Hudson placed a hand against Matty’s chest. “I would, but…it’s your dad. He’s had an accident and—”
“Wait, what?” My heart thumped in my chest. “What kind of accident?”
“He got kicked in the head by a horse, but he’s going to be all right. Someone’s taking him into town to see the doctor, but he wanted me to let you know he was fine.”
“You should have told me the moment you walked in!” An accusation flared in Matty’s eyes as he pushed past Hudson.
“Matty, wait!” I yelled, but he was already gone. “Hudson—”
“I’ve got her. Go after him.”
I nodded and ran as fast as possible after Matty’s retreating figure. He was already halfway down the driveway, his strides long and purposeful. The gravel crunched underneath my feet as I tried to catch up, my lungs burning with the exertion.
“Matty!” If he didn’t want to take me to Gray, I would walk to town if I had to. I had to see for myself that he was okay. Desperate, I pushed my legs harder, stumbling a bit as I finally caught up to him at his truck. I grabbed his arm. “Matty, slow down.”
He shrugged off my hand. “I don’t have time for this.” His voice was cold, detached.
“Please take me with you.”
“That’s not a good idea. Why would I take you?”
I clenched my hands into fists. “You know damn well why. If anything happens to him—”
“You heard Hudson. He’s fine.”
“I also heard him say Gray was kicked in the head by a horse. Please. I know you don’t like me, but please. I care about him so much. I love him.”
He looked at me intensely as if he were trying to read my thoughts. Finally, he sighed heavily and slid his hand down his face in frustration.
“Fine.” He unlocked the truck and opened the passenger side door for me. “Just…stay out of the way. Don’t make a scene. It’ll be odd that you’re there when you’re not family.”
“I promise I won’t make a scene.”
Even if my throat grew tight with anxiety, and my hands were trembling. I climbed into the truck and pulled the seat belt across me, gripping the rough fabric for reassurance. Matty shut the door with a soft thud and circled to the driver’s side. As he started the engine, his face was hard and unreadable.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He grunted but didn’t say anything else. The drive was silent save for the low hum of the engine and the rattling of loose stones against the underside of the truck. The image of Gray lying unconscious in some cold, sterile hospital room brought a lump to my throat.
He has to be okay.
To be kicked in the head by a horse must have been painful. Those animals were massive.
Why is it so far to get into town?
After what felt like hours, we finally arrived. Matty parked outside the town’s clinic and killed the engine, but I made no move to get out.
“We’re here,” he said.
I swallowed. “I know. It’s just…” Matty didn’t want to know my thoughts. He didn’t care about me or my relationship with his father. “Nothing.”
“Fuck.” He smacked his hand on the steering wheel. “Look, if Hudson says he’s going to be fine, it’s the truth. Dad’s a tough man. He’s been through worse than this. Many times. We grew up on a ranch. We’ve had broken limbs, broken ribs, and concussions. He’s been through his fair share of animal accidents, and he’s still here.” Matty opened his door and slid out of the truck. “And then there’s you. I’ve never seen him this happy in a long time. He’s not the kind of man to give that up by dying so easily.”
My eyes filled with tears. “Matty.” My voice was a whisper. The tears spilled over, streaking my face with wet trails.
“Jesus.” He pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to me. “The one time I’m nice to you, and you fall apart. Use this, or Dad’s going to think I made you cry, and I’m still recovering from the last time he took me apart for the way I talked to you.”
“Thank you.” I wiped my face with the cloth. Despite all his animosity, Matty had somehow consoled me. Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all. He had a little bit of Gray inside him.
