Page 18 of Summer Redemption

Still, I did feel a little better after spilling my guts and telling Huxley how much his words, along with the way people followed his lead, hurt me. I surprised myself with some of the things I admitted, the crush not included. I am just not willing to think about that glaring snafu any longer.

“You really love animals,” Noel’s words feel off handed as I finish up with the last horse, but his gaze is sharp.

I don’t think he’s the kind of man to do anything off handed. But I don’t really know him.

With a shrug of my shoulder, I admit, “I do love animals. I’m not even sure how it started considering we never had pets growing up. I think I just felt like animals can’t use their words to tell you what’s wrong, but they still need help and someone to be there when they’re sick or healthy. I want to help them.”

“It shows,” he agrees with a small smile.

I almost trip over my feet because there’s something so serious and closed off about Noel. I wasn’t expecting a smile at all.

We descend into silence again and I’m more than okay with it. Not only do I not know how to fill it, which isn’t a surprise and part of the reason I like animals so much, but I’m not sure it would be a good idea to get closer to this family.

It’ll just hurt more when I realize I can’t keep them. It’s better to not even get close.

“Sunshine?”

Huxley’s voice has me spinning around as I’m packing everything up and getting ready to leave. “I was so close,” I groan under my breath.

Considering the way Noel laughs, I wasn’t as quiet as I was trying to be. Oh well. I’m not going to apologize for it.

“Sorry,” Huxley apologizes while taking in my wide eyes and the way I’m pressing my hand to my chest, “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s fine,” I push the words past my gritted teeth.

“Could you, uh,” Huxley stammers and clears his throat, “come outside for a moment?”

There’s no way for me to stop the dubious look I shoot him. He might look kind of adorable with the way he’s looking uncertain, but that doesn’t mean I trust him. Why does he want me to go outside?

My curiosity gets the better of me and I nod once. When I look over at Noel, the smirk on his face has me glaring in his direction. He’s completely undeterred and I can feel him fall into step behind me.

Great.

What the hell is this guy up to and does his brother know anything about it?

As I let out a sigh, Huxley spins around to face me before we can exit the barn. It’s such a sudden stop that I almost walk right into him. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure how I stop myself before it happens.

With the way Huxley is looking down at me, his dark gaze filled with something I’m not ready to identify, I feel my cheeks heat. It has nothing to do with the summer weather either. It’s all him and the way he makes me feel.

My body is doing me dirty right now. He should not be affecting me the way he is, but it’s always been this way whenever I’m around Huxley. I don’t have to like it for it to be true.

“I just wanted to say, you weren’t the only one with a crush,” he whispers.

I blink up at him a few times, unsure if I heard him right but knowing I did. He can’t be talking about me. Right? It’s just not possible.

Before I can tell him how ridiculous his words are, he grabs my hand and pulls me out of the barn. I stumble a little as he does. It would be great if I could blame it on his long strides or quick steps. But that’s not the reason.

The moment our skin touches, electricity shoots through me and surprises the hell out of me. He looks back at me over his shoulder with a knowing look in his eyes. Did he feel the same thing?

While I’d love to know, I’m not going to ask. At this rate, I would probably stutter or mix up my words. And that is not the look I’m going for.

“I was thinking after you left the other day,” Huxley’s voice is louder now, “and was trying to find some way to make the past up to you.”

“You don’t need to do that,” I breathe the words, surprising myself with how true they are.

I’m not paying attention as Huxley pulls me along. I should be fighting his hold or at least not following him around as easily as I am.

There’s just something about him that makes it difficult to say no. Or pull away.

---