Battle

He yells my name as I storm down the hall, but I keep going. How can one man be so unaware of his faults and so adamantly judge others. My feelings are close to hatred and if I turn around, I know I’ll say the words. I go into the bathroom and text Battle.

F: I need you.

When my emotions calm, I visit Wyatt. He smiles when I enter, holding his hand out. I take a seat at his bedside, holding his hand. How can I tell him I’m not here to mend our relationship? Forty-five minutes tick away without a word from either of us. I don’t want to hurt him after what he’s been through, while he’s in a weakened state, but pretending isn’t right.

“You aren’t back for me, are you?” he asks, his voice hoarse.

I suck back a sob as I glance up and faintly shake my head. “I’m sorry.”

“No, Faye, I’m sorry. I should’ve done right by you.”

“I forgive you,” I say, standing and lean over him. With his hand still in mine, I smile. “I will always care about you, but I’ve fallin’ in love with someone else.”

He squeezes my fingers. “I know, but if he ever hurts you, you tell me, okay?” I nod. “So I can kick his ass.”

We both laugh, and he grimaces in pain. “Don’t laugh,” I say, which makes us laugh again. “I’m sorry.”

“You look real happy, and I love seein’ you laugh again.” The sincerity in his words tug on my emotions.

“I love seein’ you laugh, too,” I admit, realizing how long it’s been since we’ve been happy in the same room with each other.

“Times up.” He nods at the door where Battle stands, leaning against the door frame. I wonder how long he’s been there?

“I’ll be back to visit you every day. You get better, okay?” He smiles as I lean down to kiss his forehead.

Our eyes connect as I lift my head. “You should tell him,” he says.

He knows me well. I don’t have to ask him to clarify. I know I should tell Battle I’m in love with him, but I also know he isn’t ready to hear it.

I leave Wyatt’s room, closing the door behind me. Battle smiles. I glance up nervously from under my lashes and ask, “How long were you there?”

He shrugs. “Long enough to know I don’t have to worry about the dipshit stealing you back.”

Evasive as always, his answer doesn’t tell me if he heard my confession of being in love with him. If he did, he doesn’t give anything away as he hauls me into his arms and holds me until I pull away, asking him to take me home.

“Your father apologized to me,” he says, his expression tight.

“He did?”

He nods sideways with a crooked grin. “Said you reminded him judgin’ a person is wrong, and he hoped we could mend fences.”

I hear the doubt in his words. I feel it too, but it’s a start. “What did you say?” I ask, not sure I actually want to know.

“I invited him and your mother to dinner tomorrow night.” A sly grin curls his lips.

“You’re a brave man, McCoy.”

He chuckles. “I’m charmin’, too. He’ll love me after tomorrow.”

With a jab to his side, we walk to the waiting room to find Marty. She declines a ride home as Austin is coming to pick her up.

By the time dinner is over, I can tell my parents are, in fact, falling in love with Battle. My mother is smitten by his looks and gentlemanly words, but my father is charmed by the ranch, his rodeo accomplishments, and his love of whiskey.

The two of them drink on the porch, laughing like lifelong buddies. And old Roy sealed the deal. That dog hasn’t left my father’s side, and Daddy’s taking a rather keen liking to him.

My mother and I clean up from dinner. I can tell she wants to say something. She’s an old Southern woman who doesn’t like to speak out of turn, but whatever’s on her mind seeps through her expression.

“You got somethin’ you wanna say, Mama?”