Avalon
The entire truck ride from the King ranch to Halston Acres, Brie laughed at everything Ethan said. After about five minutes, I lost track of how many times she grazed his arm. After five more, I rolled down the window to keep from gagging.
The late-August breeze cooled my skin, still buzzing from the moment in the hallway with Clarke. Every time I blinked, I saw her pressed against me. When I touched my lips, I could still feel her mouth on mine.
My whole body ached for her—for her hands on my arms, her knee between my thighs, her lips trailing heat across my skin. Even the thought of her made my heart race at a speed that would put Secretariat to shame. That was the horse movie, right?
I forced myself to tune back into the conversation happening in the front seat.
“—usually lasts until about nine,” Ethan was saying. “There’s an hour intermission, winner announced at ten. Parties before, after, during—kids here will do anything to roll around in the dirt and drink a little liquor.”
His grin was blinding, dimples deepening as he waved a toothpick between his teeth. I could see why Brie was infatuated with him—and why Arabella Finch was ready to go to war over him. Rugged, charming, polite, funny. The whole package.
“How late do the parties usually go?” I asked, leaning between the seats and interrupting another one of Brie’s flirty touches.
Ethan shrugged as he backed into a makeshift parking spot. “Hours. Days. No one stops once they get started.”
“This place doesn’t exactly give Project X vibes,” I muttered.
His brow furrowed. “What’s Project X?”
“Exactly.” I snorted. “Does, uh… does Clarke usually come to these after-parties?”
Ethan rounded the truck to open Brie’s door, shooting me a knowing look.
“Not since her ex lived here. Emerson dragged her to everything. But she might be persuaded if you’re there.
She’s taken a real shine to you. And judging by that apple-sized blush on your cheeks, I reckon you’ve got a thing for her too. ”
My face burned. “Shut up.”
As I jumped down from the truck, I heard Brie murmur something to him that made him laugh loudly. Whatever. They weren’t exactly subtle about wanting to jump each other’s bones. And so what if I liked Clarke? So what if I got giddy at the mention of her?
My feelings for her were real—more real than whatever was happening between those two.
“You’re pouting,” Brie said, bumping her shoulder into mine. “What’s up, Kid?”
“I’m not pouting.”
“It sure looks like it. Your brows mush together and your lip sticks out. It’s cute.”
“Knock it off,” I laughed, nudging her back. She wrapped her arms around me as we walked, and I let myself lean into her warmth.
“For what it’s worth,” she said, sidestepping a stroller, “I think you two look super cute together. And I saw that intimate moment this afternoon.”
I groaned. “It’s not like that, Brie. It’s… more than that. Everything makes sense when I’m with her. I feel like I’m needed. Finally.”
Saying it out loud felt ridiculous—vulnerable—but true.
“I’ve never felt this before,” I whispered. “Every touch, every kiss, every word feels right. She makes me feel whole.”
Brie squeezed my arm, smiling softly. “My baby’s in love.”
“Fuck off.” I shoved her lightly, though my heart thudded hard. “It’s too soon for a word like that.”
She blew a raspberry. “Sounds like it to me. And if it feels like that, who’s to say it’s not?”
I shook my head. I didn’t know anything about love. My parents treated their marriage like a business deal. My grandparents were worse. And Brie? She never took anyone seriously.
I always assumed I’d end up like her—independent, untethered, free.
But with Clarke… I wanted the good, the bad, the ugly. I wanted late nights holding her while she cried and early mornings brushing her hair and doing barn chores.
God. Was it love?
I’d never wanted to do unpaid labor in my life—let alone mucking stalls—but I’d do it for her. I’d do anything for her.
“It’s not love,” I lied, giving Brie my best poker-face smile.
She didn’t push. She never did. But she knew me too well not to see through it.
We walked in silence for a moment before she nudged me again. “C’mon. Let’s go find your girl.”
I rolled my eyes, but my heart leapt anyway.