Page 101 of Choosing Forever
“I’m fine. I just need to go,” I whisper past the ball in my throat.
Brody seems to hear what I don’t say. “Do you need a ride? I’ve got my truck here, or I know Johnny’s got his, and all the girls would love an opportunity to drive either one of them if you didn’t want us to.”
“No. No, I don’t need a ride. I’ll walk.”
“Walk? It’s a ten-minute drive back to town. I have no clue how long it would take to walk.”
“I’ve got it,” I say shortly, not interested in standing here any longer.
“It’s not safe to walk on the highway, Delaney.”
“If you’re so concerned, you can tell Darren I caught a ride since I know he’s who you’re going to find the moment I leave,” I bite out.
Brody turns away, looking around the field for someone to help him out here, most likely. I use his distraction to my advantage and slip away.
It’s terrifying being here again. Not in this place, but rather, this mindset. The sharp tang of regret fills my mouth as I pass the folding tables and food trucks with lines longer than the kissing booth.
The kissing booth . . . what a terrible idea that was. I knew itfrom the moment Darren brought it up. Agreeing to take part in it was as good as promising that I’d wind up losing my head to the same jealousy that ate me up for years watching him with Sasha.
That same tear through my heart with every hand hold on the street and two seats taken at the diner is back, only this time, there’s no ring on his finger.
I’m a mess.
The front pocket of my overalls buzzes at the same time my feet scrape over the fresh gravel in the parking lot. I ignore it and push my hands into the side of my overalls to keep them warm when the wind kicks up.
I push out a long, even breath and slow my pace enough to relax. The more distance I can put between me and Darren, the better right now, even if that means I have to take a very, very long walk. Or at least a few minutes before I call one of the girls to come and get me.
My phone buzzes again, and again, before I fish it out and check the screen. Darren’s name is there in thick, bold letters before disappearing, making room for me to read through the texts already collecting.
Darren: Don’t leave like this again.
Darren: At least let me drive you home. It’s supposed to start to rain soon.
Anna: Brody told us he saw you leave. I’m sorry he’s such a blabbermouth.
Bryce: I told him you’d kick him in the ass. Text me when you need a ride.
I clamp my teeth together to fight more fucking tears and exit the parking lot. The shoulder on this road is non-existent, but the ditch is shallow. It’s been that way forever. With how many horses come trotting down this way, the shallow ditch is better on the off chance they misstep. Or at least that’s what I’ve beentold. I’ve only ridden a horse once, and I hated every minute of it.
“You have to hold on to the reins, Delaney! Stop letting go of ’em, or she’s goin’ to take off on you.”
Brody laughs from where he’s sitting on the fence, watching me try and fail to ride the horse they supposedly use for training children at Steele Ranch. Yeah, children. Apparently, even six-year-olds have more natural skill than I do at sixteen.
“Why don’t you give Darren a hard time? He’s even worse than I am!” I call back.
The horse beneath me is gentle, sure. But with how badly my ass is hurting, I can’t focus on anything but trying to lean off it. Every time she moves, I wobble like an egg on a post.
“Don’t project, Elle. You’re going to fall off at this rate,” Darren teases.
“You’re only doing better than me because Brody let you ride Sky. That’s special treatment if I’ve ever seen it.”
Darren laughs. “That’s best friend perks, baby. I offered to let you sit on her with me.”
Brody hops off the fence and passes Darren with a pat to his personal horse Sky’s neck before heading my way. His filthy cowboy boots leave deep grooves in the dirt of the training circle, emphasizing the whole rancher thing he’s got going on for him. Well, that plus the hat that hasn’t left his head in the time I’ve known him. Not unless we’re having dinner.
“Vera here is a good girl, Delaney. You’ve just gotta relax a bit,” he says.
“It feels like my thighs are going to crack in half.”
