Chapter 12
“Nobody knows what anticipation is anymore. Everything is so immediate.” - Joan Jett
Avery
Okay, so I, Avery Sinclair, rolled with the moment last night. I totally threw caution to the wind; stifled my inner voices that incessantly chattered to me about minimizing risks, avoiding dangerous liaisons, behaving responsibly and with the utmost ethics as the family representative of Sinclair Stables over the summer crew.
Once the decision had been made that I’d be going to Bryce’s cottage, I did my due diligence in checking on Tula and her beautiful, healthy colt. The vet had finally arrived, and Uncle Tristan had sent Hannah and me off to get some sleep, promising he’d take it from there. I didn’t need any further prodding to make a hasty exit.
It might’ve been what clued my cousin Hannah in on my plan.
“You’re in an awful hurry, Avery. What’s up?” she’d asked, trotting up beside me as I headed toward the cottage I’d been staying in. I wanted to take a quick shower and change, and she was seriously delaying me.
“Just want to get a shower and hit the sheets,” I replied. “Aren’t you tired? It’s been a long damn day for the both of us.”
“Uh huh,” she deadpanned. “I know you’re up to something and I’ll bet a month’s pay it has something to do with Bryce Slater. You two hooking up?”
“What?” I whirled around, totally aghast that she’d figured it out so easily. “You’re cray-cray,” I muttered, trying to make light of it. It wasn’t as if I didn’t share stuff with Hannah. I actually shared more of my personal stuff with her than I did with Preston. We were close that way. And to be honest, Preston lived a state away so the proximity played a factor as well.
“Yeah, I’m crazy, right. I’m hurt that you don’t give me credit for reading the chemistry and vibes between you two. You realize it’s one of my gifts, don’t you?”
I had to smile. She’d made that declaration before and took it very seriously. Hannah did have a sixth sense on some things, I’d give her that.
“And let me tell you something else. The chemistry between you two was fairly sizzling tonight. I’m surprised Daddy didn’t mention it because it sure as hell was obvious to me.”
I had bitten my lower lip. “He invited me to his place tonight. I…I want to go, Hannah. Is that wrong?”
She’d furrowed a brow and gazed at me quizzically. “Why would you ask me that? I don’t judge. And I would especially never judge you. Surprised? A little. But only because you’ve never been one to have a summer fling and the opportunities have presented themselves many, many times.”
I’d been a bit taken aback by that comment. “What makes you think I’m looking for a fling or a hookup now?”
“Because, Avery, Bryce Slater doesn’t come across as somebody who does relationships. Not even close. But hey, it’s good. You need to take a walk on the wild side for once in your life. Just keep your heart out of it for your own sake, okay?”
She’d given me a quick hug and jogged up the path towards the parking lot where her Jeep was parked. And I continued on with my plan to go to Bryce’s place…for the night…the entire night.
Let me put it this way: If I’d been a virgin before I’d spent the night with Bryce, I’d still be one the following day - which was today. Nothing happened.
As in nada.
Niente.
That wasn’t to say that I didn’t completely enjoy my stay there, because I did. He’d popped a frozen pizza in the oven for us; put on some music, and we talked. I was totally mesmerized when he talked because it was all fascinating to me.
He told me about his family; his dad being some high level FBI Agent, his mom having her own decorating business; and his younger brother whom he dubbed The Perfect One, Sidney. He told me about their move from D.C. to the sticks as he called it, and how it had really screwed up his senior year.
“Was there a girl involved?” I’d asked when I saw how angry he seemed with them.
“There were lots of girls, Avery,” he said with a crooked grin, “But nobody special if that’s what you’re asking. It was more about baseball.”
“Baseball?” I hadn’t considered that somewhere in Bryce’s past he’d been a jock. His build certainly favored the lean, well-muscled physique of a baseball player I supposed.
“Yep. I was varsity at St. John’s College High School baseball club. First baseman. We moved before my senior year. Had a damn sure thing for a scholarship but it all went to hell because my old man’s career trumped any of my dreams, I guess.”
“Dude,” I said, “Isn’t that like a private high school? The Cadets? I know I’ve heard of them clear down here in Briar Patch as you so like to call it.”
“The sticks, Avery,” he corrected playfully as he grinned and tickled my tummy until I begged him to stop. “Seriously though, couldn’t you have played baseball at the high school you went to in Decatur? I mean, it’s a spring sport, right?”
He had given me a sidelong glance as if it was a stupid question. “Okay, so Avery, I get that horses are your thing–not baseball, so let me put it like this: would you try and teach dressage to a mule?”
“Well… no, but I don’t get the comparison.”
“That’s because there is no comparison between the two high schools. The high school I went to in Decatur didn’t have a baseball program. Their spring athletic program consisted of track and tennis. Period.”
“Oh…wow, so that really must’ve sucked. It explains a lot though,” I had replied. “I mean why you had such a chip on your shoulder when you got here, and maybe even why you really resent your father.”
I’d told him about my family; and even told him about my one and only first romance with Trent. To which Bryce had dutifully mentioned he sounded like a douche bag.
We talked and we made out, but that’s as far as it went. He didn’t even try to get to first base (yeah, I was lost on the irony) which puzzled me almost as much as it annoyed me.
What was wrong with me?
He didn’t even get to see the lacy black panties I’d donned after my shower. Was I totally lacking in sex appeal? I was flustered and confused by this person. Had I misinterpreted the invitation to stay with him?
We’d talked into the wee hours and then I’d fallen asleep snuggled up against him, his arm wrapped around me and the feel of his heartbeat next to mine.
My little trip down Memory Lane was broken when Hannah came into the stables over at the Belle where I was getting ready for a private lesson. I was brushing Sadie, a two year old thoroughbred, when she snuck up on me.
“So, you walking okay today cousin? You need me to take this lesson for you?” she teased.
“Naw, I’m good.”
“Really? How good?”
I gave her a slight frown and turned to hang the brush back up on the hook in Sadie’s stall. “I mean I can walk, I can ride, I can still probably do the straddle splits–what I can’t do is generate sex appeal apparently.”
“Shut up!” she screeched, covering her mouth a second too late. “Spill. I mean it.”
“Hannah, there’s nothing to spill. We ate pizza, listened to music, talked a lot, kissed some, and that was it. We fell asleep. I got up before he did, let myself out, and went back to my cottage to get ready for work.”
“That’s it?” I could tell she was disappointed.
“Yep. That’s it. Didn’t even need to take another shower before work.”
“Oh Avery…damn. That’s weird.”
“You think?” I asked, tossing the blanket over the horse’s back. “I think it’s just typical for my life. I don’t give out those ‘Come and get me vibes.’ Not like Preston does. Maybe I come across as desperate which I could see might be a turn-off for guys, you know? Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I like him. And worst case scenario, I’ve made a new friend.”
“Oh come on! I’m never ever wrong about the chemistry thing. Did you ever consider that maybe he wants more than a hook-up with you?”
I lifted the saddle from the bench behind me and Hannah helped me get it situated on Sadie’s back. I had to chuckle at her last statement. “This from the girl who just yesterday was certain that Bryce Slater was all about the sex and not relationship material?”
“I don’t like that you’re doubting your own sex appeal. You’re cute as a button and you know it.”
“Cute? Maybe. But c’mon, Hannah, sexy is a whole different thing and you know it. I mean look how I dress? And my hair?”
“You work at a horse ranch for crying out loud. Jeans and tees are what works best for that. And your hair is gorgeous–even in the perky ponytail you’ve got going, so just stop it–”
Her little speech was interrupted when a throat cleared outside the stall. A male throat. It was Bryce’s throat.
Damn. How much had he overheard?
“Hey there,” he said, a slow smile spreading across his handsome face, “Hannah, could you give me a minute here with Avery?” he asked, his fingers hooked in the back pockets of his jeans. He looked clean shaven and his hair still appeared damp from his morning shower.
“Um…sure thing,” Hannah said, looking totally sheepish, as if we’d been busted for something.
Maybe we had.
She scooted around the horse and left the stall. Bryce came closer to where I was busily fastening the saddle straps so I wouldn’t have to look at him. I felt the blush cross over my face.
“Hey you,” he said softly, “Why didn’t you wake me before you left this morning? I’d have made us some breakfast. I guess I suck as a host, huh?”
That did it for me. I raised myself back up, and looked him squarely in the eyes. “What is it you want from me, Bryce? At the risk of outing myself as a complete idiot, I’ve got to be honest here. I had a nice time talking to you last night…hell, practically all night, but I think I was under a different impression when I accepted your invitation.”
I couldn’t believe that I put it out there like that, but there was a small part of me that felt vindicated once I had.
“Oh Avery–you didn’t misinterpret a thing. It’s on me. I kinda…well, I kinda chickened out.”
My eyes flew up to meet his. Was he joking? But his expression was as sincere and honest as I’d ever seen. “Wh-what?”
He rubbed the back of his neck with a hand. This revelation wasn’t coming easy to Bryce. He was searching for the right words, I could tell. “Yeah, you know–it’s like I don’t want to fuck things up with you I guess. I had to consider a few things once I got back to my cabin. I didn’t want you to judge me as some horny asshole or something. It was a riveting experience being part of the birthing process of that colt. We could’ve lost him and when your uncle gave me instructions, and we were able to save it and the mare, it was a shot of pure adrenaline. I was proud of myself. I was so damn thankful that I was able to do something that I knew would make you thankful too, and maybe even pleased with me.”
He paused to see my reaction.
“Oh my God, Bryce, I’m…this is…well, damn,” I sputtered. I couldn’t find the words that captured my feelings at the moment. The guy wasn’t shallow or reckless I realized. He really had given this a lot of thought.
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. “I’ve got to get busy. I don’t want to piss off my boss. Let’s take things slow, Avery. I want to have the pleasure of being your friend before I have the pleasure of you. Does that make sense?”
I nodded against his strong chest. “It does, Bryce. And for the record, I have a new respect for you. Thanks for telling me this. I was feeling…”
“Yeah, I heard,” he replied with a chuckle. “You’ve got to know how hard it was…hell, how hard I was last night when we were tangled up together on my couch. Jesus Christ, babe…”
His lips found mine for a brief kiss. “Gotta go. See you later, okay?”
“Uh huh,” I whispered dreamily. “Later. My place. I’ll make you dinner tonight, how’s that?”
“It’s a date.”