Under The Montana Skies

19- An invitation

Surprised, I grabbed the warm bag from out of his hand.

"They say 'a way to a man's heart is through his stomach' well I disagree. I think it goes both ways. Not that I'm trying to make you fall in love with me." He said in a panic after realizing how that probably sounded, making me laugh. "I just hoped this would help so you would forgive me."

I sat back and opened the bag up. "Well it's definitely a start. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I took a donut out of the bag, examining it. "You didn't poison these... did you?"

He put his hand up to his heart like he was hurt but smiled. "What! You really think I'd try killing you after I just apologized."

"It seems like a very good way to get me to let my guard down."

"Do you want me to eat one first?"

"What do you think Charlie? Is that grumpy man trying to kill me?" Charlie tilted his head to the side. I giggled before I took a bite out of the donut, moaning. "Mmmm, why are these so freaking delicious?"

We fell into an uncomfortable silence again as I finished the first donut. I was reaching for the second one when Brady broke the silence again.

"I'm having surgery in a month and I'm fucking terrified I'm going to be like this for the rest of my life. It's not an excuse for me to treat you or anyone else like crap, I know that but..." he cleared his throat. "I'm scared... God, I haven't admitted that out loud to anyone before."

I licked my lips and sighed. I can't imagine what he's feeling and being a grumpy ass definitely isn't alright but I understood as crazy as that may sound.

I tilted the bag over to him so he could grab a donut. He smiled at me and took one out.

"You only get one though."

He laughed but didn't argue as he put the whole donut into his mouth.

"I know you're scared and I hope that everything goes your way when you have your surgery but just in case it doesn't... you have an amazing family Brady. They will be there for you just like they are now, you just have to let the people that are there for you, help you."

"It's hard."

"I'm sure it is. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like. A positive though, they have so many amazing things for people in wheelchairs to do. I met a nineteen year old boy a few years ago that got in a car accident when he was seventeen and was paralyzed from the waist down. He went out and put together a basketball team, competed in tournaments and won."

"This ranch means so much to me, what if I can't even do that? I used to train some of the horses around here, I can't even get Spook to trust me. I've lost something and can't seem to get it back."

He shook his head and cleared his throat, "The biggest reason I want to walk so badly again is to show my ex I did this all without her help."

I gave him a sad smile. "I hope so too. I was serious with what I said earlier, she sounds horrible."

"I agree with you."

"You know what... I think it could be satisfying for you either way. Sure you walk again and she misses out on enjoying your wonderful company." I teased, making him laugh. "Or you can't walk and you adjust and learn your new way, showing her you don't need her for that either. She's the one missing out, Brady."

His eyes roamed my face and then he smirked. "You're so wise, Eleanor."

I shrugged my shoulders "I try to be. Now if only I could listen to my own words of advice."

"Because of your ex?"

I nodded. "I was hurt recently too, Brady."

"What happened? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, I promise I won't push anymore."

After he apologized for his behavior, he actually opened up and was honest with me, so I decided to open up a little too.

"He cheated. It's more complex than that but that's the gist of it."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. He's definitely not worth any more heartache." I admitted as I looked out into the mountains.

"Tori isn't either. Then I found out today my parents didn't even like her. I don't understand what I was thinking there... Anyways, enough depressing shit for today. Do you play the guitar often?"

I smiled. "Yeah."

"Oh yeah? How good are you?" He asked in a teasing tone.

"Hmm, Let's see."

I adjusted my guitar so Charlie was still able to rest his head on my lap and started in with the beginning melody of 'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns n' Roses.

"Guns n' roses... nice. That's very good."

"Thank you." I put my guitar down on the side of me and looked over at Brady. "I play the piano too."

We talked for a little longer before Brady's phone chimed with a notification.

"It's Jake. He's on his way to pick me up."

I was actually kind of sad that he was leaving. I found myself enjoying Brady's company.

I stood up and was going to follow him out but he stopped. "Soo, I was thinking. There's this bar a few towns over that has the best chicken wings ever."

My heart started racing and I panicked a little. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Nooo! I'm definitely not."

Well that was hurtful.

"It's more of a let's get to know each other better type of thing. Plus you are the only one that will eat these wings with me. Do you like wings?"

I smiled. "I love wings."

"Good. Tomorrow night, does that work for you? You'll have to drive my truck."

I was bouncing around all these ideas in my head on why this was a terrible idea and why I shouldn't go.

"That works."

I've never seen Brady smile so big. "Good. I'll see you tomorrow night at six."

** I don't want Brady knowing who Nora is yet. I want something to develop outside of her fame first before he finds out. Not as a lie but I think it's important and I didn't want Nora questioning Brady's intentions like she did with Ben**

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