Oneshots - Kayce Dutton Book 2

Where have you been?

Request – Can you do one where the Reader comes back for Lee's funeral and sees Kayce sitting in the dirt next to the horse while everyone is at the service? Let's say Kayce is already divorced from Monica and the Reader just shows her old friend some kindness and it's really sweet?

You hated that you were late but due to the airport delay and then trying to find a ride, it just hadn't been your morning. The good thing, unfortunately, was that no one would be looking for you at Lee Dutton's funeral. No one knew you were even coming to Lee Dutton's funeral.

You still couldn't believe it. When you got word of his death, you cried in one of the exam rooms at the clinic you were doing your rural rotation. The Duttons were like a second family to you, Lee was like an older brother.

Sure, you hadn't seen any of them in about four years, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt. You had chosen to go to medical school after you finished up in Missoula, but your change of heart took you south to Denver instead of Billings.

No one else knew, but your change of heart had to do with Kayce Dutton getting Monica Long pregnant. Kayce was your best friend, and who you had been in love with for about two years before one drunk night led him to becoming a father and marrying Monica to spite Kayce's own father. You left town that day and hadn't been back until now.

You tried to walk quickly up the dirt road over to where you knew they would bury Lee in the family cemetery. You were only about five minutes late as you looked at your watch. You glanced to your left, seeing a random horse standing a few yards off the road, and thought it strange. Why was it by itself?

You then saw someone sitting down in the dirt and grass next to the horse and figured it must be some wrangler. You took a few more steps but then stopped and slowly turned back around.

That was Kayce sitting down. He also didn't look to be dressed for a funeral as you stepped over to the edge of the dirt road. You glanced at the large crowd off in the distance and then back at your old best friend. Taking a deep breath, you started to walk down the hill.

It was a bit complicated in your heeled boots and skirt. But you managed until you slipped badly and let out an "oh" which cause Kayce to turn around. You steadied yourself and looked at him.

Kayce's eyes took on a look of realization as he took you in. You walked a few more feet and then stopped just above him. You weren't sure how Kayce would take to seeing you. You don't know what has happened in the last four years, but something told you if it had worked out, he'd be standing with his wife and son next to his family.

"Y/N?" Kayce asked as if he couldn't believe you were in front of him.

"Hey," You said softly.

"What are you doing here?" Kayce asked.

"I could ask you the same question," You stepped forward, so you were able to sit back next to Kayce. "Shouldn't you be over there?"

Kayce looked forward and that's when you really saw his eyes. They were red and his skin blotchy around his cheeks. Kayce had been crying. While Kayce was the most sensitive of the Dutton brothers, he also had the biggest heart. You remembered telling him you'd take his heart over Lee or Jamie's skills or brains any day of the week.

"Kayce," You whispered, reaching out and holding his arm.

"Don't," Kayce muttered.

"Kayce," You frowned, scooting closer to him so your side was pressed against his, your arm wrapped around his now.

You reached up and smoothed his hair back behind his ear as best you could with his hat on. A few more tears fell, over his cheeks and your heart broke. There was more to this, you could feel it. While Kayce would have been upset with the death of his brother...there was something more to him right now, but you couldn't place it just yet. The two of you sat in silence for a few minutes.

"I'm so sorry, Kayce," You said gently.

Kayce looked over at you for a few seconds.

"Where have you been?" He asked.

"Been?" You blinked back, "I've been...Kayce, I've been finishing up my residency in Denver."

"No, I know that," Kayce shook his head. "But where...you haven't been home. I haven't seen you in...years?"

"I know," You said, looking at the ground.

"What happened to Billings?" Kayce asked.

"You happened," You looked back up at him.

"What?" Kayce raised an eyebrow at you.

"You happened..." You nodded. "You had a son and I...I couldn't...I had a hard time dealing with that. That you had a family...that you..."

Kayce let out a humorless laugh.

"Ain't a family," He shook his head.

"What?" You were now confused.

"Monica divorced me last year," Kayce sighed. "It was for the best...we weren't good for each other."

"Where's your son?" You asked.

"Tate?" Kayce looked over at you. "With his mom...he never really knew any of my family till recently."

So, you had missed some things.

The two of you sat in silence for a while, You tipped your head to rest against Kayce's shoulder. You would do that when you were teenagers and he had fought with his dad or was angry at one of his siblings.

"Thanks for coming back," Kayce whispered after a while. "Though I know you came for Lee."

"I came for you, Kayce," You leaned up and looked at him. "I came for my best friend...because he clearly needs me."

"More than you know," Kayce's lips had a ghost of a smile on them now.

"What's with the horse?" You asked.

"I uh...it's for Dad," Kayce shrugged.

"Why don't you put it in the barn?" You decided asking him why would be too much right now.

"I was gonna give it to him," Kayce shrugged.

You stood up and brushed off your bottom before you held out your hand to Kayce. You knew the funeral was probably still going on and you had accepted that your place was here and not standing with the other family members.

"Come on," You said to Kayce. "Let's put him up together."

You helped Kayce stand up, brushing off his jacket as the two of you walked back up to the road and headed down to the barn. Kayce laced his fingers with yours as you made your way down.

"What happens after Denver?" Kayce asked you as y'all got closer to the barn.

"Haven't decided yet," You shrugged. "I'll need a job though...my specialty is rural medicine...know of any places in Montana that might be a good fit?"

"I can think of one," Kayce smiled.

"Do they need a doctor?" You asked him.

"It needs you," Kayce said, squeezing your hand.

You smiled as the two of you put the horse in one of the stalls in the barn. It was quiet with everyone at the funeral. When Kayce shut the door, you figured you could hug him finally.

You wrapped him up in your arms, your fingers threading through the hair poking out from under his hat. Kayce's arms held you close to him for a minute.

"You wanna tell me what happened?" You asked softly.

"No," Kayce said.

You pulled back, keeping your arms around him, and looked up at Kayce.

"Maybe one day?" You offered.

"Maybe," Kayce nodded.

You nodded, giving Kayce a tight-lipped smile before you leaned up and your toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, sealing that promise.