Ever

Chapter 2

After my therapeutic ride I went back to the quad and headed to the barn. Grant was walking in the door as I cut the engine. 

I heard him talking but his words were indecipherable.  

"You talking to me?" 

"Nope. How was your little ride?" At first I thought it was him but it wasn't grants voice. I walked out of the tack room to see Blake sitting on the bench. 

"Ma told you to cut that crap. I'm not saying anything but there are coyotes and bears. You're putting you, the horse, and the business in trouble. Just think of that the next time" Grant warned when he came into view. 

"I'm done with your jerk off friend here." I said flatly as I walked to the feed room. I mixed Stash's grain and walked to his pasture. My boots clicked on the rocks under foot and the stars twinkled brightly above. Dumping his grain in the small trough, I apologized for him getting his dinner so late. Patting his neck, I made my way back to be ridiculed. This night was supposed to be fun, and it’s gone from bad to worse. 

"Kelly. Talk to him. He's not stupid. He knows that if he royally screws up I'd kick his ass" Grant assured. I gave him a pondering look, unsure of what to do. The only thing I knew was G wasn't lying. He's been in to many fights because somebody called another a bad name. Over little things he couldn't let go. 

Reluctantly I followed Blake out to his pick up and drove in to the night. Call me crazy. 

Blake breaks that awkward silence half way through the drive, "I just can’t wrap my head around why you didn't jump into my arms when you saw me." Laughing, He looked at me with smoldering eyes, "Relax you look so tense." 

"Whatever" muttered under my breath and roll my eyes. 

He smirked. Damn him for being hot but that doesn't make me want all of him." you know damn well I only came 'cause Grant wanted me too. You gonna to tell me where we are going?" 

"Nope. Just wait." 

I was so confused. I couldn't navigate my way home anymore and I was past midnight. The twinkling stars seemed to mock me by always knowing where they belonged. We drove on the desolate road passing through the rare street lamp. My body shuddered as I mental ran through a list of worst case scenarios.  

"Cold babe?" he says in a sympathetic voice. I felt like he's mocking me. 

“Don’t you dare call me that. I'm not your babe." My dark past I had kept under wraps surfaced; I blushed with embarrassment, worried he could tell, and boiled with anger for him bringing it up. 

My sophomore year was excruciatingly tragic. 

I gave up my baby girl for adoption after taking a month off of school for her. Leading up to Libby's birth I had major complications. Her dad wanted nothing to do with her but I refused an abortion. For seven of the months I was pregnant I dated Darrel and we were going to keep her and he was going to take her father's place. He was kind, loved kids, and always called me Kel, or Babe. His parents had a small farm outside of Hope. I met him there when I started taking lessons to hold me over until I could ride with Rene. Two weeks and four days before I was due he collided with an eighteen wheeler who drove through the red light. He died instantly. The last thing he said to me was, behave Missy and feed the baby would ja? Love you Babe, see ja tonight. I didn't say goodbye I just laughed and said hurry you'll be late for work. I never let anybody call babe again. 

"Would you chill? I'm telling you relax... we are here madam." he pulled the keys out of the ignition and dropped them into to the center console that sat between us.