“I don’t need pity, Axel. I just need a place to rent for a couple months.”
His family had lived here forever, and they knew everyone in town. He’d probably heard that my mother had left town, and that my father was moving his pregnant mistress into our family home. Everyone in town probably knew that our lives were in disarray at the moment. It was very out of character for the Waterstones to appear anything less than perfect.
But here we were.
I just had to keep my head down and let this play out and figure my life out.
“I don’t pity you, Wren. But I do have that apartment above the garage here, and it’s just sitting empty.”
“And now you want me to live here? You were mad about hiring me not that long ago,” I reminded him.
“Maybe I’m just a selfish prick. Isn’t that what you think about me anyway?” he asked, making no attempt to hide his sarcasm. He held his hands up when I started to interrupt. “Butch is leaving on vacation for a couple weeks to go see his grandkids, and I’m drowning at work. You love horses, and I could use the help. I’ll trade you labor for rent.”
I was definitely not in the best financial place at the moment, with my father holding my trust over my head, and my savings were what I was hoping to use to help buy Wrax back.
I swallowed my pride and nodded. “I appreciate the offer. Thank you.”
“It’s not fancy, but it’s got everything you’ll need up there.”
“I’d stay in this stall if it was up to me, so I’m sure it’s more than I need.”
He studied me for a long moment. “Are you not riding anymore?”
“Do you see my horse anywhere?” I shrugged. “I guess I feel bad riding another horse, knowing mine is probably wondering how the hell I could have just left him.”
His gaze softened and he nodded. “I get that. Do you know where he is?”
“No. I’ve asked my father, and he won’t discuss it.”
“I don’t understand why he did this. It’s not like this was your first fall with Wrax. Why would he do this now?” He looked like he couldn’t wrap his head around the idea.
“I think it’s because we weren’t winning.” I sighed. “When I’ve had accidents before, I was killing it. We were in a slump. He was worried that Wrax would keep me from making the Olympic team.”
“What an asshole.”
“We agree on something, at least.”
“What does your mom say?”
I blew out a breath. I wanted to keep some boundaries up with Axel, but talking to him felt natural. I must’ve needed someone to confide in more than I’d realized. “She left for North Carolina to visit Aunt Becky. My parents are officially getting divorced.”
“Fuck, Wren. I’m sorry.” His gaze softened, and I wanted so badly to walk into his arms and be comforted. “What about Collin? Where is he?”
I knew I couldn’t completely put my guard down with this man.
Not anymore.
“He and Farah are in Hawaii,” I said.
He rolled his eyes. He wasn’t a fan of Collin’s, so it didn’t surprise me. “The shit hits the fan with your family, and they all just bail on you?”
I bit my tongue, wanting to remind him that he’d done the same thing to me.
He’d betrayed me and turned his back on me.
On us.
“I guess people are full of surprises.”
