“Well…” she scoffed. “I don’t think it’s any of your business to be comfortable or not about where we choose to ride. I am perfectly capable and—” She was abruptly cut off.
“It very muchismy business. These girls are just as much my family as they are yours.” She could tell he was angry. “We may not share blood, but we share a bond and a love that's even stronger than blood. Trust me, blood family isn’t always looking out for you. Sometimes, blood family leaves you beaten and scarred and showing up to school everyday with nothing in your belly, a bloodied nose, and bruises on your wrists. So, don’t ever tell me these girls aren’t my business ever again.”
Blythe dropped her gaze. She didn’t know what to say. He was clearly speaking on a personal level. She wasn’t completely sure, but somehow she knew he was talking about himself. Maybe that's why he came to Silo Springs?
“We know where to go, Justin,” Addie spoke gently. “We’ll be safe. Promise.” She slipped her little hand into his and squeezed.
“I—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so defensive, I just…” Blythe wanted to tell him why she perpetually had her guard up, why she felt the need to assert her independence.
Screw Max, and screw everything he did to her.
“It’s alright. I was defensive, too. We all have skeletons, Blythe. I have mine as much as you have yours.” He paused. “That jackass in the city, whoever he is, doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you do.” He gripped the horses bridle as he spoke, "But if you keep giving him power over you, it'll destroy you. " His jaw flexed.
"I know what it's like to have someone hurt you, Blythe. I know what it's like to feel betrayed. I know what it's like to behaunted by a memory." Justin reached up and spun his ball cap backwards, then suddenly let go and started moving toward her.
Before she could protest, his hands were on either side of her cheeks, gripping her neck from behind and tilting her face up toward him. Her breath hitched as the look he gave her drilled itself into every fiber of her being. His voice dropped an octave as he spoke directly through the Blythe she was now and pinned the Blythe she used to be against a metaphorical wall.
“You need a real man who can erase that dipshit, whoever he is, out of your mind and soul forever.”
His mouth came down over hers and swallowed her gasp. She was frozen. The kiss consumed her, but it was fast. She didn’t even have time to think about reciprocating anything. It was over before she could fully grasp what was happening. But in the moment, shehadforgotten. The only man she’d known for that split second was Justin.
He stepped back and stared down at her for a moment longer. His eyes were the deepest ocean blue, when they probably should’ve been brown. He was dark everywhere else, and it only made his gaze even more penetrating.
“I’m coming with you, and don’t argue,” he commanded, turning back around and sauntering back to where Addie and Evie were standing by the horses. He finished saddling two more, then grabbed each of the girls by the hips, supporting them as they mounted.
“This one is yours. You comin’?” He motioned his head, encouraging Blythe to come get on the horse he’d readied for her.
She smoothed her hair and walked over to where Justin was standing with the animal. He wrapped his fingers around her waist, his ocean eyes boring into hers. He nodded, then hoisted her up and into the saddle.
The awkward silence was aggravating.
What do you even say after all of that? Addie and Evie were riding ahead of them, and Justin looked content riding next to her. How the hell was he content? She was insensitive, and he called her out. She threw an inconsiderate dart that hit the bullseye and resulted in a very personal confession, followed by a very sudden and powerful kiss. From a man who, she had to admit, had been nothing but kind to her.
Yeah, the way they’d met hadn’t been so pleasant, but he apologized. Compared to the offenses of other men in her life, Justin’s was very minor. She willed her guts into existence, still staring at the horse’s head bobbing up and down in front of her.
“Were you talking about yourself back there?” She turned her gaze to find him looking at her with a half smile.
“I was. Your uncle is the closest thing I’ve ever had to a real father figure. My dad was a fucking bastard, and he threw hands with me every day of my life that I can remember. I haven’t seen him since they ripped me out of school and placed me with theColes. He went to prison and got out, but by that time I was grown. Still don’t know what happened to him. Don’t even care.”
“I didn’t know. I’m so sorry. You never went back then? To school, I mean?”
“Nope. I took a test and got my GED. Passed with flying colors and started working and getting paid with the boys at the ranch.”
Damn. She didn’t own the corner shop for pity parties after listening to all of that. Didn’t seem like Justin would’ve shopped there, anyway. She was still processing. That had to be the reason they hadn’t told her. They could’ve lied and said he was—hell, she didn’t know. They could’ve made up some alternate story. Then again, she still would’ve been hurt when she found out it wasn’t true.
“I can’t even imagine going through that. Were you being protected? Like witness protection?”
Justin laughed and flipped his hat forward to shade his eyes.
“No, not really. But you know, your uncle is ex Special Forces, and the police and CPS knew I’d be safe here with him. My dad was in prison, but you never know. He could’ve gotten cut loose for good behavior or some shit. They were just being cautious.”
She tried to weed through all of the information coming at her at once. She’d asked for it, but it was still a lot.
“Consider yourself lucky that you can’t imagine it.” Justin lowered his hand to pat his horse gently on its neck. “My mom left, and my dad couldn’t handle it. I lived. I’m here. I’m just grateful my life turned out the way it did, and I’m riding next to a pretty redhead, on the way to a beautiful meadow.” He grinned and shot her a wink, like he always did.
She smiled back and dropped her gaze. “Can I make a confession of my own?” She was staring at the reins lacedbetween her fingers as she contemplated exactly what she wanted to say.
“Go ahead, sugar. Clearly, I can’t judge.”
