I shook my head and chuckled. Then I quickly made my way out of the barn and turned in the same direction Brock had. He was sitting on the fence of a pasture about twenty feet away from the barn.
As I walked over to him, he took a drink of beer. “I’m not in the mood, so you might as well just go back in the barn.”
I stopped walking. Does he know it’s me? Or does he think it’s Dirk?
“Want to tell me what that was all about?” I asked, deciding to push forward. I stopped at the corral fence and leaned against it, turning my head to look at him.
“I thought you were Dirk.”
“Nope. I’m sorry if me almost dancing with him upset you, but you’re really going to have to explain to me what’s going on here, Brock. You’ve got me all kinds of confused. You kiss me one day, then spend an incredible day with me, and then treat me like a distant friend, only to dance with some girl and then get mad when I go to dance with someone.”
“You were the one who told me to dance. So I did.”
“Because you made it seem like you didn’t want to be around me.”
“What?” he said, clearly frustrated.
“You introduced me as a family friend.”
“What did you want me to introduce you as, Lincoln?”
I went to open my mouth and snapped it shut.
What did I want him to introduce me as?
“Why did you get upset when Dirk asked me to dance? If we’re just friends, why do you care?”
He looked away and took another drink of his beer.
I let out a soft sigh and shook my head. “Okay then. I guess we’re back to the other Brock, the one who’s distant and a jackass. I think I’ll go back into the barn. I can call Kaylee to pick me up if you want.”
When he didn’t say anything, I felt tears sting the backs of my eyelids. I’d never before let a guy make me feel this way, but for some reason, Brock Shaw could bring me to my knees without uttering a single word.
Pushing off the fence, I headed back into the barn. My heart raced, and I was trying like hell to keep my face neutral. Dirk was the first person I saw. His smile faded when he saw me. Before he’d had a chance to come my way, I pushed myself into the middle of the crowd and into a back corner. I pulled out my phone and sent Kaylee a text.
Me: I don’t suppose you could come pick me up? I have no clue where I am, but I can drop you my location.
It didn’t take her long to text back.
Kaylee: Oh no. What did he do?
I swallowed hard as I typed back my response.
Me: Nothing. Really. He’s a moody son of a bitch, and I’m not in the mood to play games. Please come pick me up.
Pulling up my map, I got my location and texted it to her.
Kaylee: Pulling on a pair of sweats now. I’ll be there in a few.
Me: Thanks, Kaylee.
Kaylee: That’s what best friends are for. You’re just lucky I haven’t gone back to Georgia yet to pack up my shit.
I smiled. I was lucky. Otherwise, I would have had to ask Brock to drive me home, and that would have been a long, silent drive.
Shaking my head, I tried to figure out what in the world was going on with him.
And why did he instantly turn into an asshole? Where’s the sweet guy I’ve spent the entire day and evening with?
I spent the next few minutes in the dark corner, hiding from everyone.
I saw Brock walk back into the barn. He searched around and then walked over to Dirk. When Brock dropped his head and looked at the ground, Dirk placed his hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
Well, isn’t that nice?
They’d managed to ruin my evening, but they’d kissed and made up. They were both jerks, and they deserved to spend the night with each other.
My phone dinged with a message from Kaylee. She was five minutes away.
Pulling up her number, I called her and started for the door, making sure I kept along the side of the barn, ducking in and out of people.
“Hey, I’m getting ready to turn down the driveway.”
“I’ll head down so you don’t have to pull all the way in.”
“Lincoln Pratt, are you sneaking away?”
Rolling my eyes, I groaned. “Something like that.”
I peeked over to see Brock was busy talking to Brad and Kimberley. Dashing out the door, I hightailed it past all the parked cars and to the gravel driveway.
“Almost there. Almost. There,” Kaylee said.
“Lincoln!”
The sound of Brock’s voice had me picking up my pace. I could just jump into the car, have Kaylee do a three-point turn, and hustle out of here.