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The previous summer, I didn’t get to witness much of horse camp at Harmony Acres. I’d been so busy with school and interning that my time at the ranch was pretty used up.
Marlo and Sam ran a few different camps each summer in the mornings for two hours. The second week in July was always Camp Helping Hooves for children with special needs. It was Marlo’s favorite camp, and this year, I was privileged to help her with it. Ben was also an extra hand, and between him and Sam, the week was truly memorable. It was hard spending the time with Austin’s family, even though I told myself it shouldn’t be. Maybe that’s why I felt more comfortable around Ben than I did Sami, and besides Jack, he became the closest person to me on the ranch.
He was the brother I never had.
“So, I was thinking...” Ben said as we walked to the guesthouse one Saturday afternoon.
“Uh-oh, scary thought.”
“I know, so you’d better listen carefully.”
“For hidden meanings or some type of riddle?”
“Maybe,” he smiled, holding the door for me.
I entered the house and headed for the kitchen, going straight for the leftover fried chicken in the fridge. I pulled it out and set it on the counter, and Ben and I helped ourselves.
“Well, next month my dad and I are heading down to San Diego for a few days. I was wondering if you wanted to come with us.”
I studied him for a few seconds, surprised at the offer. “What’s in San Diego?”
“We’re picking up a pair of horses for Marlo—rescued horses—and bringing them back here to be rehabilitated. It’d be a good idea to have a vet with us. There shouldn’t be any problems, but just in case.”
I slowly nodded. “Sure, that sounds like something I’d be interested in. What days?”
“Marlo told them the tenth.”
“But you said a few days?”
“Well, just thought while I was down there I’d enjoy a few of the sights. Padres game, naval museum...the zoo,” he smiled.
I chuckled. “You want to go to the zoo?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Actually, I’d like to go to the zoo.”
“Would ya?”
“Yeah, I’ve only been once. I think my mom took me when I was about nine or ten. Oh, ten, because that’s when my dad left for Chicago, and it was kind of...a celebratory event, I guess. My mom sold something—I don’t remember what it was—so we would have the money to go to the zoo.”
Ben leaned against the counter and folded his arms across his chest while he listened.
“My mom...” I smiled at the memory. “I just remember her being really happy—playful, and just carefree. Looking back, I realize why. What it meant from a grownup’s perspective, you know? She was finally free of my dad’s abuse. But at the time, it was just the coolest thing to have such a silly mom. That’s what I remember, her being goofy. We had a great time.”
Thinking about my mom and that particular memory affected more than I was expecting.
“Anyway,” I said, turning to brush away a stray tear. “Yeah, I’d like to go with you guys.”
I busied myself with eating, and when I heard the crinkling of a bag, I spotted Ben with a bag of Funyons.
“Hey, where’d you get those?” I exclaimed.
He grinned facetiously. “My secret stash.”
“You have a secret stash in this kitchen?”
“Maybe.”
He taunted me for a few seconds, but eventually held the bag out to me.
“You like baseball?” he asked.
“Yeah, I like to watch it. My boyfriend in high school was a baseball player,” I added with a smile.
“Oh, yeah? What was his name?”
“Griffin McCoy,” I said.
“Griffin McCoy,” he repeated. “Sounds like a pitcher.”
I chuckled. “He was. Nice call.”
“And whatever happened to ol’ Griff?” he teased.
“You mean why did we break up?”
He nodded.
“Well, nothing notable. Just one of those things, I guess.”
“One of those things? Oh, come on, you gotta remember something. Like...he was a prick, or he was too immature, or he was a terrible kisser or—”
“No, he definitely wasn’t a terrible kisser.”
“No? You remember that much, huh? A lot of kissing going on behind the dugout?”
I laughed. “Maybe. But we broke up because he was going away for college. He got a scholarship.”
“Oh? To where?”
“Washington State, or University of Washington...one of those schools.”
Ben slightly nodded.
“He did make it pro,” I added.
“Really?”
“Yeah. He got drafted by the Reds, and I think he’s still playing in their minor league.”
“Hmm. Cool. You ever regret the breakup?”
“Why, because he’s a professional baseball player?”
“No, just...a boyfriend you might miss.”
“Nah. I’ve actually talked to him a few times these last couple of years, but we’re just friends.”
He took another Funyon out of the bag and ate it, so I did the same.
“You have a favorite team?” he asked.
“You mean in the majors?”
He nodded.
“Not really. I don’t exactly have time to follow sports right now. Well, I take that back,” I scoffed. “I follow NASCAR.”
“Whether you like to or not.”
“I can’t help it,” I replied, and he nodded. I didn’t have to explain it to Ben because he’d heard every opinion of mine on the subject.
He handed me the bag of chips and opened the refrigerator. “Have you heard from him?”
“You mean since Las Vegas? No.”
He grabbed a pitcher of iced tea and set it on the counter to pour two glasses.
“I haven’t called him either,” I offered voluntarily.
“I know you haven’t. So, you have any other guys you’ve dated before Austin?”
“Well...there was one guy I liked just before I met Austin, but...”
“But what?”
“Well, Austin came into the picture and that was all it took.”
“He stole you from another guy?” he laughed.
I took a few minutes to explain Levi, and how I was so set on not dating anyone. But I did decide to casually date him, and then Austin had to mess everything up.
“Maybe you should give Levi a call,” Ben suggested.
“What? Are you joking?”
“Why? Does he hate you for choosing another guy?”
“No, we weren’t that exclusive to begin with. But I have no interest in another relationship.”
“You’re still going to wait for Austin?”
I shrugged.
“For how long?”
I sighed, but Ben shook his head.
“Never mind,” he said. “I’m just suggesting you start dating again.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to.”
He set the pitcher of iced tea in the fridge. “I’m just trying to help. Maybe if you started seeing someone else, Austin would open his eyes.”
“Well, guys are not the answer. You—all of you—make my life miserable.”
He chuckled. “Sorry.”
“Yeah, you’d better be.”
Two weeks later, I was in Santa Clarita, spending time with my aunt and uncle. Later that night, I met up with Amelia, and while we were sitting in Percy’s listening to some music, she frowned and said, “I need a man.”
I took a sip of my drink. “No. You don’t. They’re just a hassle.”
“Nah.” She shook her head, seeming deep in thought. “I need the hassle.”
Ben popped into my head immediately, and I sat there, silently debating it in my head. “I think I have someone you should meet,” I finally said.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’ve mentioned Ben, right? He grew up with Austin in Bakersfield?”
“Oh, yeah. The barn guy’s kid.”
“Yeah, he’s Heath’s son.”
“Well, I don’t mean to sound shallow, but is he at least good-looking?”
“Yeah, he’s definitely good-looking.”
“You’ve never mentioned that he’s a tasty treat, Nova! Tell me more.”
I told her what I could about Ben, and even though she didn’t get overexcited about it, she at least didn’t shut down the idea. By the time we left the club, she wanted to meet him, so when I went back to Bakersfield the next day, I presented the idea to Ben.
He didn’t respond at first and only smirked, but as he put away the saddle he’d been cleaning, he said, “We’ll double. I’ll go out with Amelia if you ask Levi out.”
I scoffed. “What? What kind of stupid bargain is that?”
“It’s a fair one.”
“Why? I don’t want to go on a date with anyone right now. I’m content with being single and miserable until Austin comes to his senses, remember?”
“Then I don’t want to go out with her. And I get that you’re trying to make yourself sound pathetic, but don’t. It hurts my heart.”
I groaned at his irritating tactics. “Does this have to do with me or you? Because if you’re really trying to get me to date again, I’m honestly not interested. I’m in love with Austin, and nothing is going to change that. If you’re insecure all on your own and need my help, then just say so.”
He sighed as he set the oil on a shelf. “All right, I don’t want to go out with her by myself. I’m not sure I’m up for that.”
“And I understand that. But does it really have to be Levi? I mean, I sort of pushed him aside and...”
“No, it doesn’t have to be Levi. I could always set you up with Charlie.”
I laughed, but I felt like it would be better than me crawling back to Levi. However, Ben had already warned me that Charlie had a crush on me, and I didn’t want to give him the wrong idea.
“Fine, I’ll see what I can do.”