I wrap my arm around her and hug her to my chest. “Okay, deal.”

“After our date, though…” Knox interjects, shooting her a wink. God, he’s insufferable.

“If I ever get a free night.” She releases an exhausted breath. “I’ve been covering shifts for the past month. Teagan’s on maternity leave, and a few others have called in sick.”

“Whenever is fine,” I reassure her, not caring as long as I get to spend some alone time with her.

I turn to find Grayson and Kenzie whispering, then seconds later, she pushes him away.

“Maybe I’ll tell Sarah she can have you after all…” Kenzie threatens.

“Nice try, darlin’. You’re all mine.” Grayson waggles his brows, and I’m ready to throw up.

“Could you two get a room?” I say, annoyed by tonight’s outcome.

“Don’t be bitter. I’m sure you and Sarah will have plenty to talk about,” Grayson drawls.

“If she lets you get a word in…” my sister taunts. For being twenty-four, Kaitlyn sure is still a pain in my ass.

I roll my eyes, then walk away. Moments later, Sarah finds me.

“Oh my God, Kane!” She wraps her arms around me before I can form a sentence. “I’m so excited!”

I lift my cowboy hat and brush a hand through my hair. “Yeah.”

“I’ll text you when I’m free so we can arrange our date, okay?” she says enthusiastically.

Nodding, I give her a smile because I don’t want to be rude. “Sounds good.”

I tell her goodbye, then head to my truck.

Though I know I’ll have to go on a date with Sarah, I can’t stop thinking about Hadleigh. The fact that Knox will take her out before I do has me covered with dread. When it happens, I’m gonna need to get drunk off my ass and hope I pass out so I won’t have to think about it.

Hadleigh’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I’ve had feelings for her since we were sixteen. Being her friend has always been enough for me. It never felt like the right time to tell her between my long hours at the ranch and her busy schedule. So I stood by and waited.

Waited until she dumped her asshole boyfriends who treated her like trash.

Waited until my fear of rejection wavered.

And am currently waiting to grow some balls to tell her that I’m in love with her.

CHAPTER ONE

KNOX

TWO MONTHS LATER

“Inhale,” I whisper in Hadleigh’s ear as I steady her hips from behind. She obeys, holding the axe firmly in her grip. “Now exhale and throw.”

As she stretches her arm back, I give her some space so I don’t get whacked. The blade makes a loud thud as it slams into the wood about five inches from the bull’s-eye.