Page 96 of Chaos

In case the mare doesn’t make it and the foal does, he means.Fuck. “I’m not going to town.”

“Where’re you going?”

“Ponderosa Falls,” Lux answers for me. I slide her a glare and her expression goes tight, shoulders rising with an exasperatedshrug. “Jackson’s out with Yas, I need Theo to help me, and Adam is the only one with vet training.”

“But—”

An exasperated huff cuts me off—a blank expression and a tone that’s even worse lodge in my gut like a rock. “You can survive being trapped with me for an hour, princess. Get in the truck.”

My lips part, but nothing comes out, not even a breath. As Finn strides away, I watch him with wide eyes, and Lux does too. “What was that?”

I swallow. I lie, “I don’t know.”

“Did something happen with you two?”

At least that, I can answer honestly. “No.”

“Lot—”

“I’ll see you later,” I interrupt before she can ask any questions I don’t want to answer, I can’t really answer, and take off after the very man those questions would be about. “Good luck.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask no less than three times during the most uncomfortable journey of my life.

Well, once.

The second time, I croon, “Howdy, partner.”

The third, “What’s tuggin’ your lasso?” actually leaves my mouth.

I’m desperate. Uncomfortable. Not worthy of anything more than a muttered, thickly accented, “Nothin’.”

Slumped in the passenger seat with my elbow propped against the door frame, I stare out the rain-streaked windshieldlike the main character in a fucking depressing-ass movie, and I decide I really, really don’t like this. I’ve had enough of this.

BandAid,rip.

“Is this what it’s going to be like from now on? Because of something that didn't even happen?”

In my peripheral, long fingers flex and curl tightly around the steering wheel. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Bullshit. We’ve barely made eye contact since the other day.”

“And that’s my fault?”

Sucking a deep breath, I dare to glance aside, to meet a near-black gaze that hurriedly darts away. “Listen, it’s really not that big of a deal. You almost kissed me—”

“Oh,Ialmost kissedyou?”

“Exactly,” I agree, wondering if my cheeks are as red as they suddenly feel. “And I get it. I amstunninglyattractive and you have a giant crush on me—”

A bitter laugh stains the truck’s interior.

“And if you squinted in a dark room, I might somehow resemble Carmen—”

“What’s your deal with Carmen?”

Yeah, an inner voice parrots.What is your deal with Carmen?“I don’t have a deal. I’m just teasing you. Keep up.”

“I’m trying.” That strong, sharp jaw ticks. “You don’t like when I talk to Carmen, and you don’t wanna kiss me. Is that it?”

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