Abandoned Girl (Neighpalm Industries Collective, #1)

by Winston, Lexie

  "Which brother would that be, and why was he here?"

  "Pick one,” I mutter, but I continue, louder. "The asshole who reamed me out because his blasted cat keeps snuggling up to me at night." The annoyance filling my words is a bluff. I love having the cat snuggle with me every night, but he doesn't need to know that.

  The curiosity turns to amusement, and a little smirk twists his lips before he answers. "So you managed to ruffle the ever in control Declan. Good for you! I just came to let you know you’re with me next, but Nana tells me you have plans today?" He raises an eyebrow in question, and I raise my own in reply. I'm not sharing with him. Although he hasn't been particularly hostile, I'll stay wary until proven otherwise.

  "Well, be ready to come in with me to the shop tomorrow morning. I've got a tattoo artist to interview and a couple of appointments; you can keep me company for the day. That will keep everyone else happy that you’re out of their hair." Rolling my eyes, I nod my agreement, and he turns and walks away.

  "Oh, and Harlow, I like your penguin tattoo." Smiling ruefully, I think of where that tattoo is. I’d lost a damn bet with Maxine, and she wanted me to put it directly over my pubic mound, but I had won out and put it off to the side. He obviously looked closely enough to see it because it's not big. Perv. Tingles run through me at the thought of his eyes studying me so closely, and I huff out a deep breath. How can I be attracted to so many of them? Maybe Jilly does have the right idea.

  Grabbing my phone off the charger, I see that I have a thumbs up and a kissy face message from Max in reply to mine from last night, and another forty minutes before Alex is picking me up, so I decided to do a little snooping. Not inside. I shudder at the thought of running into one of the siblings, but I’d noticed some stables out the back, and I miss the smell of the horses and hay.

  Slipping on a pair of Converse, I grab my backpack with my things for the day and slip out my patio door in the direction of the barn. When I get there, I push my way through the big wooden doors and inhale deeply. The musty, manure-filled scent is familiar and relaxing, and some of the tension that I already felt this morning melts away.

  The large barn is made from brick and timber and is in immaculate condition—everything’s neat and tidy, so similar to the barn at the Bostons’. I can even see a hayloft. I must remember that when I need to hide away with a good book.

  Horses stick their heads out of their stables and nicker their hellos. Peering in at each of them, I make my way down one side and then back up the other. There are ten horses in here, and all are amazing examples of good breeding. When I get back to the first stall on the right, I stick my head in, and a rounded palomino mare is standing there, her beautiful big brown eyes observing my every movement.

  "Well, hello there, pretty lady! You look a little too rounded to be just fat," I coo, sliding into the stall so I can run my hand over her extended belly. Yep, there I can feel a little hoof, not to mention when I bend down to look, her nipples are swollen slightly. "Oh, Mama, you haven't got long to go either, have you?" She nuzzles my side in search of a treat, and the sweetness of the familiar gesture makes my heart clench from missing my own horses. "I haven't got anything, but I'll bring you something next time I come down.”

  Hearing the big doors open, I exit the stall, pushing the door closed behind me.

  It's Brad’s surprised face I see as I turn around, but it quickly turns to pleased as a smile lights up bright enough to reach his eyes. "Harlow, what a surprise, but it really shouldn't be, I guess.” He moves forward and wraps his arms around me for a quick hug, but lets go, not holding on for long enough that I become uncomfortable. Yep, definitely more socially adept than people think.

  Smiling at him, I reply, "I hope you don't mind; I noticed it the first day I was here, and I've been missing the animals."

  “Oh no, of course not," Brad assures me. "You're welcome to go wherever you want. It's just nice to see you. I missed you yesterday, but Mom says you made some new friends. I’m pleased about that." He walks down the aisle to about the third stall down and opens it up, grabbing the halter from the hook outside. When he exits, he’s followed by a large brown gelding with a shiny coat and long black mane.

  “Western or English?" he asks conversationally as he hooks the halter onto two crossties and grabs a couple of brushes from a room off to the side. Must be the tack room.

  "Oh, ah, both," I reply as I step forward and stroke my hands over the beast’s velvety soft nose. He must be about seventeen hands high and solid. "But I enjoy English. I love show jumping and dressage, but then I love a good canter over an open field too. So it doesn't matter to me."

  He smiles again, and I can’t help but be drawn to those eyes that are so similar to mine, his joy evident. "Me neither, I ride both styles. We've got a great cross country course through the property if you’d like to join me someday. There are various heights," he assures me, but that doesn't worry me too much.

  "I would love that," I exclaim, and his face lights up even more. It's nice to know we have something in common, and I’m glad I didn’t hold back the enthusiasm I felt about his offer. A moment later, just when I’m about to ask him more questions about the animals housed here, my phone beeps with an incoming message. It must be Alex.

  "I have to go," I tell Brad. “My friend’s taking me shopping, and we’re going to do some sightseeing too. I'm supposed to go with Oliver tomorrow, but how about the day after, if you’re not too busy, we go for that ride?" He beams in response, and I make a note to buy some riding pants and boots. I didn't think to bring any with me.

  "That would be great. Will we see you tonight for dinner?" he asks, no pressure in his voice.

  "I’m not sure what Alex has planned, but I'll message Nana and let her know.” The edges of his smile dip the tiniest bit, and I realize that maybe I can extend a little bit of an effort here too. “Actually, why don't you give me yours too, and I'll message you as well if you'd like," I offer, and the smile turns even wider as he rattles off his number and I program it into my phone.

  "I’d like that, thanks." I wave goodbye to my beaming father and run toward the front of the property, slowing to a power walk when I remember that I shouldn’t be pushing my leg that much. As I get around the corner of the building, I smile internally. He’s leaning against Shane's car, looking like a million bucks, but that's not what makes me smile. Both Jacinta and Jaxon are on the front porch, talking to him. Both seem to be questioning why he’s here, but he’s holding his own under their ruthless questioning.

  I run up to him, kissing him quickly. "Sorry, I was in the barn and lost track of time.” Turning, I smile brightly at the twins. "Good morning. Have a great day!" I call out to them and clamber into the passenger side of the car as Alex climbs into the driver’s seat. He waves a hand at them, and we take off down the drive. Turning, I look back over my shoulder and giggle at the identical furious looks the siblings are sporting.

  "That was fun." I laugh, and Alex joins in with a sound so smooth that I’m nearly speechless. How can someone that handsome even laugh attractively?

  "Let’s show you some sights. I think the closest camera store is first, and then we can hit the Santa Ana Zoo; that’s the closest to here.” From what I understand, the estate is smack dab between LA and San Diego, but I really don't know exactly, and I’m grateful for a local’s knowledge showing me around.

  "Sounds awesome. Thanks again, Alex." I lean in and kiss him on the cheek before sitting back and enjoying the drive and the company.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Harlow

  Breakfast was at a cute little bistro, where we were both treated to a huge breakfast with the works. There were fluffy, fresh pancakes with maple syrup and crispy bacon and scrambled eggs with toast and hash browns. Freshly brewed coffee permeated the air and had a kick like a mule, all a perfect start to the day.

  After that, we drove around until we found a Best Buy. Luckily, a tech-savvy teenager pointed us to the be
st camera and mounts for what I wanted to achieve once I explained my goal. He was really interested and told me he’d really like to see it when I’d filmed it and to make sure I uploaded it to YouTube when I was done. This sent another thrill of anticipation through me, and I couldn't wait to get started. Not to mention that I felt like texting Max to rub it in her face that I had at least one other person interested. From there, we headed on to the zoo, the big breakfast and easy conversation lulling me into a comfortable place once again.

  The warmth on my face from the sun as we walked around the zoo made me wish I had thought to bring a hat, but the smells and sounds of the animals quickly distracted me from my thoughts. We strolled down meandering paths, checking out the various exhibits, talking all the while. Everything just felt easy, like there was no need to have any limits on what we shared with each other, and we touched deeper on what I wanted to do with my degree and where I hoped to see myself in ten years time.

  As we patted the pony in the children's zoo and my heart ached with missing DS, Alex also talked about what he'd like to do once his career as a model ran its course. His question the other day about being a large animal vet finally made sense to me, opening my eyes to why the two of us got along so well. Apparently he volunteers at animal shelters in his spare time and has a love almost as big as mine of animals. He said because money isn’t really an issue anymore, he’d like to start a not for profit organization, encouraging the sterilization of cats and dogs so there are less unwanted animals. Thrilled at his idea, I told him to count on me for my services if I’m still around when he does this. I’d happily donate a couple of days a month helping to make this happen.

  After a few hours, while we’re standing in line to go on the conservation merry-go-round, a cool old-fashioned style carousel with endangered creatures as the mounts, my phone rings. Chuck’s name appears on the screen, and my heart goes into overdrive.

  "Hello, what is it? Is it Max? Melinda?" I fire questions at him, and he starts to chuckle, my tension dropping with the calming sound.

  "Can’t I just be calling to check on my girl?" His voice is warm and familiar and brings a smile to my face as my heart stops racing.

  "Yes, I’m sorry. I think panic is just my default mode at the moment. Hi. How are you? I’m sorry I haven't called to speak to you earlier. I’ve been a little overwhelmed," I admit, feeling guilty that I haven't spoken to him.

  He chuckles again. "Relax, Harlow, you're fine. We knew you would be in good hands, so we haven't been too worried. I just rang you to ask you a favor. I've got a couple of the horses being shipped out to LA next week for that new movie, but the director is behind on the schedule and doesn't need them just yet. I've spoken to Brad, and he's okay with them being delivered to his place. Will you work them for me over the week that they're there? Put them through their paces so that they’re fresh and ready when the director needs them?"

  "Yeah, sure, but isn't Max coming too?" I ask him, worried about my friend.

  “She is, but she's been asked to work as a fill-in for another movie. The actress they hired promised she could ride when they offered her the role, but she can’t, and they needed a stunt double quickly. So she’s going to do that while waiting for the other director's schedule to get to where it needs to be."

  "Ok, cool. No problems then,” I assure him. “Who are you sending?”

  "Samson, Delilah, Hercules, and Zeus." A smile crosses my face as my favorites are mentioned, and I do a little jump of excitement that has Alex nearly breaking out with a laugh at my expense. “Thanks, Harlow, I’ll send you a text the day before they’ll be there.” We chat a little more about mundane things, and I ask about Melinda, Max, Jenny, and DS. Tears fill my eyes as I hang up, and Alex grabs me and pulls me in for a hug.

  “I’m okay. I just miss them. They've been a constant fixture in my life forever, and it’s just weird not seeing them every day.”

  “Come on,” he urges, pulling me out of the line. “You didn't really want to go on that, did you?” he asks as he drags me to the exit. I shrug, not caring either way.

  “Well, I have another idea. Let's go to the beach!" Without any other planning, he drives us to the coast, to Newport Beach, where we proceed to walk along the sandy shore watching a few surfers ride the rolling waves that are crashing against it. Shoes in hand, I breathe in the salty air and rub my toes into the grainy sand. Seagull calls float on the breeze, and the sun warms my skin, and for the first time since I got to California, I’m at peace. No one's going to jump out and accuse me of something here. There's no pressure to be on my best behavior so that they might like me. Here, I'm just me. Not the gold-digging whore trying to usurp their positions with my father. The thought of all that is just exhausting, and I try to remind myself that it’ll all be worth it if I get my own relationship with Brad out of all this awkwardness.

  After getting tired of the sand, we stop and get a table at a little seafood restaurant not far from the pier. Sitting on the balcony, we can still watch the waves and the people walking their dogs or riding their bikes along the beachfront. "So, are you definitely going to look for an internship while you're here? Ready to make that leap?" Alex's questions bring me out of my musings. I had explained everything to him today, the pros and cons that had been piling up in my mind. Not wanting to leave the Bostons after all that they had done for me and the worry about not getting too close to the Summers in case the attitude from the children is a permanent thing.

  "I think you should go for it. You don't want to look back in twenty years and wish that you had done things differently." Our conversation pauses as the waitress comes by, and I mull over his questions, nearly bungling my order since I’m so distracted. After the waitress takes out lunch order, he pulls out his phone and slides it across the table to me.

  “Google some jobs now and see if you can line up an interview or something. I'm sure some program would love to have Brad Summers’ daughter on board even if it's so that they can drop his name." At his words, I screw up my nose in disgust and push the phone back toward him, my stomach dropping at his words. That’s exactly the reaction I’m trying to avoid, and I’m a little grossed out that he suggested it.

  "Yeah, no, I'm certainly not going to use him like that. That would make me exactly what his kids think I am. I'll do it but use my own name. If I can only get a job because of him, then I think I'd rather go home."

  He huffs out an annoyed sigh, rolling his eyes in a dramatically playful way that makes it clear he’s not truly upset with me. "Fine, do it your way, but just do it." He waves his hand at his phone, and I grab it, googling AZA, which is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Their website shows job listings throughout the country, and it’s one of the best resources for anyone who wants to work in the industry. I’ve already missed this year’s matching program as I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after graduation, but if I’m lucky, maybe someone has pulled out.

  Scrolling through the entries, I send myself some emails with the ones that catch my eye. My laptop is sitting in my dresser drawer back at the estate, so I'll dig it out when I get home and put some more effort into it this evening. Just as I finish and hand the phone back to him, mine rings in my backpack. I quickly scrounge around to find it and answer with definitely more calm than I had before.

  "Harlow, honey, how's your day going?" Nana’s voice is sweet and gentle over the phone, and I smile, putting it on speaker.

  "Hi, Nana. I’ve got you on speaker. It's going well; Alex is a great tour guide." He rolls his eyes again but smiles at my words.

  "Well, that's wonderful, you're a good boy, Alex. Listen, I'm calling to tell you about the event we're all going to tomorrow night. It's a movie premiere for one of Neighpalm Productions’ newest releases. I know everything has been a bit overwhelming, but we like to attend these things as a family, and it would mean so much to Poppy, your dad, and me if you would join us. Declan was supposed to tell you about it this morning, but I hear he got s
idetracked by Princess." Her voice is rueful with a touch of annoyance as she tells me this last part, and now it’s my turn to roll my eyes.

  I snort in response, muttering under my breath, "More like he got sidetracked by my tits." Alex just about spits his beer across the table at my words, but Nana doesn't seem to hear them.

  "Anyway, some of the kids bring dates if you'd like to invite Alex, or, if not, your dad also said he'd be happy to escort you.” She trails off, and I look at Alex, wanting to ask him but also feeling kind of excited that Brad had expressed an interest in escorting me.

  "Alex, would you mind if I went with my dad? I feel like I've hardly had a chance to talk to him yet." He shakes his head, smiling, and I’m once again glad that he decided to adopt me during my stay here.

  "Of course not."

  "Alex, how about I arrange for you and Shane to get tickets too, and you can join us for a meal afterward?" Nana suggests, and he beams with delight.

  "That would be great! Thank you, Grace."

  "Have you got suitable wear for a premiere? I assume you do since you’re in such demand." Alex blushes slightly, and I eye him with confusion.

  "What do you mean by that, Nana?" I probe gently, and Alex seems a little uncomfortable. While the happy look is still present on his face, he fidgets around in his chair with an air of uncertainty that I haven’t yet seen in him.

  "Alex is one of the most sought after models for our agency at the moment. I'm surprised you haven't been mobbed today." Looking Alex up and down, I realize that explains the low key jeans and shirt combo with a pair of Chucks, shades, and a beanie. I wondered why he wore it while it wasn't too cold, but I thought maybe that was just me being from the east coast.

  "Yes, Grace, Shane, and I are fine for evening wear, thank you." Alex blushes a bit, his cheeks tinting in a barely there pink; we will be delving into that interesting tidbit when I finish on the phone with Nana.