I textedGrace the next morning, letting her know I’d meet her by Travis and Blake’s place around nine o’clock. Travis, Scott, and I met at the barn to discuss what needed to be done today to make sure I could get out of going with them. They were great friends to give me this time alone with Grace.
When we finished, we all headed over to Travis’ place, along with Duke and Gavin. Poker night this month fell while we were out on rotation, but Gavin was helping Duke plan it, which meant it was going to take place at Gavin and Travis’, and Gavin liked to have everything planned out in advance.
We were all standing outside the front door when we heard the back door slam. I figured it was from the windows being open and the draft caught the door, but then raised female voices drifted out.
“Grace, I repeat, do not tell Mom anything. It will not end well, and you know it.” Blake’s raised voice sounded exasperated.
“You don’t know that. Maybe she can help,” Grace argued.
“She won’t. You and I both know that.”
“But Blake…she’s always been a part of my riding career. I can’t ignore her forever.”
“She’ll only make things worse. You know once she gets here, she’ll make a big scene and make this all about her.”
“I hear what you’re saying, but even with all her faults, she’s still our mom.”
“Grace.” Blake’s voice gentled. “It’s not just her finding out you’re not with Charlie’s team any longer. What do you think she’ll do when she finds out you want to roll into bed with not one, but two cowboys? She’ll either drag you back home or give you the same treatment I got.”
“Ladies, you know the windows are open right?” Travis called out to get their attention. This conversation wasn’t for us to hear, but at least I got another confirmation that Grace was into both Scott and me and wanted to have some fun.
“Fuck me,” I heard Grace’s soft voice mutter.
“With pleasure,” I said loud enough for her to hear.
Travis smacked my chest. I lifted my eyebrow at him. Why was everyone hitting me so much lately?
“What happened to best behavior?” I heard Blake ask.
“What? They started it.”
I snickered at Grace’s response. It was true. I did kiss her first.
“And that’s one of the reasons I told you to stay away. You’re going to lose focus.”
“That’s not fair, Blake. I can’t believe you’d think I’ll lose focus.”
“I know you, Grace.”
“This means too much to me to screw up. I’ve been working my ass off for this. I wouldn’t do anything to screw it up.” Grace’s voice was a few octaves higher before suddenly dropping. “You’ve never had faith in me.”
I shifted from one foot to the other.
“I’ve always had faith in you. Why do you think I push you so hard? I know you can do this.” Blake’s voice was firm.
“Then let me do this. My way.” Grace came out the front door. She stopped short when she saw the five of us giving her sheepish grins.
Blake came out the front door a few seconds later and froze as well.
Grace sighed, and the tension in her shoulders fell away when she spotted me.
“Ty.” She smiled and headed in my direction.
“Hey Grace. You ready for that ride?” I asked.
“More than ever.”
I threw my arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the barn before I dared to look back to see Blake staring after us. I gave her a subtle nod.
Blake was being protective of Grace, but something about overhearing that conversation triggered me. I had the urge to protect Grace, too.
We stopped at Foxy’s stall first before we headed to Storm’s stall to get him ready. We didn’t talk much. She had a lot to process, and I wanted to give her the space for it, but I also didn’t want her to retreat from me.
Before we mounted, I pulled Grace into a hug and planted a kiss on her lips. She froze at first, but then quickly melted into me. “Hey,” I said when we pulled apart.
Grace smiled at me, more relaxed now. “Hey.”
“You okay?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Let’s just get out of here. I could use a good gallop.”
“Anything you want.” I actually meant it. I hadn’t felt like this about any other woman I’d ever met, but I was willing to do anything for Grace. If she needed to go for a run, needed to get away from everything, needed a shoulder to cry on, needed a good fuck, I was there for her.