Horse Play (Horse Play Series Book 1)

by A. D. Ryan

  “Shocking,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

  Jensen joined us at the table just then with another quick save—I’d have to remember to ask him how he did that. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Wayne,” he began. “But Madi’s pretty insufferable if she hasn’t had her morning coffee. I learned pretty damn quick how she takes it.”

  Any way you’ll give it to me, I thought, staring a little too dreamily at him. Suddenly aware that my brain-to-mouth wiring wasn’t always super sharp, I looked between Dad and Jensen to make sure that my dirty little thought was in fact just that: a thought.

  They were both staring at me funny, which scared the shit out of me, and I had just opened my mouth to explain my freaky little outburst when Jensen held out his hand.

  “Do you want me to take the serving spoon before you snap it in half with your death grip?” The tone in his voice indicated that he wanted to wink, but my father was within castration distance. And he knew where I kept the good knives.

  “Oh, yeah. Sorry. My meds make me feel a little hazy.” I handed the spoon to Jensen and watched as he scooped some of the breakfast onto his own plate before offering it to Dad, who then returned it to me.

  Tension hung in the room—of course, it could have just been mine, because both Jensen and Dad were eating, laughing and talking as if they were long-time pals. Bet he wouldn’t be so chummy with Jensen if he knew what was going on between us.

  “What’s going on?” Dad asked, causing me to gasp sharply and gaining me a very concerned look from both men.

  “W—what?” I asked, my entire body feeling as though it was on fire. “Nothing’s going on. Why would you think something’s going on?” Jensen shook his head—or at least I thought he did. It all happened very fast.

  Dad set his fork down before leaning forward to look at me a little more closely. “Madi, honey? You okay?”

  “Uhhhh …”

  Say something, idiot!

  “Uhhhh …”

  No! Not that!

  “Well, I was going to go help out in the barn, but since you gave me the morning off, I don’t have anything planned. I don’t know what Madi wanted to do.” Jensen looked at me as he slipped his fork into his mouth, nudging my foot below the table to bring me out of my panicked state.

  “Willow.” Jensen sputtered and choked on the bite he was working on, getting up from the table to grab a glass of water to clear his throat. “Um, I was going to call Willow and see if she wanted to come and hang out this afternoon. It’s been a while, and I miss her. She’s always looking for an excuse to come stay here.”

  Dad smiled wide. “Good! Make sure she comes out to say hi before you keep her cooped up in here. I haven’t seen her in ages.”

  “Actually, I was hoping to come out to the barn today—”

  “Absolutely not!” both Dad and Jensen cried out in unison from opposite sides of the kitchen; it was like High-Def, Dolby Digital surround sound.

  Being treated like a child was starting to piss me off. “Look, I walk around the house all damn day; I can walk the grounds without falling down.”

  “Ha!” Jensen snorted as he took his seat beside me. “I’ve seen you ‘walk the grounds’, b—er, Madi.” My eyes widened as he almost called me one of the nicknames we had yet to discuss.”

  “Don’t make me cuss you out in front of my father, Davis,” I warned low and menacingly.

  “You’ll do nothing of the sort, Madison. He’s right,” Dad said, taking Jensen’s side. He took a bite of his breakfast as I continued to glare daggers at him. Sharp, pointy, little daggers.

  I huffed in annoyance and slammed my fork on the table before crossing my arms childishly across my body. Of course, I was a little too rough and I felt the repercussions of my tantrum in my ribs. I didn’t vocalize my pain, but you better believe Jensen saw my face contort in discomfort.

  “Madi?”

  “I’m fine,” I said through clenched teeth. “I’m also twenty-five years old, dammit. And if I want to walk the grounds, you better believe I’ll do just that.”

  “You’re so stubborn,” my father told me, looking up at me as he took the last bite off his plate. “Fine. But you don’t go alone. Wait for Willow to get here.”

  “Deal,” I said quickly, my lips forming a smile before I looked at Jensen smugly. He didn’t seem too impressed that Dad had given in so easily.

  “Okay. Jensen, enjoy your morning off. I’ll see you around this afternoon.” Dad got up, putting his plate in the sink before leaving us alone.

  The room was silent for a while as both Jensen and I focused on our breakfast—or ignored his annoyance—could have been either one, really. Unable to take the awkwardness anymore, I finally spoke. “I think he knows there’s something going on.”

  That got Jensen smiling … kind of. It wasn’t the smile I was used to, but it was better than the scowl he wore on his face. “He’d be blind not to.” He didn’t say anything else.

  “A-are you mad?”

  With a sigh, Jensen set his fork down on his plate. “I just don’t understand why you can’t stay put until you’re feeling better.”

  “But I am,” I assured him, setting my own fork down again. “I can’t stay cooped up inside. I’m going crazy. And it’s only been four days. It’s a walk.” No response. “You said yourself I was doing better. Please, I need you to be okay with this.”

  His next words came out snarky. “Why? Your father’s already given his consent.” Wow, I’ve really pissed him off.

  “Don’t be like that.” I turned to him and took his hand in mine. That seemed to relax him, thankfully.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He offered me a genuine smile and it immediately made me feel better. “So, what do you want to do this morn—” he started to say before being interrupted by the shrill ring of our telephone.

  “Sorry. Hold that thought,” I said as I got up to grab the phone. The minute the handheld was in my hand, I laughed as I put it to my ear. “Willow! How on Earth do you do that?”

  “Do what?” she replied, her voice full of energy.

  “Know when I’m about to call you, therefore beating me to it time and time again?”

  “It must be a gift,” she trilled with a laugh. “What are you doing today? And before you answer that, know that the correct answer is ‘hanging out with you all damn day because we haven’t seen each other in over a month.’ Okay. Go.”

  I laughed hard, causing a dull ache in my left side and Jensen’s eyes to widen in concern. I shook my head dismissively at him, mouthing the words “I’m fine” before returning to my phone call. “I’m hanging out with you all damn day because we haven’t seen each other in over a month,” I told her, repeating her word-for-word. “Are you only in town for the day?”

  “Well that depends on how long you’ll have me. Brandon is in Colorado for a few days, so I could stay a while.”

  “Of course you can stay for a few days … though, your old room has been claimed.”

  “You let someone take my room?” she asked, feigning hurt. “Male or female?”

  “The first.” I had to be cryptic so as not to alert Jensen to our conversation.

  “Be nice, Landry,” he teased, somehow knowing we were talking about him. I guessed it was when I brought up Willow’s room being occupied.

  “Oooh!” Willow said into the phone excitedly. “Was that him? He sounds sexy. Is he sexy? I bet he’s sexy.”

  As I listened to her, Jensen turned in his seat and arched an eyebrow at me as if he could hear her and was curious to know the answer too. It was ridiculous … Right? “Yes,” I told Willow. “Definitely yes. So, when are you going to be here?”

  Before she could answer, there was a knock on the door, causing both Jensen and me to glance toward it. “No way,” I said under my breath as I made my way for it. It shouldn’t have surprised me when I yanked the door open to find one Willow Martin standing on my front step.

  Standing at just over
five feet tall, she was dressed to the nines in designer jeans and a T-shirt that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. Yes, a T-shirt. She had a sickness when it came to buying expensive clothes, but I loved her. Her long black hair was styled sleekly, hanging down to her waist, and the light blue color of her eyes really popped in contrast with it.

  I hung up the phone, tossing it on the bench next to the door and pulled Willow to me, instantly regretting it as my side exploded in pain. “Oh, shit!”

  Willow stepped back, completely horrified as I held my left arm to my side and folded in on myself. Tears sprung to my eyes as I tried to focus on something other than the blinding pain. “I didn’t even hug you that hard. I’m sorry.”

  “No, no,” I assured her. “It wasn’t you. I fell off Glory and cracked a couple of ribs.”

  Chair legs scraped across the kitchen’s tile floor before hurried footsteps were heard approaching. “Madison?” Jensen called, his voice loud as he came rushing into the room to see me now gripping my ribs with my right hand.

  “I’m okay. Just a little forgetful in all the excitement.” I looked at him to see he wasn’t entirely convinced on the okay part of my explanation. “Jensen Davis, this is Willow Martin. My best friend since we were kids.”

  Willow gave Jensen the once over before looking back at me and smiling; she was giving me her approval. “Nice to meet you, Jensen. So, how long have you two been shacking up?”

  “Wow! Getting right down to it, are we, Willow? How about I show you to your room,” I said, taking her by the hand and pulling her away from Jensen before she said something that would embarrass me completely.

  “Don’t be silly, Madi. I know my way around the house. I’m interested in how the two of you are getting along. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say, pretty well?” Willow sure knew how to read a situation.

  “Well, it was hard at first,” I started to say before Willow’s eyes went wide and Jensen’s lips curled up into a smirk. I was ashamed to admit that it took me a few seconds to catch up. “Oh … OH! You two are horrible! You know what? You two go ahead and talk it out. I’m going to go and drug myself into a coma.”

  “Madi!” Willow called after me with a laugh as I stalked back to the kitchen. “I was only teasing! You’re too sensitive!” I pretended to ignore her as I cleared the table and loaded the dishes into the dishwasher. “Come on. Don’t be mad. I came all this way,” she pouted.

  Sighing, I turned to her. “Fine. I forgive you.”

  Willow clapped excitedly, her smile so wide it made her eyes sparkle. “Sweet!” She hopped up onto the counter effortlessly and looked me over as I loaded the last dish into the top rack and closed it. “By the way, what the hell are you wearing?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.

  I looked down at my yoga pants and Jensen’s shirt that I had washed the day before only to wear again that night. Oh yeah, he wasn’t pleased. The only thing that kept him from tearing it from my back was my injuries. Stupid injuries.

  “Um, my shirt and pants?”

  Jensen cleared his throat loudly, forcing me to jump and offer him a sheepish smile.

  Willow’s giggling drew my attention right back to her. “Mmm hmm. That’s what I thought.”

  “You zip it,” I threatened, pointing my finger at her.

  “Fine. But please tell me we’re going to do something today. I don’t know that I can stay cooped up in here. I want to ride,” Willow told me.

  I looked at Jensen, and I knew from his expression that he thought I was going to try and sneak in a ride. “Um, I can’t ride, actually. Because of my ribs. But you should totally go. I’m sure Tom would love your help, too. Plus, Halley hasn’t been ridden since earlier this week.”

  “She’s better? Why don’t you call and tell me these things?” Willow demanded. “I will absolutely ride her.”

  I was suddenly jealous. It had been ages since Willow and I rode together, and I wasn’t going to be able to while she was here. It sucked. Hard. “Cool,” I said, my tone clearly indicating how sad I was by it.

  Willow hopped down from the counter, her mood suddenly mirroring my own. “You know what? Never mind. I’d rather hang out with you. Forget I said anything.”

  “Nah,” I said, waving my hand at her. “It’s fine. You should ride. It’s not often you’re here. I’ll find something to do.” Jensen shot me a look. “Something boring.”

  “You’re sure?” she asked; it was evident just how much she wanted to ride while she was here, and I didn’t want to disappoint her. She so rarely got to ride, and I knew how much she loved it, having practically grown up here with me.

  I nodded. “Yup. Come on; let’s take your things to your room.”

  I took Willow down the hall and set her up in the other bedroom on the main floor. It was ridiculous because I knew she’d likely just pass out in my bed after we stayed up late, catching up.

  It took Willow an hour to unpack her bag. It shocked me just how much she had brought with her for only a few days. The girl was insane—though, she preferred to be called “eccentric.”

  “So, what’s his story?” Willow asked, hopping onto her bed beside me. “He’s cute. You like him, right? I mean, it seems like you like him. Plus, you’re wearing his shirt. That’s his, right?”

  So many questions came flying out of her mouth at once. I had almost forgotten how quickly she spoke when she was excited. “Uhhhh,” I said, still trying to think of what to answer first. “Yes?”

  “That’s all I get? Yes? What the hell is that?” she screeched, louder than I’d have liked.

  “Willow—”

  “Oh, don’t you ‘Willow’ me, missy. I saw the way you looked at him. The way he looked at you. Have you boned him yet?”

  “Willow!” I was mortified. “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”

  A sly smirk played at the corners of her mouth. “No, but I could tell you a few things that I—”

  “I’ll pay you to stop,” I interrupted with a laugh, not interested in hearing what she did with her mouth. “Fine! Yes, I like him. Happy, now?” She shook her head, and I rolled my eyes. “No, we haven’t slept together, yet … well, actually we have—slept, that is. On the couch. But we haven’t—you know. Naked—no, wait, there was naked, too …” Willow’s eyes continued to widen as I rambled like a fool. “Ugh! See what you’ve done? It’s like verbal diarrhea.”

  “So, you naked, or he naked?” she inquired in a language all her own, eyebrows waggling suggestively.

  “Him. Oh God, him,” I said, sighing my words as I remembered the first and second times I had caught a glimpse of Jensen in the buff. “Twice.”

  “Twice?” she squealed, giggling manically. “Tell. Me. Everything! Oh, wait. First, I have to pee.” She hopped off the bed and ran to ensuite bathroom.

  “Hey, Willow?” I called out, hoping she could hear me through the door. “I’m going to go and grab a glass of water. You want anything?”

  “Sure! Water would be great,” she responded.

  I climbed down off her bed and jumped in shock when I opened her door to see Jensen in the hall. “Are you eavesdropping?”

  He took my hand and pulled me toward his room before wrapping his arms around me. “Is it my fault your friend’s voice carries?” he asked, his lips finding that sweet spot on my neck that made me weak in the knees. “I’m going to head out. You should spend some time with your friend.”

  I moaned as his lips trailed up, kissing the shell of my ear before peppering light kisses along my jaw, finally landing one super-soft one on my lips. I’d have traded my soul to deepen that kiss, but he pulled away before I could follow through.

  “Breakfast was delicious. Thank you. Come find me later while Willow’s riding. I’ll try to sneak away and keep you company,” he offered.

  “Yeah? What if my dad finds out?”

  “We’re two consenting adults just … having a good time, Madi. There’s not much he can do,” Jensen responded confi
dently.

  I laughed. “You mean besides fire you, or worse, shoot you and bury you out back.”

  He contemplated what I’d said, even though it was meant as a joke. “Hmmm, you make a compelling argument, Miss Landry. I guess we just sneak around a while longer. What do you say?”

  “Sounds deeply dangerous. But it’s your only chance for survival,” I teased.

  “Madi?” Willow called from her room.

  Jensen kissed the tip of my nose before releasing his hold on me. “Okay, go, have fun. I’ll see you later. Be safe.”

  “Always am,” I told him with a wink, tripping on my feet as I backed out of his room. Jensen moved fast, catching my right arm in his hand before I toppled over. “Errr, pretend that didn’t happen?”

  “You’re going to be the death of me,” he told me as he slowly released me, making sure I wasn’t going to fall over again. “No more walking backwards, okay?”

  “You really suck the fun out of everything. Live a little.”

  Jensen chuckled as he followed me down the hall. He veered off toward the front door while I headed to the kitchen to grab water for Willow and myself. The front door closed, and I watched Jensen through the kitchen window as he sauntered off toward the barn.

  Chapter 13. Letting Go

  As we sat around the table, I told Willow about the day I walked in on Jensen in the bathroom as he was getting out of the shower. Her mouth dropped open in shock, but soon she was face down and pounding her fist into the wooden table top as I told her the rest of the fiasco. “Classic, Madison. Classic!”

  “Huh,” I grunted with realization. “I guess it was three times.”

  “Three? Oh my God! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!” Her excitement was contagious, and soon I found my own enthusiasm rising as I told her about Dane stopping by.

  “Bastard,” Willow grumbled.

  “Well, he heard the shower shut off and was immediately pissed that there was another man here. Claimed I was ‘fucking someone else.’”

  “Hah! Coming from him, that’s rich. Asshole,” Willow muttered.

  “Right?” I agreed. “Well, Jensen came out into the kitchen in a towel. At first I didn’t think anything of it, I mean, I’d already seen him naked, so a towel was nothing to sneeze at.” Willow nodded her head, listening intently. “Until he kissed me.” I could feel the goofy grin return to my face as I remembered how amazing it felt when Jensen’s lips were pressed against mine that day.