He looked down at Aaron as he took off the flat tire and realized even Aaron was getting in the way of him and Dusty.
“Here, let me help you, it’s heavy,” said Blaise, his words aimed to have a dig at Aaron. He’d kept up his gym visits, it helped to blow off a lot of steam from sitting all day at the computer balancing figures.
“Nah, I got it.” Aaron moved in front of Blaise to stop him from helping. “Don’t want to break a nail.”
I’d happily break every one of them, if it’s from punching you. Blaise inhaled to stop his temper from erupting.
Aaron hauled the tire on to the back of the ute, just missing Molly.
Ted growled at Aaron.
“Good boy, Ted.” Blaise couldn’t help praising Ted, who at this point was showing he had an excellent judge of character.
“Never liked that dog,” grumbled Aaron.
“Can’t see why,” said Blaise sarcastically. This day wasn’t going at all well. He wanted to get back to his place.Maybe if I hung around at the farm I might get to see Dusty.The thought was encouraging.She might be vague about when we will see each other next, but I can make sure it’s sooner rather than later.
Aaron replaced the tire and started refixing the bolts. “You know Dusty will never let you move into the farm with her.”
Not this again. Another chill went through Blaise. He hated these sorts of games.
“It’s none of your business,” Blaise said bluntly.
“She needs someone who knows what they’re doing.” Aaron fixed the last bolt tightly.
I know what I’m doing—
Aaron interrupted his thought by saying, “On the farm.” Aaron looked snidely down his nose at Blaise.
‘Course that’s what you meant.
“She needs someone who can actually help her and not just bring her lunches.”
“You spying on us?” Blaise narrowed his eyes at Aaron.
He chuckled. “Oh, so, I’m right. Well, there you go. You’re doing the women’s work and bringing the lunches. How damn quaint. It’s good Claire has a bit of a break.”
“You should get on your way.” Blaise wasn’t sure if he were going to be able to hold back from punching Aaron if this bullshit kept up.
“I guess my work here is done.” Aaron raise an eyebrow. “It won’t work out, you two aren’t from the same worlds, and despite what you might think, I can wait patiently. She’ll come around and back to me. You wait and see.”
“Like hell she will.” Blaise could feel the heat in his blood begin to reach boiling point. Aaron may well have helped changed the tire, but he had ulterior motives which were setting him on edge.
“You never know, and based on your reaction, I’m on the money.” He stood. “No worries about fixing your tire, you can buy me a beer at the pub when you’re in next.”
“Sure,” Blaise lied. There was no way he was about to buy Aaron a beer, not after what he’s insinuating. “We can reminisce on old times.”
“Say hi to Dusty for me.” Aaron got into his ute, started the engine, and pumped the accelerator a few times for good measure.
Blaise stood, angry, blood boiling as he watched Aaron drive away.Wanker.
The problem was, all that Aaron had said had rung true about how Blaise was really feeling about his relationship with Dusty. He tried to remind himself as the dust settled on the road, when driving the combine she hadn’t got angry with him when he messed up. At least, not as dramatically as she had in the past. But it just felt like there was something between them which wasn’t going to let them have a future together.
Would Dusty commit to the next step in their relationship?
Would she let him move in with her?
The potential answers scared the hell out of Blaise.
