Country Mile

CHAT IN THE BARN

Archer leaned forward, pressing his elbows into his knees, and stared hard into Genna's eyes.

"Yellow," he said seriously.

"Lemon," she replied quickly while moving to mirror his position with her knees pressed against his.

"Sour."

"Sour Patch kids."

Archer smirked. "You."

"Hey!" Genna leaned back and crossed her arms with a pout. "Not funny."

He chuckled and reached out to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. "It's true though, first you're sour, then you're sweet."

She gave him a faux glare that eased into a smirk when he sighed and said, "Alright, lemme amend my answer... candy."

"Lollipop."

"Bubble gum."

"Pink."

Archer paused and once again looked serious. "Rory."

Genna's smile faltered hearing her friend's name paired with the look on his face. "Friend."

He shook his head. "Trouble is more like it."

"Okay," Genna sighed and leaned back, "what are we doing?"

Archer shrugged. "We're playing Word—"

"No.. you know what I mean. What is it about her that bothers you so bad?"

"Honestly?"

Genna rolled her eyes. "Yes, honestly."

Archer took a deep breath and rubbed his hands up and down her thighs. "She does somethin' to you, Genna. Whenever she's around, you're different."

"No I'm not."

Genna shifted her legs and Archer wordlessly pulled his hands away. "Yeah, you are."

"How so?"

Running his hands down his face, Archer sighed. When he brought his eyes back to her's, Genna could see the anger he had been hiding. "I've been hearin' things...."

A cold shockwave spread throughout her. She had an idea of the things he had heard and she silently prayed he wouldn't ask her about them because he could tell when she was lying just as clearly as a tear running down her face would tell him she was sad.

"Archer," she breathed with a slight shake of her head.

"Do you know what I've been hearin' 'bout you?" Being met with silence, he added quietly, "Is it true?"

"Don't ask me that," Genna snapped, looking away with pink cheeks.

Normally a blush upon her face had the boy across from her in a puddle, but this particular look made him press his lips so firmly together that his mouth blanched white. His blue eyes began to blaze and he leaned forward capturing her chin between his fingers. He turned her face toward him and the anger he felt doubled upon being met with an impudent glare.

"You didn't answer my question," he said in a deep, even tone.

Genna pulled her head away and he lowered his hand to his knee.

"I didn't answer it because I don't want to."

"And lemme guess, you don't want to 'cause it's true."

Genna opened her mouth to respond, but Archer raised his eyebrows and tilted his head in a silent dare to lie to him.

The ringing of Genna's phone interrupted the stare down. Upon looking at the caller ID, she answered it softly with a wince. "Hello?"

A deep baritone rumbled through the phone. Archer couldn't make out what Adam was saying, but he was certain it was him on the other end of the line. The way Genna's shoulders slumped told him yet again, she was acting out of character.