Page 52 of Never Left You

I wasn’t ready to leave Hartwell Hills just yet. I wasn’t ready to leave Abi.

Were these old feelings creeping up a little too fast? Possibly. I wasn’t even sure Abi would entertain this—she’s been so hot and cold, but I still felt it, and a part of me was hoping she was feeling it, too. Even if it was friendship again, I felt the connection. My chest would swell just with the thought of her. I didn’t want to force anything down anymore; I wanted to keep feeling this.

We made it back to the ranch just in time to see Quinn saddling up Hook. I gave her drills to do as I got Nova unsaddled, helping Stetson with Marshmallow as well. Once our horses were settled in the sun with the others, both of us headed back into the arena.

He was my little shadow today.

“You know where you keep the barrels?” I asked him, pushing the gate to the arena open. My boot hit the dirt, forcing my heel back, and a small sting shot up my left leg. I winced slightly. “I only know where one is.”

“We have two more. I’ll go grab one.” He took off to the left, his arm flying up to his head to grab his hat as he ran.

“Who’s the kid?” I heard Quinn come up, slightly out of breath and she approached on Hook, bringing him to a complete stop.

“That’s Stetson, Abi’s son.” I took off my hat, rubbing my free hand through my short hair before placing the hat back on my head, raising my chin just in time to see Stetson open up the tackle shed and disappearing inside.

“Abi? I didn’t know she had a kid,” Quinn questioned, her gaze turning to the shed where Stetson began to make way more noise than I was comfortable with.

“Yeah, I’ve known that kid since he was born. He’s a good one, and apparently...” I saw a barrel roll out of the shed. “He wants to help today.”

Quinn laughed. “Alright. Give the kid the stopwatch, and he can time me.”

“We’re taking it slow today.”

“Hell no.” Quinn chuckled. “I want to move, so we’re gonna move.”

“Slowly.”

Quinn’s chuckle grew as she kicked Hook, shooting him off into a gallop.

“Slow, Quinn!” I shouted.

“Two barrels!” Stetson’s voice echoed in the arena as he rolled the two barrels onto the dirt. “I know where to put them!”

“Sure kid!” Quinn came up next to him. “Go for it.”

Stetson tipped his hat to Quinn before rolling the barrels in the right spot. Chuckling, I went and grabbed the further barrel, closest to the chute, placing it at the top of the triangle. I motioned for Stetson to come with me back to the gate.. He ran, the dirt flying up behind his boots.

“You roped him into helping you?” Abi’s voice sang in my ears as I approached the gate. She stepped up on the railing, her arms folded out in front of her. “I bet he’s thrilled.”

“It was his idea.” The corners of my lips tugged when I saw her smile.

“Oh, I bet. That kid has been begging to come in here with you. First the roof, and now this. He loves this place.” She flipped her hair, rolling her shoulders as she moved a little closer to me.

She was biting her bottom lip slightly, holding the smile as her eyes began to search mine for a brief moment before she snapped her gaze away.

I had always—always—found Abi beautiful. Her blue eyes sparkled, and now that I knew there were specks of dark blue nestled there. I had to stop myself from shifting my body close to hers to see them again. The Cupid's bow I noticed the other day was stretched with her smile, but still clearly visible. Perfectly kissable.

Wait…

What?

Did I just think about kissing Abi?

In the many years I’ve known her, I’ve only thought about kissing her once…and that was before I knew who she was. That was before Sylas appeared at her side. Sure, I had kissed her temple a few times during hugs, but kissing her…reallytrulykissing her, a knee-weakening, toe curling kiss…that was a thought I knew I couldn’t have.

But now, all I wanted to do was lift her chin and kiss her.

Deeply. I wanted to feel her lips against mine. Were they as soft as they looked? I longed to taste her. Did she taste like honey or cinnamon? Would she lead the kiss, or would she let me guide it and take her? Would her hands find the nape of my neck? Would she let me run my fingers through her hair? The biggest question…would I let her go?

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