Sam didn't so much as look my direction for the rest of the day. I had no problem with that. The end of the first workday left me with a sore back, tired feet and a swollen tongue. The last part was my fault, but it had been worth it.
A cold drizzle started just as I sat on the bus stop bench. The diner lights were dim. It was closed for the night. I thought about earlier when Rachel brought me the sandwich. I wondered if she went home to some lucky man who probably didn't deserve her. Or maybe he was awesome and rich and he pampered her. I hoped that was true, but the fact that she worked at a diner and mentioned recognizing my look of hunger told me that probably wasn't the case. I sipped water from the bottle I'd bought at the vending machine. It was cold and felt good on my tongue.
My phone rang. I pulled it out of my sweatshirt. "Hey, Colin."
"Uh-oh, you sound down." Colin and I were fraternal twins, but we had that weird connection that let us know when something was up with the other.
"Nah, just tired. Had my first day on the construction site. Now I'm sitting in a shitty, cold rain waiting for the bus. What's up?"
"Damn, talk about down on your luck. Well, I've got good news. Zander called and said that Dad kicked you out."
"Yep. That night was a story in itself. You know Dad. Always the supportive parent."
Colin chuckled. "Yeah, if only there was a need for a second Santa. Dad would fit the bill perfectly. Well, I just signed a leaseon an apartment, and it's not far from where you're working. I'm going to be working remotely for the company. It's a sweet gig. I'm mostly the face and spokesperson for their new line of snowboarding gear. I get tons of free shit, bonuses, free travel. It's gonna be awesome."
"Well, as usual the lucky star is hanging over your head, and the death star is over mine. Congratulations on the new gig and the apartment."
Colin scoffed through the phone. "Holy shit, get out the tiny violin. I'm calling you, dickface, to let you know there's a spare room if you want to rent it. I know you're broke right now, so I'll give you the first month rent free. How's that for awesome brotherliness?"
The shambling bus hissed and burped diesel as it came around the corner. "Shit, bro, you sure? That's fucking awesome. Yeah, I'll take the room."
"Woo-hoo, the Wilde twins back as a team. Should be cool. And I'll even sweeten the deal. I'm hardly going to need my car cuz I'm working from home, and when I'm not, I'll be out of town so?—"
"If you tell me I can use your car, then I might just cry." I said it as I stepped onto the bus. The other passengers, also wet and tired from work, all looked up at me. "I'm also going to kiss you right on the lips next time I see you." There were a few snickers from my audience.
"You try that and I'll send you back to the old man's place."
I sat in an empty row and groaned as my sore back hit the hard seat, and my bruised ribs adjusted to the new position.
"What the hell, Ro, you sound like you're in pain."
"Nah, I'm good. So, when do we move in? I think Zander's getting sick of me on his couch."
"Yeah, he mentioned that. I get the keys on Friday, so you'll have to stay with him a little while longer. I've got to go. We'll talk later."
"Hey, Colin, thanks."
"Yeah. Hey, I'm looking forward to it. It's gonna be the Wilde bachelor pad of the century."
"Sounds good." I hung up and put my phone in my pocket. A kid who appeared to be a few years younger than Rio was looking around the edge of his seat. His mom was busy scrolling through her phone.
"Were you talking to a hot girl?" the kid asked.
I smiled. "My brother."
He grimaced. "Yuck. You kiss him on the lips?" He turned forward again.
I rested my head back and closed my eyes. It had been a long day, but aside from the pain in my ribs and tongue, I was enjoying that feeling of exhaustion that came with working hard. Maybe I'd finally found a way forward. It was about fucking time.
It was a two-mile walk to the ranch from the bus stop. My work boots weren't exactly cozy and comfy for a long walk, but at least the rain had stopped. I could see lights on in the barn as I walked up the gravel drive. Lights were on in Dad's house, too. I didn't feel any need to stop and check on him.
Indiana's car was parked near the barn, and I could hear Rio's voice inside. My brother, Jameson, had found out just five years earlier that he was a dad from a short summer romance. Rio's mom decided she was bored of motherhood and handed her daughter off to a father she'd never met. We were all shocked at how easily Jameson stepped into the role of Dad. It wasn't as if he ever had a good role model, yet he was pretty fucking awesome at it. All of us adored Rio, and we pitied the boy who ever set his sights on her because one protective dad was badenough, but add in four overprotective uncles and the kid didn't have a chance in hell.
Zander had started teaching Rio how to ride a horse a few years back, and there had been plenty of arguments and tears,even from Rio, but they stuck it out. Rio was a damn good rider now.
The warm stink of sweaty horses and hay pelted me as I walked into the barn. Rio was just leading Irish into her stall, and Zander was apparently clunking around in the tack room. Indi was sitting on one of the tack trunks wrapped in a green coat and matching beanie. She was the first to see me. In high school, people called Indiana theschool jeweland you only had to see her and talk to her one time to know why. My brother Jameson had loved her forever, but sometimes love came out in funny ways. In high school, Indi and Jameson were constantly angry at each other. It didn't help that Jameson had to sit by as Indi dated his best friend Zach. He watched, brokenhearted, from the sidelines. A string of bad luck brought Indiana back to Rockhurst, and the two finally realized they were meant to be together. Indi had stepped into the role of Rio's parent as easily as Jameson.
"Hey, Ronan, I was hoping we'd see you." Indi put her phone away and walked over to give me a hug. "You look tired." She tilted her head slightly. "Is your lip swollen?" My tongue hurt so badly, I hadn't realized my lip was fat until I saw my reflection in the scratched-up bus window.