Without You (Love Wanted in Texas 1)

I nodded my head. Grams always called Gunner by his real name, Drew. Everyone else would call him by his nickname that he’d gotten in high school football.

“But you be respectful of his feelings as well. That’s his baby girl.”

I smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

I opened the screen door as Lex sat down.

Gunner leaned against the counter. “How long have you been sneaking around behind my back?”

Lex stood up. “Daddy, we weren’t purposely hiding it from you. We just didn’t know how to tell you. I was scared.”

His eyes filled with sadness. “Alex, why in the world would you be scared to tell me?”

I walked up and stood next to her. She reached for my hand, and Gunner stood up straighter. He gave me a look that I’d never seen before, and I wanted to drop Lex’s hand, but I knew better.

“I’m going to ask again. How long have you two been dating?”

I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. “Over a year, sir. We, um…it started when I was helping Lex train Banjo.”

He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. When he opened them again, Lex dropped my hand and sat down. All I wanted to do was run and hide behind my own daddy. I didn’t think I’d ever seen Gunner so mad in my life.

The screen door opened, and Ellie walked in. She walked up and smiled at Lex and me, and then she sat down on the other side of Lex.

Gunner looked at me and said, “I trusted you, Will.”

My heart dropped.

He pushed his hand through his hair. “Have you…have you both…have things gone far?”

I began shaking my head. “No, sir. I would never do that to Lex—ever. Gunner…Mr. Mathews, um…” I paused and took a deep breath. What in the hell do I call him now? This was twice I’d stumbled over what to say to him. “I would never do anything to make you lose respect for me, sir. I love Lex too much.”

His face softened a bit, and he nodded his head. “I appreciate that, Will. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that you’ve been making out with my daughter in my own goddamn barn for over a year! I ought to kick your ass right here and now.”

“Gunner!” Ellie yelled as she jumped up.

I looked down at the floor. I couldn’t deny it, and I wasn’t about to lie to him.

“Daddy, I’m eighteen years old. You can’t tell me what to do anymore.”

Oh shit.

Gunner glared at me. “Since you seem to be interested in my daughter, cut the Gunner shit. It’s sir or Mr. Mathews.”

“Gunner,” Ellie whispered, “stop being so mean to the boy.”

He turned to Lex. “What happens in two months when you go to the University of Texas and Will goes to A&M?”

Oh hell, it keeps getting worse.

I turned and looked out the window. My father caught my eye, and I pleaded silently for him to come protect me. He laughed and shook his head.

Bastard.

Lex slowly stood up. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you and Mama about that. I’ve decided to go to A&M.”

Gunner laughed and shook his head. “Excuse me?”

“Daddy, I really—”