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I checked my watch again. The train was supposed to depart for Tullamore in five minutes.
“Where is he?” Conor asked. I had a feeling that Adam was like the sun to him. A lot of the kids probably felt like that.
“Hey, I didn’t know Sean was coming,” Chloe shouted.
Adam’s brother walked with purposeful strides toward us, his blue eyes pinned on me. Adam hadn’t mentioned he’d be coming. Well, the more chaperones, the better, I supposed. Even if two of them were devastatingly handsome.
Of course, Sean and Adam couldn’t be more different, and it became obvious as Sean neared me. Sean gave off the pretty boy vibe, with his gelled blond hair and continuously close shave. His clothes reminded me of Abercrombie—he could have been their cover model, in his cable knit sweater and khaki pants.
Adam, on the other hand, had an edge. There was a touch of darkness to him, and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, or how I felt about it. Although I had no business thinking about him at all.
“Sorry I’m late.” Sean waved to a few of the kids before stepping up next to me.
“Um, that’s okay. I didn’t know you were coming.” I grabbed my duffel bag when the train roared up in front of us. I waited for the passengers to exit and then motioned for the kids to go ahead. “Stay together in this car,” I said, pointing to the doors of the train car in front of us.
“Adam didn’t tell ya?” Sean’s brows pulled together, and he rolled his eyes. I had to assume the eye roll was for his brother. “He asked me on Wednesday to step in for him. Sorry, I thought you knew.”
I tried not to allow the weight of his words to sink me. But a hard splash of disappointment hit anyway as I stepped into the train car, following in after the kids.
I took a seat, and Sean sat across from me, facing my way. “Well, do you like horses?”
“Not really.” He laughed. “I’ve never been much of an animal person.”
“What—how is that possible? Doesn’t everyone love animals?” I looked over my shoulder, checking to make sure the kids were settled.
“Adam and Holly are more the animal types.”
“Well, I love horses, and these kids are amazing. We’ve all been excited about this trip. I’m so thankful to Adam for giving me the chance to work with them.”
“And what made you want to volunteer?”
“It’s kind of complicated, actually.”
He perked a brow and grinned. “Oh really? Enlighten me.”
“Well, I was supposed to live with a friend of his, a guy named Leslie, but I guess something happened that made it, um, unsafe.” I shrugged my shoulders. I wasn’t sure how much to say—not that I had much to say about it in any case! “Anyway, I’m staying at a hotel now, which isn’t cheap. So, Adam is helping me out with the hotel, and I’m working at the center in repayment.”
“Really?” Sean’s light blue eyes met mine, and I clutched my purse tight, pressing it into my lap. An unease whisked through me.
“Yeah, I—” The words died on my tongue as the doors started to close, and then a very familiar arm shot between them, stopping the doors. Adam stepped onto the train, and it felt as though all of the oxygen had swooshed out past him. “He came,” I said softly, not sure if I wanted anyone to hear me. Apparently Sean heard, however. He stood up and looked Adam’s way.
“The plan’s changed. You don’t need to go now,” Adam told Sean.
Sean grabbed his bag and approached his brother. I could only see their profiles from where I was sitting, but there was definitely some unspoken communication going on between them. Sean said something in a low voice and Adam jerked his head back, his brows slanting down in anger. The entire train rocked with tension.
“Have a good time,” Sean bit out over his shoulder as he gave Adam one last look—a look of disappointment. Then he left.
“You’re here!” Jenna exclaimed, and the other kids jumped from their seats and barreled down the train car to greet Adam. Some of them flung their arms around him.
I tried to hide the smile that pulled at my lips as I watched his shoulder strap slip down, his bag falling to the ground as the group cheered.
Adam’s eyes captured mine as he patted Chloe on the shoulder. The group of teens dispersed and found their seats once the train began moving.
He picked up his bag and came toward me. I was still sitting, staring at him like some speechless idiot.
“Hi,” he said softly. “Is this seat taken?” He arched a dark brow.
I wet my lips as the memory of our kisses came to mind. “I don’t know.” I folded my arms. “You planning on telling me why you were about to abandon us to your brother?”
