Can't Ever

Chapter 3: New House-New Girl

Chapter 3: New House, New Girl

Samantha

                I am not sure what I was expecting to happen as I stood there by the truck, staring at the house. I honestly think I was waiting for three rumbustious boys to come running from inside the house; excited to see not only their father but the stranger that he brought home with him. It was not until James called my name from the porch that I realized that it was not going to happen that way. In reality the three boys could be upset that their father is bringing in someone that will more than likely change their lives as they knew it. They were probably going to hate me, they will think I am weird and they will tease me.

                The panic from the train returned and I could feel my chest tighten and my breath become shallow. I did my best to imagine myself sitting in the Escalade with Alvin; the silence, the smooth flow of the road underneath the tires and the comforting presence that is Alvin. I thought I had myself under control and that no one had noticed as I walked through the front door and followed James into a living area.

                The room was seeped in home. The décor was nothing special but you could tell that the furniture was chosen not for looks but for comfort. Any person could walk into the room and tell that this room was lived in. the couches were slightly worn but still in good condition; there were pictures all over the walls and lining the shelves by the mantle and on the mantle was a family photo of James, his three boys and a beautiful woman that had to have been James’s late wife Miranda Simons. The boys had to be about two, five and seven at the time.

                As I stared intently at the photo I realized that I did not actually know how old James’s children were. They could be years older than me or also only a few years older than the photo.  James continued to lead me through the house, naming off rooms and what they contained as we passed them. I had zoned out long before we made it past three shut door, that were said to belong to the boys, and to the final door in the hallway when James opened the door and stated that this was my room.

                “Can I rest for a little while, please?” I asked calmly but inside I was begging. I was not ready for anymore information or anything else new. I was not ready to meet the boys or even find the kitchen to get a drink of water. James simply nodded with a smile on his face as he shut the door and his footsteps faded down the hallway. The feeling of panic that had been simmering since my parents came home early from their dinner party finally left my body only to be replaced by pure exhaustion.

                I may be exhausted but seventeen and a half years of conditioning would not let me simple fall into the bed fully clothed with my bag just lying there on the floor. I unpacked my small amount of cloths into the nightstand with all my important papers and sentimental items hidden underneath them. I changed into the one nightgown I had packed, climbed into the large bed and let sleep overcome me.

******

Bryan

I waved goodbye to my friends and climbed into the pick-up with Nic. I couldn’t wait for dad to get me my own car, this sharing with Nic or Cal was complete crap.  I was surprised when Nic started to drive without saying a word; I could feel the tension coming off of him.

“Nic, what’s up?” I shot at him. While I can’t say that he doesn’t get this way, he usually at least says something to me about it.

“The girl is there,” He grinded out.

“The girl is where?” I questioned as I turned to look at him more closely. The vein in his neck was pulsating a mile a minute and I could see his eyes flashing gold every now and again.

“The girl is at the house. Our house and she just walks right in and acts as if she owns the place” the words came from between clenched teeth. I was surprised I could hear a slight growl to the words as he spoke.

“So you met her and she completely sucks huh?” If that was true then it would suck for however long we had to keep her here. I mean dad had said indefinitely and that could mean forever.

“Didn’t meet her. She came in and decided she was too good for us and went straight to the guest room” he hissed. The disgust was evident in his voice. Nic hated snobs; I mean we all did but Nic more than the rest of us. This girl he had dated this one time told him she was dumping him simply because our family didn’t have money like hers.

“Maybe she’s just tired. I try and talk to her tomorrow, feel her out you know? If she is a goody-two-shoe, prissy, prissy princess then we can just sic Cal on her and have her running for the fricken hills in no time” I chuckled at the thought. It wasn’t that Cal was mean or anything but unless you knew him you would think his heart is made of snow. Cal was the iceman.

“Guess I can wait and see. I mean your right if all else fails watching her talk with Cal will be amazing. I still don't like it Bry, her being here is going to change things. You have to pull the third herd up from the south pasture today. Dad wants them in before dark, he thinks a storm is coming in and doesn’t want them on the other side of a flooded river from us” Nic changed the subject to the ranch. The ranch was in all our blood but for Nic the ranch was in his soul, it held a piece of his heart. When the time came Cal and I knew that it would have to be us who leave the ranch because it would kill Nic to leave.

The truck pulled into the drive and I hopped out, leaving my bag in the bed of the truck to get later. I jogged to the barn and began to saddle my work horse, Bullet. I had named him when I was ten and thought I had given him the coolest name ever but later on I wish I had given him one that meant something.

“Have you seen her?” I had been pulling my hat off the peg by the barn door when Cal spoke. I jumped and whirled around.

“S**t Cal, did you have to scare me like that? You know I hate it when you sneak up on me” I cursed.

“Have you seen her?” he repeated for me as if I had simply not heard him.

“No I haven’t seen her. Nic said Dad brought her home and she went straight to her new room. So you know just as much as I do” I answer turning my back to him and picking up my fallen hat from the floor. I dusted it off and placed it on my head as I waited for Cal to say something else. When the silence persisted, I stepped out of the barn leading Bullet behind me.

****

Hey everyone. sorry about the slow update but i wasn't sure how i wanted her to meet the boys or how i wanted you guys to meet the boys. i know in last chapter i told you all how old the boys are but i decided i didn't want Samantha to know yet so i went back and changed it. that is why she was wondering when she saw the photos. please vote and comment.

XKissesX