Page 37 of Never Left You

“Come on Carolyn, let’s just have a good time—stop doing this.”

I knew why Carolyn was acting the way she was. She was claiming dominance, making sure Abi knew I was hers. Even though that was the farthest thing Carolyn had to worry about, she still made it a big deal. My relationship with Abi was deeper than any of my other female friendships I had, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t loyal to my wife.

“She really hates me that much doesn’t she?” Abi asked.

I didn’t answer.

“It’s fine.” She sighed, shifting to face the empty field in front of us. Her shoulder grazed mine, her warmth seeping over me.“But I will be that friend and say I do not like the way she treats you.”

“She was just—”

“I know what she was doing. You deserve better than that.”

“Abi—”

“I know, I know. She’s your wife and you love her. I admire that you’re trying to defend her even after all of that.” She waved a hand behind her shoulder. “I’m sorry that happened, Cash.”

“You don’t need to apologize.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into my side. I still loved the way she fit there, and the way her head naturally landed on my shoulder. “I just don’t expect another invitation anytime soon.”

“You damn well know you are welcome over anytime. No matter what.”

No matter what.

This woman didn’t know how much she meant to me. How much she made me feel like I was whole from simply being my friend. What started as me accidentally hitting on her turned into one of the best friendships I’d ever had.

I sighed. “Thank you for coming to make sure I was ok.” I dropped my arm from her shoulders. “It won’t happen again.”

The front door slammed open wide, hitting the side of the house with force, making both of us jump. Carolyn stormed past us, only stopping once she made it to the grass. She turned, her platinum blonde hair flipping over her shoulders. A deep hatred that pinged across her face was aimed directly at Abi. She chewed on her bottom lip before turning to me.

“I’m going home,” she announced. “You can either come with me or stay here, but I’m leaving.” She huffed before turning and bolting to my truck.

“I better go. I need to fix this.” I watched my wife leave, taking that step to follow her. “Say goodbye to Sylas for me, okay? Tell him I’ll text him later.”

“Sure.” Abi took a step back, her hand reaching out for the door, which was still wide open. “See you soon.”

I gave her a nod and a quick wave, not realizing that would be the last time I would have Abi in my arms.

Present Day

Two weeks came and went in a blink of an eye. Between helping Lachlan paint the barn and getting Quinn to and from appointments and back on her horse, I felt like I missed more than not. Abi and I had shared passing smiles, but no real time to sit and be with each other again, and if I was being one hundred percent transparent with myself, I wanted nothing more. Each night, I came to the stables to hopefully get some time with her, but I was either catching her just as she was done for the night or ended up spending more time with Lachlan.

I thought Abi and I were back on track after the night on the porch. But I had the inkling things were just beginning to circle each other. It wasn’t as if she wasn’t talking to me—she would say hello and carry on small talk, but nothing like the conversation we had the other night. For a moment there, before nerves got the best of me and I stupidly ended the conversation, I could have sworn there was something there. She bore into me that night, almost like she was digging deep, trying to bring up everything. There were things she wanted to say, things I needed to say, and all I could do was tell her she could call me. It was steps—baby steps—back to the way we used to be. Friends.

And yet—I could almost feel more.

I shouldn’t be feeling more…should I?

“You’re lookin’ better Quinn,” I shouted as she passed me on Charming, finally getting into a full gallop but still too nervous to ride Hook.

After a few acupuncture appointments and physical therapy, she still needed the mounting block, but she was more relaxed to run. Next, I’d add the barrels and start the timer—until then I just needed her to get comfortable on her horse again.

Spring had taken over Hartwell Hills, the snow finally gone. The horses that had found a temporary home here were now enjoying the outside with the warmer air. I even caught Nova trotting with Luna one day, inspiring another doodle in my new sketchbook. But Quinn was using Charming again and again. The horse needed a break. Hook spent most of his time outside, relishing in the pasture while Charming worked harder than before. He was a good horse, but she needed to get on the horse that she fell off.

Cranking my neck to look behind me, I watched Abi open the last few stables to lead the horses into the fields. She held onto Hook’s lead, as well as the horse that had moved in last week, giving both of them a kiss on the cheek. Making sure Quinn was in her element, I jogged back into the stable, catching Abi right before she made it outside.

“I’ll take Hook,” I said once I approached her, reaching for the lead.

Abi wasted no time in handing it over to me, her hand still firm on the leather strap. I took it from her, noticing our fingers brush against each other ever so slightly.

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