Page 24 of Never Left You

“What else did you do? When you had your accident?”

What did I do? Physical therapy, acupuncture, got divorced, lost my friends…

“The same, with added acupuncture,” I said instead. “That’s not a bad idea, actually. I’ll find you an acupuncturist.”

“Needles?”

“You scared of needles?” I raised a brow.

She shook her head. “No I just…ok.” She slouched. “I’ll try anything at this point. I don’t want to lose my spot in the NFR.”

I smiled. “There’s my girl.”

“Don’t let me give up Cash,” she said, softly.

“I won’t.”

It was dark by the time I pulled back up the ranch. The lights in the kitchen and a few rooms upstairs in the main house were still on. I made my way directly to the stables, knowing very well that Lachlan was most likely already hiding in his cabin near the edgeof the property. All I had to do was check on the horses, and then I’d get to do just that.

Hide.

“Your name suits you, doesn’t it.” I heard Abi laugh as I stepped inside the stable. I slowed my pace not wanting to take her off guard again. “Charming. You are very, very charming.”

She stood in front of Charming’s stall, his nose right up to her as her hands brushed along his mane. She scratched behind his ears and lightly kissed his nose. He bobbed his head up and down in approval. I slowly approached her, making sure I made enough noise for her to know I was there.

“He’s a great horse,” I added.

She stiffened and turned a quick glance at me. “You’re making it a habit to eavesdrop on me.”

I frowned. “Nah, just here to check on the horses.”

“That’s—”

“Rhett’s not here,” I interrupted.

Abi gave me a side eye before petting Charming one more time, kicking herself off the gate to turn to the other horse. It was a new one. A gray speckled horse that was waiting impatiently for her to go to their stall. She bent and picked up a bucket before taking a few steps to the stall’s door.

“Rhett’s with Kyla. Date night,” she added.

“Ah.” I raised my chin and took the last remaining steps towards Hook’s stall. He was already taken care of and had everything he needed, but he clearly wanted more attention. “So it’s not Rhett’s job?”

“Not tonight it isn’t.”

I watched her as she entered the gray horse’s stall, giving him a slight pat on his neck before moving to muck out what was there, before she rose up and wiped her forehead with her arm.

“Who’s this?” I asked.

She cleared her throat before turning to the horse. “Gemini. We’ll be boarding him for a few months.”

“I take it the showings went well today?” I asked, leaning up against the stall door, crossing one ankle over the other.

Abi left Gemini’s stall and took a deep breath. “What are you doing?” she asked, staring me down.

“Making conversation.”

“Why?” She sounded exasperated. Tired. Over everything—and having me here was the icing on the cake.

Too bad for her, I wasn’t going to give in that easily. We used to have a strong friendship. We used to be able to talk about anything. And looking at her now, seeing how much she changed in the five years, I desperately wanted to talk to her. I wanted that friendship back. The one I used to hold so close.

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