I turned around and glanced past the open gate. Garrett had his hands knotted at his back, and his head slightly lowered as a man I had never seen before stood in front of him. The man was almost as tall as Garrett, with dark brown hair under a black hat. He adjusted the collar of his white T-shirt.
“This isn’t a game, Garrett,” the man continued. He picked a packet of cigarettes from the inside pocket of his fancy black jacket. “This ranch isn’t a playground. I don’t need it anymore. I don’t make any money off this place. Hell, I actually put more money in to keep it running than I get back. However, I keep it because Delilah needs a place to train. If she loses the next competition, if she stops jumping all together, I have no use for this place and I will sell it. And you know what that means for you, don’t you?”
Garrett nodded, his gaze still low. “Yes, sir.”
The man turned to Midnight’s stall, and I returned my focus to Pepper.
“Hey, there.”
I jumped and suppressed a yelp. Tom was right beside Pepper and me.
“Want to scare me to death?”
He grinned. “Not really, but I thought it would be fun. For me.”
“Crazy old man,” I muttered, reaching for Pepper’s reins.
“That I am.” He reached under Pepper and unbuckled her saddle. “So, you met Mr. Hudson. Well, not met, but now you know who the owner of this place is.”
My mouth formed a little O. “That’s Garrett’s father.”
“Yeah. And Jonah’s father, and Delilah’s father, and Stella’s father.”
“Stella?”
“Yeah, the oldest of the trio.” He stared at me seriously. “She’s older than Garrett too.”
“Wait. If she’s older than Garrett …” I started and Tom nodded. “I thought Garrett was from a previous marriage or relationship.”
“No. Mr. Hudson cheated on Mrs. Hudson with Garrett’s mother.”
“Oh.”
It didn’t make sense. Why was he here? I mean, if my father ever cheated on my mother and showed up at home with another kid, I probably wouldn’t acknowledge the other kid. I would probably be mean to the other kid, without really intending to. Well, Delilah was mean to him. Nevertheless, he was still here. With the other family.
“Where’s his mother?” I asked.
Tom took Pepper’s saddle off. “She died when he was sixteen. He was going into foster care, but social services found his father and he took Garrett in.”
“You mean they forced Mr. Hudson to take Garrett in?”
“No. I don’t think they can force a parent to take in a child. Mr. Hudson could have signed away parental rights and left Garrett to the foster care system. I think he didn’t want that though. Mr. Hudson might not love or care for Garrett that much, but I don’t think he’s cruel.”
“Wow.”
“Indeed.”
Tom walked to the stable as Mr. Hudson exited the other side. He rushed to his big truck and drove away. I stayed outside, unsure what to do. Should I stroll inside and act normal, as if I hadn’t learned a bit about Garrett and seen how harsh and rude his father was to him? And how submissive Garrett was with him—what was up with that? He had never given me the impression he took crap from others.
I checked my phone. It was almost noon; I should probably go. As much I wanted to, I couldn’t stay here all day.
To my surprise, Garrett exited the stable with the gray mare, Felicity.
“Going for a ride?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Need to blow off some steam,” he said, his expression still hard. I bit the inside of my cheek, unsure what to say to that. He stopped by my side and checked Felicity’s saddle. “I would invite you to come with me, but I really need a few minutes alone.”
Again, I wasn’t sure what to say. “This is the second time I’ve seen you with her.” I gestured with my chin to the mare.
That alluring half-grin spread on his lips. “She’s mine.”
Smiling, I reached to her and stroked her chin. “She’s beautiful.”
He nodded, looking at me. “She is. There are plenty of beautiful things around here lately.”
My hand stilled. Taking a deep breath, I decided to play it cool. “Any new customers I haven’t met yet?”
“No. Not a customer.” He turned his body to me and I gulped, feeling the intensity and the heat coming from him on my skin. “Some brown-haired girl with an easy grin and too much charm.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “I thought you liked having me here because I do half of your tasks.”
He brushed a strand of hair out of my face, grazing his fingertips on my cheek. I stopped breathing. His fingers splayed down my neck and he leaned into me. “That is an added bonus.” He leaned closer.
I vaguely lifted my chin, angling myself to him as my mind spun. What was his interest in having me here if it wasn’t because I helped with the chores? I wasn’t dumb. I mean, he could be interested in me, but I found it impossible he didn’t have a girl. He was too handsome and sexy to be alone. Well, there was Jennifer. I had seen her all over him before, though I had no idea what was going on between them. Besides, why would he want anything with me after the lies Audrey had been spreading?
Droga, that was it!
His breath teased my lips. I inhaled and stepped back.
“Is there something wrong?” he asked, his eyes shining with confusion.
“I … I’m not sure.” I frowned. “I don’t think you have the right idea about me.” And kissing him this easily would add to that misconception.
I had had my fair share of kissing because the guy was cute and it had been fun, but this wasn’t the time or the place. Not with all the lies. What if I kissed him and he told his friends? And his friends told everyone at The Bat? And that went to the ATN? By the time the news got there, it would have grown. They wouldn’t be talking about Garrett and me kissing; they would be talking about us having sex in an empty stall. That would be ammunition for Audrey, and she would use it against me. And this time, I wouldn’t even be able to defend myself, because she wouldn’t be lying, not completely.
As much as I wanted to kiss him, I shouldn’t. I took another step away from him.
A knot appeared between Garrett’s brows. “What do you mean?”
I shook my head. “I better go.” I patted Felicity’s neck. “Have a nice ride.”
I turned around and ran.
Chapter Twelve
Monday was a long day. Molly ignored me, and Phoebe couldn’t make it to our lunch date. I thought my mood couldn’t get any crappier. Until Audrey stepped between my dorm building and me.
She took a step toward me, towering over me because she was in five-inch heels. “I thought I warned you to stay away from my boyfriend.”
Seriously? “As far as I know, you don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Jonah came to the house last night to talk to me. I was so glad he was coming to his senses, until he opened his mouth and started talking about you. He asked me to tell you there’s nothing going on between us. I couldn’t believe my ears.”
“Audrey—”
“I didn’t know how to answer him, but I think he misunderstood my shocked silence for consent. But I’m not ready. I’m not ready to give up. He’s perfect for me and I’m perfect for him. I won’t let you, a Brazilian slut—”
“Watch it.”
“—spoil what we have. So, I’m begging you. Stay away from him. Discourage him. Make him believe you truly don’t want anything with him.”
“But I don’t.”
“Then make him see that.”
“Why would I do anything for you?”
“If he believes you, if he stops this obsession with you, I’ll do my best to put an end to the rumors spreading around campus.”
How insolent. “The ones you started?”
She waved her hand. “That’s beside the point. The fact is, I can make them go away.”
“How?”
I wasn’t sure I believed her. “What if I can’t convince him to stay away from me?”
She offered me an evil grin. “Then I’ll start a new rumor, much worse than before.”
“Wow, Audrey, you’re so nice.”
“Test me.”
I shook my head. “You’re crazy.” I walked around her.
I knew I could take this to the college dean, claiming harassment, but that would be like a child running to hide behind her mother’s skirt. That would be viewed as a weakness, as me being weak, and I didn’t want that. If she weren’t expelled, she would use it against me.
No, I wouldn’t denounce her. Not yet.
“Stay away from him!” she yelled at my back. “I’m warning you!”
Without turning around, I flipped her off and kept marching away.
***
“Here he comes,” Phoebe whispered.
I had told her about Audrey’s warning during our first class this morning. What I wanted was to send Audrey to hell, but I was trying to make a life here. I wanted to stay here and make friends. I couldn’t declare war and let Audrey turn everyone against me. Besides, I wasn’t interested in Jonah. I might have thought he was cute the first week, but now I thought he was cute and conceited. And I hated conceited guys.
I kept on staring at my notebook, afraid that any eye contact would encourage him. Apparently, he didn’t need to be encouraged.
Jonah flopped down in the seat beside mine, and leaned toward me with his charming smile. “Hi, Brazilian girl.”
“I have a name,” I retorted, my tone not too kind.
“I know, but calling you Brazilian girl is more fun.”
Well, better than when Audrey called me Brazilian slut.
Thankfully, the professor arrived and I had an excuse to ignore the guy beside me. Not that he didn’t try catching my attention during class, with smiles, whispering, and even notes.
Meu Deus, I felt like I was in high school.
When the professor dismissed us, I rushed out with Phoebe, but Jonah followed close behind. Once outside the classroom, he stepped in my way, making me halt.
“I talked to Audrey and she seemed okay about us going out.”
I shook my head. “I’m sure you misinterpreted her.”
“No, I’m positive. She said nothing and, when she’s mad, she always throws a fit. This time, she didn’t.”
“Jonah, I don’t—”
“There’s a new Italian restaurant fifteen minutes from campus. I was thinking we could try it out tomorrow night, and consider a movie later. Wait, you like Italian food, right?”
“Jonah, this isn’t a good idea.”
His smile faded from his face. “Why not?”
“I … I’m not into you. I’m not interested in you like that. You shouldn’t waste your energy on me. I’m sorry.”
He looked at me as if I had punched him in the stomach. “Brazilian girl, the first girl on Earth to say no to me.” He shook his head. “I won’t take no for an answer.”
Wow, and Audrey said he wasn’t conceited.
“Sorry, but no. I’m not going out with you.”
“All right. You can say no now, but I like a challenge. It will be my mission to have you say yes to me before the Halloween Ball next month.” His smile came back. “See you later, Brazilian girl.” He winked before walking away.
I stared at Phoebe. “Um, I guess convincing him to back off didn’t work.”
She laughed. “You’re so screwed.”
***
I was half-expecting Audrey to come marching with her pointy finger at my face any minute after Jonah told me he wouldn’t take no that easily. Or she didn’t hear about it, or she was having a long freak-out by herself, because by the next evening, I hadn’t seen her on campus.
After my last afternoon class on Wednesday, I went to my room. Molly was there, getting ready for some Greek events that involve all the houses. I didn’t pay attention to those anymore.
Without as much as a simple hi and bye, or even looking in my direction, she finished getting ready and left. I thought I would relax after she was gone, but the air was still thick inside our tiny room.
I missed sitting on my parents’ porch and walking around the estate, inhaling the fresh air and feeling free. The only place I could go here to feel a similar sensation was the ranch, but it was already too late for that.
On Friday, I weighed the good and the bad of going back to the ranch. In the end, I decided to go because one, I was in need of being someplace where I felt like me, and two, who cared if Garrett had been after me, thinking I was the slut Audrey made me look like? Plus, it was a Friday night. I knew for a fact that The Bat had a mixer with the ATN, and that guaranteed a boy-less night.
I arrived at the ranch a little before six.
Tom was brushing Autumn’s coat. “Where’s my goodies?” he asked in a teasing tone.
“Only for breakfast.”
At the sound of my voice, Midnight stuck his head out of his stall, his ears high.
Tom chuckled. “I swear, this horse is in love.”
I smiled and scratched Midnight’s chin, earning a nicker. “Hi, big boy.” I wish I could take him for a ride, but I didn’t want to cross any lines. Delilah was his owner, and if she wanted me away from him, well, I wouldn’t stay away from him that much, but I wouldn’t push my luck and ride him either. I turned to Tom. “Can I take Pepper out for a quick ride?”
He glanced at the clock on the wall. “The last riding group of the day is at five thirty.” That was in fifteen minutes. “If you help me put the horses away after the class, you can take Pepper out for a while.”
I smiled. “Deal.”
As Pepper and I set out on our path, I felt the weight of everything melting away. Here, Audrey and her lies couldn’t touch me. Here, I could be me.
I closed my eyes and inhaled, enjoying the smell of fall coming from the trees and bushes. The sun was setting, disappearing behind the hill and giving everything a faint orange tint. It was so pretty here, almost as pretty as home.
Times like this one, I wondered why I bothered. Why I bothered going to school and, in this situation, enduring Audrey and Jonah. Why didn’t I go home and ride all day? Or help at my parents’ stable? Or Hannah’s? I could do that for the rest of my life and focus on being happy.
But I knew why I was doing it. I was doing it for me. For my ego, for my pride. I needed to be someone other than the rich girl who lives in the shadow of her family. I loved horses—what would be better than to care for them on a level outside of tacking, grooming, and riding?
I was doing the right thing, even if it didn’t feel like it sometimes.
The ride ended too fast, but it did wonders for my soul. I felt lighter and stronger at the same time.
Tom was in the arena, taking the tack off the horses from the last riding group.
“Be right there,” I told him. I jumped off Pepper, pulled the reins over her head, and guided her back to the stable.
I was opening her stall when Garrett jumped down the stairs. I couldn’t help but stare and take him in. He looked ready to go out. Neat jeans, a black button-down shirt with folded sleeves, his usual boots, but no hat. His hair was purposefully messy, and his face was shaved clean. Shame. I would miss his five o’clock shadow.
I shook my head. What the hell was I thinking?
“Hey,” he said. “Didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
“Yeah, I just needed to get out for a bit.” And I thought you wouldn’t be here.
I closed Pepper’s stall and brought her a bucket of water, then left for the arena. I busied myself taking off the horses saddles while Tom hosed them down.
“There you are,” Tom said to an approaching Garrett. “Get in here and help out.”
> Garrett groaned. “I’ve gotta go.”
“The party won’t go anywhere,” Tom said.
“But I’ll smell like horse manure.”
Tom grinned. “Some girls like that.”
“Yeah, right.” Garrett joined us in the arena. “Twenty minutes. Then I’m out.”
“Yes, lover boy,” Tom teased.
Garrett rolled his eyes. He picked a saddle from the fence and took it inside.
I tilted my head. “Tom, does he have a girlfriend?”
He raised his eyebrows at me. “Why do you ask?”
My cheeks warmed. “Well, you just called him lover boy, so I assumed …”
Tom chuckled. “If he has a girlfriend, I don’t know about it. The last time I saw him with a girl was … two years ago? He had a girlfriend back then.”
“What happened?”
“She finished school and left. He stayed.”
“Oh.”
“But don’t worry. It’s rare to see him all fancied up, so I just call him lover boy to mess with him.”
The warmth in my cheeks turned into burning. “I’m not worried.”
“Right,” Tom whispered, eyeing the stable from the corner of his eyes.
I followed his gaze. Garrett was back. He picked up another saddle and took it inside. If the customers cleaned up after themselves, Garrett wouldn’t be here with a huge frown.
“You know, Tom,” I started. “My brother’s girlfriend owns a ranch in Santa Barbara, and she makes the riders put on and take off the tack from their horses. Otherwise, she won’t let them ride. You should demand that from riders too.”
“That’s an interesting idea,” Tom said.
“Isn’t it? I mean, they get to know a bit more about horses and their equipment, and they will probably connect with the horses. Besides, it would shorten your to-do list.”
“I vote yes,” Garrett said, taking one of the cooled horses’ reins.
I chuckled. “Of course you would vote yes.” Garrett led the horse inside, and I turned to Tom again. “You just gotta ask them to be here ten minutes before their scheduled time.”
“I’ll consider it,” Tom said as he started hosing off the last horse. “Mind if I ask, how do you know so much about horses?”
Breaking Fences (The Breaking Series) Page 10