AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I had a feeling.” Aubry smiled her Cheshire cat smile. “Now, back to your clusterfuck of a love life…”
“I love you, but you kind of suck at pep talks.” She cut up the French toast and doused it in the syrup. “I can’t date him for real. That’s not what he agreed to, and if I suddenly pull something like that, he’s going to freak out. Aubry, I can’t even ask him if he’s okay without him shutting me down. The man has more issues than Vogue.”
Aubry made a sound suspiciously like a moan at her first bite of omelet. “I’d think you’re used to it after dealing with me all these years. You’re an old pro at people with issues.”
It was true that her friend had some…triggers. And hated people. And would hole up in their apartment for weeks on end if left to her own devices. She chewed, closing her eyes in pure bliss. “That’s different.”
“Not really. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Adam has a ring of space around him wherever he goes.” She took another bite. “I wish he’d teach me how to do that. I go out and randos come up and tell me that they’ll pray for me or to keep my chin up because it can’t be that bad. This?” She pointed at herself. “This is my face. This is the way it looks.”
Jules had never really thought about it, but Adam did kind of have a don’t-screw-with-me vibe. “He’s just gone through a lot.”
“We all have. There’s no reason not to date him for real if he’s making you all twitterpated.”
She ate half her French toast before she responded. “What if he says he doesn’t want to date me? He’s not staying in Devil’s Falls. He’s made that abundantly clear.”
“Look, Jules, I’m going to be honest with you.” Aubry set her food aside and rotated to face her, her expression solemn. “There’s only room in this relationship for one paranoid, antisocial, budding agoraphobic. That’s me. You’re the bright and sunny one that makes people smile just by walking into the room. You’re my better half. Maybe you could be his better half, too.”
Jules leaned back and stared at the ceiling. “When did you get so smart?”
“I’m really good at diagnosing other people’s problems. Mine? Not so much.” Aubry went back to eating. “Now, finish your food and go shower. You smell like a bar.”Chapter SixteenIt had been too long since Adam was on the back of a horse. So when Daniel mentioned that he needed some extra help around the ranch, he’d jumped at the opportunity. He’d been driving himself, his mama, and Lenora crazy being cooped up in the house, and she’d practically shoved him through the door the second his friend called.
He just hadn’t expected Daniel to saddle him up a stallion named Hellbeast. He stared at the giant animal. The horse was gorgeous, standing at seventeen hands and perfectly shaped. He was a glossy chestnut with white stockings, looking more suited to the show ring than cattle herding. “Hellbeast.”
“You heard right.” Daniel finished cinching the saddle on his bay. “He’s not as bad as he seems.”
Adam took a step closer and stopped when Hellbeast snorted. “Really?”
“Yep.” His friend grinned. “He’s worse.”
“This wouldn’t be you getting me back for fake dating your cousin, would it?” He took the reins and moved forward. The best path with any foul-tempered animal was to show no hesitation. He had a feeling the second Hellbeast scented fear, he’d take off for the horizon, whether he kept his rider on his back or not.
“Would I do that?”
He swung up into the saddle, holding the horn when Hellbeast sidled sideways. “Yes.”
“He likes to try to jump the south fence, so watch out for that.”
Adam shot him a look. “I know you’re pissed, but murder seems like an overreaction.”
“Murder?” Daniel shook his head. “You’re Adam Meyer, famous bull rider. If anyone can handle little ole Pumpernickel, it’s you.”
“I thought you said his name was Hellbeast.”
They started away from the barn. The stallion kept a tight trot, his stride liquid and absolutely perfect. Daniel adjusted his cowboy hat. “That’s just what I call him, though don’t do it in Jules’s hearing. She’s got a soft spot for the beast.”
Of course she did. He’d bet Pumpernickel adored her, too. She was the kind of woman who could sing the birds from the trees and charm everyone she came across. Except maybe Grant. The thought soured his mood. The more he thought about her with that jackass, the more it bothered him. What the hell had she been thinking, dating a guy like that? He was human waste.
And maybe Adam was fucking jealous.
They rode south along the fence line. The job today was mending fence posts. It was tedious work, but by lunchtime, he’d worked hard enough that his muscles burned pleasantly and his thoughts were clear for the first time in what felt like forever. He stretched, his back popping.
