Ryder
I pushed open the bar door and stepped out into the cool night air. The neon sign above flickered behind me, casting red and blue shadows on the gravel parking lot. I’d only had a few drinks — enough to dull the edges but not enough to blur everything. Delaney’s text had come in just as I was finishing my second beer.
Coming home tonight instead of Thursday. The flight got moved up. See you soon.
I stared at the screen for a long time before I paid the tab and left. I’d planned to stay out until Thursday. Give myself space. Give Lila space. Give the whole damn mess time to cool down. But Delaney was coming back early. Tonight. And now I had no choice but to go home.
I climbed into the truck. The engine rumbled to life. I pulled out of the lot and onto the dark road. The ranch was
