Page 9 of Head Above Water

Bryce tugged gently, pulling Hazard closer, his scent intensifying as the last light from outside began to purple. Hazard closed the distance between them, and their lips touched, sending a zing of energy through him. Bryce deepened the kiss as his free hand slid around Hazard, tugging him closer.

Hazard groaned, vibrating against him. Damn, that was sexy, and Bryce wanted more of a taste, but Hazard pulled back, their gazes locking for a few seconds. “This is a really bad idea.”

“Okay. Do you want to stop?” Bryce asked. Hazard didn’t move, and Bryce figured he’d moved too fast and blown his chance, but Hazard cupped his cheeks and kissed him even harder, sending a wave of desire through him that had Bryce throbbing in his jeans, as well as his aching shoulder.

“Hazard…?” Charlotte’s voice rang through the room, and Hazard backed away. “I saw your truck and wasn’t expecting you back so soon.”

“Harm Carsen was causing trouble,” Hazard said.

His mom hurried to where Bryce was sitting. “And you got in the way.” She clicked her tongue as she lifted the ice away. “You’re going to have one heck of a bruise.” She set the pack aside. “Leave it off for ten minutes before putting it back on again. Your skin needs to warm up or otherwise you can hurt yourself more.” She lightly patted Bryce on his good shoulder. “You’re a good man.”

“Mom….”

“I know what Harm did and what he thought. He tried to make trouble for you the way he always did.”

Hazard shrugged because he didn’t want to make too big a deal of it.

“The truth is that Harm seems to be one of those people who doesn’t know what he wants, and when Hazard thought….”

“You don’t need to tell him this,” Hazard said, trying to get his mother to stop, but she was determined.

“Fine. I’ll keep my opinions to myself. But that man’s problem is that he hates himself.” Mom turned and left the room, leaving the two of them alone. “Are either of you boys hungry?” she called from the other room.

“I’m fine, Mama, but Bryce probably needs something to eat. Maybe a grilled cheese or something. I ate, but he just sat at the bar.”

His mom returned. “I’m sorry about your dad. He’s a good man, and he doesn’t deserve the hurt that’s coming his way.”

Bryce winced as he sat up. “What do you mean?” he asked. “Dad is strong, and yeah, he has cancer, and it’s going to be hard on him, but….” Bryce sighed. “What is it that no one is telling me?”

Mom sat down next to Bryce, and Hazard took the chair nearby. “Your father kept putting off going to the doctor. Your mom talked to him about it, and I did too. We were both worried, but he is so stubborn, and, well… he waited a long time, and the cancer got a chance to really take hold. I know this because your mama told me, and I researched it online. The thing is….”

“That Dad waited too long and he doesn’t have much of a chance,” Bryce supplied.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you, but you deserve to know the truth. Your mom and dad would have, but I don’t think your mom has fully grasped what’s going to happen, and your father….”

“He thinking he’s going to tough it out like he does everything else,” Bryce supplied.

“Let me go make you something to eat,” Hazard said, but Bryce shook his head.

“Nonsense. You got to keep your strength up. It’s going to fall to you to keep all this running. I know a lot about what goes on because I’ve been doing to books and herd records for years. But your dad is the one who everyone trusted, and he was the one who knew how to get the best price. He also had this sense of when to expand and when to sit back and bide his time. He’s a good man.”

“Yes, my father is good at what he does here. But….”

“What?” Hazard asked.

Bryce looked to Charlotte. “You worked with my dad for years. Would it surprise you to know that I played basketball in high school? I was pretty good. A high scorer on the team.” He swallowed.

“That’s awesome.”

Bryce turned to Hazard. “Can you guess how many time my father saw me play?” He shifted to Charlotte, who shook her head. “Zero. He never came to one of my games, ever. He was always too busy. There were things on the ranch here that required his attention. My mother came, but Dad never did.” Damn, his throat ached, and he wished he’d just kept his mouth shut.

“I see,” Charlotte said.

“No, you don’t. No one does. I’m expected to take over the ranch and run it because my father is sick. My mother expects that, and so does everyone else here on the ranch. Their lives depend on it. But no one has ever asked what I wanted.” He shrugged. “Not that it matters, because I can’t let everyone down. This is what I was born for. I am supposed to run the ranch and carry on what my father and grandfather built.”

“Jesus…,” Hazard breathed.

“Well, there’s nothing I can do about it, so I just need to quit whining and get to work.” He placed the ice back on his shoulder. “Do you think you could get some of the latest reports and information on the ranch for me to go over? Dad always kept the financials to himself, but I’m going to need to know where we are and what it is I have to do.”