“Do you think she’s jealous?” A part of me hoped so.
“Fuck yes, she’s jealous. From what I hear, Justin is getting sick of her high-maintenance attitude. He said she practically threw this idea of an engagement party at him yesterday. They hadn’t even talked about one before. ”
“Really? Huh…yesterday, she sure jumped all over Whitley to organize it. ”
Reed stood, walked over to the sink, and rinsed off his plate. He turned and shook his head. “Layton, think about it. Olivia saw you with Whitley, right?”
“Yeah. Olivia asked who Whitley was right from the get-go. ” I put my eggs on my plate and sat down to eat.
“So, she sees you show up with this drop-dead gorgeous girl. Olivia has no idea who she is, so she starts thinking you’re together. What a better way to get to know Whitley than to have her organize a fucking party. Olivia never was one to miss the little things. She probably got the idea for the engagement party just on the spot. ”
I sat there and thought back to yesterday. I smiled slightly. So, Liv thinks something is going on with Whit and me. This could be fun.
“Layton, I know you keep saying that you’re not the least bit interested in Whitley, and that’s cool. From the short amount of time I talked to her yesterday, she seems like a sweet girl. Her friend, on the other hand, is…well, I don’t know what she is just yet. Annoying. ”
I let out a laugh.
“Just don’t use Whitley to make Olivia jealous. I got the feeling that she’s been hurt before from the little bit I caught from Courtney. Don’t be a dick, okay?”
My smile faded as I sat there and looked at my best friend. Reed was about the same height as me. His brown hair was always messy, and his eyes were sometimes green and sometimes blue. I’d never understood how they changed colors. He’d said it depended on his mood. He was every girl’s dream—good looks, built, and had a heart of gold.
He loved his job as a horticulturist, working for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Of course, he loved helping me with the cattle and racehorses as well.
“Layton?” Reed asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yeah…I mean, of course, I won’t do that. Shit, Reed, I’m not that much of a dick. Whitley is a tad bit annoying, but overall, I like her…as a friend. ”
He smiled slightly. “Good. Just don’t let Olivia get you down, dude. You finally seem like you’re getting over her, and I haven’t seen you walk into a room with a smile on your face, like earlier, in a long time. I just want you to be happy, Layton. ”
I smiled as I nodded. Reed was the only person in my life since Mike who had been there for me.
“Thanks, Reed, for everything. Thanks for never giving up on my crazy ass. ”
Reed laughed and turned to head out the back door. “You know it, buddy. I’m heading down to the main barn. I need to find a horse feisty enough to buck Kevin off. ”
I laughed as I turned and went back to eating my eggs. I got up and reached into the fridge. I grabbed the OJ and poured myself a glass. I sat down and grabbed my phone. I opened up Whit’s text and hit Reply.
Layton: Good morning, CG. Did you finish the book?
I started to eat again when my phone rang. I didn’t even bother to look at who was calling. I figured it was Whitley.
“Was it that good of a book?” I answered.
“What a way to answer the phone, babe. ”
The moment I heard her voice, my
hands started to shake. “Olivia. ”
“Good morning to you, too. How did you sleep, babe?”
I swallowed hard and tried to catch my breath. Why is she calling me?
“I, um…I slept fine, Olivia. What do you want?”
“Layton, can’t we move past the hurt and just be friends?”
I let out laugh. “It’s hard to just be friends, Liv, when you grab my dick in a barn and tell me how much you miss me—and with your fiancé right around the corner. ”