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Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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CHAPTER FOUR

JEFF

“Where is Ari’s horse, Jeff?” Matt asked.

“She’s not here, buddy.”

I saw Josh walking into the barn with a concerned look on his face. I looked down at Matt as he was trying to sweep some hay away from one of the barn doors.

“Hey, Josh.”

Josh looked over at Matt and smiled, and then he looked at me as his smile faded. Shit. I know that look. Something must have happened with Heather.

“What’s up, dude? Hey Matt buddy, you helping Jeff clean up?” Josh asked.

Matt smiled at Josh and held out the broom for him to see it.

Then, Matt turned to face me again.

“Where is Ari’s horse, Jeff?”

“She isn’t here, buddy. What’s going on, Josh? You look like someone just kicked you off the playground.” I said with a smirk.

Josh rolled his eyes and gave me the finger.

When I laughed Matt looked at me.

“What’s so funny, Jeff?”

“Nothing, buddy, Josh rolled his eyes at me, and it made me laugh.”

“Do you like that, Jeff? I can do that, too! Jeff, where is Ari’s horse?”

“She’s not here, buddy. Want to pet Rose?”

“Yes!”

Josh walked into Rose’s stall, put a lead on her, and brought her out. I picked up Matt and carried him over to Rose.

Matt loved being around the horses. Even just the mention of seeing them got him all excited. Ari and I had taken him to some stables around Austin a few times. I just loved this little guy.

I started to think about Ari and how badly she wanted kids. She’d been worried about having kids. Now, with the whole Rebecca shit, I knew it was going to be on her mind again.

“You like her, Matt?” Josh asked. He was giving Rose some oats while Matt was running his hands along her back. “You want to sit on her, buddy?”

Nodding his head at Josh, Matt smiled the biggest smile I’d ever seen.

“Keep a good hold of him, Josh,” I said.

“I know what I’m doing, asshole.”

“Assmole!” Matt yelled out.

Josh and I lost it, and we both started laughing. This only caused Matt to say it over and over again.

“Assmole! Assmole! Assmole!”

Holy shit! We couldn’t stop laughing.

“Assmole Jeff!”

Oh hell! I needed this laugh.

Josh had tears running down his face. I think the fucker even snorted.

“Huh? Jeff, Why is my little brother saying a bad word?”

Josh and I both looked at Ari, and instantly stopped laughing. Matt smiled at Ari as she walked up to him.

“Hey, buddy! Do you like sitting up there on Rose? You want to go for a ride with me, sweets?” Ari asked.

Matt nodded his head, and I held my breath because I knew what was coming next.

“Assmole!” Matt yelled again.

Ari was so good with Matt. Instead of laughing, she just went on about her business.

She started to pull out a saddle and harness while she talked to Matt.

“Matt, we’re going to ride Rose for a little bit while Josh and Jeff talk about using the proper language because swearing is not nice.

“Ah, that’s the pot calling the kettle black, Ari.” Josh said with a laugh. Ari turned and shot Josh a go-to-hell look.

“Where is Ari’s horse, Jeff?” Matt asked again.

“She’s not here buddy. Remember I told you a little bit ago that she wasn’t here.”

Ari turned to me. “Be specific Jeff, he needs a real answer, babe.”

Oh shit! I always forget that. I’m just so use to him repeating his questions to me. Damn.

“She’s down at another stable, buddy, and then she’s going to come live on our property at our stable,” I explained.

“Oh…cool,” Matt said.

And that was it. Question was answered, and he was satisfied.

Damn. Where was Ari twenty-five minutes ago when he first asked me that question?

“You want me to go riding with y’all?” I asked while I helped Ari saddle up Rose.

Something was off with her today. Last night had been so perfect, but this morning it was like she woke up with the world on her damn shoulders.

Rebecca.

“No, I’d rather be alone with Matt if you don’t mind. I think you need to make a phone call. Don’t you?” Ari said with sarcasm dripping from her mouth.

“Um, yeah I guess so, but, I was kind of hoping to take care of it tomorrow when we’re back in Austin.”

Josh lifted Matt and put him in the saddle while I helped Ari get seated behind the saddle on Rose.

“Can you hand me that helmet for Matt, Josh.” Ari asked.

Then she turned and looked at me. The look in her eyes as they filled with tears about gutted me.

“No. Take care of it now.”

She put the helmet on Matt and started to ride off.

“Ari, what about your helmet?” I asked.

She just rode off without an answer and never looked back at me.

Fuck.

I jabbed my hands through my hair and looked up at the ceiling. Motherfucker. Josh slapped me on the back, bringing me back to reality.

“Jeff, she’s right. Call Rebecca and set up a time to meet with her. You have to get this shit taken care of. I still can’t believe that you’re the one who got the baby daddy phone call.” Josh said with a laugh.

“Yeah, douche-bag assmole! You should be the one with about twenty-five girls knocking on your door.”

“Fuck no. I have three fuck rules.”

Did he just say fuck rules?

“One, always use protection and buy the most expensive-ass condoms you can get. Two, never have sex drunk, and three, never have sex with a girl who is clearly in love with or obsessed with you.”

I just stood there, staring at him. Bastard.

“Fuck off, Josh!”

Josh threw his head back, laughing, as we walked out of the barn. He stopped dead in his tracks, grabbed my arm, and turned to walk us in the other direction.

“Jesus, Josh, I’m not in the mood for a romantic stroll with you. I’ve got to go call a crazy bitch who claims to be pregnant with my kid.”

Josh picked up the pace and made his way around the other side of the barn. Shit. He was almost in a dead jog. What the fuck is he trying to get away from?

“Josh! What the fuck, dude? What are we doing?”

“Shit, Jeff, keep your voice down and just walk, dude. I’m trying to get the fuck away from Lynda, Gunner’s cousin.” Josh whispered.

I wanted to laugh at him but, considering what I had going on with Rebecca, I didn’t need any bad karma.

Throughout the wedding reception yesterday, Lynda had spent most of the evening hanging all over Josh. Every time Josh had looked for Heather to dance, Lynda somehow showed up and talked him into dancing with her.

“What is she still doing here? I thought Gunner’s cousins went back to Austin last night,” I said.

“They did! Lynda claimed that she wasn’t feeling well, and get this, she ended up staying in the same room as Heather last night. God knows what the fuck she said about me to Heather.”

“Wow. That’s messed up dude. What’s going on with you and Heather anyway? Are you ever going to ask her out on a real date?”

Josh stopped and looked at me. I almost laughed at the face he was making. Damn. I’ve been in his shoes before. I should really be a better friend.

“I have asked her, Jeff, like twenty times. Every time I ask her, she says no. I’ve done everything I can think of. She’s driving me crazy. One minute, she acts like she can’t stand me, and the next she looks pissed because I’m talking to another girl. Do you know when the last time I had sex was?” he said, clearly frustrated.

“Ah, no, and I don’t care to know, so don’t share that shit with me!”

“Four fucking months, Jeff! Four. I haven’t had sex in four months, and it’s all her fault!”

I just stood there and looked at him. Holy shit. he really liked Heather.

“How the hell is it her fault?”

“She has me all tied up in knots. Every time I get ready to have sex with someone, I can’t do it. I have to get dressed and leave. All I can think about is her.”

As Josh and I made our way towards the house, I saw Heather with Emma, Garrett, Mark and Sue sitting on the porch.

Shit. I didn’t want to face Ari’s parents just yet.

Heather looked over and gave us a small smile before she turned to Garrett and Emma.

“Well, I guess I better get ready to head back to Austin. Thank you, Garrett and Emma, for allowing me to stay here last night with you. I truly appreciate it.” Heather said.

Just then Lynda, came walking up calling out Josh’s name. I saw Heather’s body stiffen at the sight of Lynda going up to Josh as she placed her hand on his arm.

“Josh, do you think I could get a ride back to Austin with you? I thought Jeff and Ari would be heading back sooner, but Ari said they weren’t heading back until this afternoon. I really, really need to get back,” Lynda whined.

Josh looked so confused. Poor fucker. Heather just stood there, waiting to see what was going to happen.

“Um… yeah sure. I mean, I wasn’t really planning on leaving anytime soon, but if you need a ride I guess.”

Lynda let out a small yelp and jumped into Josh’s arms. “Oh, thank you, Josh! You’re my hero. I’ll go get my things.”

After Lynda let go of Josh, she thanked Emma and Garrett for letting her stay the night, and then she headed into the house. The smile she gave Heather was loud and clear. This girl was digging her nails into Josh and holding on for dear life.

Just then, my cell phone beeped with a text message. I was surprised it came through because I usually didn’t have a cell signal at the ranch. I pulled out my phone and saw the message was from Ellie.

Ells: Hey, big bro. I am dying here. How did it go last night? Can’t get a hold of Ari  Gunner just told me that we’re going to Belize! Eeeeppp! Love you, Jeff. Give Ari a hug and kiss for me.

I smiled as I read her text. I still couldn’t believe it. My little sister and Gunner…married. Fucking bastard with his carriages! Damn that romantic bastard!

“That must have been from Ellie,” Emma said with a smile.

I swore that this woman could read minds.

“Yeah, she wanted to talk to Ari. I guess Gunner let her know that Belize was their destination. To be honest, I’m surprised that Ari didn’t give it away.”

Just then we heard Ari and Matt riding up on Rose. I turned to look at them as they headed our way. God she’s beautiful. She was leaning down, saying something in Matt’s ear. He started to laugh, and she looked up at me and smiled. My knees about buckled.

Shit! Will she always have this effect on me?

Emma, Sue, and Mark walked past me.

Emma stopped and smiled at me. “Yes, Jeff, she will always make you feel weak in the knees.” She gave me a wink and then made her way over to Rose, taking the lead from Ari.

Jesus H. Christ, she does read minds!

CHAPTER FIVE

Ari

I was feeling so much better from just being alone with Matt and not thinking about Rebecca or Jeff. The moment I saw Jeff standing there though, my heart started to beat faster.

“Ari! There’s Jeff!” Matt said as we got closer to the ranch house.

“Yep, buddy, there he is. I bet the next time you visit, Jeff will take you for a ride on his horse. Would you like that, bud?”

“Yes. He’s an assmole, so is Josh. They are assmoles.” Matt said, laughing.

Oh, fuck a duck! I tried so hard not to laugh. I leaned down and told Matt not to say that word in front of Mommy and Daddy because that was a special word only for Jeff, Josh, and me. Matt nodded his head, then his smile grew bigger the second he saw Jeff.

Our mom walked up to greet us. “Did you have a good ride my little man? You like spending time with Jeff, Ari and the horses?”

“Yes! Jeff is an assmole, Mommy!”

Oh shit. My mother and father turned away from Matt and me. Bastards! I saw their shoulders moving up and down from laughing.

Then my dad turned to look at Jeff. “The jury is still out on that, buddy.”

Jeff looked shocked, and I really started to laugh. Dad helped Matt down. He told him that they had to get ready to drive back home and that Matt’s iPad was all charged and ready to go.

I jumped off of Rose, and Emma started to take her back to the barn. Just then, Dewy walked up and told Emma he would tend to Rose.

“Thank you, Dew. She deserves some extra oats. She’s so gentle when Matt is on her,” I said.

“You got it, Ari,” Dewy said with a wink.

I looked over at Jeff. He looked like he was going to be sick. I started to walk over to him.

We hadn’t talked since we’d woken up. I knew that I’d been in a mood this morning. I had tried to sneak out of the cabin, but failed big time. Jeff had woken up the minute I’d tried to get out of the bed.

I stopped right in front of him and attempted to put on my best smile. I stood on my tippy toes and leaned in to give him a kiss. He bent down and pulled me to him. Holy hell! He kissed the shit out of me right in front of everyone.

He pulled away from my lips slightly and smiled. “I missed you.”

“I just went for a short ride. What are you going to do when I’m in school this fall, and you’re here?”

Jeff pulled away from me and looked shocked. Yep. This was another thing that we hadn’t talked about.

“Have you called her yet?” I asked.

“Ari, do we have to talk about this here?”

I looked around and noticed the only person sitting on the porch now was Garrett. Josh had walked with Dewy down to the barn to take care of Rose. Heather must have gone inside to pack up to leave, and Emma had walked off with my parents.

“No, Jeff, let’s not talk about it and just keep putting shit off. Let’s just pretend that none of it matters.” I replied sarcastically.

I turned to walk over to the Jeep. I was ready to leave. I jumped in and started it up. Jeff had driven his truck back down to the ranch house this morning.

I looked back at Jeff. “I’m going to get my things. I’ll meet you back here in a little bit. I’m ready to head home.”

Jeff started to walk toward the Jeep, but I took off. I let myself look in the mirror, and I saw Jeff running his hands through his hair. Shit! I did it again. I ran away from him before we could talk. I hit the steering wheel so hard that my hand felt like it was broken.

***

When I got back to the hunters cabin, I walked in and the first things I noticed was the smell of lilies, It was amazing. I leaned against the door, and I finally allowed myself to cry as I slide to the floor. Oh god. What if this turns out to be his baby? Mother-fucking son of a bitch.

After ten minutes of endless crying, I finally got up and started to pack my stuff. I needed to suck it up and deal with this. I had to be strong and fight for what was mine. Even if this was his baby, Lord I prayed it wasn’t, I would not let her take Jeff away from me. Never.

Just then, a damn Katharine Hepburn quote popped into my head.

As one goes through life, one learns that if you don't paddle your own canoe, you don't move.

Damn my mother!

I packed up my stuff and loaded it into the Jeep. Then, I went back into the cabin and cleaned up a bit. Shit, who’s going to clean all of these flowers out? I wanted to bring them all home with me. Knowing Jeff, probably paid Jenny to clean it up.

I walked over to the kitchen table and pulled out my phone. Good I had a strong signal. Looking through my calendar, I went back to last November, thinking of the day Jeff and Rebecca would have been together. By my calculations, she would be about thirty weeks. I searched the Internet for a pregnancy calculator and found that mid– August would be her due date.

Just then, I heard Jeff’s truck. I jumped up and started to make my way to the door to leave. Before I could get out the door, I knocked over a bucket with Stargazer lilies and bluebonnets. Shit! I ran and grabbed some paper towels to clean up the water. I worked as fast as I could before Jeff could walk in.

I hurried and threw away the paper towels. As I turned to leave he walked into the door. He gave me that damn smile of his, and I stopped dead in my tracks. Okay, Ari, time to grow some fucking balls and just face this shit.

I smiled back at him. He walked up to me and hugged me. I almost started to cry. No! I will not shed anymore tears over that bitch.

“Ari. I love you, baby, so much. Please tell me what’s bothering you.”

Really? I wanted to laugh out loud. What a stupid fuck.

“If you have to ask me that, Jeff, then I certainly don’t feel the need to tell you the answer.”

He closed his eyes, and leaned his forehead against mine.

“Ari, I’m sorry. I didn’t want this weekend to be like this, baby. I wanted it to be special for you. I’m so sorry.”

“Me, too, Jeff, I just can’t seem to forget the fact that you might be a father in two months. That one little problem just seems to be a fucking thorn in my side.”

“How do you think I feel? I don’t want to have anything to do with Rebecca. She’s nuts. You should’ve heard her just now…”

Oh my god. He called her. My whole body started to shake. He talked to her on the phone. What did they talk about? I couldn’t breathe.

“Ari, are you okay, honey? Ari?”

I shook my head and held up my hand. I needed a minute to process this.

“You talked to her?”

“Well, yeah. You were the one who told me to fucking call her!”

I know that! Dickwad!

“I know. What did you talk about?”

Jeff stepped away from me and ran his hand through his hair. “I, um, I talked about meeting her for lunch tomorrow. I asked if you could come, and she said no. I couldn’t talk her out of the restraining order. I’m sorry, baby.”

Oh, gag me. I wanted to throw up at the thought of him having lunch with her.

“S’okay. Where are you having lunch?” I asked, trying to act like none of this was bothering me in the least bit.

“Um, we’re meeting at Hula Hut. I guess she’s been craving for their Hawaiian fajitas. I’m meeting her there around 11:30.”

I had work to do. I needed to get back to Austin. Now.

“Okay. Well I have a few errands that I need to run tomorrow, so I’m really ready to go home now. Can we leave, please?”

Jeff tilted up my chin so that his eyes captured mine. I wanted nothing more than to just strip down and spend the rest of the day in bed with him. I tried so hard to give him a normal smile.

His eyes lit up when I smiled. “I love you, Arianna, more than anything. It’s all going to be okay. I know this baby isn’t mine.”

“I love you, too, Jeff, and I pray to God you’re right.”

***

After Jeff took out my stuff from the Jeep to put into his truck, he headed back to the main house. I took the Jeep back to the barn and started to walk up to the house. I noticed Jeff and Josh were standing at Heather’s car with the hood up.

Heather looked like she was going to be sick.

“Hey, what’s going on?” I asked noticing Heather trying to hold back tears in her eyes.

“This stupid dumb-ass new car of mine won’t start. I bought a new car, thinking it was reliable, and then it fucking breaks down on me!” Heather yelled.

Wow! We all snapped our heads over to Heather. She never swore unless she’d had a few drinks in her.

“What? I’m mad! How am I going to get back to Austin? I have to go to work tomorrow.”

I noticed Lynda was sitting on the front porch, looking pissed-off beyond all get out. “What’s up with Lynda? She looks pissed,” I whispered to Heather.

Heather glanced over at her and then shrugged her shoulders.

“Don’t know. I guess she’s ready to leave as well, and Josh is her ride. She needs to get back to Austin too.”

Jeff shut the hood to Heather’s Toyota Camry. “Heather, I think you need to take it to the dealership.”

“What? That means having it towed to Austin!”

Josh walked up to Heather and took her into his arms. “Don’t worry princess. The dealership will pay for it since the car is still under warranty.” Josh said.

Heather was now in full-on crying mode. Lynda jumped up and started to walk toward us. Just then an idea popped into my head.

I blocked her route to Josh. “Lynda, Jeff and I are heading to Austin right now. Why don’t you ride back with us?” I smiled sweetly at her.

At the same time, Jeff, Heather, and Lynda all said “What?”

The only one who didn’t say anything was Josh. He was too busy being in heaven from holding Heather.

Jeff tugged me off to the side. “Ari, we really need to talk, and we can’t do that if Lynda in the car!”

I just glared at him. Then a black BMW pulled up the drive. Gunner’s Uncle Jim got out and started to walk over towards us.

“Daddy? What are you doing here?” Lynda asked.

Jim smiled at each of us, but he gave Heather a small frown. I guessed it was because he could tell she’d been crying.

“I drove back out here to pick you up. I didn’t think anyone would be heading back into Austin, so I thought I’d better come get you.” Jim explained.

I knew Lynda was pissed because she couldn’t ride back Austin with Josh. I could see it all over her face. I was pissed now because I had to drive back to Austin with Jeff alone, and I knew he wanted to talk about Rebecca.

Jeff shook Jim’s hand, and they spoke for a few minutes. I helped Heather move her overnight bag and a small suitcase into Josh’s truck.

“Ari, why can’t I ride back with you and Jeff?” Heather practically begged.

“Heather, Jeff and I really need to talk about this whole bitch Rebecca bullshit.”

Even though I wanted to jump at the chance to have Heather to ride with us, I wanted her to get closer to Josh. If it meant driving in a truck alone with Jeff back to Austin, then so be it. The tension between Heather and Josh was getting unbearable.

Heather let out a sigh and gave me a quick hug good-bye. Josh avoided Lynda like she was the plague. He jumped in his truck so damn fast that I had to giggle. I watched as his truck disappeared down the gravel road.

When I turned around, I saw that Lynda was also watching the truck. I instantly got a very bad feeling about this girl, considering the way she’d been hanging all over Josh last night and now today. I knew this would not be the last we saw of Lynda.

After packing Lynda’s things into his car, Jim said his goodbyes and drove off. I was going to have to ask Ellie about this Lynda chick.

Jeff and I headed inside to let everyone know that we were leaving. After we said good-bye to Emma, Garrett, my parents, and Matt, we started to make our way to Jeff’s truck. Before we left, I noticed when Jeff stopped to say something to Matt. The smile that played across Matt’s face gave me butterflies in my stomach. He loved Jeff so much, and Jeff loved him in return.

The ache in my chest grew stronger as I started to get a terrible feeling. For once, I actually feared that this baby was really Jeff’s. Then, Jeff walked over to his truck and opened the door for me. I took one last look at my parents and Matt. The urge to cry was growing stronger by the minute.

As soon as he pulled out to the road, Jeff turned on his iPod.

Huh, looks like he’s in no mood to talk either. Fine by me.

I leaned my head back, and the next thing I knew, I was dreaming about Jeff holding a baby wrapped in a pink blanket. The smile on his face was like none I’d ever seen before. He looked so happy. Then Rebecca walked up and kissed him on the cheek as he told her he loved her.

I woke up, not realizing that I had just screamed out no in my sleep.

“Jesus H. Christ, Ari! You scared the fuck out of me. Did you have a bad dream or something?”

It took me a few seconds to process what I’d just dreamed about. My head snapped over to look at Jeff. Did I have a bad dream? Really?

“Ah, normally, when someone wakes up screaming, it’s from a bad dream, dickwad!”

Jeff stared straight ahead, but I saw the muscles flexing in his jaw. I wasn’t sure why I was being such a bitch to him.

“Maybe you should go back to sleep since you’re in a pissy mood.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I said as I looked out the window and did the one thing I’d myself I wouldn’t do. I cried.