Unexpected Love #1

Six

Over the next few days, Max and Cade ignored me for the most part. They ignored me and Leah when she was over. But that might have been because they were too busy arguing with each other. I'm not sure what was going on, but they were arguing. Also complaining about all the work they had to do. Well, they were the ones who said they wanted to be here and not somewhere else stuck inside. Plus Cade was arguing how it seemed Max was the favorite. 

Today was no different. They were arguing, but soon it turned into fighting. They tackled each other, got back up and were punching, hitting and kicking each other.  "Guys!" I yelled, "Stop!" Of course they paid no attention to me. "Guys!" I yelled again. I went up to break them apart, but as I did, Cade brought his elbow back. He brought his elbow back to punch Max and elbowed me in the face. I stumbled backwards.

Cade quickly turned around. "Ashlynn! I'm so sorry." He said, worried, "I didn't mean it. Please don't...tell your dad." I looked up and saw my dad coming up to us. He looked furious. He grabbed Cade and put him into a headlock and squeezed as hard as he could. Cade started coughing and wheezing. His face was turning red from lack of oxygen. Cade tried pulling on my dad's arm to get it off. "P-p-please." Cade begged. I never saw my dad this angry or hurt anyone. It was scaring me. "P-please. M-Mr. T-Thomas." Cade choked out. "Shut up!" My dad yelled, squeezing tighter. Cade looked on the verge of passing out. "You are really trying my patience! Always hurting my daughter. It hasn't even been a full week!" 

"Dad! Stop!" I yelled, "Please. Let him go." He didn't let go. "Dad! It was an accident. You're scaring me." I said, pulling on his arm. He finally turned and looked to me. He must of seen my scared look and looked to see what he was doing. He let go of Cade who fell to the ground, gasping and coughing. Trying to get his breath back. 

"That's three strikes! You're gone." He said to Cade. I looked to Cade and he looked at me, pleadingly. My dad was already on his way back to the house. I knew Cade didn't want to go to the animal hospital and he hasn't been a jerk to me in awhile. I quickly ran after my dad. 

"Dad... it wasn't Cade's fault. It was an accident. I went to break them up and got too close. Really." I said, "Cade likes working here. He told me so. Despite his grumbling this past few days. So... please. Let him stay. Just don't make him and Max work near each other." My dad pinched the top of his nose like he was getting a headache. "Come on. Let's get ice for that." He said. We went in and I got an ice pack and put it on my face.

"What happened?" My mom asked, worried. "It was an accident. Max and Cade were fighting. I got too close to try and break them apart and got elbowed. Please don't send them away. They may be stupid and don't act like it, but they both like working here." I replied. "Honey." My mom said. "Please." I begged. "Fine. One more chance. But if anything happens, they're gone. Your mother and I have to go out of town for the horse auction. So Pablo is in charge. If he tells me of anything that happened while we're away... they're gone!" My dad said. "Ok. Sounds good. Thank you." I said. They sighed. "You're welcome." My dad said.

I went outside and sat on the deck, holding the ice pack on my eye. "Are you ok?" Cade asked, coming up, "I'm terribly sorry." "Sure you are." Max said, coming up. "Shut up!" Cade said, "I am." "Guys!" I yelled. I didn't want them to start fighting on the porch. "Sorry." They said. "So are you ok?" Cade asked again. "Yeah. I'm fine." I said. "Good." He said.

My dad came out. "Good, you both are here. Lunch will soon be ready. But first. As I told my daughter. My wife and I have to go out of town for the weekend. Pablo will be in charge and will be checking on you all now and then. Any word of anything broken or hurt, you're out of here! No questions asked." My dad said, "Am I clear?" "Yes sir." Said Cade. "Yes." Said Max. "Good. Now come in and wash up and then we'll eat." My dad said. 

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Friday afternoon came and my parents headed off. Leah was helping her mom clean the attic for their street's yard sale. I wish she could come over, so I didn't have to be alone with the two boys. Max was in the stable cleaning up after the horses. Cade was cleaning the cow's barn. I went into the horse stable. "Hey, what do you say about taking a break and taking a ride on the trail with me?" I asked. "No, thanks." He said. "Aww...come on." I said. "No why should I? So you could go run to Pablo and have him tell your father and I get kicked out? No thanks." Max said. "I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble or kicked out. I swear. I just...I'm just trying to be nice. Thought you could use a break and have some fun." I said. Max looked at me, trying to decide whether or not to believe me and trust me. "What about Cade?" He asked. "What about him?" I asked. "Is he gonna be along?" He asked. "What is this? Questions only?" I said and giggled. Max laughed. "No, but I was just wondering." He said. "No. Just you and me." I said. "Ok. Then sure." He said. "Ok." I said. 

We saddled up the horses and rode down the farm. We headed up through the woods. Truth was, I didn't want to go with Cade. He still seemed cocky and arrogant. Max was calmer. Quieter and more likely to just ride in silence. Plus I wouldn't be caught alone with Cade. I didn't trust him. We rode the trail up the hill and came by the water hole. I tied my horse's reins to the tree and sat on the ledge. Max did the same thing. 

"It's so peaceful up here." He said. "I know. I come up here alot." I replied. "And do what?" Max asked. "In the morning, I like watch the sun rise. Other than that... just to think. Get away and relax. Also this." I said. I took off my shoes and socks, shorts and tee. I could see Max was confused and unsure. I was in my bathing suit. I grabbed the rope and swung. I left go and fell to the water. I heard Max yell, "Ashlynn!"

I went under for a few seconds and came back up. I saw Max watching me. "Come on in! It's refreshing." I said. "Don't have clothes to wear." He yelled. I laughed and swam some more and then went back up to the top.