Page 52 of The Story of You

“Unlikely, but even if we did, they’re in their stalls,” Asher said.

“They’ll still undergo emotional trauma,” I insisted. I had no idea if that was true.

“C’mon, Ashy. Ignore the runt.” Billy pushed me aside sending me tumbling to the concrete floor.

The heavy cloak of failure draped over me. I couldn’t stop this. I couldn’t save my brothers. No wonder Dad dropped me here. I wasn’t a Randall like they were. Randalls were commanding. They knew the right words to use to bend people to their will. They were powerful.

I was on the cold concrete with scraped hands and knees, staring at horse manure.

“Yeah, nah,” Asher said. “I’ve got another place we can go if we hurry.”

They left without bothering to see if I was okay. I hadn’t stopped them, but at least I didn’t have to hear it.

The door to Buckberry’s stall creaked open. Simon and Shane ambled down the walkway. Simon was pissed at me. I couldn’t read Shane. He was cool and collected—he always was—but that didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking several things or nothing at all. I’ve been taken over his knee many times, him sporting that look the whole time.

He could have been an all-star poker player.

When Simon saw I was hurt, he rushed over, concern replacing the rage. “Darry? What happened?”

“Nothing,” I said pushing up from the ground. “How’s Buck? All brushed?”

“Yes. Shane offered his assistance, which was nice, but he has his own chores.”

“I didn’t mind,” Shane said.

Holy shit. He’d talked. I wanted to hear him talk more. It was a novelty then. “What about the shirts? Did you ask him about those, Shane-y?”

“Darius,” Simon said.Oops. Guess Shane hadn’t mentioned the shirts. Simon cupped his hand at the nape of his neck. “Uh, I can explain those. You see—”

“Are you cold, little bird?”

Simon froze and when he thawed, he only had stutters. “I, I, I … well I, a bit. But … I’ll give them back. Igivethem back. I … sorry.”

Shane shook his head. “Keep warm. Darius, get back to work.”

Always bossing me around from day one.

We watched as Shane resumed his chores and then we raced over to Sadie Girl’s stall where she waited for me, stomping her foot, letting me know she was happy to see me and that I’d better get to it. I picked up the brush.

Simon hit me upside the head. “I can’t believe you told him that.”

“It worked out. Obviously, he feels the same about you.” Truthfully, it was hard to tell. Shane’s always been a hard read. I had to learn about him before I could do it with any accuracy. But after that interaction, a rock could tell you he was interested in Simon.

“He lifted me onto Buck so I could reach her mane. He stood close so I wouldn’t fall.”

Simon, I could read. All his emotions were displayed in neon as bright as my fanny pack. He was in love.

“Did you guys make out?”

“Shhhh. Darry. No. Jesus.”

“That’s it? You brushed the horse and didn’t do anything else?”

“I could barely speak. I didn’t want to make a fool out of myself.”

“Yeah. Good call. You talk too much.”

“Darius!”