Broken Beautiful Hearts(31)

“Tucker is lucky he’s got you to look out for him,” Christian says. “You treat him like a kid brother.”

“I’m trying to teach him how to look out for himself.”

Christian nods and takes a quick look over his shoulder. “Does Titan know you’re here?”

“No. And it’s probably better if we keep it that way.”

“Why? You two don’t get along?” I ask.

“Something like that,” Owen says.

Christian looks at Owen, then at me, and frowns as if it suddenly occurs to him that we were alone back here. “How did you end up back here with my cousin?”

“We just bumped into each other,” Owen says. “I was protecting her from the bears.”

Christian gives him a strange look. “What bears?”

Owen flashes me a sheepish smile. “Forget it. Too many beers.”

He heads toward the front of the barn, and I feel a hint of disappointment. He’s probably worried about getting his ass kicked by the Twins.

“You don’t even drink,” Christian calls after him.

Owen stops and looks back at me. “It was my mom.”

“What?” I ask.

“On the phone earlier. That’s who I was talking to,” he says before he turns the corner.

A smile tugs at my mouth.

“What was that about?” Christian holds out his hand to help me up.

I swat it away. “Nothing.”

“It didn’t sound like nothing.”

Using the bales for balance, I ease a little weight onto my right leg. The pain has ratcheted up over the last few hours, and I wince. Christian reaches for my elbow, but I slip out of reach. “I’ve got it.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re hardheaded?”

“I prefer determined. If I want to get my knee back in shape, I have to use it.” I follow Christian around the side of the barn. Suddenly, I’m exhausted. I should’ve let him help me up.

Across the field, the bonfire spits orange flames into the darkness. A figure jogs toward us.

Is it Owen? Did he leave something behind?

“Did you find her?” Cam yells.

Christian gestures in my direction. “She’s with me, isn’t she?”

“I wasn’t lost.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Christian says. “Everyone wants to hang out behind an empty barn with the cow shit and the snakes.”

“Snakes?” I freeze.

“Not poisonous ones.” Christian scratches his head. “At least I don’t think any of them are poisonous. But I’m not really a snake guy.”

“Oh my god. Stop talking about them.” I stay glued to his side until we get closer to the light of the bonfire.

We catch up to Cam and he shakes his head at me. “Damn. You scared the crap out of us, Peyton. You can’t just wander off without saying anything.”

What’s left of my patience runs out. “Actually, I can. Stop treating me like I’m ten years old. We’re all the same age.”

“Technically, you’re older,” Christian says. “You turn eighteen three months before we do.”

Cam makes a slashing motion across his throat. “Not helping.”

“Are you two telling people that I don’t date?” My hands move to my hips.

“Where did you hear that?” Cam asks innocently.

“Owen was here,” Christian says. “He was hanging out with Peyton.”

Cam looks confused. “Owen who?”

“Owen Law, you dope. Who did you think I was talking about?”

“He was here?”

Christian nods. “Yep.”

“It’s a party. Why are you guys acting so weird about it?” I ask.

“Owen doesn’t go to parties,” Cam explains. “I mean, he used to before…”

“Before what?” I ask.

Christian takes over. “Before his parents split up.”

My cousins are acting weird. Maybe it’s because they’re friends with Titan, and he and Owen don’t get along.

“So let’s get back to the part about you guys telling people that I don’t date.”

Cameron looks around as if he thinks I’m talking to someone else. “I didn’t say that. Christian did.”

“Sellout.” Christian punches his brother in the shoulder, and within seconds, they’re circling each other and bouncing on the balls of their feet like boxers.

This is what I’m dealing with for the next four months?

I step between them. “I don’t care who said it. Just don’t say it to anyone else.”

“In my brother’s defense, that is what you told us,” Cam points out.

“No. I said I wasn’t interested in dating. There’s a difference.”

“We’re trying to look out for you,” Christian says.

The Twins have perfected their sad puppy faces, which makes it impossible to stay mad at them. “I appreciate it. But I know how to take care of myself.”

Cam takes the car keys out of his pocket. “Ready to get out of here?”

“Yeah. I’ve had enough of April for one night,” Christian says.