Page 86 of Forever Enough

“Yes, I’m still here. You’re bringing Mackenzie? Will you be making your relationship official, then?”

I laughed. “I wasn’t aware I had to announce my private life to anyone.”

She sighed. “You have fans, Bradly. People who admire you not only for your bull riding, but for the way you look. Things might change if they think you have a girlfriend.”

My hand clenched into a fist. “Let me make this perfectly clear. I don’t care what anyone thinks about my personal life. And as far as what you think, your one and only job is as my agent—and that won’t be for much longer. When it comes to commercials or events or anything of the sort, you’re more than welcome to provide input. But as far as Mackenzie is concerned, stay out of it.”

“My goal has always been to make sure that your career stays on track so that you can make those tens of thousands of dollars you make by slipping on a pair of jeans or pitching a beer. If you don’t make money, we don’t make money. My only worry as far as your new little toy is concerned is that she doesn’t interfere with us making money. Wait—what do you mean, that won’t be much longer?”

I sighed. “I think it’s time you talked to Lewis.”

“What does my father have to do with this?”

“I’m going to hang up now. And for what it’s worth, I do appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Crystal. I wish you the best.”

Hitting End, I put my phone on silent and placed it back down on the counter.

I drew in a deep breath, turned, and headed into the bedroom. I pulled the towel off and dropped it to the floor and carefully crawled under the covers. Mackenzie made a little noise as she rolled over. Draping my arm around her waist, I drew her closer to me. She instantly molded against my body, and I felt her relax even more. Hell, maybe it was me who relaxed. Last night, with her in my arms, was the best sleep of my life. And I had a feeling it was going to be that way again tonight.

Closing my eyes, I tried to clear my mind so I could rest, but I couldn’t shut down my brain. I rolled over and stared up at the ceiling for what felt like forever. Mackenzie rolled over as well, and I dropped my head to the right to look at her. I smiled as I watched her hand tuck under her chin and she let out a soft little sigh.

Turning back onto my side, I watched her until my own eyes finally felt heavy, and I drifted off to sleep.

I pulled my truck up and parked in front of my cabin. I hadn’t been back since I’d brought Mackenzie a few days ago. So much had happened, or at least it felt like so much had happened. We’d spent every moment together that we could since meeting five days ago.

Turning off the truck, I got out and made my way up the front porch and unlocked the door. The second I stepped inside, I swore I smelled the familiar scents of vanilla and lavender. She’d only been here once, and her presence still lingered.

Exhaling, I took off my coat and hung it up before I made my way into the bedroom and to the desk that was in the corner. I opened the middle drawer and pulled out the notebook I kept there. I’d brought it from my bedroom at my parents’ house to the cabin, thinking I would be spending more time here over the holidays rather than up at the house. That all changed Christmas night.

Since then, I’d read my mother’s journal and the ups and downs of my parents’ relationship at the beginning. She had known from the start that my father was the love of her life, but he’d been stubborn and fought it for so long. I wasn’t really sure why Mom had wanted me to read it, but it was nice to see the relationship my parents had in the beginning.

Taking the notebook, I walked back out to the living room and sat down on the sofa. I opened it to the last entry…

Christmas Eve

My body is aching and all I want to do is crawl into bed and sleep for days. I thought my decision would have weighed heavy on my mind, but it’s been the opposite. It felt healing. Telling Mom and Dad what I’m thinking was another relief, especially because they weren’t disappointed in me. They told me to take my time with my decision. I already know I’m going to walk away. I think I knew it before I even came home. I know I’m making the right choice. I can feel it in my bones.

But there’s something else on my mind.

I’m surrounded by my family, and still feeling lonelier than I’ve ever felt in my life. Yet, I have this strange feeling that there’s someone here, waiting for me. By here, I mean on the ranch. I can’t explain the feeling. It’s like there’s an invisible string and it’s tugging at my heart, drawing me to someone, but I don’t know to who. And I have no idea where to look.

Maybe I’m feeling a bit melancholy because everyone around me is falling in love and getting married. Jealous, maybe? Life on the road is lonely, but damn if I’m not happy when I’m home, lonely or not.

It’s not jealousy. No, this feels real.

She’s out there. I can feel her, and I can’t help but wonder if she can feel me too.

I pulled out the pen that was clipped onto the notebook and turned the page. I thought for a moment before I wrote the date.

December 30th

Fate or destiny? One of them brought Mackenzie to me, and my life will never be the same again. Can a person really fall in love in a matter of days? No, in a matter of hours? Yes, because the way I feel for Mackenzie is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I know I love her with every fiber of my soul. Loving her is so easy. The idea that she hasn’t been in my life this whole time is unfathomable to me. To think about her not in my life is heart-wrenching.

Life before Mackenzie Reeves no longer exists in my mind. The only thing I see now, want now, is a life with her. Somehow, I knew she was coming to me, and I firmly believe that’s why my heart is no longer on the road it once was on. Now it’s here, in this cabin, with Mackenzie in my life and a future that looks brighter than I could have ever imagined.

I officially told Lewis this morning that I’m riding in one more event. I’m going to go out the way I want to go out. And Mackenzie will be by my side when I do it.

Dropping back on the sofa, I inhaled a deep breath and dragged a hand down my face. It was almost over. The dream I’d once thought I needed to justify my existence was about to come to a close. And a new journey was about to begin.