Page 24 of Taking Chances in Cedarwood

“About the photos?” she asked.

“Yes.” He hated lying, but he wanted to get moving.

“He’ll break your heart.”

“He might.” His frustration boiled over. Now his stepsister thought she knew what was best for him. “For all I know, he’s using me, and this is his mission to learn all he can about farms. He could be trying to get into my pants because he’s lonely and wants to say he found a short-term boyfriend here in town. It could all be a fucking sham. But it’s also possible he likes me, too, and we’re consenting adults. We’re not doing anything wrong.”

“Andy.”

She doesn’t understand.“Nic could leave you, and yet I’m not here telling you to avoid him. It wouldn’t work, even if I did. You like him. Well, I like Cain.”

“That’s different.”

“I don’t see how, but you don’t trust me. Try it. I’m thirty-four years old and I’m tired of being the guy no one wants. He seems to want me, and I like him. I liked him before he told me about the fame stuff. Okay?”

She shook her head and sighed. “I knew I should’ve said something earlier, but now it’s too late and you’re in over your head. I can’t say anything to make you reconsider, can I?”

“No.” He spotted Cain in the doorway. “It’ll be about an hour before I’m back, but it’ll take most of that time to stack what’s on the wagon. If you work together with Maddie, the time will go by faster. Sorry.”

“I’m up for the challenge.” Cain grinned. “Don’t be too long.”

Maddie said nothing and followed Cain into the barn.

Andrew sighed. He’d bet Cain would give her a piece of his mind. He should. She’d been out of line. But she was correct in one aspect—Cain could break his heart.

Carl and Thad had both broken his heart, too. Then there had been John, his college sweetheart. Guys never seemed to stick around. This time was different. He was going into the relationship with no expectations. Whatever happened, would happen.

Tonight, he wanted lots of things to happen with Cain—all good things. He’d played in the background for too long and deserved to be content for a change.

Cain made him happy.

Chapter Ten

Cain didn’t bother to wait for Maddie to return to the barn. He’d been given instructions and would make Andrew proud. He hooked the bales and stacked them according to Andrew’s orders. After five bales, he stepped back to admire his work.Not too bad.

“I didn’t think you’d be working.” Maddie joined him in front of the wagon. “You don’t even want to be here.”

“Who said that?” He resumed his job.

She groaned, then joined him. “What exactly do you want from Andrew? What are your intentions?”

He continued working. “My intentions are to be the best boyfriend I can and win him over. I want a partner and I see that in your stepbrother.”

“Really?” She placed another bale. “Why haven’t you told anyone where you are?”

“It’s no one else’s business?”What makes her think she should interrogate me?

“What do you think he’s going to do when you leave for California? He’ll wait on you?” She snorted. “He won’t. He can have lots of boyfriends.”

Cain pushed the bale into place then sighed. She was protective of Andrew.Fine.She wanted what was best for him.Great.But she didn’t have to come at him like a mother bear. “I like Andrew. I have since I met him and I believe you care about him. I do, too. But know this. I’ve told him the truth from the start. He knows I’m on a sabbatical from my other life and I’m trying to find my way here. I won’t hide anything from him.”Not if I can help it.

“You’ll mess up.” She resumed stacking the bales. “Did he tell you about Thad or John?”

“No, and why would he? We just started this.” He kept his irritation in check, but not by much. “I know you love him, but you don’t have to tear into my ass. I understand you’re concerned and why. We’ve all been hurt.”

“Hurt?” she snapped. “You’re a fucking celebrity, and he’s not here so you can salve your ego or whatever the hell you’re doing. You’re not even gay, so stay away from him.”

Damn, she kept getting rougher with each snap. “Who said I’m not gay? Huh? You do realize I’ve never said I lean either way.” He’d never gone public with a declaration, but hewasgay.

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