Kaitlyn gawks at me and shakes her head. "That's because guys are stupid. Y'all out there acting like ya have nine lives with thousand-pound animals."
"Your brothers certainly do."
"Speaking of them, just wait until they hear about us livin' together." She readjusts on the couch, tucking her legs under her, looking just as at home as she always has. Being in her presence has always put me in a better mood, but now that she's permanently staying, I’m happier than ever.
"I'm already anticipating it," I tell her honestly. "Their shit-talking will be even worse when I knock you up."
Kaitlyn and I spent Saturday night on the couch talking and hanging out. Then she woke up early on Sunday to feed the horses, but I had the day off. While we typically grab breakfast from the B&B on the weekends, we avoided people and stayed home. She read me her list of favorite baby names from her journal and some theme ideas she had for the nursery. Though I've never thought much about any of this stuff before, I love talking about it and planning with her.
That night, she told me she got her period and was now tracking a full cycle. She warned me she’ll be ovulating in about ten to fourteen days.
Just that thought had me sweating through my T-shirt.
By the time Monday morning rolls around, I have a knot in my stomach. Everyone must know she’s moved in by now, and it's only a matter of time before I start getting shit for it. For years, they’ve ridden my ass about my secret crush that I pretend doesn't exist, but this isn’t the same. In a matter of months, we could be announcing a pregnancy.
"Hey, you okay?" I answer the phone when I see Kaitlyn's name on the screen.
"Yeah, fine. Headin’ to the B&B for a late breakfast. Wanna meet me there? Figured we could get the gossip out of the way."
I chuckle. "Sure, I can be there in fifteen."
"Perfect. See ya soon."
Since I skipped breakfast and have been dealing with grumpy-ass horses all morning, I'm extra hungry and ready for a break. I hop in my truck and drive down to the pasture where Kane and Knox are working.
"Headin' to the B&B. Be back in a half hour."
"Sweet, I'll come with ya," Kane says.
"Me too." Knox follows, and they jump in my truck, uninvited.
"So when were you gonna tell us you shacked up with our sister?" Knox blurts out a minute later.
"Yeah, when are y’all gettin’ married?" Kane smacks me on the shoulder. "We've helped out with our fair share of weddings 'round here, so we can help plan it if ya want."
I snort at the idea of the twins helpin' me organize anything.
Shaking my head, I turn onto the gravel road that leads to the B&B. "We're just friends and roommates."
"You're feedin’ lies to two guys who were once just friends with a girl, so stop your bullshittin'."
"Believe whatever ya want, but I'm tellin' the truth. I fell for someone I worked with years ago and swore off datin' coworkers after she broke my heart. It made everything awkward as fuck, and I don't need that in my life again."
"Oh, so instead, you have her move in so y’all can play house. Makes perfect sense," Knox muses.
Locking my jaw, I resist the urge to tell him to shut the hell up because he has no clue what’s really going on.
Considering my underlying feelings for Kaitlyn, I know what I'm doing is stupid, but I couldn’t let her get away.
We can be friends who share a child while also keeping it platonic.
At least that's what I'm telling myself.
As soon as we walk into the B&B, I see Kaitlyn chatting with Maize, Hadleigh, and Harper. Knox grabs his wife and pulls her in for an inappropriate kiss with tongue and all. I wish I could do the same with Kaitlyn.
"Hey, Payton," Maize greets with a warm smile. She's the only one who knows our master plan, but I act indifferently and simply nod before greeting her.
I grab a plate and fill it full, then wait for Kaitlyn so we can sit together. Her brothers sit across from us while Maize chats with the other girls next to her.