Graham exhaled slowly and swallowed. “It was the only choice—”
“I’m going with them,” Zach said.
Zach waited for the explosion that he expected to follow his announcement. But Graham only stiffened, his mouth dropping open. His stunned gaze met Zach’s. Graham looked like he might speak, but he closed his mouth without saying a word. Yeah, Zach thought, Graham hadn’t seen that one coming. But Zach hadn’t been able to come up with another alternative that he could live with. He finally understood why Graham had preempted Rowan’s decision. He’d wanted to spare her the agonizing pain of choosing between her family and them—again. What Graham hadn’t realized was that, given the circumstances, none of them could escape that pain. Rowan sure hadn’t. She looked pale and drawn, as if she hadn’t slept in days. Her sassy walk had lost its bounce.
Zach didn’t break Graham’s stare, and he wasn’t changing his mind. The Callahans might not be aware of his decision yet, but he’d follow them like a pathetic, lost pup if they tried to leave without him. Zach knew he owed Graham an explanation, but how did you explain to your best friend, your brother, that you’d weighed the options and, like his mother, you hadn’t chosen him. Zach’s stomach twisted like a washrag wrung dry. He went with the truth.
“You’ve been my best friend since I was seventeen years old. I’d never have survived all the shit we’ve been through over the last fifteen years without you either watching my back or leading the charge.” Zach looked up at the ceiling and squeezed his eyes shut. “But I’m in love with her, and I’m not going to let her walk out of my life. Not willingly. I might’ve thought this ranch was my home and my life, but I was wrong, man. It’s her. She’s everything. I love you like a brother, but she’s my future, even if you’ve decided she isn’t yours.”
“Get out,” Graham said, his tone low and menacing.
“Graham—”
Graham shoved the chair back and took a fighting stance, the vein in his forehead visibly bulging. “Get the fuck out,” he snarled. “Get the fuck off my ranch.”
Zach unfolded himself from the chair and stared at Graham, who was clenching his fists reflexively, and looked to be barely restraining himself from taking his head off. “I’ll be gone in the morning.”
Zach turned and walked away from his best friend, closing the door on his past. Now, he just had to tell his future about his decision. And hope that her response was worth the friendship he’d just destroyed.
Graham embraced the rage and let it build until it drowned out the pain and betrayal that had swamped him at Zach’s announcement. This was her fault. She was the reason that the one living person he thought he’d always be able to count on—the one person who’d always had his back—was walking away. Graham had once again been judged and found wanting. He had to vent his pain on someone, and it might as well be the source. He couldn’t help but think, if she’d never stumbled into his crosshairs, then he wouldn’t be losing his best friend and feel like he’d been through an emotional meat grinder over the last couple weeks. Graham knew his thoughts weren’t rational, or hell, even sane, but he had to grasp onto something or he felt like he might break. And breaking wasn’t an option.
He threw open the door that Zach had shut with such finality and stormed across the inner compound, desperate to find Rowan and unleash his temper. His search didn’t take long; he found her in the mess hall, sitting at the dining table with Grace and Lia, watching the little girl color. He needed them gone. Because he sure as hell didn’t want an audience for this. He’d probably end up on his knees begging her to stay. No one needed to see that.
“Everyone out,” he said. “I need to talk to Rowan. Alone.”
“Graham?” Allison called from the kitchen. “Is something wrong?”
“Just need a minute,” he replied, his tone sharp and unyielding.
Allison bustled through the door from the kitchen; she tilted her head, studying his combative posture. She said nothing as she tugged Grace by the hand and backtracked into the kitchen.
“We’ll go check on the garden and pick some veggies for dinner,” she said. Lia trailed after them. She paused at the doorway, looking at Graham for a long moment and then back at Rowan. Graham saw Ro give her a nod, and only then did the woman cross into the kitchen.