Page 32 of Bound By Destiny

The vein at his temple starts popping once more, but that’s the only sign of life Dane manifests.Please, please say something.

He says nothing.

Oh my goodness,I fret in horror.I read him all wrong. He doesn’t like me at all. Why do I make things up like this? Things are going to be really awkward now…

I shake my head, refusing to let my anxiety get the best of me. I’ll have plenty of time to cringe over this moment later, when he’s stepped out of my life for good.

“Dane?” I prod shakily. “I’d really appreciate it if you answered me, even if it’s to say you don’t see me that way.” I wait a few moments. When I realize I’m still the only one talking, I gather my last shreds of grit. “The reason I ask is… I wish you wouldn’t go back to Australia. Not right away, at least.”

At long last, the statue comes to life. Dane bolts up, pinning me to the spot with a glare as sharp and unforgiving as a bird of prey. Whatever softness I may have spotted over the past three weeks is gone. His grey eyes are hard as stone, blazing with an anger I have no idea how I provoked.

“Goodnight, Destiny.”

And with that, he turns his back to me and disappears behind the couch.

Dane

“Go away.”

Warwick sighs. “Dane, in the two weeks you’ve been back, that’s all I’ve been doing.”

I plunge my pitchfork into the straw and toss it aside with a vengeance. I’m probably getting more straw around the stables than anywhere near my target, but I couldn’t care less.

“Wow. You must be in a pretty nasty mood to be doing such a terrible job.”

I ignore him and lay a hard kick in the shovel to dig in deeper.

“You know, I don’t particularly want to talk to you either, with you being so friendly and all.”

With a groan, I look up at my older brother, who is leaning nonchalantly against the barn doors.

“That makes two of us,” I growl.

Warwick shrugs. “But not three, I’m afraid.” Hands shoved deep into his pockets, he casually strolls my way. “Luciana wants me to do this.”

I roll my eyes and resume my activities. “Then grow a pair and leave me alone.”

He doesn’t listen. But then, I can’t remember a time Warwick didn’t nag.

“I already told her the speedening solution she made worked fine,” I snap at my brother. “What else does she want to know?”

He sighs and sits on a bale of hay. “She’s worried about you,” he points out. “And I’m not as soft-hearted, but I’m tired of your gloominess ruining every meal.”

I huff, though I can feel the heat creeping up my neck. I realize I’ve been behaving like an ogre, but I’m just too torn up inside.

Drawing a circle into the ground with his foot, Warwick blurts: “What happened in Arizona, Dane? I thought you’d enjoy the change of scenery.”

Avoiding his gaze, I dig up my biggest pile of straw yet. Unfortunately my throwing skills haven’t improved.

“I prefer to keep to myself.”

It’s Warwick’s turn to roll his eyes. “Can’t you at leasttryto be less predictable?”

I swivel towards him and glower, barely resisting the urge to knock him out with my shovel.

“Sorry for ruining your perfect life as a couple.”

My brother’s eyes narrow, shooting daggers my way. “You know, maybe you could be happy too, if you just made the effort!”

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