Page 92 of We Redeemed the Rain

I pushed off the wall, a surge of panic running through me.

In my mind, Tag was a ten. A freakingten.

Why had I let my heart play with the idea of something more with him?Why?

An abrupt and unexpected cry traveled up from my heart, and I squeaked. Slapping a hand over my mouth, I darted for the entrance of the barn, desperate to get somewhere private so I could sob.

“Bea!”

Footsteps sounded behind me. I picked up my pace to the house, nearly running.

“Bea! Wait!”

I didn’t stop, didn’t look back. Honestly, I wouldn’t look back until I got to Denver International Airport. Why bother staying here if I wasunderfoot?

His hand clasped around my upper arm, stopping me. “Hang on a sec.” His hand gently turned me toward him. Then he saw the tears. His shoulders fell and his head tipped forward on an exhale. “Dammit, Bea. I had no idea you were…how long were you in the barn?”

I huffed and blinked, sending a few more torrents down my cheeks. I tried to pull away, but he held me steady.

“No, you ain’t walkin’ away right now.”

I finally grabbed hold of rage. “Why? I thought I wasunderfoot.”

“I didn’t mean?—”

I held up a hand to stop him. “No, it’s fine! You don’t owe me a single explanation.” I jerked my arm out of his hand and marched through the barnyard.

He stepped in front of me, and I skidded to a stop to keep from smacking against his chest. “Listen to me?—”

“It’sfine.I’mfine.”

“For cryin’ out loud, stop?—”

I tried to navigate around him, but he grabbed me by the shoulders and held me in place. “You aren’t walkin’ away until I’ve said something.”

I squirmed but he held me firmer. “You don’t need to say anything!”

“Yes, I do.” His voice was hot over my ear. “I was just sayin’ stuff to get her off my back, alright?”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s a convenient cop out. But okay.”

I needed to stop before I embarrassed myself. Tag and I weren’t a thing. For some reason, it felt like we were, but we weren’t. And it was my own fault for forgetting that. For all I knew, Tag was simply tolerating me during my stay at Meadowbrook. Just because we had history and chemistry didn’t mean he automatically wanted me.

But all the reasoning in the world couldn’t calm me.

“I’mnotcopping out, Bea.”

“So youlieto your cousin?” I pushed him away, and he let me go. “I thought you guys were close. People who love each other shouldn’t lie.”

“I wasn’t lying, I was just?—”

“Just what?”

He lifted his hat, running his hand through his hair in frustration. “I?—”

“Have you ever lied to me?”

He said nothing.

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