Page 20 of Chaos

That brow rises even higher. “Someone?”

I smile ever-so-sweetly at such a subtle accusation. “Someone.”

Finn hums like he doesn’t quite believe that someone isn’t me. “They let you leave rehab like that?”

Why wouldn’t they?I almost ask before my brain kicks into gear.

He thinks I was in aninjuryrehabilitation center.

Huh.

Guess he doesn’t know as much as he thinks he does.

Ha.

“I can walk.” Hopping down off the desk, I take a couple of steps to prove it, and I’ll be fucking damned if the ache hasn’t eased a little. “That’s good enough for me.”

Finn doesn’t look like he agrees, but I hardly give a shit about his opinion. I thought that much would be obvious, but apparently, I thought wrong because he still opens his mouth to spew it. Luckily, knuckles rapping against the office doorframe cut him off, saving me and alerting us both to Yasmin’s presence.

Big eyes darting between me and Finn, her smile lands on me.

“Brought you something to eat.” She holds up what looks like a slice of the oh-so-sacred monkey bread wrapped in a napkin. “I was thinking I could show you the ropes, if you want, before we get started.”

I duck my head at the useless offer, hiding the smirk I don’t quite manage to fight off. “I think I can figure it out.”

6

“Keep an eye on her,” his friend asks.

He doesn’t think she meant the big, red stars adorning the back pockets of the tightest jeans he’s ever seen.

“You coming?”

Lifting my gaze from the Appaloosa munching on the hem of my shirt, I shrug at Yasmin. It’s just the two of us left in the barn, everyone else already gone for lunch, and I can’t say I’m all that keen to follow. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

My new coworker nods, eyes flitting between me and Daphne. “She really likes you.”

The corner of my mouth twitches. “Yeah.”

“All the horses do.”

Course they do. I grew up with half of them. Earned their love with sugar cubes and ear scratches. The new additions, I plan on doing the same. One morning and I’ve already got that Palomino eating out of the palm of my hand—right now, she huffs in her stall like she’s jealous of the attention I’m showering my sweet girl with.

Placating the mare I learned is named Bowie with a scratch behind the ears, Yasmin eyes me with an expression I can’t quite decipher. “You really know what you’re doing.”

Again, of course. Just like the horses remember me, my body remembers what to do. I wouldn’t say I breezed through the morning’s work, but I definitely earned the right to be a little smug. “You sound surprised.”

“I mean you really know what you’re doinghere.”

Her tone makes me itch—too inquisitive for my liking. It’s not like I’m trying to hide who I am, but I’m not exactly broadcasting it. If my siblings don’t want to introduce me, I won’t either. Honestly, I can’t be bothered. With the questions, the curiosity, the gossip. It’s my business, not anyone else’s. Plus, even if I never say a word, they’ll find out eventually.

Serenity has never been the place to harbor secrets.

Sighing, I tilt my head at Yasmin. “Is there a question in there somewhere?”

If there is, she doesn't ask it. She just stares a little longer, eventually nodding before turning on her heel and heading outside. Before she disappears from sight, she throws over her shoulder, “You might wanna hurry. The guys’ll eat everything if you give them half a chance.”

Right on cue, my stomach rumbles. Nudging her nose against my middle, Daphne practically pushes me out of her stall, and I snort as I oblige her command. “Bossy ass.”

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