He crossed his arms over his chest. “I know that better than anyone.”
I moved past him, pausing briefly and glancing over my shoulder but avoiding eye contact. “Thanks for the apartment. I appreciate it. I’ll move in after work today, if that’s okay with you.”
“It’s yours whenever you want it.”
I nodded before heading to the warehouse.
As much as I wanted to put distance between me and Axel, I felt a weird sense of relief that I’d be moving into the apartment above his garage.
And it wasn’t because the rent was free, or that the apartment was furnished.
It was because for the first time in two weeks, I felt like I could relax.
Like I could finally breathe.
Like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Surrounded by horses in a place that felt safe.
Even if it meant shacking up with my ex–best friend.
five
. . .
Axel
Laughter bellowedfrom the small kitchen area in the warehouse. Jonah, Benji, and Coby were all mesmerized by Wren. I didn’t join them for lunch, as I normally ate while I worked, but I kept looking up because they were loud as hell.
She’d brought a new energy to the place.
A place where she lived and worked now.
My home.
She’d picked wildflowers out on my property when she’d gone for a walk earlier, and a vase filled with colorful flowers now sat on the table in the kitchen where they ate. She’d apparently made a lasagna last night and brought it for everyone to eat for lunch.
She’d offered me a piece, but I’d said I had my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and I was fine with that.
Not sure why I was drawing the line in the sand about taking food from her, when the girl was living and working a few feet from me.
I continued cutting a few more pieces of wood, all while listening intently to what they were saying. Then my phone rang.
Bridger’s name lit up the screen, and I picked up. “Hey, B.”
“I’ve got that information you asked for, and I’ve got good news for you.”
“Let me hear it.”
“I know the guy who bought the horse,” my cousin said. “He’s an investor, and he bought him dirt cheap, and he’s agreed to sell him back for the same price. But you aren’t going to like the next part of what I’m going to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“The horse wasn’t sold to him from Charles Waterstone. At least he didn’t negotiate the deal.”
“Who did?”
“Her brother Collin put the deal together,” he said, not hiding his disdain for the dude.
