Page 3 of Shadow

He smirks and says, “I talked to Lindsey today.”

If Kevin knows I’ve been crushing on his sister, he’s never let on, but the smirk on his face tells me that there’s a good chance he knowssomething.

Doing my best to school my emotions I nod and ask how she’s doing. No one needs to know that I’ve been sporting a hard-on for Linds since the day she turned 18, truthfully, probably before that too. Far too many nights I pictured her face while I stroked my cock before drifting off to sleep. Of course, if anyone in this room knew that, I’d probably be a dead man so it’s a good thing that the Addington’s Pony Princess ran off to college and didn’t bother to look back.

It’s been a good ten years since I’ve actually seen her in person but I’ve managed to keep up with her on social media and of course word of mouth from her family. I knew she finished her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy while still showjumping which took a fuck ton of hard work and time management. Then she decided to take a sabbatical year to join a travel showjumping team where she caught the eyes of the USA Olympic Team.

I knew she had talent but I never thought I’d be sitting in my loft apartment on the Addington Ranch watching the 2016 Summer Olympics while the rest of the Addington family flew to Rio to cheer on their twenty-four-year-old family star. She was the youngest rider on the team and brought home a gold medal that year.

Rumor had it that she was headed to Tokyo this year to try and repeat her gold medal win. Or at least that was the plan. There was a goddamn global pandemic that put the whole world on hold and there were whispers that the Olympics may not be happening.

The girl I knew back then had other plans. Lindsey wanted to open an equine-therapy center to help children and adults with physical and mental health issues, but the Olympics calling did not surprise me one bit. It was show jumping that got her a full ride to the university of her choice and kept those equine therapy dreams alive.

I had no doubts that making it to the Olympics only helped to solidify her future and her dreams in the real world whenever it was time for her to come back home.

“This year’s games got postponed.” Kevin’s sentence breaks through my thoughts and I nearly choke on the mashed potatoes.

Lindsey was so excited about training and how well things were going. I remember seeing posts on her Instagram. I can only imagine how devastated she must be right now. Even if everyone knew that was the outcome that was likely coming.

“So…” before Kevin can say anything more, the sound of gravel flying echoes through the open dining room windows and an Addington Farms truck and horse trailer stops in the drive. I can’t see who steps out but soon the front door opens and the sound of bags dropping to the floor thumps. Neville’s entire face lights up and everyone suddenly pushes their chairs back and stands.

I don’t even need to look up to know who’s just walked in. A tiny spark crackles in the air and I know she’s home.

“Lindsey Jean!” Harriett calls out, running straight for her granddaughter.

The princess has returned and standing beside her is some jerk with a goofy grin plastered on his face.

While the Addington’s all welcome her back, I take one more bite of my dinner then pick up my plate and I move into the kitchen to scrape my plate before I place it in the sink and do my best not to let Lindsey’s presence affect me.

“Good to see you, kid.” Wiping my hands on my jeans to keep from reaching out and touching her, I give Linds a nod and excuse myself. “I’ll let y’all catch up. I’ve got some work to finish before I turn in for the night.”

Because I know if I stay, I’ll wind up doing something stupid. Like punching the rich kid with slicked-back hair that is looking at her like she hung the moon.

There’s the slightest hint of hurt in her eyes but she doesn’t stop me or say anything in return.

Out in the barn, I check in on all the horses then tack up Domino, a ten-year-old black and white Pinto that I rescued two years ago with some help from William - Lindsey’s father. A ride to check on the fence line back by the lake is the perfect excuse to get my mind off of the gorgeous woman who’s just walked back on to the ranch.

Needing to put as much distance as I can between myself and the house, I work Domino up to a gallop and head for the far end of the Addington’s property reminding myself over and over again all the reasons why getting involved with Lindsey Addington, is a bad idea.

The creek that meets the property line comes into view several long beats later and I’m not any closer to feeling settled than when I left the barn. Hell, I think coming all the way out here was probably an even stupider idea as memories of a few hot summer nights roll through my mind.

How many times did Kevin and I go for a ride out here to cool off after working all day? And how many times did Lindsey show up in her tiny cut off jeans and string bikini top, taunting me and every one of the boys we used to hang out with?

I came all the way out here to clear my head the night before she left for college and somehow she followed me then too. Pinned me up against the very same tree that I’m about to tie Domino to and kissed me senseless before hopping back on her horse and vanishing into the sunset.

That was the last time I truly saw Lindsey. And if there was one thing I learned tonight, it was that the woman she has become in the last ten years is even hotter in person.

Jumping down off of Domino, I tie him off and take a few minutes for myself before walking along the fence line out here. Kevin and I make it a habit to check on things every few days and the cattle usually never come back this far so I’m sure there is nothing to worry about. Again, it’s merely an excuse to get away from all the uncomfortable feelings that surround Lindsey.

I know what you’re thinking, I must be some kind of pathetic asshole who is so desperate and hung up on this girl that I can’t move on. That’s not it at all. I certainly haven’t saved myself for Lindsey and I’ve dated plenty of other women in my lifetime, hell even in the last ten years. And I’ve been happy with said women most of the time until the relationship ran its course and we all went our separate ways.

Some were far too Goddamn prissy which happens when you live not far from the Chicago suburbs and aren’t far from the city limits. While others were more interested in getting to Kevin - the youngest heir to Addington’s farm, one of the Midwest’s biggest cattle and horse farms. Didn’t seem to matter to those women that Kevin has always, openly, been madly in love with Fallon and committed to her and their relationship.

I don’t know how much time has passed but the energy around me starts to shift, and in the distance, I can hear hooves clopping.

“I thought I’d find you back here.” Lindsey’s soft voice washes over me and I hear her feet hit the ground after she jumps off her horse. Shadow and Domino softly neigh at each other.

Needing to calm myself, I count to ten in my head before turning around to meet her gorgeous face.

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