“What are you doing out here,” Liam asked making me jump.
“Jack and your father were having a bit of a heated discussion in the kitchen,” I said, chewing on my lip.
“Sounds quiet now.” Liam pushed his way into the kitchen so I followed.
I’d heard Jack leave, because his father had cursed to high heaven just after I’d heard a door close. I wanted to go after Jack to make sure he was okay, but I didn’t think it would look too good if I did.
I walked over to the back window and looked out just in time to watch him roar out of the barn on his dirt bike.
Liam walked over, standing beside me. “You’re worried about him.”
“Yes.” I wasn’t about to start lying, plus Liam knew there was something happening between his brother and me.
He ran his hands through his hair, a gesture I’d come to associate with Jack. “Thalia, you’re both going to get hurt if this thing keeps growing between you both. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s just as affected.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“In case you were wondering.”
“Thank you for that. I’m confused right now, so do you think we could get breakfast?” I asked, laughing.
He took hold of my hand and tugged me towards the toaster oven. “You shove some bagels in there and I’ll make the coffee. We can eat out back.”
“I’d like that.”
“Then I’ll take you to get a new pair of cowgirl boots – Alabama style,” he told me with a grin.
I gave him a friendly shove. “Hey, there is nothing wrong with the boots I already have.”
“Yeah there is. They’re Texas style.” He smirked and dodged past the hand I slapped towards him.
Rolling my eyes, I turned my attention back to the bagels spreading cream cheese over them. “I’ll take these out back.”
Pushing the door open with my butt, I walked out to the porch swing, placing the plates holding the bagels onto the coffee table before taking a seat on the swing. The swing, which, for the past two weeks, had reminded me of Jack, and our early morning snuggle.
“Do you want to have lunch in town? Or back here?” Liam asked, sitting opposite me.
“Why don’t we decide later, seems as though we’re only just having breakfast.”
Liam started to chuckle. “Okay. Point taken.”
Sitting back in the swing, I started to wonder where Jack had gone, because he’d torn out of the barn like no tomorrow.
“He’s probably gone to the river.”
I frowned.
“That’s where he goes to let off steam.”
All I wanted to do was go after him.
“Why do your parents treat him like that, if he’s always done what they’ve asked of him?”
“Because with my folks it’s never enough. He’s always worked harder to try and get their approval, which he’s never had. He’s not falling in line anymore, things are changing with him and my parents can sense that. And it all started with our arrival or more to the point when you arrived.”
I lifted my eyes to his. “I haven’t done anything.”
He smiled. “Thalia, you didn’t have to do anything other than be yourself.”