Shine Not Burn(87)

“You’re thinking too much again,” said Mack, not even looking back.

“Shush, you have no idea what I’m thinking.”

“You’re trying to figure out if you should make me sign those damn papers or just go with the flow and see where it takes you.”

“I never go with the flow,” I said, feeling grouchy.

“You said you’d stay through the picnic so you have to stay. I already texted my mom and she’s counting on you to help.”

“Dammit, Mack, that’s playing dirty.” He was getting family members on his side, making it harder for me to leave, and he knew it.

I kicked my horse a little to get her to move up to Mack’s side. His horse flinched away a little, but stayed on the path.

“I do what I gotta do to shine, babe. That’s all I’m doing … shining not burning.”

“Screw that. You’re being sneaky and manipulating my heart and I don’t like it.”

He looked at me with all traces of humor gone. “All’s fair in love and war, and I plan on winning, no matter what.”

My nostrils flared. Time to drop the big bomb. “Bradley’s on his way out here.”

Mack did a double take. “Say that again?”

“You heard me. He’s coming out. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen.”

Mack actually grinned. “Sounds like my kind of guy.”

I shook my head. “You just don’t get it. He’s not your kind of guy and he’s going to come here and cause a big fuss. I need to be gone when he comes or it’s going to be not only ugly but embarrassing.”

“Not for me, it’s not. And it shouldn’t be for you either.” He reached over to touch me but I flinched away.

“Hands off. I’m not kidding. You’re not going to charm yourself out of this one. He’s coming, and when he realizes I’ve been sleeping with you, he’s going to make a big stink and everyone will know that we’re both cheater *s.”

Mack laughed. “Cheaters? How can we possibly be cheating when we’re married?”

I growled. “Rrrrrr, you know what I mean! Don’t try to make me feel better about what I’ve done.”

Mack leaned really far over and snatched my hand, refusing to let it go. “You’ve done nothing wrong, you hear me? Love is what it is and love does what it does to survive. It’s an instinct. Technically you were cheating on me with him, but I don’t look at it that way. I know you didn’t remember, I believe you. And now you know you’re married to me and you’re sleeping with me as my wife. Nothing wrong happened. Nothing.”

I was too angry to guard my words. “It’s not love, okay? Stop calling it that.”

He dropped my hand and stared straight ahead. “Is that so.” It came out like a statement. I’d hurt him. But I couldn’t stop myself from burying the knife in deeper.

“Yeah, that’s so. It’s just lust. You’ll get tired of it soon enough, and then I’ll have to go back with my tail between my legs and beg for forgiveness from everyone.”

Mack shook his head. “Girl, you really need to get your head out of your keister if you’re ever going to find happiness in life.” He kicked his horse and surged ahead, leaving me to follow in his dust.

I think my horse was as shocked as I was. She just plodded along, as if Mack and his mount weren’t getting tinier and tinier in the distance. The house was close - I could make out its roof less than a mile away - but still … I was fuming about being left behind by the time we entered the front yard. Boog was waiting for me, a bland look on his face.

“What are you looking at?” I asked, pissed at him for being such a gossip.

“City slicker. What are you looking at?”

“A stupid wookie man-bear-pig who doesn’t know how to mind his own business.” I slid off the horse and caught myself before falling onto my butt. My legs were going to be really sore tomorrow from all the riding, along with my ass.

He laughed. “I know about wookies, but man-bear-pigs? What’s that?”

I was too frustrated to spar with him. “Go look in the mirror. I’m busy.” I clomped up the steps and left him to take care of the horse. He’d taken the reins so I assumed that’s what he was there for.

“You have to brush your horse out!” he shouted behind me.

“I’ll do it later!” I yelled back, banging the door behind me. I strode into the kitchen to get a glass of water. Maeve was there at the sink and it slowed me down considerably.

“Oh. Hi. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

Maeve looked at me over her shoulder and smiled before going back to her task. “Where else would I be?”

I went over and leaned on the nearby counter. “I don’t know, actually. What do you do here?”

“Lots of things.” She was snapping beans in the sink. “Clean. Cook. Take care of the chicken and gardens.”

“Sounds … fun.” I was totally lying.

“Actually, it’s a very simple life but I find it relaxing and enjoyable. I can finish my work in half the day and that leaves the rest of it for personal pursuits.”

“Oh yeah? Like what kind of personal pursuits?”