Free A Real Cowboy Rides a Motorcycle by Stephanie Rowe Page B

his idea of hell. He'd been hungry, and he'd smelled food, but he hadn't expected Steen and Erin to be there as well. The foursome was in high gear when he'd walked in, and he'd turned to walk right back out the door, until Chase had seen him and roped him in.
    The family scene wasn't his style, not in any way. It was harder than he'd thought, being back here, being a part of this group that claimed him as family, but it didn't fit him at all. But, they were all he had when it came to belonging anywhere. So, he was here, but he didn't want to have to play nice. He didn't even know how to play nice.
    It was a major relief that everyone was taking off for the day. "You need me today?" Zane asked, lounging back against his chair. His arm was stretched over the back of Steen's chair, his body language lazy and relaxed, putting on the same facade of nonchalance he'd perfected as a teen when he'd learned to pretend he didn't give a shit what anyone thought of him.
    "No, we already got stuff done for the morning. I'm all set today." Chase raised his brows, his brown gaze too knowing. "Take some space, bro. I know you need it."
    Zane nodded. "I'll be back tomorrow, then." Taylor's gaze snapped to his, and he saw the surprise in her eyes that he was leaving for the night.
    Regret thudded through his gut. Did he really want to miss a night with her? No, not really. But hell, he needed to get out of here. Tomorrow was going to be a rough day, and having tonight off from trying to play the dedicated brother was a good thing.
    "Sounds good." Chase met his gaze. "Keep your phone on, though."
    Mira laughed softly and whacked his arm. "Oh, come on, Chase. The baby isn't coming tonight. You need to stop worrying."
    "I'm not worrying," he said, but his eyes held volumes of concern that Zane had never seen on his brother's face before. "I'm just making sure we have everything covered."
    "It's all good, Chase. We've got your back." Steen stood up, gathering his plates. "Okay, so we'll see you guys in town."
    Erin hopped up, grabbing more debris from the table. "Steen and I will get this cleaned up in two minutes. You guys cooked, so we'll clean."
    "Oh, that's okay. We'll do it together. It'll go super-fast." Mira and Chase got up, and Zane watched as Taylor started to stand, her half-eaten plate of food in her hand.
    "Oh, no, sweetie, you keep eating. We've got this one." Mira waved her off, and Taylor sank slowly back down to her seat.
    Zane didn't move, watching Taylor wage some internal battle. He could tell she wanted to help, but her assistance had been summarily rejected. Plus, it was true she hadn't eaten yet. She glanced across the table at him, and vulnerability flashed across her face, so much vulnerability that his chest constricted.
    She didn't belong here anymore than he did, and she knew it. "You want to go with me?" The question was out before he could stop it.
    Shit. Had he really just asked that? He needed space, not a woman.
    She stared at him, a sliver of hope flashing across her face. "What? Go where?"
    It was that flash of hope, that momentary whisper of need for help, for someone to notice and care, that got him. He knew what that felt like, and he knew that it hurt like hell. And he wasn't going to lie. He wasn't looking forward to the next twenty-four hours, and the thought of having Taylor along felt like a breath of relief in the darkness that had been trying to suffocate him. As a rule, being around people made him feel crowded, but Taylor was an exception. She brought him peace. Maybe it was because she didn't want anything from him, at least nothing that he wasn't willing to give. She was leaving town soon, so there was no future to worry about. Just a present that made his day better.
    So, yeah, he'd rather have her along than go by himself. "I have to go to a funeral." He said it quietly, for her ears only. He didn't want to get into it with his brothers. He didn't want to get into it with anyone, but somehow, it