Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“Hey, Anya,” Griffin says, his voice sounding more confident than I feel.
“Griff? What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral, though I’m sure the surprise is evident on my face.
Callum snaps his eyes to mine. “Mom and Dad went out. They asked Griff and I to babysit you.”
I park a hand on my hip as I slowly slide my eyes to meet Griffin’s. “Is that true?”
How embarrassing.
“She didn’t ask us to babysit. She’s just worried about you.” Griffin’s kind eyes slay me, and it makes me relive the moment he denied me play out again in my mind.
“She thinks you’re depressed,” Callum says, with his usual sneer. “Are you blue?”
“Shut up.” I’m going to let my mother have it when she gets home. How could she call them? “Well, I’m not sad, so you two can go home.” I try to shoo them out of the dining room, but Callum stands still.
“I’m fucking starving. I’m not going anywhere.” Callum sits at the head of the table, and Griffin and I take a seat on either side of him, across from one another.
I can’t even look at him.
“Hey,” Griffin says, holding the salad bowl in his hands. “Do you want salad?”
I snatch the bowl from him. “Thank you,” I say reluctantly.
“When are we doing this horse thing?” Callum asks after swallowing his bite of lasagne.
“We don’t have to go.” I finish plating my salad, and grab a roll from the basket. “It was a stupid idea.”
Griffin takes the bowl from my outstretched hand, and his finger grazes across my pinky. And it’s like lightning strikes. “No, I think it’s a great idea. We’re excited about going,” he looks at Callum. “Right, Cal?”
Callum shrugs. “I guess. Sure, why the fuck not.”
I can’t understand why Griffin’s trying to make me feel better. Ugh, it’s because he denied me and now he doesn’t want to hurt my feelings. Just like a big brother would do.
My appetite disintegrates, and I scrape my chair across the hardwood as I stand. “I’m going for a walk.” I leave the house in a flash, not even sure where I’m going, but I need to get there fast.
My feet move to their own volition, bringing me further and further away from the house.
“Anya, wait,” I hear Griffin’s voice call out behind me.
I spin around, crossing my arms over my chest. “You don’t need to look out after me. I’m not your little sister.”
His face twists as he blinks at me. “I definitely don’t think of you like a little sister.”
“You hurt my feelings,” I admit, and then inwardly cringe at how pathetic I sound.
“I’m sorry,” he says, and I feel the pain subside.
There’s just something about him. Griffin has a way of setting my soul free. Like his words make me feel all warm and bubbly inside. It’s weird.
I need to head back into the house before Callum comes out to investigate.
“So,” I say a bit awkwardly. “Horseback riding. Are you up for it?”
Griffin smiles and it nearly takes my breath away. “I can’t wait.”
What was I thinking when I agreed to take Callum and Griffin horseback riding? The sun sits high in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. The weather is absolutely perfect—better than any day I've ever experienced. The temperature is just right, not too hot and definitely not cold. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves, adding to the idyllic atmosphere.
However, there's one significant problem. Callum is nowhere to be found.
“I just tried his cell phone, and nothing,” Griffin says, sliding his phone into the back pocket of his jeans. He looks good today, I notice. His dark jeans fit him perfectly, and his white t-shirt with the phrase ‘Chop It Like It’s Hot’ printed across the chest adds a touch of humor to his casual look. His hair is slightly tousled, and there's a relaxed confidence about him that makes him seem effortlessly stylish.
I can’t help but feel a mix of irritation and worry. Where could Callum be? He was so excited about this outing, and now he’s MIA. The stable owner is giving us curious looks, probably wondering if we’re going to cancel. The horses are ready, their coats gleaming in the sunlight, and I can feel the anticipation in the air.
Griffin's brow furrows slightly, and I can tell he’s concerned too. “Maybe he’s just running late,” he suggests, trying to sound optimistic. But there’s a hint of doubt in his voice.
We stand there in the paddock, the smell of hay and leather mixing with the fresh scent of the outdoors. The other riders are mounting up, and I feel a pang of envy. This was supposed to be a fun, carefree day. I glance around, hoping to catch sight of Callum sprinting towards us, but there’s nothing. Just the serene landscape and the occasional chirp of a bird.