Too bad they wouldn’t be down for sharing. It would make my life a helluva lot easier.
I back out of the parking lot, then make my way down the long gravel driveway. Right now, all I can think about is Knox and the look on his face.
Before I turn onto the country road, I stop and pull out my phone.
I’m not sure what I want to say to Knox, but I can’t leave without saying something.
Hadleigh: Just want you to know, Harper and I were there eating, and everyone else joined us.
I don’t need to clarify further because it looked like we were on some kind of date. He doesn’t completely deserve an explanation, but I hated seeing the look on his face when he saw us.
Moments later, it shows that he’s read it, and I wait for his text bubble to pop up, but it doesn’t. Instead of waiting, I make my way home. I keep my phone in my lap, waiting for a response. When I walk inside my condo, I unlock my phone, and still nothing. I text Harper and let her know I made it home safely, then message my sister Ivy about going shopping.
Ivy: I’m ready when you are! I have plans with some friends this weekend, but what about the next?
Hadleigh: Sounds great! Are you okay with Harper joining us?
Ivy: Yep! It would be fun to have her with us.
Hadleigh: I’ll let her know the date. Super excited to see you!
Ivy: Same, sis! I seriously CANNOT wait!
I send another message to Knox just in case he forgot to reply.
Hadleigh: So are you ignoring me now?
Another read receipt. And no response.
Him saying nothing is the only message I need.
My anger level rises with each passing second because he’s playing games with me. He knows I hate fighting with him, and I’d hope we could get past this, but apparently, he’s going to act like a child instead.
Needing to calm down, I pour myself a glass of wine and run a hot bath. I slide down into the water, then check my phone again.
Still nothing. Ugh! This man is infuriating.
I won’t play cat and mouse with him. If this is his way of pushing me away, it’s worked. Next, I move down to Kane’s name.
Hadleigh: Turns out I’m free on Friday!
Kane: Great. It’s a date. ;)
I lock my phone, take another sip, and try to focus on clearing my head. Tomorrow’s back to work for four days, and then I’ll get to see Kane. He never messes with my head and is the only one who deserves my attention.
CHAPTER NINE
KNOX
I can’t wait until this week is over. The weather has sucked. One day it rains, then it’s cold as fuck, and by the end of the week, it’s hot again. If that wasn’t bad enough, every time I see my brother, I think of Hadleigh and their date this weekend. It didn’t take long for the rumor mill to tell me that one.
Today, I’m working in the cow pasture with Grayson and Kane. A few barbed wire fences need to be repaired on a long stretch that meets the highway. A few days ago, a couple of cows were grazing on the side of the road, and the sheriff ended up coming out to let us know. We made a temporary repair, but it rained so damn hard that we were sloshing around in the mud. Now it’s time to fix it the right way.
Grayson rides with me, but Kane drives himself. I’m pissed at Riley for continuing to put us together, but I know our issues don’t matter compared to the work that needs to get done. So we avoid each other, which is weird when it comes to my brother.
We drive across the pasture, through a creek bed that we nearly get stuck in, then finally arrive at the worst part of the fence. Once I park, I grab all the tools and supplies, then get to work.
“Can you ask him to pass the pliers?” Kane mutters to Grayson.
“Can you tell him to quit being a cunt?” I say to Grayson when I hand them over to him.
Grayson laughs, then turns to Kane. “Your brother said to stop being a cunt.”
Kane looks like he’s chewing on rocks. “Let Knox know he’s a dickhead, and if he keeps it up, I’ll beat his ass.”
As Grayson turns to me, I hold up my hand and lean around him. “You fuckin’ wish you could.”
The next thing I know, Kane rushes toward me, but Grayson stops him before he can pummel me. “Is this really how the day is gonna be? Fuck me.” He shakes his head. “It was cute for five minutes, but you two need to grow up, or we’re gonna be here all damn day.”
“Maybe if he weren’t a piece of shit who can’t keep his dick in his pants, we wouldn’t be in this situation,” Kane mutters, and I try to ignore him though his words are full of venom. I’d be lying if I said they didn’t hurt because, growing up, Kane was the only person who always had my back.