Her Cowboy

Chapter 41

I avoided Percy that entire day, and the day after.

He didn't try to talk to me. He did chores. He took care of the horses. He helped prepare them for scenes. He helped untack and brush down the horses after scenes.

But he did watch me. I'd catch his gaze every once in a while before I could stop. I couldn't read him—he was acting quieter and more subdued. His green eyes would find me like a heat-seeker, and I swear he could see right through me. I'd quickly avert my eyes, trying to unravel the knots in my stomach.

Last night, when I was trying to unsaddle Bessie, I was struggling with the height of pulling it off. Suddenly I felt a warm presence right behind me, and hands reached over me to grab the pommel and back of the leather. I jumped, accidentally stepping back into Percy as I stumbled away.

He easily pulled the heavy tack off, glancing over at me once before walking away. I mumbled a "Thank you", to which he looked back at me over his shoulder and dipped his head, holding my eyes for a second too long before turning forward and disappearing into the tack room.

He didn't look hurt. He didn't look angry. He looked concerned.

He didn't believe me.

Luke had tried many times to come talk to me over the past two days, and while I knew Percy was watching and it would have been the perfect chance to solidify that what I told him I meant, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I couldn't fake affection for Luke. I struggled through smiles toward Luke, but couldn't stand to be around him.

So, that's why every inch of my being felt twenty pounds heavier than normal, dread dragging me to the ground.

Because today was the "crucial, all-encompassing, most significant scene", as Aphrodite put it.

We were shooting the scene where Luke's character and mine make-up from whatever insignificant squabble that had separated them, realize how madly in love they are, and celebrate the moment with one "groundbreaking, stupendous, heart-stopping kiss".

Again, as Aphrodite put it.

Needless to say, I was wondering if I could somehow succumb to the weight of dread and melt into the ground.

Here we were—I was in the middle of the paddock pretending to show Bessie at an event the ranch was throwing, so all of our extras, including the ranch hands who had stepped in to be standing at the side for assistance should we need it, were lining the fence. Cameras were stationed at each corner, mics just out of view dangling above us. Luke was on his horse for the movie, a beautiful stallion named Arion, with more of the crew waiting out by the barn.

He was going to gallop over, into the paddock, bring his horse right beside mine, and profess his undying love in front of all the town with the "heart-stopping kiss". Swoon-worthy, Aphrodite called it.

Kill me now.

I tried desperately to not look at Percy, who was amongst the crowd, behind the first line of people. His arms were crossed and he stood nonchalantly, a dark cowboy hat shading his eyes. His wild ebony hair snuck out in wild waves beneath the hat, and the faded denim jacket that stretched over his broad shoulders seemed to make his ocean eyes even brighter than normal.

In my opinion, he was more swoon-worthy than anybody out here, if that's what Aphrodite was aiming for.

Cut it out, Annabeth.

"Alright, people, look alive! Take 7, and—action!" Aphrodite's voice ran out over the crowd and they all shook out their shoulders and fixed their hair before turning curious eyes toward me. I inhaled deeply, then clicked at Bessie, coaxing him into a steady walk around the edges of the pen.