Page 21 of Never Left You

His eyes widened as Cash croaked a throaty laugh. I glared at both of them.

“Sorry, Momma.” He ran, bolting out of the barn.

I shook my head.

“He takes after Sylas.” Cash still had laughter in his voice.

Taking a deep breath, I didn’t respond.

“Abs,” Cash said softly.

No answer.

Don’t. Give. In.

“Abi.”

I shook my head.

“Are you going to ignore me the entire time I’m here? Are you that pissed about the roof?” He pushed himself off the gate, opening Marshmallow’s stall, petting his nose before bringing the brush to his neck.

“No,” I answered.

“No to what?”

“No, I’m not that pissed about the roof. It needed to be done.”

“So, you’re just not going to talk to me?”

“Exactly.” I pushed the brush into Luna’s coat, making her bob her head slightly.

The stable grew quiet, Cash working on Marshmallow while I worked on Luna. Going through the motions, forcing down any words that may want to explode out.

I wanted the answers, but I wanted to go back to how things were without him. I knew I could get through everything without him. With him here, it was harder. And I didn’t like it.

“You know Abs, there’s only room for one brooding cowboy on this ranch, and I’m sorry to say Lachlan has that title down.” Cash’s laugh filled the stall, his hand reaching up to scratch the back of his neck.

He.

Laughed.

Before I could stop myself, I tossed the brush across the stall, hitting him directly in the back of the head. His hand moved, holding the spot where the wood hit as he turned to me, his eyes meeting mine with a look of pure confusion.

“Fuck off,” I grunted before leaving him alone in the stable.

Eight

Cash

Ararelaughfilledspace as I retold the encounter with Abi from the night before. Lachlan and I leaned up against the metal gate as Quinn mounted Charming and trotted around the arena. I could see in her face she wasn’t having it. This was her first time back on her horse. Her injury was still bothering her even with a few physical therapy appointments under her belt, but all I could see was my friend laughing at me. And this man didn’t laugh.

“Abi really told you to fuck off?” Lachlan asked, the chuckle still deep in his throat.

“Yeah, is that so hard to believe?” I turned back to Quinn. “Move to a gallop Quinn! You’re too stiff,” I shouted as she passed us.

She shook her head and kept her focus on the horse under her.

“Loosen up. Remember your position.”

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