Friends Like Them (Redemption Ridge Book Four) by Aimee Nicole Walker

Author:Aimee Nicole Walker [Walker, Aimee Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chasing Rainbows Press LLC
Published: 2024-03-26T00:00:00+00:00

“You look…different,” Keegan said.

He sounded hesitant, which wasn’t their usual dynamic. Keegan had displayed that tendency with others on the ranch, but never with Owen. Was that a sign that he’d scaled back his time with Keegan too much? He didn’t want Keegan to think he’d abandoned him. Owen glanced away from the road long enough to assess Keegan’s expression and was relieved that he didn’t seem upset.

“Different good or different bad?”

Keegan thought about the question long enough to make Owen look at him again, and this time, the blond imp was smiling. “As if I’d ever insult you.”

“Sounds more like an observation than an insult,” Owen replied.

“You seem distracted, maybe. Is it because Tyler isn’t with us?”

Owen braked at a four-way intersection and searched Keegan’s expression once more. His furrowed brow and downturned lips said he was definitely worried. Get your head out of your ass, Doyle. He returned his attention to the road and eased through the intersection. “I’ve driven you to therapy sessions for months without Tyler tagging along. Why would today be different?” There was that word again.

Keegan shrugged in his periphery. “Just is.”

Owen weighed how much to say. He’d worked hard to build trust with Keegan, and it would be disingenuous to discount his feelings, not to mention detrimental to his recovery. Yes, he was distracted, and yes, Tyler was the cause, but it had nothing to do with his absence. Owen hadn’t been able to stop thinking about their upcoming trip to Texas. Tyler had cleared the time off with Finley early Sunday morning, and his mom purchased their plane tickets that afternoon. The appropriate thing would’ve been for Owen to reciprocate with an offer to introduce Tyler to his mother, but he hadn’t, and he needed to figure out why.

“Maybe I’m moping a little,” Owen admitted. “We got busted stealing kisses in the stockroom today, and Finley separated us like naughty kids. Kieran had to babysit me all day, and Tyler tagged along with Finley. They’re picking up a new foster horse right now, or Tyler would’ve come with us.”

Maybe the separation was for the best. Owen needed to work through some things, and Tyler’s presence was the most beautiful distraction he’d ever known. He’d been delaying and deflecting several things lately, and it would only come back to bite him in the ass.

Keegan snorted before giving in to a fit of laughter, and Owen was glad he’d diverted the conversation. “I’m really happy for you and Tyler. I want to have a relationship like yours someday.”

“I want that for you too, Kee. I believe you’ll have it as long as you put in the work with your therapist.”

Keegan groaned, and Owen could picture the dramatic eye roll that accompanied it. More and more of Keegan’s vibrant personality showed with each positive step forward. “Oh my god. You sound just like Bryant.” Keegan sighed heavily when Owen stopped outside the therapist’s office. He removed his seat belt and looked at Owen. “I think he’s right about you.

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