Brea Lancaster may have been born in the country, but she is a city girl through and through. She is stylish, influential, and loves the excitement that the party life has to offer. When she receives a call from her brother, who she hasn't spoken to...
The drive from one end of the farm to the other is one of the rare moments I feel completely at ease. Just me and my dog. Warm air spilling through the window of the truck, the sun shining down across the paddocks, and the casual gazes from all the animals I pass.
The further I go, the slower I drive, attempting to drag out this moment of quiet calm for as long as I can.
Pulling up to the fence, I kill the engine, stepping out, a wave of heat washing over me. Adjusting my cap, I head towards the fence. A part of it now lays flat across the ground. Thankfully none of the cattle had escaped. With a farm this big, they could go missing very easily.
My phone pings a few times in a row. I must have dipped back into reception. I pull it out of my jeans pocket and stare down at it. Two from my sister, one from Veronica. Exhaling, I open the message from Veronica. She wants to do dinner tonight. Guilt grips my stomach in an iron fist when I realise my reasoning for keeping distance from her completely went out the window since I had no problem asking the new girl in town out.
Unsure of what to say, I pocket my phone, deciding that can be a problem for later.
It's not that I don't like her as a person, I do, I just... don't know what I want. And the history with Nathan makes me want to throw my fist into a wall. Anything to do with Nathan honestly makes me want to throw my fist into a wall.
After fixing the fence, I spend the next hour spraying the crops before finishing for the day.
Placing my fingers between my lips, I whistle loudly. Diesel's head shoots up.
"Come on," I call out. "We're going home."
Diesel sprints from the spot he was digging, barely slowing down as he catapults into the car, sliding across the driver seat across to his spot. His tongue flops out as he pants, staring over at me, waiting for me to join him.
I try to think about my reply to Veronica as I drive home, but nothing helpful comes to mind. I'm not good at this whole dating thing.
I've barely pulled to a stop on the driveway when Diesel launches out of the window. Shaking my head, I step out of the truck, following him inside. I kick off my boots and hang up my hat, making a beeline to the fridge to grab a beer.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, I see that I have a bit of time before I'm meant to meet up with Brea.
The silence of the house seems to echo. The blinds gently flap against the window frames as the breeze blows through the house. The house creaks and groans, but overall, there is a thick silence in the air. Is it always this quiet?
Turning the T.V on, I inch up the volume so that I can hear it as I trudge through the house to take a shower. After another beer, I dress in what feels like the only nice clothes I own. A black button-up and faded jeans with an unintentional rip on the right leg.
An unsettling feel of nerves twist inside my stomach. Jesus. I haven't felt 'nervous' in a long time. What was it about the girl that has gotten under my skin? I can't shake the feeling that I've met her before. Those eyes, that smile. It's getting to me, and I have no idea why.
When I step out into the loungeroom, Diesel raises his head, staring at me.
"I know," I mutter, looking down at the outfit that hasn't been worn in God knows how long. "I feel ridiculous."
I freshen up his water and put his dinner out. I look at the mirror and attempt to flatten my hair before I head into town. I may as well get some work done before the dinner. Or drink. Whatever this thing is going to be. Nothing sounds worse to me right now than sitting around watching the time.
Pulling into the petrol station, I ease to a stop, keeping my distance. My skin prickles with irritation when I see Nathan. He closes the car door and strides inside. Anger flares inside me just looking at him. When he comes back out, I straighten in my seat in shock.
Brea—the woman I haven't been able to stop thinking about since I met her earlier today—trails close behind him. They both slide into his truck. My heart dives into my stomach when realisation settles over me.
Brea. Short for Breanna Lancaster. Nathan's—aka my arch nemesis and person I loathe the most in this world—sister.
My fingers tighten around the wheel as I watch them drive away. After filling up my car, I turn back around and go back home.
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