Southern Secrets (Southern #7) - Natasha Madison Page 0,67
kiss," she says, and I walk to her door and close it.
Standing in front of it, I call her over. "Come here."
She walks to me and her arms go around my shoulders. "We need to think about what we should tell people." I look into her eyes as my nose rubs hers. "I think it’s time."
"Me, too." She smiles and kisses my lips.
"I have to talk to your father and Ethan first." I push away the hair from her face, knowing that after I talk to them, I have to come clean to her. "Then we can do that." My heart picks up, wondering how she will take the truth. I kiss her one last time. “Okay, I have to head over to help your grandfather." Her hands fall from my neck. "He has someone coming to pick up something." I sneak in one more kiss before I open the door and walk out to my truck.
I take my phone out before I chicken out and send Jacob and Ethan a group text.
Me: Was wondering if I could talk to you two tonight.
I put the phone in my pocket as I make my way over to Billy’s barn. When I pull in, there is already a brand-new pickup parked in the lane. I get out and walk toward the barn, seeing Billy with his hands on his hips. He listens to what the guy in front of him is saying, and even though he’s smiling, I know that it’s not a real smile. I walk to them, and the man turns to look at me. "If there is anyone who knows, it’s this guy," Billy says. The man turns and holds out his hand.
"Nice to meet you," the man says. "I’m Tex."
"Asher," I say my name, taking his hand and then looking at Billy to see how he responds to this guy. His eyes never leave the man. "What can I do for you?"
"My hay shipment is running late," he says. "Was wondering if I could maybe borrow some to hold off."
"I think we should be okay," I say, then turn to look at Billy, who just nods his head. "I can get you a couple, and you can send over some guys after to get more."
"Sounds good," he says, and I turn to walk into the barn going to where he keeps his hay.
"Thank you," Tex says from beside me when we walk into the barn. "I wasn’t sure Billy was going to go for it," he says, and my whole body becomes tight. "I used to work here," he says. "And I left him without notice." He continues talking when he stops right in front of the hay. "I actually had your job," he says, smirking.
"Really?" I ask. "I’ve never heard your name before." I grab the gloves out of my pocket.
"Doesn’t surprise me," he says, standing in front of me. "I broke his granddaughter’s heart," he says, smiling slyly while my whole body becomes a block of ice.
"I’ll grab one, and you grab the other." I ignore him and walk over, grabbing the ties of the hay and walking out to his truck. He follows me, and I wait for him to walk ahead of me, opening the bed of his truck. I slide my bale of hay into his truck and then stand back while he does his. Taking off my gloves, I put them back in my back pocket. He closes the back hatch and then looks at me.
“Thanks for your help,” he says, reaching in his back pocket and taking something out. He holds out his hand with a white business card between two fingers. “If you’re ever looking for work.”
My hand comes out and grabs the card and I look down at it. His name is in bold black letters, and I want to laugh. "I believe I owe you a thank-you." I flip the card. "Oh," I say, putting the card in my pocket and then coming back, swinging a punch. I hit him square in the jaw, and he stumbles back. "That’s for Amelia." His eyes go big. "Get the fuck out of here before I tell Billy why you really left."
He stands, the corner of his lip bleeding. "And just so we’re clear. Don’t come back here because we aren’t into helping assholes." I turn back and walk back to the barn, stopping midway when I see Billy leaning against the door of the barn.