Mine Would Be You (109)

He’s attractive, in a rich boy kinda way.

I take one last sweeping glance, trying to get a read on him, before my eyes flick between my dad and Shane. “So, what exactly is the plan?”

Dad clears his throat, leaning slowly back into his chair, “Mr. Landon is here to help me get everything in order, money wise, to sell or put away or divvied out where it needs to be. He’ll also be working on a rebrand, re-designing the brochures, the sign, all of that. In the meantime, you and Shane are responsible for the grounds and the barn and intaking any new customers. All of us will work together in researching possible buyers and seeing where we can improve in order to sell.”

I tug at the ends of my curls until I can feel it in my scalp, trying to distract myself before stealing a glance at Shane. “Just like old times huh Shaney?”

My mind runs back to being younger, waking up for chores and unwillingly, helping run the ranch. The only good part was the horses. I’m sure that’s all the same.

Shane huffs, running his own hand over his own shortly trimmed curls. His are lighter than mine, a warmer brown against the black of my own. But his face his shaper than mine, especially as we’ve gotten older. Higher cheekbones and a sharper jaw, instead of my softer, slightly rounder features. Nonetheless, the likeness is clear. And especially when you stand us next to dad. There’s no hiding the family resemblance.

The only clear difference is the skin tone of myself and Shane, lighter, courtesy of our white mom.

“I don’t think this is anything like old times, Sheyanne.” There’s a sarcastic bite to his words that I ignore.

“Well, I’d hope not, it’s not like it was any better back then.” I roll my eyes, looking back to my dad, who’s eyes are focused on me. “So, while me and Shaney take over the ranch, Leon gets to sit inside and what? Run numbers?”

Liam looks straight at me not saying a word, but I refuse to break eye contact. I raise a brow and blink innocently a few times, waiting for him to say anything. “I’m here to help your dad get things in order wherever he needs so this can be a smooth process.”

I snort lightly, “If you think anything about this is going to be smooth, you need a fucking reality check.

Dad cuts his gaze to me. “Sheyanne. Language.”

My skin burns with annoyance.

“And you will be expected to help him if he needs anything as well. If I am ever unable to answer or help him, you both will be expected to step in. We will all be working together.” Dad adds, looking pointedly at me.

I ignore him, my eyes locked with Liam’s. “How much is he paying you?”

“Sheyanne Meli Shaw.”

My eyes flicker to my dad, the tone of voice stopping me for a brief second, “What? It’s gotta be hefty since he’s coming to live here.”

“It’s none of your business—”

“I’m sitting right here, you know—”

I continue, ignoring the lecture about etiquette, “And by the way, where exactly is he sleeping? Is he gonna cook for himself? I’m just not understanding.”

Shane and dad stare at me, unblinking and utterly unamused. “The guest room as been cleared out,” Shane fills the silence.

I nod, pursing my lips, throwing a smile to Liam, “Ah, good place, right next to me. And that’s where all the deep dark family secrets are, mostly about me since Shane is the golden boy.” My eyes flicker to dad, “Guess we’ll have to pull them out for old times’ sake. A trip down memory lane one last time.”

Shane shakes his head, letting it fall forward into his hands, “Jesus Christ.”

I stand up, done with this conversation, done with the fact that I have to fall back into the same old shit my life used to be, and pat Shane on the back. “Don’t worry, I’m sure this will be a blast.”

And with that, I turn on my heel, grabbing my keys to go retrieve my bags, Nyx follows me his paws creating soft patters behind me, until the cool air hits me. I pause on the porch, looking over the grounds of the ranch. The sky is darker now, barely any sun left at all as I look over what’s gonna be my life for the next few months, like a little dark cloud that’s hanging over my head.

My shoes crunch on the ground after I bound off of the steps, swinging open my car doors and dragging out the two large suitcases that have been in my car for almost a month, since I didn’t resign my lease back in San Diego and I’ve had to bum it since. I never found a home there either, so I guess I’m just taking loss after loss.

Life there was as shitty as life here.

I don’t know, it’s probably just me and my shitty attitude, but that’s what keeps the world spinning.

A deep sigh escapes me, and I sit atop one of the suitcases for a moment, my eyes taking in the house and the farm. A low whiny from one of the horses echoes in the background as Nyx comes right up to me, shoving his golden head into my hands. The soft fur surrounds my fingers and I scratch his ears, taking deep breaths in the process.

“This is gonna be interesting isn’t buddy?” I say softly, kissing the top of his head lightly and he licks my cheek in response. I shake my head and wipe it away with a sad smile. “One day at a time, right?” His tail wags a bit quicker now and I lean my head against the car, staring at the midnight sky above.

Nyx is the only bright light in this situation for me right now.