Brooklyn Baby | Spot Conlon ¹

Chp. 41: Moved On

Jack and Race had successfully hidden Spot and Bucky for four days. Of course, most of the boys knew about it. When Kenny would leave for the fields, they'd come downstairs and hang out with the boys. Spot explained what happened to them when he first saw them. He wanted to avoid any hostility towards himself.

"Go fish," Mush said.

"Again? Really?" Bucky says.

"This is the twentieth time today you's played this," Race puffs his cigar.

"No smokin' in the house," David says.

Raced mocks his voice before moving out into the porch.

"Evening, Kenny." Race said as she walked into the house. "Kenny-wait--"

"What the hell is this?"

All eyes were on her. She was fuming.

"What the fuck are you doin' here?" Kenny demands at Spot and Bucky. "You brought them here and didn't even tell me?!"

"Well, they kind of showed up..."

"You didn't even think to tell me?!" She yells. "None of you did?"

No one answered. She just scoffs angrily. She rolls her eyes when Jack opens his mouth to speak, running up the stairs and away from the group.

"I'll...go talk to her," Austin awkwardly goes upstairs.

"I knew this was a bad idea," Jack said.

"Jack, I--" Spot starts.

"Don't," Jack says. "Don't talk to her. Give her time,"

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"You wanna tell me who he is, or ya don't have to," Austin says, wiping a tear with his thumb.

"It's a really long story, but, he chose another girl ova me. Afta' everything we's been through, he didn't choose me. That's the reason we came all the way out here. I couldn't be in New York anymore,"

"I see,"

"I dunno how long he's been here," She says, looking out the window. "How could they keep this from me?"

"Maybe they didn't wanna hurt ya,"

After a few minutes of silence, Kenny just said, "I'm goin' out. Don't follow me please,"

Austin nodded, kissing her lips. She just sat there and let him kiss her. She didn't kiss him back, but just walked out of the room. She walked downstairs, avoiding all eyes and went straight to the barn. She quickly saddled Benson up and jumped on.

Race moved to go to the barn, but Austin stopped him. "She don't want us followin' her,"

Race just looked at him. "You two may be close, but that's my best friend."

Race ran out, mounted the first horse he saw, and was off. Jack watched him. He knew Kenny wouldn't talk to anyone but Race right now. Of course as siblings, they were close, but Jack was probably the last person she'd go to for Spot issues.

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"Kenny?" Race asks. No answer.

"Kenny, come on,"

"You were so happy," Race decides to talk and let her listen. "Everyday, a smile on ya face as you went out onto the fields. When we's got here, you were miserable. I knew your heart was completely broken. But you somewhat healed. Whetha' it was Austin, or just bein' away from New York, you wasn't cryin'. You can be mad at me, but you can't call me a monster for wantin' you to keep that smile."

Kenny looked up at him.

"Why is he here?"

"He doesn't really know," Race says. "But it might help to talk to him,"

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Kenny sat there under that tree that day, thinking about everything her and Spot had been through. Her heart did break that day when he didn't chose her. It didn't just crack, it shattered. She'd never experienced true love in that way, and it screwed her over. She was over Spot. She assured herself that she had found a spark in Austin now. But she wasn't over what happened.

So, Kenny ignored Spot for a week. He at first tried to talk to her, but then let her have space. Everyday, like usual, she went out in the fields with Austin. All Spot could do was watch. If he could just go back in time, he'd turn her away. In the very beginning. He wouldn't allow himself to see Kenny. He could stop all the pain and heartbreak it would cause them in the future. Fate loved to create problems for them, in all shapes and sizes. Skiddy shaped problems. Vanderbilt sized problems. But, fate wanted them to end up together. This time, Spot wasn't so sure fate would get its way.

"A week has gone by, Buck. I don't know what to do anymore," Spot said, laying on the palette of blankets up in the loft of the barn. Bucky and Spot had been sleeping there for almost two weeks. Down below, they heard the barn door open.

"It's not my fault you can't jump as well as I can," they heard Kenny say.

"In all fairness, Benson is the best jumper we have," Austin replied. Bucky held his finger to his lips at Spot, and descended the ladder to the first level of the barn. The loft was a bit hidden so you could hide behind hay and avoid being seen by people on the first level.

"Oh, Bucky," Kenny scratched her head. "I didn't know you was in here,"

"Little catnap. Howdy, Austin,"

"Where's your other little friend?" Austin asked, knowing Kenny was avoiding him.

"In the house," Bucky says, watching them put the horses' equipment away. "Mind if I talk to Kendall?"

"Not at all," Austin says, exiting the barn.

"How ya been?" Bucky asks.

Kenny shrugs while hanging the horses' bridles up at their posts. "I've been survivin',"

"That's good to hear,"

"How was New York without us?"

"Everyone was a little shocked an entire borough took leave, but we all managed,"

"Oh." She said, looking around.

"Look, I know you're mad at Spot, but--"

"Is that what this is? He didn't bring one of his messengas' so he made you do it?"

Spot cringed.

"No, this is all me. Your friend, Kenny. Remember what I's said that one time? I'm your friend, no matta' what?"

"If you's my friend, then I can tell ya that Spot broke my heart. He demolished my trust and my hope, so if you was wonderin' why I was a little mad about seein' him again, try putting yourself in my shoes."

Bucky swallowed. "Kenny--"

"I've moved on. He should too."

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Poor spot. He heard all of that.

Thanks for reading ily :))