The man, filling his large tumbler with plain black coffee, scowl permanently stitched to his face, is not the same person grinning next to my father. I refuse to believe it. This guy glares at everything like he has a vendetta against the world. He’s grunted most of the time, making me believe he doesn’t even know how to act normally in front of another human being.
He’s amazing, easily taking the entire pot of coffee for himself. Once he’s setting the glass back into place, he pauses long enough to glance over at me, finally acknowledging my presence this early in the day.
Those gray eyes of his can see through anything with how sharp they are. His eyes don’t linger, not like they had the first time he’d looked at me. Those bushy brows furrow deep. “You drink coffee?”
At least he’s polite enough to remember that other people may want a boost to start their day this early.
“I prefer energy drinks.” Being honest, he gives another noncommittal grunt as he twists on the cap to his tumbler. No sugar, no cream. What a strange man.
While he prepares the start of his day, I pause long enough to drink in his appearance while he isn’t looking. With how much he’s trying to ignore my existence, it’s easy to do.
Taking in the broad plains of his back, I’m amazed by how much space he soaks up without trying. It’s a wall of shifting muscle beneath a worn gray cotton shirt, the seams pulling taut across his shoulders and tugging with every reach, every slight twist of motion. At each bend, I can see the arch of his spine, his body promising a strength I’ve never witnessed before.
My gaze drifts down, following the curve of his back to where it disappears into the waistband of his jeans. They’re old, soft-looking, the pockets frayed at the corners where threads have given up, leaving small, vulnerable holes in the faded denim.
At least my grumpy new roommate has a nice butt.
Beneath the table, his dog,Meatball, watches us with her big blue eyes and thumping tail, waiting to be released outside. I have to fight the urge to get down on the floor with her and give her another round of belly rubs. Cyrus says it’ll spoil her, but I’m not strong enough to hold back.
I’ve always had a love for animals. It’s why I’m struggling to figure out what I want to do in life. Taking care of them sounds like the obvious answer, but at the same time, what if it’s not getting into medicine that I’m after? Sure, I could volunteer atan animal shelter or learn to groom, but those routes could disappoint Dad.
He missed his chance to go to college because of me. Raising me up on his own, he wants me to have the opportunities he missed out on. Wanting to make him proud, coming here was just part of the plan.
The reminder spoils my enjoyable view, and I turn away, searching for something to eat before I go out and exhaust myself.
“Every morning, we start the day at five to avoid most of the heat. Rain or shine, got it?”
“Does it count as shine if the sun isn’t even up?” The question is innocent, but the weighted look he gives me in return makes my stomach clench, and a shiver rolls up my spine. “Stupid question, got it.”
Yesterday, he’d told me to help myself when it comes to food. Living out here on his own, he doesn’t have set meal times, and he’s cradling that tumbler like it’s his next two meals. Well, I need something solid to survive. While I help myself to his toaster, he’s leaving me behind to shove his feet into boots.
“You brought appropriate footwear?” Not looking at me, he works on double-knotting his laces. The few brown strands that aren’t tied back in a small pigtail hang in front of his forehead. Is it weird that I want to go over to him and push them back? Yeah, definitely weird.
Stopping myself from cracking a joke about wearing sandals, I remind myself that this guy is missing his funny bone. “I did my research. I’m ready for whatever you throw my way.”
He wants to be super serious? Well, I can be the same way without being mean about it. Without the grunts, too. I’ll smile until my jaw aches.
One jerky nod is the best I get before he’s leaving me behind to get started.
While I wait for the bread to toast, I make a note to wake up a little earlier tomorrow, so I’m ready to slip out when he is. Looking around, my eyes stop next to me.
On the fridge, there are a few papers hung up with the kind of magnets I’d find in a phone book. Even if it means being a little nosy, with how much time I’ll be spending here, there’s no way I can avoid them for my entire stay.
They’re all invoices needing to be paid. Some of them have notes written on them, most likely Cyrus’ handwriting.
Dad told me the truth, even if Cyrus would rather choke on the words. His ranch needs a little help. If he’s behind on a few bills, it’s no wonder why he can’t hire help himself. Now that I’ve met the guy, I have a hard time believing he’d want the help to begin with. It’s a miracle he accepted whatever Dad asked of him.
Just having me around makes me feel like I’m nothing but a bother. He’s got a talent for scaring people away.
I’m only here to figure out what path to take for my future. Sticking around for an entire season sounds like overkill, but Dad says it’ll be good for me. I’m starting to wonder if he had Cyrus more in mind when he made the suggestion in the first place. This way, it’s more like atwo birds with one stonekind of situation.
Deep down, I don’t mind being helpful. Even if this is like free labor, and he could be taking a little advantage of the situation, I’m happy to do whatever it takes to lighten the load a little. I just hope Cyrus can show a little appreciation and act a little nicer while we’re staying together.
Summer is a long time, especially when I showed up a little earlier than expected.
With the toaster popping off, I tear my eyes away and help myself to his fridge to see what kind of butter or jam he’s got.
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