the heavy scent of leather and dry hay filled the tack room, a space that usually felt like a sanctuary but now hummed with a suffocating tension. rip was moving with a jagged sort of energy, slamming oil-slicked rags onto the workbench and avoiding the doorway where you stood. his black jacket, the one with the gold y branded over his heart, made his broad shoulders look like a wall of obsidian in the dim light.

"if you have a problem with me, just say it," you challenged, your voice steady despite the way your heart hammered against your ribs. you didn't move from the frame, blocking his only exit. "don't take it out on the horses. they didn't do anything to you."

rip stopped, his back still turned to you. his chest heaved under the fabric of his shirt, the muscular lines of his upper body tight with a frustration he couldn't quite shove down. he turned slowly, his boots scuffing the floorboards. he didn't stop until he was inches away, using his height to loom over you, his blue eyes piercing and dark with a storm you couldn't quite map out. he smelled like cedar, old grease, and the cold mountain air.

"your brother wants you in town," he growled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in the small space. "with some suit who doesn't know a cinch from a stirrup. maybe you should listen to him."

the mention of kayce’s comments from earlier made your blood run hot. you looked up at him, refusing to flinch even as he tried to crowd you out. "is that what you want?" you asked, your voice trembling just a fraction. "for me to go find some 'nice guy' and leave?"

rip looked away then, his jaw tight enough to snap. the salt and pepper of his beard caught the sliver of light coming through the high window. he looked every bit of his age in that moment. tired, hardened, and deeply lonely.

"what i want doesn't matter," he snapped, finally meeting your gaze again.