Easton [Belt Buckle Ranch 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) (8 page)

When the sun set at the end of each day and playtime was over, Trent sent Easton home, back to the Belt Buckle Ranch. Although there were subtle changes—Trent no longer referred to him as
boy
. Instead, the man was calling him baby. It had to mean something. At least, he hoped it meant something significant.

Taking a deep breath, Easton put away his tools as he gave himself an internal pep-talk. He’d been trying to figure out a way to talk to Trent all day, but he didn’t have the right words. Building up his courage, Easton swallowed his fear as he wiped his hands down the front of his jeans. Trent was leaning against the side of the barn, waiting for him. The look in his eyes told Easton that the man had a plan, but Easton knew if he submitted, he’d follow Trent’s orders and go home without ever saying what was on his mind.

“So,” Easton started. He wasn’t really sure what to say or where to begin, but he was aware that their time together was most likely over. Tomorrow, Trent’s work crew would be back at the Twin Acres Ranch and Easton would no longer be needed. “I know your employees are coming back tomorrow, but I was thinking—”

“I’ve been thinking, too,” Trent cut him off, pushing himself up off the side of the barn.

His casual stance became rigid and Easton swallowed hard. He held his breath as he waited for Trent to finish his thought. Was this the end, because it sure as hell felt like it? The look on the Trent’s face said it all and Easton’s heart dropped.

“You’re a sweet kid, Easton, but I’m not looking for a relationship.”

Easton blinked several times, as he processed Trent’s words. “Oh…right…yeah…of course.” He stumbled over the words, hoping he didn’t sound as heartbroken as he suddenly felt.

“I’m sorry if—” he started and this time Easton cut him off with a wave of his hand.

He didn’t want to hear any damn excuses. He was a convenient fuck, an easy target willing to do whatever Trent ordered. He wasn’t upset with Trent. The older man didn’t make any promises. He was more upset with his own tender heart. He’d allowed himself to dream and wish for more.

“No, no, you’re right. I just thought since we were good together that we could continue, but I think you’re right. We should probably just end things now.” The words came out of his mouth, but Easton was surprised he was able to speak without breaking down. Standing ramrod straight, he kept his emotions in check, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold the tears back for much longer. The backs of his eyes were burning. “I should probably be heading back now. It’s almost dinner time and I don’t want to miss out on Mrs. Hunt’s brisket.”

Walking past Trent, Easton went straight to the old pickup truck. He heard Trent coming after him, but Easton refused to stop. In fact, he moved faster, needing to get away. He didn’t want Trent to see him cry.

“Easton!” Trent shouted, but Easton refused to stop. “Easton! Wait!”

Jumping inside the cab, he started the engine and hit the gas pedal. Dirt and small pebbles kicked up as he spun the vehicle around and headed back toward the safety of the Belt Buckle Ranch.
I just need to get home.

He kept his head down until he was sure the man couldn’t see his face. When Trent and the Twin Acres Ranch was in his rearview mirror, a loud sob broke free from his lips. Easton held tight to the steering wheel as tears dripped down his cheeks. Once he let go of the small thread of strength he possessed, he cried.

Shaking and caught up in a storm of grief, Easton’s vision blurred, but he didn’t want to pull over. He wanted to put distance between himself and the man he loved.

* * * *

Oliver was helping Wyatt work in the pasture for most of the afternoon, but it was quitting time. Stretching his arms in the air, he groaned as his back cracked. He was dead tired and ready to head back to the ranch. Food and a nice, comfortable bed were the first two things on his list.

“You ready?” Wyatt asked.

“Hell yeah.”

Oliver climbed onto the back of his horse, Daisy. He lifted his body from the saddle and adjusted his jeans. Squinting his eyes, Oliver lifted a hand and blocked the setting sun as a dust cloud approached. As the cloud grew closer, he realized it was one of the ranch trucks driving wildly. He didn’t know what the hell was going on, but he had a really bad feeling.

It had to be Easton. That was the only person that would be driving through the property from the direction of Trent’s ranch. Was he hurt? Had something bad happened? Easton hadn’t been acting like his normal sweet self lately. He’d been withdrawn and slightly depressed, which worried not only Oliver but the rest of the brothers. That’s why they’d been trying to help out more so that Easton wasn’t doing so much work.

While he was watching the truck, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Easton spun out of control. Oliver heard the tires screech before the truck careened off the side of the path and down a small embankment, crashing head-on into a tree.

“Call an ambulance,” Oliver shouted to Wyatt, and he kicked the horse, racing toward Easton.

His heart beating erratically, Oliver prayed he would find Easton alive when he reached him. If anything happened to the young man, he didn’t know what he’d do. Living and working together day in and day out, Oliver was starting to feel connected to his brothers. They were becoming a real family, something he’d never had before.

The truck was smoking by the time he reached it. Oliver leaped off the back of the horse and took in the scene. He ran for the driver’s side door. The front of the truck was crushed in, the metal bent and twisted awkwardly as it wrapped itself around a large tree. The engine was smoking and wheezing. A mixture of weird
scents hung in the air, reminding Oliver of welding fumes, seared steak, and sulfur.
Inside the truck was even worse. The dashboard was crushed and pushed toward the front seat. Easton lay with his head resting against the steering wheel, bent in the shape of his skull. Shattered glass lay everywhere and the blood…there was so much blood.

Oliver yanked on the door, trying to pull it open, but it wouldn’t budge. It was crushed, crooked, and at an awkward angle. Reaching a hand in, he touched Easton’s neck, searching for a pulse.

“Easton?” he whispered.

He didn’t know if he should touch the young man. He didn’t have any experience, but from watching medical TV shows, he knew not to move the victim involved in an accident just in case something is wrong with their spinal cords.

“No…Trent. Don’t tell…T–Trent. I d–don’t w–want him…”

“Shhh. It’s okay.” Oliver had no idea what Trent had to do with this situation, but he wouldn’t say a single word if that’s what Easton wanted. He just needed his brother to stay calm and unmoving until help arrived. “I won’t tell him anything. Just stay still.”

“Shit! Easton?” Wyatt dismounted and rushed over, joining Oliver.

“Did you call an ambulance?” Oliver asked, practically growling.

“Of course. Jesus…Oh God, Easton,” he whispered mournfully. “It’s really him.”

Oliver and Wyatt stood next to the truck, holding onto Easton and saying a silent prayer. The seconds turned to minutes and the minutes stretched out until finally, the sound of sirens filled the air. Oliver was pushed aside as the emergency workers took control of the scene. He stood frozen, watching as the metal door was cut away and Easton was carefully removed from the vehicle. His bloody body was placed on a board and Oliver rushed forward, wanting to hold his brother’s hand and offer support.

“We have to get him to the hospital.” A paramedic cut him off and Oliver stared at Easton’s bloody face.

“Can I go with him?” Oliver asked.

“I’m sorry.” The paramedic shook his head. “There isn’t any room.”

“What hospital are you going to?”

“Telluride Medical Center. The doctors will assess him there first and if he needs more treatment than they can provide, he’ll be transferred to Denver.”

A strong arm was wrapped around his shoulders and he looked over at Wyatt, seeing concern etched all over the foreman’s face. “It’s okay. He’s going to be okay.” Oliver stood by Wyatt’s side in a daze as everyone moved around him.

Once Easton was loaded onto the helicopter, Oliver and Wyatt collected their horses and headed back to the ranch. He needed to get the other men together and head to the hospital. He said a little prayer as he rode by Wyatt’s side. Oliver’s thoughts completely centered on Easton. They were silent on the ride to the barn and Oliver couldn’t help but think about Easton’s words of Trent. Why had his brother mentioned Trent at all? Why didn’t he want the other man to know about the accident? Had something happened between the two of them while Easton was supposed to be working with Trent on his ranch?

It took a little while, but they finally reached the hospital in Telluride. He’d been shaking since getting inside Wyatt’s truck. The inside of the vehicle was full of nervous energy. Nobody said anything. When they finally arrived, Oliver jumped out of the truck and rushed inside the hospital emergency room. He ran through the sliding glass doors with his brothers surrounding him and hurried to the nurse’s desk.

Please let him be okay. Please let him be okay.
He prayed with each step he took.

“We need to see our brother, Easton Baker. He was brought in by helicopter.” Oliver tapped his fingers anxiously on the countertop as he watched the nurse type something into the computer.

“Doctor Perry is with Easton right now.”

“How is he? Is he going to be okay?” Oliver swallowed hard, scared to hear the answers.

“He’s going to be fine.” She reached across the counter and patted Oliver’s arm. “Easton had a CAT scan. He has a concussion from hitting the steering wheel which was the reason he went into shock. He broke his nose and his right arm.”

“Oh my God,” Jackson whispered from beside Oliver. “When can we see him?”

“The doctor will be out to give you an update soon. He’ll be able to give you more information and let you back to see Easton.”

Oliver nodded. “Okay, thanks.”

Walking over to the hard plastic chairs in the waiting room, Oliver dropped down. Robbie sat on his right side while Jackson occupied the chair on his left.

“God, I hope he’s okay.” Jackson leaned his head against Oliver’s shoulder.

“He will be,” Oliver said with conviction. He wouldn’t allow himself to think negatively.

“Exactly,” Robbie agreed. “He’s strong. He’ll be fine. He’ll heal.”

“I just don’t understand how this could’ve happened.” Jared leaned forward, placing his forearms on his thighs.

“How did he lose control of the truck? Was he going too fast?” Cody asked, sitting down on Robbie’s lap.

“Yeah,” Oliver muttered, nodding reluctantly. “He was going kind of fast, but I’m not really sure how he lost control of the truck.”

“He’s been a little depressed lately,” Jared said. “But, I just…I don’t understand how this all could’ve happened.”

Easton had always seemed happy for the most part. The young man enjoyed working, but maybe he was lonely. Oliver had been feeling that way himself lately. All work and no play could make anyone feel depressed and out of sorts. Exhaling on a sigh, he leaned back and tried to ignore the anxiety that rose inside of him. When Doctor Perry came out to the waiting room, Oliver slowly stood up.

“How is he?” Robbie asked the question that Oliver was thinking.

“He’s going to be okay. But we’re going to keep him overnight for observation. He hit his head against the steering wheel and I want to watch him close for any signs of a concussion. His nose is broken and so is his right arm.”

“Okay.” Oliver took a deep breath, relief making him light headed. With all the blood at the accident, he’d been worried that Easton had suffered from a lot more injuries. A broken nose and arm would heal over time. “When can we see him?”

“You all can go back and spend a few minutes with him, but then I want him to rest.”

Easton hadn’t seen or spoken to Trent in almost a week. He couldn’t work on the ranch with only one good arm. So he just sat around doing absolutely nothing. It was starting to drive him crazy. He was so used to the hard work keeping his mind occupied. Without the manual labor, his thoughts were centered on Trent.

His heart ached from missing the older man, right along with his arm and nose. Was it really over? Was their relationship really only a temporary sexual experience? Moisture filled his eyes, but he quickly blinked, pushing the emotion away as Jackson came outside and sat beside him on the porch swing.

“Are you okay, man?” Jackson asked.

Looking down at his cast, Easton took a sip of his beer before muttering, “Sure.”

“You haven’t been acting like yourself for a while. You seem depressed. Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.” He shook his head.

“Are you in any pain?” he asked, and Easton shook his head. “Are you feeling homesick? Do you miss your grandma?” Jackson seemed genuinely concerned, but Easton didn’t have the courage to open up and talk about what was really bothering him, Trent. So he just nodded. “Why don’t you go visit her for a few days? We can take care of things around here.”