AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She leans in and whispers, “Kane’s coming.”
“You sure it’s him?”
She playfully rolls her eyes. “Yes, I’m positive. You’re not the only one who can tell them apart.”
The chair beside me slides out, and then he sits down with a mountain of food. “This seat wasn’t taken, was it?”
“Nope.” I smile. “All yours.”
A few moments later, Payton joins us along with a few other guys who also work with the goats.
“Can’t believe you fell in that goat shit earlier. I think it buried itself into your pores,” Payton says to Kane with a chuckle.
“I didn’t see the hole in the ground when I was steppin’ around it.”
I immediately start laughing while imagining the whole scene. His arm brushes against mine, causing goose bumps to form, but I try to ignore the way my body reacts.
“Did you at least change clothes?” I ask him.
“Nah. Just brushed it off and kept workin’. Though these assholes keep bringin’ it up.” He grabs his dinner roll and tosses it at Payton. It bounces off his head and onto the table. He goes to grab it to throw it back, just as Maize walks by.
“No food fights tonight, boys,” she says.
“How’s your day goin’?” Kane asks as he angles his body toward me.
“It was good. Hung out with Harper. Besides the incident, how was yours?”
“Not bad. I was glad to see you last night. Made my early morning tiredness worth it.” He flashes me a wink, and butterflies unexpectedly surface.
“Me too. Will Ferrell movie night never disappoints,” I admit, smiling up at him.
Hanging out with Kane is always a good time, and that’ll never change. Just as I take another bite of my food, in walks Knox. His deep blue eyes meet mine briefly, then shift to his brother, who’s nearly sitting on my lap. The chatter at the table lowers to a whisper.
Though I know everyone’s thinking about how awkward this is, no one says a damn word. The tension in the room grows so thick that it nearly chokes me. Even Harper gives me a look at how uncomfortable this whole situation is.
Harper and I hold a private conversation while Knox goes to the buffet, then takes a seat at the opposite end of the table.
“Hey, Knox. How are ya doin’ today?” Harper asks him in a friendly tone, but not even Molly Sunshine can brighten this room. I swallow hard, feeling like my potatoes are stuck in the back of my throat.
He gives her a nod and mutters, “Fine.” While everyone else chats, he stays eerily quiet and to himself.
Once he’s done eating, he puts up his dishes and leaves without saying goodbye.
“What’s his deal?” Payton asks, then meets my eyes. No one answers him.
Instead, Harper speaks up. “So, who’s having dessert?”
“I don’t think I can eat anymore,” I say, wishing I could chase after Knox and explain what he just walked into. But instead, I stay planted. Eating with Harper, Kane, and the other ranch hands isn’t unusual for me. He’s just grumpy after our fight last night and our texts earlier.
“Yeah, me either,” she admits, then takes my plate. “I’m gonna grab Ethan a to-go box before I go.”
“Yeah, me too. It was fun packaging with you today. Thanks for listening to me earlier.”
“Of course, babe. Did you see the look on his face?” Harper whispers. “Knox is livid.”
“I know. I told ya. There’s no winning in this situation.”
She wraps her arm around my shoulders and squeezes. “You’ll figure it out. If not, just wait until the next bachelor auction and bid on someone else.”
I burst out laughing. “Not a half-bad idea.”
We say goodbye to the rest of the guys eating, then walk outside. I follow Harper to her truck, and she tells me to text her when I get home so she knows I made it okay.
As I walk to my Jeep, I hear my name from behind, then turn and see Kane.
“Hey, wanted to catch you before you left. What are you doin’ on Friday?” he asks.
I give him a smile. “No plans as of now.”
“Make some time for me so we can hang out again.”
“Let me check my schedule and get back to you. I was gonna take Ivy and Harper Christmas shopping soon. What’d you have in mind?”
The side grin that sweeps across his face is adorable. “It’s a surprise. Let me know if you’re available,” Kane tells me, then opens my door. I climb in, and when he shuts it, I roll down my window.
“I will,” I tell him. “I’ll find out soon.”
“Great. Have a good night, Hads,” he says. I can only imagine how much courage it took for him to ask, especially after the scene with Knox.
“Thanks, you too. I’ll talk to you later.” I smile at him, thinking about how it felt to have his lips on mine. Then my mind goes to thoughts of Knox’s mouth between my legs, and I’m feeling conflicted all over again.
