Zachary

I WANT TO MAKE TONIGHT perfect. She needs to get out of her own head and allow us to be us. But Presley is an over thinker. Always has been.

“You sure about this?” Wyatt asks as he helps load my truck.

“No, but I’m tired of sleeping on a rock.”

He laughs. “I doubt that’s what your reason is, but I’ll buy it for now. She’s going to see through your bullshit though. She always does.”

I’ve got tonight planned down to every detail. Presley will meet me like she always does, only this time it won’t follow the way it has for the last three weeks. She refuses to let me take her out, so I’ll force a date.

“Just load the truck.” I remind him of his job. “I didn’t ask for all your commentary.”

Wyatt came over to grab a few things from our parents. Somehow, that turned into an hour of him, once again, saying how I’m fucking up things on the ranch. Bastard didn’t want to help when my parents needed him, but now he’s full of opinions. When I brought Felicia on to help me run things, he quit that day and went to work for the Townsends. Instead of him growing up and being an adult, he left me high and dry.

Dad had a stroke and could no longer work, so I did what was needed. My parents busted their asses for me, it was the least I could do. Thanks to my dad, I was able to attend any baseball camp I wanted, travel, take extra lessons. All because it was my dream.

“There’s extra blankets because she gets cold.” Wyatt tosses another bag in the back.

“I know.”

“I don’t know what you know, Zach. I hope you’re ready for whatever it is you’re doing. Presley may think she’s ready, but you’ve got blinders on.”

Here we fucking go again.

“You’re not her brother. You’re mine. Start acting like it.” I shove his hat in his chest. “I love her. I would never hurt her. And no matter what you think, this isn’t some fucking fling. This is me takin’ care of her.”

He can think what he wants. The truth is this is for her. This is about her. Not me or the fact that I have to ice my nuts every night. She doesn’t sleep unless I’m holding her. There’s no way in hell she’s comfortable on that damn rock, so I’m going to treat her right. I could kick my own ass for not thinking of this before.

“Whatever you say, Zachary. You always know best when it comes to her.”

“What’s your problem?”

He huffs. “I’m sitting here watching you two sneak around. How the hell is that okay with you? If she’s not ready to even talk about you both, how are you even anything?”

“I’m not sneaking around. We’re not kids anymore. She’s got kids she needs to protect. There’s a lot more to this than what you think you know.”

Wyatt needs to take his opinions somewhere else. I don’t know when he became the expert on relationships. He’s never had a serious girlfriend.

Wyatt crosses his arms. “I’d bet my ass that there’s more you don’t see. But hey, I’m just a country boy, right?”

Wyatt walks back in the house, and I let it go. Sometimes he grumbles regarding Presley. They have a very unique friendship, and I respect it. At the same time, I fucking hate it. I hate that he gets her on such a deep level.

I hop in the truck and head to our meeting spot. Only this time, our night is going to go down much differently.

Me: Head out early.

Presley: I just got the boys to bed.

Me: Perfect.

Presley: I didn’t say yes.

Me: You didn’t say no. I’ve got a surprise.

I hope that gets her attention. She’s a stubborn Southern woman who likes to press my buttons. If I don’t keep her on her toes, she’s likely to keep going in circles.

Presley: Oh? What kind?

Got her.

Me: The kind that you need to come see. Your parents know. Just come to our spot.

I spoke with her mama this morning when I got the idea. She smiled, patted my leg, and told me I’m back on her good side. That’s one Townsend down. Her daddy is going to be a whole different ball game.

Presley: What are you up to, Zachary Hennington?

I love when she calls me by my full name. She only does it when she’s mad or feeling feisty.

Me: Darlin’, get your fine ass down to our spot. We got us a hot date.

And hopefully one that puts a big smile on that gorgeous face. I’m going to show her how special she is and how she’s always been my choice.