“Dare is a great host and it’s lovely here,” I said.
“But…”
“How do you know there’s a but?”
“Because I can see your face?” he bit back.
I used both my palms to massage whatever tension had given me away on my face and sighed.
“Nothing. It’s nothing to do with Dare or the farm. It’s to do with me. I’m just…I’m bored out of my mind. I want to work. I want to talk to people. I want to go out and take in some fresh air.”
“The air couldn’t be fresher outside these walls,” Duke said and crossed his arms.
“I know,” I sighed. “But still. I feel cut off. I feel…”
I felt like I’d felt when I’d been with Victor. A prisoner in my own home. Well, his house. It had never been mine to begin with. Which was one of the reasons it took me so long to leave him.
“Trapped,” Duke said, matter-of-factly.
I stared at him and frowned.
“No. Not trapped. That’s not fair to Dare.”
“It’s got nothing to do with Dare though. You feel how you feel. But you have to remember, this is for your safety. It’s not forever.”
I breathed out.
“I know. I know. That’s why I feel so ungrateful for feeling that way.”
Duke approached and put his arms on my shoulders.
“You’re not ungrateful. And if you want to shake things up, there are ways, you know…”
I rolled my eyes.
“I’m not gonna hit on the poor guy just to have something to do.”
Duke giggled.
“That’s not what I said. But it’s interesting that’s where your mind went.” He smirked.
I squeezed my eyes shut, bit the inside of my cheek and when I looked at him again, I offered him my best smile.
“Duke, honey, fuck off. With all due respect, of course.”
Duke gasped.
“Hey, don’t blame me for your dirty little mind. All I was going to say is there’s a fucking acre or so of blueberries out there. I’m sure Dare could use a hand if you’re that bored. But hey, if you want to do the horizontal tango with Dare, I ain’t going to stop you. I’m not that cruel.”
I patted Duke’s hands on top of my shoulders and nodded.
“You’re right. I’m such a terrible guest, I didn’t even offer him a hand with the fields.”
I didn’t know if it would help with my feeling like a prisoner or my feeling useless, but it was a start. And it was the least I could do to thank Dare for taking care of me.
When Duke and Warren left and it was just us two again, Dare started getting ready to go out.
“Are you…are you going out to the fields?”
