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“Laken.” His hand closes around my forearm and pulls me to a halt right as I move to pass him.
“We’re good, Thad. Really. I get it,” I say, forcing myself to seem unaffected even though all I really want to do is go to my room, crawl into a ball, and cry my eyes out for the remainder of the night.
“Meet me at the barn tonight after Chris and Ben have gone home and your parents are settled in for the night.”
“What?” My eyes go wide as a slow smile creeps across his face.
“The barn. Meet me there. Tonight. Think you can manage that?”
“Okay.” The one word is barely a whisper on my lips, which Thad’s gaze instantly falls to, making my whole body warm.
“Good.” His eyes come back to mine to offer me a quick wink before he releases my arm and takes off across the grounds.
I’m still standing by the truck trying to figure out what the hell happened and what I agreed to when my father’s voice pulls me back into the now.
“Jed get the car okay?” My gaze moves to where him and Ben have just rounded the house.
“I assume so. I didn’t wait around for him,” I say, adjusting the strap of my small purse before making my way toward them.
“I’m gonna head up to the cabin if you’re good,” Ben says, nodding at me as I approach.
“That’s fine. Just make sure you’re up in time for dinner. Your mother is making lasagna tonight.”
“Will do,” he tells our father before turning his gaze to me. “How you feeling, sis?” He gives me a knowing look.
“Right as rain.” I smile, giving him a look that saysif you say a word in front of Dad about how drunk I got last night I’ll rip your tongue out.
He knows what that look means and it makes his smile widen. “See you at dinner,” he calls over his shoulder, walking away without another word.
I’m left shaking my head, wishing my mom had given me sisters when my father cuts back in.
“Nothing that could be done?” he questions, setting his tool box at his feet before turning on the water spout next to the house.
“Huh?” I question, not following.
“For the car,” he clarifies.
“Oh, no I don’t think so. He said he’d take a look at it but based on what I told him on the phone he didn’t seem hopeful. He said if she can’t be fixed he can sell her for scrap metal and parts. At least that will give me a little money to get something else. Luckily I don’t need a car in L.A. so I can make due until then.”
“Still planning on going back?” he asks, not looking in my direction as he leans forward and proceeds to wash his hands in the water pouring from the spout.
“You know I am,” I say in a way that indicates how tired I am of having this conversation. I swear every time I mention L.A. my parents get all snarky like they really believe I’m home to stay.
“I see. Any idea when?”
“You in a rush to get rid of me?” I arch a brow.
“Of course not.” He shuts off the water and straightens. His six-two frame towering over my five-five one.
“I’ve received a couple audition scripts. Wendy hasn’t gotten a date nailed down for either yet but she’s going to let me know as soon as she does. I’ll probably be flying back to L.A. to audition.”
“And will you come back here after?” he questions.
“I plan to. I mean, unless by some off chance I get cast and shooting starts immediately, which is not very likely.”
“You getting the part or them shooting immediately?”
“Both,” I admit truthfully.
“The girl who left here four years ago wouldn’t have thought so.”
“The girl who left here four years ago was naïve. I still believe I can do it, but I’m no longer delusional enough to believe that it’s going to happen overnight. It will happen,” I say, not sure if I’m trying to convince myself or him. “One day,” I add under my breath.
“Well, until then I’m glad you’re here,” he says, resting a big hand on my shoulder.
“Me too,” I admit, not completely hating my time here as much as I thought I would. Of course a certain hot guy with perfect lips and eyes that render me a soppy puddle every time they look my way might have something to do with that.
“Stop in and feed the horses for me before you head inside, would ya?” He waits until I nod before retracting his hand. “And don’t be late for dinner.”
“Yes, sir.” I give him a smile before taking off toward the barn without another word.
