Leah’s best friend was a loud one.
The woman talked way too much. She was overly dramatic about everything and it wore me out to be around her for more than two minutes.
I glanced over at the two of them sitting under the tree, while I stood high up on the ladder, painting the side of the barn.
I couldn’t help wondering why those two were friends in the first place.
Then again, there are things about women that I’ll never understand.
I could hear everything that Anne was saying, about all the men she slept with, all the money she spent on designer clothing, and how she still couldn't believe that Leah sold her condo in the city for this dump.
Anne glanced over at me briefly, then said something to Leah in a lower tone, much softer than her usual headache-inducing shriek.
Now I knew they were talking about me, only I couldn't hear what they were saying. After I was done painting, I cleaned the brushes and packed everything away. I walked over to one of the water tanks and quickly washed my dirty hands.
“Yo! Mustang!”
I whirled around and tried to keep from automatically frowning at Anne. I’d been trying my best to be polite. I dried my hands off and walked to where they were sitting under the tree.
“Come sit with us,” Anne said.
“But I’ve still got to-”
“You can do it later,” she interrupted me with a dismissive wave. “We’re more important than that old barn.”
Now, I wasn’t an asshole, but I didn't like it when people interrupted me.
“You didn't let me finish talking,” I said quietly.
“Just come sit with us,” she whined.
“Why?”
“Because I want to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“About you.”
I shot a brief glance at Leah, who gave me an encouraging smile, so I sat down on the blanket.
“So, Mustang. You don’t mind if I ask you a few questions, do you? Since Leah is my best friend and all?”
“You don’t strike me as the type to ask permission.”
Anne narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at Leah. “I see you’ve been talking about me,” she said.
“Cut it out,” Leah muttered.
“Where are you from, Mustang?” Anne asked.
“The United States,” I answered, following my military training to not give out too much information.
She rolled her eyes at me.
“And your family?”
“They’re in Texas.”
“And how long have you been here?”
“A few years.”
“Are you honestly interrogating him right now?” Leah exclaimed incredulously. “What the hell?”
“I’m not interrogating him.”
“Actually, you are,” I pointed out. The women glanced at me in surprise, like they didn’t think I could speak for myself. “I was in the Army and I recognize when I’m being grilled.”
“See?” Leah mumbled.
“Whatever.” Anne rolled her eyes again and glanced back at me. “As Leah’s oldest and best friend, I have the right to know more about the man who’s trying to keep her here in the middle of nowhere.”
“I’m not keeping her here,” I said. “She’s a grown woman capable of making her own decisions. I didn’t have one thing to do with her buying this place.”
“That’s right,” Leah added.
“She might’ve bought the place on a whim but she’s sticking around because of you,” Anne replied. “If you weren’t here, she would’ve already been back in Seattle. You need to stop trying to convince her this is going to work out. She’s a city girl for fuck’s sake! She’s not a rancher, so the two of you need to stop playing house. She needs to come home.”
“Okay, that’s my cue to leave,” I said and stood up from the blanket. “I’ll let the two of you work this out.”
“Mustang, don’t go,” Leah said as she reached out her hand to me, but I stepped away.
“No, I think it’s better if I do. It was nice meeting you, Anne,” I said before walking off.
Leah called out to me.
I didn't look back.
“Mustang!”
I heard Leah panting behind me and I stopped walking. Turning around, I saw her leaning against a tree while trying to catch her breath. I didn't say anything, because at this stage, it would just be angry muttering.
“I’m sorry,” she panted again.
“Catch your breath first,” I told her.
She nodded and took a few deep breaths.
“I’m sorry about what Anne said to you.”
“She should be the one who apologizes, not you. You didn't do anything.”
“No, I shouldn't have let her speak to you like that,” she said. “I’m sorry for what she said. Anne is just...Anne. She didn’t mean any harm.”
“I don't like her very much.”
“Well, she knows that now.”
“How long is she still going to stay here?”
“She’s leaving tonight. She’s ready to go home anyway. This isn’t her idea of fun.”
“I didn't chase her away,” I said. “She’s your friend and if you want her to stay then she should.”
“You can come back to the house if you want, but if you don't, then it’s okay. I understand.”
“I have some stuff that I need to do anyway,” I said vaguely.
“Are you going to be okay?” she asked. “You’re not mad at me, are you?”
“Never,” I said. “I couldn’t get mad at you.” I pulled her close and put my arms around her. “I’ll be fine,” I whispered honestly. “I just need some quiet after your friend’s loudness.”
“I get it.” She giggled into my shirt. “I could use a little peace and quiet too.”