Chapter 27
Warpath of Avoidance
Leni
Days fly by, and I realize that time is not on my side.
It’s Friday already, which means in two days I have to face the entire family for a family dinner.
Thank God the focus will be on Brooks and his surprise baby.
I’m not ready to admit that I’m technically jobless and homeless, though at this point, there doesn’t seem to be any other option.
It will take all of one second for them to clock the way Clay looks at me, like I hung the freaking moon. I’m not complaining, but there’s no way to hide what’s going on between us.
I don’t know what to do yet. I have the interview at the prep academy on Tuesday.
Yesterday, Ranch Life reached out to let me know they want to publish my article, and then proceeded to ask if I had ever considered writing as a career.
We emailed back and forth throughout the day, and I have a phone interview with them next week.
I didn’t tell Clay, because I’m afraid he’ll get excited. A job with the magazine would mean working remotely. I could live anywhere to write articles for them. I wouldn’t have to move back to Benson. I could stay here, with Clay.
It sounds like a dream, but I know this bubble we’ve created will burst the second my family finds out we’re together.
Which, I think we are? We haven’t really had a talk.
It seemed like that’s what Clay was offering, the other night when he took me to the swimming hole. We never really discussed it.
On the one hand, the family is going to be thrilled that Clay and I are…whatever we are. On the other hand, I don’t want to hear Ethan’s self-righteous “I told you so,” when he finds out why I’m here.
I think, maybe, it’d be worth it though. Sitting through a big brother lecture might not be half so bad if I’m sitting there with Clay beside me.
I’m running through all the potential scenarios when Pepper’s face pops up on my screen. How she always calls at the perfect moment, I will never know.
“Hey, Peps,” I sigh into my phone.
“Damn, not exactly the welcome I was expecting. What’s up, buttercup? Sex with the hot cowboy not as great as you thought it would be?”
I snort. If Pepper got a gold star for anything, it would be for being inappropriate at the exact right time. “No, that is most definitely not a problem.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. One of us needs to be getting railed. I’m clearly not getting any.”
I laugh, throwing myself back onto the bed.
“I was wondering if you still wanted company this weekend. We never made any official plans, and I should probably consider letting the tiki boss know.”
“Actually, I have an interview on Tuesday. I was thinking you could come back with me then?” There’s an awkward pause until Pepper sighs.
“You still haven’t told them you’re home, have you?”
“No,” I whine. Last time I came home without a job, they took it upon themselves to schedule interviews for me around the county.
I had to call not two but five local businesses and tell them I didn’t need a job.
I mean, I did, but I can get my own fucking job.
“I want to spend some time with Clay before we blow the whole thing up.”
“You keep telling yourself that, Leni. Personally, I feel like you’re a little harsh on them.”
I groan, rolling onto my side so I can push myself back into a sitting position.
“You haven’t been around long enough, Pepper.
My mom literally told me not to come back if I left.
I was eighteen. The boys have driven all the way to Benson, on more than one occasion, to yell at me because I refused to answer my phone. ”
“Leni,” Pepper sighs. “I love you, I really do, but I’ve heard you talk with your mom on more than one Sunday. She loves you, and you miss her. I know she hurt you. I do, but I need you to remember how lucky you are to have a mom who cares. To have a whole ass family that cares.”
“I know that,” I bite out, trying to reel in my Kane temper.
“Do you? Because you act like having a family who cares about you is the worst thing in the world, and I can tell you, there are a lot worse things out there.”
Shame builds up in my chest, choking my throat as my phone vibrates with incoming text messages. “I’m sorry, Peps. I shouldn’t complain.”
“No, you should. You’re allowed to complain,” she sighs. “I think it might be time for you to have some conversations. You’re all adults now. You can set boundaries, and if they can’t respect those, then maybe you continue this warpath of avoidance.”
I snort. “Warpath of avoidance?”
“It sounded good in my head,” she chuckles. And we make plans for traveling back to the ranch together on Tuesday after my interview. I’ll be going back to Benson to stay with Miya on Monday.
I check my messages, a smile taking over my face as I see the group name.
The Actual Baby Brother’s Group Chat
Adler James
Where are you staying this weekend?
When do you get in?
Tobias Russel
wdym where is she staying? She has a cabin here.
Adler James
Yea…one where Clay is staying
Tobias Russel
Oh shit.
Where are you staying?
I can clean up my guest room
Adler James
She’s not staying with you, why would she stay with you?
Tobias Russel
Why wouldn’t she stay with me?
Mercer Duane
Boys. Boys. Boys.
You already know she’s staying with me. Her favorite brother
Adler James
That’s it! I’m buying a new phone!
Tobias Russel
What kind of hacker app do you use that you are somehow in ALL of our group chats?!
I want to answer and tell them I’m staying with Clay. Wouldn’t that be a way to tell everyone what’s going on?
I haven’t decided yet. Probably be home in time for dinner.
Adler James
Dinner? You’re coming for dinner and that’s it?
Mercer Duane
That’s completely unacceptable Leni.
You can spare a weekend for us can’t you?
Adler James has sent a photo to the group chat
I sigh, looking at the photo of my two younger brothers. Both looking up at the camera, bottom lips hanging out, big ole puppy dog eyes begging me to come home for longer.
Mercer Duane
Damn. If that doesn’t work on you I don’t know what will
No wonder you guys take girls home all the time
Fine. I’ll come back tomorrow.
Mercer Duane
And stay with me…right?
We’ll see.