Coming Home

Pt.6 ok cowboy

Atlas' POV

The next day was a whirlwind of work, paperwork, and well, more damn work. I knew why I had so much work today. I was doing it on purpose.

I'm pretty damn positive I had burned myself out trying not to think about the hot piece of rugged hunkiness currently living in the loft above my barn.

Fucking shit.

I thought about it.

It was around lunch time that he had finally stopped invading my every thought. But now I had another pressing matter to deal with.

Like him invading my kitchen.

His face said it all, the 'we should talk ' face that I hated seeing as a kid and oh Lordy did I hate seeing it now.

"Jace, I really am not in the mood to hear it. I delivered two calves today and one foal and had mountains of paperwork today for some new onboardings for the clinic and the stables. So, you better do as your momma taught you, if it ain't nice, then keep it to your damn self." I looked at him over my shoulder, catching his eyes. I looked away fast to keep the fluttering in my stomach to a minimum. 

Just when I thought he couldn't be any more annoyed his hand slammed down on the counter beside me so hard my body jerked and spun in the air until I was full on facing him.

"Atlas, why are you avoiding talking to me? You avoided me at breakfast, and damn near ran out of this house at 8 am like someone lit a fire under your ass. You think I want you to run from me? Damn it, Sunshine! I went 13 fuckin years without knowing what the hell was going on back home! I just want to know what that was last night?" He raised his voice, and I quirked my brow.

Fine you wanna talk, then let's talk cowboy.

"First and foremost, Jace Hastings, this is my house. You do not get to show up here years later demanding things. You are not my father, or my brothers! And you want to know what that was so badly?" oh dear lord I was breathing hard. Jace had always known what buttons of mine to push to hit a limit with me. When we were younger, he thought it was funny, but now he had pressed too hard.

"I couldn't very well tell you what it was, because I don't know my damn self, Jace Vincent!  I'm not ten anymore, though I know I don't have to remind you of that seeing as it was a two-way street last night! Do not start with me cowboy because I will make sure it gets finished!" I reeled myself back in, I was red in the face I could feel it and the veins in Jace's neck could burst at any moment. He took one large step closer to me until his chest was almost grazing my own.

He was about to say something else, when a scream could be heard from outside, coming up the driveway.

"What in the hell?" He looked out the window. 

Just as the screen door slammed shut.

Tripping over her own two feet all the way into the house in a pair of Daisy dukes, bedazzled cowboy boots, a belt buckle far too big on her tiny frame and a black tank top was my best friend, Kayla Darden.

Her hair stood askew, a mop of long black curls going literally everywhere other than her ponytail, her face bright red, no doubt from screaming. It took everything in my body not to cringe outwardly at the thought of what my darling best friend was about to embarrass us both with.

Holding her left ass cheek like her life depends on it, she took a sudden deep breathe.

"ATLAS A WASP STUNG MY BEAUTIFUL BOOTY! COME SUCK THE POISON OUT.. or.. WHATEVER THEY HAVE!"

Yep. There it is.

My anger had suddenly dissipated as I stared at my best friend in all her frantic glory.

I just rested my head on Jace's chest that was still far too close for comfort and cover my face to keep my laughter at bay.

"Jesus fuck Kayla you have the worst and best timing possible." I mutter into my hands.

Kayla's head snaps up at the sound of my voice and looks from both me to Jace and then back at Jace.

"Well shit if I'd know you were going to have mister aged like a fine wine standing in your kitchen, I would've asked him to do it! Hubba hubba." she made grabby hands with her free hand not currently cupping her ass cheek.

Just as I grabbed her to pull her out of the room Kayla glanced over at Jace, one last time.
"Atlas we aren't done talking-" I cut Jace off with a glare that said we will finish this later as I continued to drag Kayla.

"When you're ready, come to mama!" I slapped my hand over her mouth and dragged her out the room.