The Lucky Five - By Arow Jones Page 0,23
strap looking top. Her feet are bare and hair is wet but braided down her back. “Smells good! Need any help?”
“Nope. All taken care of. Wine?” I look back at her and see her discomfort. I’m being a dick to her. I don’t understand how she can cozy up with me when she’s got another man. “How about a beer? I’ll just grab one and meet you at the table.”
“Okay.” Damn it, I can see the confusion and hurt in her eyes. I shake my head, grab drinks and meet her at the table. The silence last through dinner. I’m normally comfortable in silence. It’s a trait Lily and I both share but the silence is now thicker than fog, blinding us. Or maybe we’re just too stubborn. She’s not like other girls who start talking about nothing and everything to get through the feeling uncomfortable. Lily’s worse. She has one of the best poker faces I’ve seen, a family trait.
My plate is empty before hers. I must have inhaled my food because she’s barely touched hers. I know I’m acting like a caveman but I have to protect what’s mine. How do I explain that to her? I just want to pick her up and throw her over my shoulder. I want to beat my chest and roar at anyone who gets near her. I need to get a hold of myself.
There is no us right now. At least not for her. I need to make things right before she find out the wrong way. There isn’t anything more important to me than keeping her safe and secure. If Nick gets to her first, she might not ever forgive me.
After she sets her fork down I reach over and grab her hand. “I’m sorry Sugar.” I didn’t mean to be so short. I’m just confused.” She looks at me and visibly sighs.
“It’s okay. I’m sure you have a lot on your mind.”
“It’s not okay.” I ignore my urge to remove my hand. Maybe if I hold on to her she will want to hold on to me too. Her eyes flit to our hands and smiles.
“Well, what’s wrong? You can tell me.”
“Who’s Kenny?” It came out more forceful than I intended. She recoils and slips her hand out of my hold. My chest constricts. I can’t hide the hurt in my face.
“Kenny? Okay. Kenny is a friend who went to the same high school as Skye and I. We didn’t really talk much but got reacquainted in college. We partied together, rode together, and pretty much hung out all the time.” The smile on her face has me worried. Does she have strong feelings for Kenny?
My jaw twitches at the thought of Kenny spending time with my Lily. “Is Kenny staying here? Is that why there’s a black GT in the driveway?”
“Yes” Her brow furrows like I’ve said something ridiculous. Can she be so naïve? “We have an arrangement. Kenny is helping out at the farm this summer before heading back to CU to finish college. I needed a barn manager and a trainer while I sort out the business end of things. Plus, I enjoy the company.”
“What does Kenny get out of this?” Arrangement? What the fuck? Please tell me this is not the kind of arrangement that is running through my mind because right now I want to punch my hand through this table. “I’m assuming Kenny is staying in the barn apartment? Sleeps in the barn?”
“No? Kenny sleeps with me.” Mother fucker! I get up, grab our dishes and put them in the sink. I’ve never been one to let my anger get the best of me but right now I’m hanging on by a thread.
“Listen, I’m not feeling like desert and I’ve got some work to catch up on. I’ll call you later. Okay?” I don’t wait for her to answer. My mind is reeling. This whole time we’ve been flirting and spending time together and she’s been sleeping with Kenny?! Mother fucking Kenny!
As much as I want to, I don’t slam the door when I leave. Sweet Lily is not as naïve and inexperienced as I fantasized. She’s cunning with her poker face and innocent act. Why did I think she would be different? She probably already knows about what we need to talk about and has been leading me on this whole time.
I stalk back to the Double Diamond. By the time I get there my temper has cooled a bit. I mean