“Hey, guys. Come on in.”
The nextfive minutes I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
Chapter 14
Maverick
How insam hill I got through the rest of my day is beyond me. I must havepulled it off, though, because my brothers weren’t picking on me,and even mama didn’t say a word, even though I felt like I was lostin the Twilight Zone, unable to concentrate on anything. Ellieloves me, and goddamn it, I don’t think I’ve ever been this happybefore in my entire life. But nonetheless, I think I handled thingswell with Ellie. Some may argue that we took things too fast, and Iwant like hell to make it work with her, hence putting the brakeson, even if it’s just for a day or two.
And justwhen I think I’ve made it through the day without incident, Blakewalks in, with this contemplative expression on his face. “So, howdid it go?”
I playdumb. “With what? With Stella? We grabbed the groceries and thatwas it.”
A ‘v’forms between Blake’s brows. “Y’all don’t seriously think that’swhat I’m talking about, do you?”
Ichuckle. “Naw. I just thought I’d get away with it is all.” I’m toogiddy to be irritated.
Hetousles my hair. “Y’all don’t want to talk about it, that’s cool,too, man.”
“Ain’t nothing really to talk about. We’re in a good place andthat’s all that matters to me.”
“Glad to hear it, man. I was rooting for you two.”
I givehim a look. “Rooting? What…y’all have a pool going on orsomething?”
“Naw, nothing like that. We just know how much you love her isall. Wanted y’all to see it through.”
I don’tknow what else to say, so I just smile. Zack comes into the barn,where we’re making a team effort of fixing one of the stall doors,and notices how quiet we are. “Y’all can stop talking aboutme.”
“What makes you think we were talking about you?” Blakechuckles.
“The fact that y’all got real quiet when I gothere.”
“That don’t mean nothin’.” I scoff. “We were just finishedtalking is all. How come you’re so self-conscious here? That’s thereal question.”
“Stop trying to change the subject. We all know what’s goingon here. We all know that you and Ellie made up.” He comments,looking expectantly at Blake, not at me. He sticks his hand out toBlake and wiggles his fingers, as if prompting Blake to give himsomething.
“What do you want?” Blake guffaws.
“You owe me twenty bucks, dude. Pay up.”
“I don’t owe you nothing, buddy. I wasn’t in on the bet,remember?”
Zackrakes a hand through his hair, smiling. “Oh, yeah.”
I cranemy neck. “What bet?”
“These losers bet that you and Ellie would get back together.”Blake says, ratting out my other brothers. “But I stayed the hellout of that.”
“Yeah, only because your wife’s gaze could have lanced throughthat there railroad tie.” Zack gestures with his chin.
I snorta laugh. “I see that fatherhood has matured you, Zack.”
“I ain’t a father yet.”
“And good luck with that.” Blake chuckles,self-righteously.
“Hey, y’all mind if I cut out of here early?” I askBlake.
