Page 58 of Homesick

“I’m going to go make sure we’re all set with our buyers and then we can leave,” Blake says before disappearing into the crowd.

All day he has been acting like we are business partners. He isn’t rude or anything. He was just short and didn’t allow any room for more conversation. There were moments when I saw the real Blake peek out, but it fades quickly when the realization of our current relationship hits.

I have been to my fair share of auctions, and I know Blake is going to be gone for at least another twenty minutes. I decide to head over to the small concession stand and snag something to eat before we leave. Knowing Blake and his determination to get this trip over with, there will be no stopping for food on the way home.

“Hi! Can I get one a hot dog and a bottle of water?”

“Sure thing. That’ll be $3.25,” the concession worker says.

I start digging in my pocket and realize I only have two dollars on me. God, this is so embarrassing. “Scratch that. I’ll just take the hot dog.”

“Whoa, don’t worry about it. I got it.” Suddenly, a tall man wearing a cowboy hat appears out of nowhere to save the day.

“No, that’s okay. I don’t want the water anyways,” I lie, trying to argue with the man offering to pay for my lunch. “It’s fine. I appreciate the gesture, though.”

Ignoring my stubbornness, the tall cowboy hands the concession worker the money and throws me a cocky smirk. I smile back and graciously take my food.

“Thank you, but you didn’t need to do that.”

“It’s fine. I was hoping that would buy me a few minutes to talk to you,” he says before reaching up to his hat to tilt it my way. “I’m Lucas, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Lucas. I’m Wren.”

I look around for a second to make sure Blake isn’t looking for me before following Lucas to one of the benches set out for the crowd. Lucas is cute and he bought me food, so I don’t see an issue with talking to him for a few minutes. It’ll be nice to get my mind off all things Blake before getting back in the truck with him.

“So, Wren, are you buying or selling? Or are you more of a watcher?” Lucas questions, trying to crack a joke.

I crinkle my nose up at his terrible line. “We’re selling. Got rid of a few bulls to even out the herd.”

“We?”

I want to roll my eyes at the question. He’s clearly asking if I have a boyfriend, but I don’t know how to describe Blake and me. I wouldn’t even consider us friends at this point.

“I . . . umm. Nope, it’s just me. My brother usually handles this stuff, but he couldn’t come today.”

“I was going to say I haven’t seen you here before. I always remember a pretty face.”

I try my hardest not to outwardly cringe at another one of his lame lines. This guy has absolutely no game and yet my butt is glued to this seat.

I take a long look at Lucas while taking a sip of my water. If I met him during my Cleveland days, I probably would’ve looked past all the cheesy lines and let him take me home. We’d have one good night together and then never talk again. But now as I look at this guy, I’m not even interested in doing that. The only guy I’m interested in wants nothing to do with me.

“Actually Lucas, I am here with someone. Thank you for buying my food though, but I’ve got to go.”

Before he can even respond, I’ve maneuvered my way into the sea of people. Just as I’m about to turn toward the parking lot, I hit a familiar rock-hard chest. For a moment, I stand there breathing in his oaky scent. He steps away before I do, and I’m left feeling lost again.

“Are you ready?”

“Yup, lead the way,” I reply calmly.

Minutes later we’re in the truck again and I buckle myself in, preparing for another game of who can stay silent the longest. As Blake is navigating between the potholes and people, he awkwardly clears his throat. “I didn’t mean to pull you away from your friend. We could’ve stayed longer if you wanted.”

My entire body perks up at his statement and I pull myself from the window to face him. “Are you talking about the guy I was talking to?”

“Yeah. Over by the concession stand.”

Fuck, he saw me. He must think I’m a real jerk trying to pick a guy up after I broke things off with him.

“Oh, yeah. I wanted some food, and I only had a few bucks on me. He ended up paying for my stuff.”

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