Wow. I’ve been waiting for so long.”