Deep - Cole Walter

3

When we returned to the house, the usual ruckus filled the air. The boys were gathered in the living room, engaged in a football game. . Jackie headed for the kitchen, and I stood in the hallway eating ice cream. I felt someone take my spoon, looking to see Isaac eating the ice cream.

"Muevete, puñeta!" I try to hit his shoulder while he dropped the spoon in my cup and ran to the couch

I rolled my eyes, continuing into the kitchen to give Katherine a hug.

"We're about to have dinner, sweetheart. You can put your things down," she said warmly.

I dashed out to the cabin to grab something before heading back inside. The school lunch I'd eaten earlier hadn't been enough to reduce hunger. As I settled next to Danny, my plate filled with spaghetti, Jackie found a spot by Nathan. Just as I took my first bite, a loud scream pierced the air, followed by the clatter of a falling plate. I looked up to see Jackie, spaghetti splattered all over her.

"What happened?" I asked, sipping my water. Jackie bolted upstairs, and Jordan, with a snake in hand, started walking around the room. I recoiled. "Stay away from me with that!"

Jordan teased, inching closer, and I let out a quick scream, darting up the stairs. Laughter erupted from the kids, while Katherine sighed in frustration. After a bit, I managed to calm Jackie down before she went to take a shower.

When going to my room, I nearly collided with Cole as he stepped out. We exchanged a glance before I moved aside.

"What were you doing in here?" I asked.

"I put your food on your desk," he said, nodding toward the untouched plate of spaghetti.

I nodded, but as I tried to close the door, his hand stopped it.

"Why don't I introduce you to the horses?" he suggested. "You live right next door; you might as well get to know them." He smiled playfully. I returned his grin.

"Let me change first."

He waited outside while I changed, then we walked to the wooden gates where I sat myself on top. Cole began feeding the palomino quarter horse. "Do you ride?" he asked.

"I used to, before I moved to New York. My family had horses at a family friend's ranch in Jersey," I reminisced. "After my parents died, I didn't ride much anymore. I moved to Manhattan to live with Jackie's family, and my brothers were too busy to take me."

"Why not live with your brothers?" he asked, glancing at me before returning to the horse.

"They let me choose. I could stay with Jackie, and if I ever want to leave, they'll arrange custody for me," I explained.

"Well, I hope you decide to stay," he said, flashing a warm smile. "This is Custard. Isn't he a beauty?"

"Custard?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I named him when I was, like, six," he chuckled.

"Don't worry, I named one of mine Cinnamon when I was four."

He softly laughed before we sat in silence.

"Want to feed him?" He handed me the scooper, and as I petted the horse's nose, he watched me intently. "Let me take you for a ride."

"You're not going to try to throw me off, are you?" I teased.

"I promise," he replied, his eyes soft with sincerity.

I nodded, stepping through the gates to position myself alongside Custard. Cole moved behind me, ready to help me mount. Just then, Alex and Jackie appeared at the gates.

"Erin's here," Alex announced, looking uncomfortable.

Cole sighed and glanced back at me. He offered his hands for an easier dismount.

"That's my cue," he said quietly. "I'll take you riding soon, for sure." He extended his pinky.

I laughed softly and linked my pinky with his. He left, leaving me with Alex and Jackie.

"I was going to show Jackie the other horse, Murphy. You can come if you want," Alex offered after a moment of awkward silence.

"It's fine, have fun, Jackie," I said with a smile, heading back to my room.