“I can’t believe he did that!” she said, her voice louder. A few students walking around turned their heads to us, and she slapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I shrugged. “I just wanted to be done with it, so I don’t need to spend any time with him.”
“Do you think he’s telling everyone that you slept with him?”
I shuddered in disgust. “I don’t know, but Audrey heard about it, so I’m assuming more people heard about it too.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Bia.”
I heard Jonah’s voice—calling me by my name for once—and stiffened.
“Oh, boy,” Phoebe whispered.
He stopped beside us. “We need to talk.”
I glared at him. “Um, no, we don’t.”
“Yes, we do,” he insisted, shooting out his hand toward me.
Phoebe pushed his hand away. “Hey, creep. Stay away from my girl.”
I smiled at her.
Jonah glowered at her. “I don’t take orders from anyone, little girl.”
She gulped. “Well—”
“Jonah.”
My heart skipped a beat. It was Garrett and he was approaching us fast.
“What are you doing here?” Jonah asked.
Garrett jaw tensed. “Can I talk to you?”
“I’m busy right now,” Jonah said.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Garrett said. He faced me. “Can I talk to you?”
I opened my mouth and closed it again.
Jonah clenched his fists. “Why do you want to talk to her? Because she hasn’t brought you coffee in the mornings?”
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“Wait.” Phoebe raised her hand. “You’re bringing him coffee?” She pointed to Garrett. “And you didn’t tell me about it.”
“It’s not like that.”
Jonah crossed his arms. “It isn’t? Then what is it like?”
I glowered at him. “This is none of your business, creep. Keep your distance from me, or I’ll find a way to get a restraining order.”
He laughed. “Right.”
I took Phoebe’s arm and started walking away. “I’m dead serious.”
Phoebe stayed close to me, and I glanced at Garrett. He was watching me with a hard expression, but he didn’t stop me from leaving, and he also didn’t come after me. Again.
When we were out of hearing range, Phoebe leaned into me. “What is happening with the cowboy?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“Sure you do.”
“I— It’s complicated, I guess.”
“Lucky for you, I have the next two hours open, and we’re going to the coffee shop, where you’ll tell me everything.”
I opened my mouth to tell her I had to study for a test. With all that had happened, my mind had been elsewhere, and I hadn’t really paid attention in my classes. However, wasn’t it yesterday that I was complaining about not having anyone to talk to? Here Phoebe was, offering me her time and attention.
I hooked my arm with hers and smiled. “I’m in.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Telling everything to Phoebe had done wonders for my soul. I still felt restless, frustrated, and upset, and I was still lusting after Garrett, but at least now, I had someone to run to, to call, even to text when I needed to talk. Shame on me for not telling her any of this months ago.
It was past nine when we walked out of the coffee shop and to our dorms. Approaching my building, I rummaged through my tote, looking for my car keys. It was late, but I wanted to go out and grab something to eat. Preferably not fast food. I could stop by Olive Garden and order something to go.
I looked up, watching the sidewalk so I wouldn’t trip and fall on my face, and saw Garrett leaning against the wall a few feet from the front door. I halted. He had his hands in the pockets of his jacket and his eyes fixed on mine.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“We gotta talk.”
Now he wanted to talk? Or had he just come here to kiss me then disappear? I looked around. A few students walked past us. I jerked my chin toward the dark parking lot and walked to my car. Garrett followed me.
I opened the door of my car, threw my tote inside, and leaned against the frame. “About?”
He stopped two feet in front of me. “What were you doing in Jonah’s room?”
His question caught me off guard, and my mouth fell open for a second. Then I clamped it shut and my hands closed into fists. “He didn’t tell you?”
“His version doesn’t make much sense. I want to hear yours.”
“What did he tell you?”
“Your version first.”
I clenched and unclenched my fists. Anxiety and rage filled my chest. I didn’t want to relive that moment. “He tricked me into believing Phoebe was at The Bat working on our project with him. I went there and …” I pressed my lips together and crossed my arms.
“He tried something with you,” he finished for me. I nodded. “Son of a bitch,” he said through gritted teeth. “What happened then?”
“I kneed his goods and fled. That’s when I bumped into you. I was fleeing.” Garrett closed his eyes, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. “What did he tell you?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “That you showed up at his door, offering yourself. He refused because he wanted to take you out on a date first, but you kept pushing him. That’s what I mean about not making sense. Knowing him, he doesn’t really care about taking girls out on a date before taking them to bed.”
I shuddered. “I’m sorry, but his version is twisted.” However, Jonah was his brother. He would probably defend the guy before believing a Brazilian slut.
He erased half the distance between us. “I know. I believe you.”
“You do?”
He reached for me and uncrossed my arms. “I do.”
“But why?”
“Because I think I know you better than they do.”
The old Bia would have done one of two things. One, she would have kissed him right then, or two, she would at least start the we-kissed-now-what conversation. But this Bia? This Bia was afraid of blinking because it could be interpreted the wrong way.
I wrapped my arms behind my back and entwined my fingers on my lower back. “How is Midnight?”
Garrett cocked his head to the side, and his expression told me he was calculating if I was bipolar or not. “Recovering. If he keeps making progress, he should be back at the ranch by Friday. Or, if it slows down a little, next week.”
“I might visit him.”
“At the vet?”
“No, at the ranch.”
“Why wouldn’t you? I mean, you’re there every weekend,” he said, making it sound so casual. I averted my eyes. “Wait. What is it? You were thinking about not going to the ranch this weekend, weren’t you?”
“I still am,” I whispered.
“Tom will be disappointed.”
Once more, he talked about how Tom would miss me, or how Midnight would miss me. But not him. No. The only time he mentioned something like that was to help him with his chores.
“Tom will survive.”
He sighed. “Is it because of me? If you don’t want to go because things are awkward between us, I have a solution for that. I’m going to Santa Fe tomorrow morning to look for a new horse for Delilah. You should bring breakfast on Saturday to Tom and spend some time with Midnight, if he’s better.”
“Wait. What? Delilah is buying a new horse? What will happen to Midnight?”
“I don’t know yet. Right now, the only thing we know is that he can’t compete and she needs a new, trained horse ASAP.”
Needs a new horse. Couldn’t she sit this one out and help her horse recover?
“When will you be back?”
The lopsided grin split his lips. “Why? Will you miss me?”
I rolled m
y eyes. “No, so I won’t be there when you come back.”
The grin faded. “Why are you avoiding me?”
I could shrug and tell him he was a pain in the ass, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Deep down, in a dark place inside me, where I didn’t like to admit things to myself, I had hopes that Garrett really liked me for me, not just for my pretty face and nice body. I had hopes of Garrett and me together, making it work even through all the lies Audrey spread. That was only a dream. Yet, if I never opened up, it would never come true.
I sighed. “Because I don’t want to give you the wrong impression about me. It’s enough what Audrey put in everyone else’s minds.”
He braced his arm on the doorway and leaned closer, his eyes on mine. “The only impression of you right now is that we kissed, and I wouldn’t mind doing that again.”
My cheeks flushed and I averted my eyes. “Tell me when you’ll be back.”
“Sunday night, if I get a new horse fast. Otherwise, I’m staying there until I find one.”
That meant I could go to the ranch Friday after my classes, and Saturday and Sunday all day.
“Tell Tom I’ll be there Friday.”
He shook his head. “I would have lied I was leaving town last time you disappeared if I knew that’s what it would take for you to go back.”
I smiled. “That would have brought the old Bia back, and she can be very mean.”
“Is that the same one that kissed me at the Halloween Ball and last Sunday?”
I nodded. “I do my best to keep her hidden.”
“Why?”
“Because she was more carefree, more alive, more out there. Not like Audrey makes me look like, but certainly my behavior would have fed her lies. Everyone would look at me and believe her.”
“I hate to tell you this, but I don’t think they doubt her now,” he said. I knew it, but hearing that hurt a little more. “You shouldn’t change because of that.”
I poked his stomach in play, but regretted it. His abs were rock hard. My cheeks warmed a little more. “Um, you like this Bia. Plain and quiet.”
Garrett grabbed my hand, and he leaned into me, pressing my back on my car. “I do, but I think I would like the other one too. I’ve seen glimpses of her, and I do like her.”
He liked me? Before I could think about what he had said, he slid a hand around my neck and lowered his face to mine. His lips brushed mine. My breath caught. He started pulling away, but I fisted my hands on his jacket and pulled him to me. I melded my mouth with his. He sighed and relaxed, opening his lips to me, letting me in. He leaned into me, winding his other arm around me and pressing my chest to his. Desire, want, and lust swarmed through me, and I almost fell headfirst in it. I almost clanged to him for dear life, pulled him into my car, and climbed onto him. Or invited him back to my dorm. Almost.
A flicker of reason sparked in my mind, and I remembered where we were. Other students could see me, could see us, and add fuel to Audrey’s fire.
I broke the kiss and turned to the side, hiding my face under my hair.
“Hey, don’t,” Garrett said, brushing my hair from my face. “Don’t run away again. Don’t hide.”
Really? I had run away the first time, yes, but last Sunday, he was the one that kept his distance from me. He had been the one running away.
“I-I need to go,” I lied. Yes, I was hungry, but I had nothing scheduled. I could eat later, or not eat at all. Still, this felt inappropriate.
He sighed and pulled his hands away. “I’ll see you when I get back, right?”
“Maybe,” I said in a low voice.
“Maybe is better than no.”
I shook my head, hiding a smile, and looked at him. “Bye, Garrett. Have a safe trip.”
He stared at me for a moment before answering. “Bye, Bia.”
He walked around the car, toward The Bat house, and I drove out of the parking lot. I had lost my appetite and ended up driving around for half an hour before stopping by a McDonald’s, and going back to my dorm to sulk.
***
Knowing Garrett was away, I didn’t even think if going to Rocky Hill was an option or not. I loved going to the ranch. It was the only place where I could clear my mind and be a little more like myself, but things between Garrett and me were odd. I tried not caring, but it influenced my decisions.
This time, it was a no brainer. Right after my Friday afternoon class, I rushed to my room, dropped my tote, picked up my cowboy hat, and drove off campus.
The last two days had been complicated. The only bright side was seeing Audrey walking around with a huge bandage over her broken nose. Still, I felt a little guilty for feeling good about having done that.
Wary, I parked my car beside Mr. Hudson’s SUV. The thought of leaving crossed my mind, but what the hell? If he asked about it, I was a frequent client.
The door to Tom’s office was closed, and I could hear voices coming from inside, though I couldn’t hear exactly what was being said. And I didn’t even want to.
On instinct, I approached Midnight’s stall. A pang ran through my heart at seeing it empty. I knew he was recovering well, even though he wouldn’t be able to ride for a long time, but the pain was also from missing him. Beside Midnight’s stall, Felicity nickered. I extended my hand to her and let her sniff me before running my fingers along her smooth coat.
“Hey, girl. Missing your man?” I asked. She snorted, and I laughed as if she had answered me. “I sorta miss him too.” She poked her nose on my arm. “All right. I miss him. A lot.” I sighed. “You know him better than I do. Got any advice on dealing with him?” She lowered her head, going for the water bowl. “I thought so.”
Noticing her water was low, I got busy by giving her more water and checking the other stalls and doing the same. I was halfway done when Mr. Hudson stepped out of Tom’s office. He saw me leaning over Autumn’s stall and frowned. Tom exited the office and Mr. Hudson turned to him. They exchanged a few hushed words before Mr. Hudson straightened his jacket and left the stable.
Tom rubbed his hand on the back of his neck as he approached me.
“Hi,” I said, a little worried about why Tom looked worried.
“Hi,” he answered, his voice small.
“Want to talk about it?”
He halted beside me. “There’s not much to talk about. Mr. Hudson isn’t happy with the way things are going between Delilah and Garrett. He hopes Garrett can find a new horse and make a champion out of Delilah in record time.”
“That’s … not impossible, but not likely to happen.”
Tom raised his eyebrows. “It is impossible and we both know it.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “What will happen then?”
“I don’t know.” He sighed. “Let’s hope Garrett can perform a miracle.”
I wasn’t the praying type, but this was a matter worth praying about. Even if things never worked out between Garrett and me, I didn’t want to see him kicked out of here, or worse.
“And just now?” I asked. “After Mr. Hudson saw me. What did he say to you?”
“He asked me if I had hired new help without his knowledge.”
“Oh. What did you tell him?”
“That I would never do that. I told him you’re a client and that you’re becoming attached to one of our horses. You come early to spend a little time with the horse.”
I nodded. “You didn’t tell him which horse.”
“If I told him, he would find it strange, wouldn’t he? I mean—” He gestured to the empty stall behind us. “—Midnight isn’t here at the moment.”
“Thanks.”
“No worries.” He picked up a halter from the bench along the wall. “Now, are you here to work or what?”
I smiled. “You’re abusing my goodwill.”
He shrugged. “I’m taking what I can.”
I kicked his shin lightly, and he feigned it hurt. “Ouch, that is going to leave a scar.” He limped a step.
> I shook my head. “Such an old man.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“What time do you plan on leaving?” I asked Tom when he entered his office. It was just past six and I was thinking about turning in. Yeah, too early for a Saturday, but since I didn’t party anymore, six was a good time to settle down, eat something, and curl up in bed with a good book. Besides, I had stayed here until late last night and had arrived here early this morning.
“I’m not sure, why?” he asked me.
“Because I’m hungry, and I thought you probably know a great typical American diner nearby to take me to.”
He raised his eyebrows at me. “Are you asking me on a date, Miss Fernandes?”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure I am,” I teased.
“Well, ma’am, I do know a great diner with a greasy burger you have to try.”
“Great.” I smiled. “What time are we leaving?”
He glanced to his cell phone. “Not soon.”
“Why not?”
He averted his eyes. “I’m not supposed to say anything.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Tom!”
He raised his hands and stepped back. “My lips are sealed.” He rushed out of his office.
“Tom!” I called again, but he didn’t come back.
Oh no, he wouldn’t get away with it. I stood and ran after him, but the sound of tires crushing the driveway stones made me halt.
Curious, I walked out of the stable. Garrett’s truck parked right in front of the stable with a horse trailer on the back.
He opened the door and jumped out from his truck, tipping his hat at me. “Howdy, ma’am.”
I crossed my arms. “Weren’t you supposed to be back tomorrow night? Or maybe after that?”
He half-smiled and my heart skipped a beat. “Yes, but I worked hard and found a great horse in record time.”
“And why was that?”
He rushed to me and kissed my cheek. “Because I knew you would still be here.” Then he turned and marched to the trailer. I hated when he said things like that and then just dropped it.
Breaking Fences (The Breaking Series) Page 20