Sweet Little Lies

Ch. 6 Friends?

Harper Morgan

After arguing with Ajax four days ago we've have been distant with each other. I can tell his parents are noticing our cold relationship. It doesn't help that I keep playing back every word he said and making myself uncomfortable. Its like he wanted me to admit that I once had feelings for him, but why? What would that accomplish?
I growl in frustration and rinse the conditioner out of my hair. Why am I thinking about this? If there's one thing I've learned about Ajax is that I'm bad at interpreting his looks and words. Our past is evidence enough that I should just ignore the puzzle that is, Ajax Paxton West.
I shut off the water with more force than necessary and reach for my towel, wrapping it around myself I step out onto the cold tiles. Brushing my teeth I try to think of anything else, but fail miserably. Mr. and Mrs. West are leaving today for their trip and I want to be there to say goodbye.
Sliding on a pair of black yoga pants and matching hoodie, I then pick up the brush on my dresser and put my hair in a pony tail. I don't bother with makeup or looking professional, even if it is a workday. I'm tired and Mr. West said he doesn't mind what I wear. I won't take advantage of his relaxed attitude towards wardrobe because I think its important to look professional, but I'm making Fridays very casual.
I open the door and step into the hallway just as Ajax is coming out of his room. "Morning." I say, casually.
"Good morning." He replies, as his eyes scan my outfit.
"Ever heard of causal Friday?" I ask, feeling only slightly uncomfortable by his scrutinizing gaze.
"The boss leaves and you get causal?" He teases.
"Ha-ha. No, I'm just tired." I admit as we walk to the stairs.
"Then go back to bed. Take the morning off." He suggests, nicely.
"Nah, I just need coffee. Plus, I want to say goodbye to your parents." I respond, brushing off his offer, even though it sounds wonderful. "I'll sleep in tomorrow." I state, more to myself than him.
"No, we're going fishing tomorrow. Its your first week back, you have to go." He states, simply.
Knowing 'we' is Dan, Ajax and I. I stop at the bottom of the stairs. "Dan didn't say anything about fishing." I say. Thinking back over the past four days, Dan and I both had dinner with our parents twice this week and he never brought it up.
"Well, I am." He responds, waiting for me to start walking again.
"Alright, I'll go. But I'm not cleaning them." I warn him, same as always.
He looks at me mischievously. "Look at the city girl, too good to clean what she catches."
I narrow my eyes at him. "No, I just don't like to gut them and you know it." Ajax has always cleaned my share of the fish. I could never stomach the sounds and smell, it always made me queasy.
He nods and smiles. "I'll clean your fish, sugar. I always do."
I can't help the smile that comes to my face as we enter the kitchen, that is until I see Mr. and Mrs. West kissing passionately against the pantry door. Feeling like I just walked in on my own parents I cover my eyes and turn towards Ajax. "Well, I'm not hungry anymore." He mutters and I giggle.
"Good morning, Kiddo's." Mr. West says, backing away from his wife.
"Morning." I reply, holding in my laughter.
"Hungry?" Mrs. West questions walking to the stove.
"Do we have any bleach?" Ajax asks seriously, rubbing his eyes.
I look up at him, what would he need bleach for? Last time I checked they still had a housekeeper. "Its for my eyes." He explains, seriously when he notices my confused face.
"Please, like you've never seen your parents kissing." Mr. West scoffs.
"It still doesn't make it any easier. I rather go blind then see that again." Ajax says, walking with me to the breakfast table. "At least it wasn't on the table like last time." He shutters, then turns to me. "Don't worry I made them buy a new one."
Laughing with him and his parents I feel the fight from earlier this week and the tension between us dissipate completely. This is how it should be, no more holding things against him. No more adolescent behavior. I want to be friends with Ajax and I don't want to screw it up again.
After breakfast we all walk out the front door and onto the white wrap around porch. I notice their car and some of the ranch hands, including my parents waiting to say their goodbyes. Tears spring to my eyes when Ma and Mrs. West hug each other goodbye. I feel a heavy arm wrap around my shoulders and lean into his side. "I think my Ma is going to take your Ma with her." He jokes.
"They're best friends. Its hard to say, goodbye. No, matter how short the trip is." I say, watching our parents.
"At least it won't be four years." He replies, cheekily.
I elbow his side. "I wasn't your best friend."
"Doesn't mean I missed you any less."
I look up to him as he watches his parents hug their friends. "Well, I'm back and we're going fishing tomorrow, that's a start."
He looks down at me. "Just don't leave again."
I look around. "I'm not. This is home. Friends again?" I ask, wanting to truly move on.
He shakes his head. "Best Friends."
I smile at his joke. "Best friends it is, but I'm so telling Dan."
"Tell me what?" I hear as see Dan come towards us.
"That Ajax thinks I'm a better fisherman then you." I lie, bragging effortlessly.
Dan scoffs. "Bullshit. You can't even clean a fish."
Deciding not to respond I stick out my tongue. "Harps coming with us tomorrow." Ajax tells Dan.
"Figured she would." Dan nods.
"Well, it would have been nice to have been invited by you." I scold, letting him know I wasn't happy by not being informed earlier.
He shrugs. "Ajax would have brought you along, same as always."
I always thought of myself as the third wheel. I guess I didn't realize that Ajax was the one that always let me come along with them. I remember one time when they went into the woods to play, Dan and his friends would constantly yell at Ajax for inviting me because I'd slow them down. Ajax, never left me behind while the other boys would run ahead. He always stayed with me and helped me over logs, never complaining once.
"Well, leave it to Ajax to show me more love than my own brother." I say, faking a broken heart and crossing my arms over my chest dramatically.
Dan smirks and stands by me. We watch silently while the West's get in their car and wave to us. His mom blowing Ajax kisses and wiping at her tear streaked face. We wave back until they're out of sight.
"I'm going to miss them." I sigh.
"Me too. At least we know we won't walk into a horror movie like we did this morning." Ajax grumbles, making me laugh.
"That was romantic!" I argue.
"Caught your parents going at it again?" Dan asks, coming dangerously close to laughing.
"I don't want to talk about it." Ajax answers, sounding defeated.
"I'm headed to the office." I say, chuckling.

Ajax West

I watch Harper walk back into the house until I hear Dan clear his throat. I turn back to him, knowing this conversation was going to happen sooner or later.
"Is there something you need to tell me?" Dan questions, sounding bored, but I know him better then that. He has an edge to his voice and the way he's standing is like a tiger ready to attack.
"I don't think I need to." I respond, looking back at him, daring him to tell me I can't have her.
His posture changes slightly and he smirks at my glare. "Relax, I've known for a while."
"And you don't have anything to say?" I ask, knowing he's taking this a little too well.
"What the hell do you think is going to happen? She thinks of you like a brother." He replies, seriously. Looking at me almost sympathetically he adds, "You don't stand a chance, man."
"I'll convince her." I reply, determinedly.
"Dan! Let's get to work!" Mr. Morgan yells, already halfway to the barn.
Dan shakes his head and walks away. That went better then I imagined it, but only because he truly believes Harper has no interest in me. I walk back inside the house, immediately making my way to the office. Noticing she's on the phone, I listen in.
"Okay, Kira I'll go!" She yells. "But I'm not staying out late, we're going fishing in the morning."
I sit down and she glances up at me, "Ajax is coming, too." I raise my eyebrow at her and she shrugs, "I can't leave you alone."
"I don't need a babysitter." I remind her, slightly offended.
"Fine, but promise me you won't use the stove." She teases, making me laugh.
"It's too tempting. I better go with you." I agree.
"That's what I thought." She says, before finishing her conversation.
After she hangs up I ask, "Where are we going, exactly?"
"Just to Donnie's." She answers. I knew it was either Donnie's or Atwoods, they're the only two bars in town.
"This should be fun." I smirk. "Our first date."