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“You can’t just say that and not tell me what happened. Whydidn’tyou kiss her?” I threw my hands up.
“She helped me out in town today. The memories overwhelmed me, and she helped bring me back. I got caught up in the moment, but I didn’t kiss her because she doesn’t need someone like me screwing up her life.” He ran a hand down his face.
“Whatever happened to our agreement that we would at least try to find someone for us? Did you forget all about it? It’s been years, and I’ve stood by and let you take the lead. Let you decide when you were ready. Find the girl who speaks to you. Well, I think we’ve found her, and you run and hide.” I tried to keep my voice down so the girls couldn’t hear us, but Duke was being ridiculous. “I’m done waiting, Duke.”
He turned the TV up. If he hadn’t become my best friend in the ten years we’d known each other, I would have left him a long time ago. He needed me, and as much as I hated to admit it, I needed him just as much.
Without anyone around, I felt alone and helpless. Without a purpose. Even being on a team didn’t help when you couldn’t get close to anyone because no one stayed long enough. Blake and Grace were different. I took them under my wing, and they became family.
At least on the Kingston team, I could stay as long as I wanted. Here I had a place to call home, and they needed me in the beginning when they were building their team.
Then I met Duke, and everything solidified. He was someone I could look after and help. He was the brother I never got to have. We balanced each other out.
And after being introduced to the Cosland relationships the Kingstons brought with them, Duke was someone I trusted enough to share a woman with. He could protect and love her while I was away.
Maybe it was time for me to take charge and have him fall in line. I didn’t want Abbey to slip away, not when we could be so close to love.
A door opened in the hall, and the thudding of feet grew louder as the girls emerged from the room and headed toward us.
“We’re taking Abbey tonight for dinner.” Grace settled on the arm of the couch next to me.
“Who’s playing?” Abbey asked, stepping behind the couch and resting her hands on the back between Duke and me.
“Ravens versus Lions,” Duke mumbled.
“Eh, at least I won’t be missing much,” Abbey said, and Duke glanced at her. “Who plays tonight?”
“Saints versus Patriots,” Duke answered.
“Oooh, that should be a good game.” Abbey rubbed her hands together.
“Do I even want to know which team you favor?” Duke grumbled, and I saw the tilt of a smile at the corner of his lips.
“Nope,” she said and tapped him on the nose. His eyes widened, and I stifled a laugh.
“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go. I’m hungry.” Blake’s patience wore thinner every day.
“You’re always hungry,” I commented, earning a smack to the back of my head from Grace.
“What’s for dinner tonight?” I asked.
“Chicken parmesan, Caesar salad, garlic rolls, and I think Jessie also mentioned baked ziti too. Italian night.” Blake wiggled in her spot.
“Sounds like we’re having dinner with everyone tonight.” I looked at Duke, and he grunted in reply. “Maybe we’ll see you ladies there in a bit.” I patted Grace’s leg, and she stood from her perch.
“See you then.” Abbey’s hand grazed the back of my neck as she slid it along the top of the couch, following the girls out the door. It wasn’t until the front door was shut that I could peel my eyes away from where Abbey had disappeared.
“Would food make you feel better?” I arched an eyebrow at Duke.
He shrugged. “We went to The Cotton Patch for lunch, but I could still eat.”
“I’m going to take a shower. We can leave in thirty. That way, you can continue to pretend you didn’t want to join them for dinner, and we can eat by ourselves.” I smirked.
I got up and headed for the shower. I’d spent a long day in the barn, checking on Zeus and doing exercises to see if we could start training again. Caleb, our resident equine vet, and Alex, our previous vet and the Kingstons’ fiancé, had given us the go ahead to start, but I wanted to make sure he was ready too. After the grueling Olympics only a few months ago, I wasn’t in a rush to put the pressure on him.
Passing by Abbey’s room, I noticed she had left the door half open. Not wanting Jax to get into her things, I went to close the door and paused. Her notepad on the nearby nightstand caught my eye. I knew it was wrong to look at her things, but the closer I got to it, I realized it was a drawing of Zeus. I was amazed at the details.
She made him look so lifelike. He was just as noble and stunning in this picture as he was in person. The lines and shadows perfectly depicted him, and I wanted nothing more than to keep this picture for myself. I only wished I had drawings like this of my horses I’d had growing up.
