Page 23 of Homesick

I push the clutch and break in and shift the tractor into drive. I follow the rest of the steps as I remember them and slowly let off the clutch as I lurch forward. I do a little fist pump in the air, but then quickly return my hands to the steering wheel. I head toward the barn and my confidence takes over as I speed up a bit.

Ah shit, I think. I can’t quite remember how to stop. I try a couple different combinations, but my mind scrambles and I begin to panic. I probably should’ve figured this out before I got going.

I see some fence slowly creeping up and I have flashbacks to my prior incident. I finally hit the correct combination of break and clutch and get the monster of a vehicle to stop. I breathe in a sigh of relief and look at the cows in the pasture that are blissfully unaware of how close I was to ruining their day.

I turn the key and shut the tractor down before I try to come up with a new game plan to get the feed I’m hauling to the proper place before sundown. From a distance, I hear faint clapping and I turn to find the source. Of course, it’s Blake, enjoying his front row seat to the shit show.

I calmly show him my favorite finger which he takes as an invitation to come closer. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that finger means fuck off.

“You made it a lot farther than I thought you would.” He smirks while leaning against the machine. “Need some help, sweetheart?”

“Call me sweetheart again and you’re going to be the one that needs help.”

“Damn, you’re in a mood. I came at the perfect time.”

I throw him an annoyed look and decide to accept my defeat gracefully. “I would’ve figured it out, but now that you’re here, you can finish up on your own.”

I go to dismount the tractor, but the cuff of my jeans gets caught on one of the steps and before I know it, I’m airborne. I prepare myself to hit the ground, but instead I fall into two strong and familiar arms. I pry my eyes open and I’m two inches away from Blake’s lips. My heartbeat begins to spiral out of control, and I forget how to breathe.

“Whoa there, Wren. If you wanted me to hold you, you could’ve just asked. You don’t need to pretend to fall,” Blake says smartly before I wiggle out of his arms.

“I’m not in the mood, Blake,” I threaten. “I obviously overestimated my tractor driving abilities, but I was able to get everything else done without your help.”

I see his smile falter and I feel a small tinge of guilt for being so harsh.

“Listen Wren, I know this isn’t an ideal situation and I get it, you’re still playing into the hating my guts thing, but this isn’t about us. This is about helping your brother and it will be so much easier if we call a truce. I know I crossed a line at the pond the other day, but you were playing into it, too.”

I hate when he’s right. This isn’t about us; this is about helping Chris and my family. Part of me knew I could never fully hate Blake, but it was easier to lean into those feelings. If I let him back into my life so easily, then who’s to say he won’t hurt me all over again. Even if we were just friends.

“Please don’t rub this in my face, but you’re not completely wrong. I’ve only been doing this for a day and I’m way out of my element. But if we are going to work together, there needs to be rules.”

“What kind of rules?”

Crap. I did that thing where I start talking before I have a plan. “Well for starters, no reminiscing about old sex stories. That’s just . . . weird.”

“I agree. What else were you thinking?”

“No talking about our relationship period. Especially the break-up. And of course, no flirting.”

“You’re going to have a hard time with that one.”

I give him another annoyed look and he motions for me to continue. “No spending time alone together outside of the farm.”

Blake looks at me and a small grin begins to appear on his face. “We probably shouldn’t swipe on each other on the dating apps either,” he jokes, trying to stifle a laugh.

My heart races for the second time today and my cheeks light up like fireworks. Fucking Emma. “It was an accident. I gave Emma my phone and she accidentally swiped right on your profile.”

“No need to make something up, Campbell. I thought it was cute,” he continues, sizing me up.

My feet begin to shuffle under me like they’re prepared to take me anywhere but here. “I don’t need to explain myself to you. It was an accident. Believe it or not. I couldn’t care less,” I respond coolly.

Blake crosses his arms and shakes his head with a smile. “Chill, Campbell. I’m just messing with you. I like it when you get all fired up,” he reasons.

My eyes roll so hard, I can feel them in the back of my head. I clench my empty hand, wanting something to throw at him.

“Whatever. Can we get back to work?” I ask, wanting to change the subject. What I really wanted to say was, you swiped right on me, too.

“Sure, Campbell. Let me show you how to property drive a tractor.”

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