This Love of Mine (Raine Series #1)

by Bennett, Amanda

  "Where did your name come from?" Her voice was heavenly and when she spoke in a low tone like that, it was all I could hear.

  "It was my mother's maiden name. They thought they were having a girl, but kept it even when they found out I was a boy."

  We smiled at one another out there in the middle of an open grass field, the tension building between us. I couldn't tear my eyes away from hers and when I knew I needed to let her go, I needed a promise of tomorrow. I knew it was selfish of me, but if I only had two days left being this close to her, I wanted to take full advantage of it.

  "Do you need me to walk you down the hill?" I asked.

  "No, I think I'll be okay. Will I get to see you again?"

  I wasn't expecting her to ask, let alone actually spend time with her, but it was definitely a good surprise. "Sure. What are you doin' tomorrow around noon?" I let a sly smile touch my lips, wondering if she would remember my favorite time of day.

  "Noon should work. Whatcha wanna do at your favorite time of day?"

  "Let's meet up here again and we can pick up where we are leavin' it for tonight?"

  "That's sounds good. I'll see you tomorrow Madison Raine." She stood on her tiptoes and gently pressed her moist lips to my cheek. I let my eyes flutter shut as the need to touch her grew to epic proportions. When she pulled away, my eyes were glossed over in a daze. I smiled and turned to walk away. If I didn't walk away now, I knew I wasn't ever going to be able to.

  "Tomorrow." I shouted.

  I slowly started walking backwards as I watched her perfect figure disappear into the night. When I could no longer see her, I turned and ran all the way back to the house. And I thought the next two days were going to be some of the most boring days of my life. Boy, was I wrong.

  When I reached the unlit porch, I remained quiet as to not wake my grandparents. All the lights were off inside the house and out, so I assumed I was good as gold.

  When the front porch light flipped on, I almost had a heart attack as I caught sight of my grandfather's half asleep pajama covered body sitting in the chair at the end of the porch.

  "Sir, I-"

  "I thought I made myself clear when I said to stay out of that family's business. Did I not?"

  "No Sir, you did."

  "So ya mind explainin' to me what the heck you were thinkin', or is that just it, you weren't?"

  I could see the anger in his eyes and I wasn't going to let him ruin one of the best nights I have had with a girl. "Its not what you think, Sir."

  "No? Because how I see it, you didn't think you had to listen to me, and you went searchin' for that poor girl. She doesn't need people like you comin' and goin' in and out of her life."

  "It's not like that Grandpa, I mean Sir. I was just up there smokin' when she came up to where I was. We just talked. Honest to god, I was goin' to walk away, but she heard me and asked me to stay." The last part was kind of a lie, but I was eighteen and didn't need to answer to anyone. "And what do you mean, people like me?" Now I was starting to get pissed.

  "Ah boy, I just meant people who have no plans of ever makin' a life here. She is here for good now. She has school to finish and I reckon she won't be movin' anytime soon. You on the other hand, are leavin' in two days for Arizona and who knows when you'll be back."

  My head shot up in shock, how did he know that I was leavin'? What the hell. The only people I had told were Glenn. "How did you find out?" I muttered.

  "Sit, Madison. NOW!" I did as I was told, not wanting to add fuel to the fire by disobeying him. "Son, I know I'm old, but I ain't dumb or blind. I have been goin' to every one of your games since you were old enough to start playin'. When I saw those scouts at your last game, I knew you were goin' to find somethin' that suited you better than this ranch. I've known since you graduated, boy. I heard your buddy Glenn talking about it to that one little lady you was dating not too long ago. Y'all may not be together anymore, but she has a bit of a trap on her. So Arizona State huh?"

  I could see the sadness creeping into his expression. I didn't want to hurt him, but this was something I needed to do, for me. "Yes, Sir. Arizona State is where I'm gonna be playin' ball. I'm due to report to training camp in about two weeks. I needed the extra time to pack up the house and get everything ready to go."

  "Hmm." Was all he managed to choke out.

  I didn't expect a longer response. Hell, I didn't even expect him to be happy for me, but I didn't so much as even get a congratulations. I stood up from my chair and headed for the door. "Goodnight, Sir."

  "Goodnight Madison."

  Chapter 13

  Kayla

  The mid-morning sun was shining excruciatingly bright through the small open window. My corneas felt like they were on fire as I tried to see through my squinted eyes. There was a small breeze moving the old tattered curtain back and forth and I swear I contemplated getting up, but I had a major Vicodin hangover. I rolled over on the small bed, pulling the comforter with me and over my head, when I saw someone sitting in the chair across from me. I shot straight up and almost started screaming, before I recognized my grandmother's aging face.

  "Holy hell, Grandma. You just about gave me a heart attack." I clutched my chest with one hand as I ran my long fingers through my hair.

  "Don't need any of that, now do we." She giggled. "Now get up and get dressed darlin', we have things to do today."

  I nodded and then quickly remembered that I had made plans to meet Madison at noon. "Hey Grandma, what time is it?"

  "It's almost eight thirty, now get movin'." She patted my head like a puppy and I couldn't help but smile.

  I knew I didn't have time for a shower, so I threw on my reserve outfit from my small duffle bag that I had managed to escape with. It wasn't much, but I was in the country and I highly doubted anyone cared what I wore. I pulled on the white denim shorts and canary yellow tank top, before running a brush through my hair and brushing my teeth. Because I was seeing Madison later, I swiped a bit of mascara on my lashes and headed out. I had left my house with my converse shoes, but I remembered that last summer my grandma had bought me a new pair of cowboy boots that she kept tucked away in the hall closet for when I came to visit. I searched my room for a pair of clean socks, but came up empty handed. I guess I'll have to ask good ol' grandma for a pair.

  "Hey Grandma, I don't have a clean pair of socks, can I bo-" I was half way down the stairs when I caught sight of another older lady sitting at the dining room table with my grandmamma. "I'm sorry, I didn't know we had company." My grandmamma came rushing over to me as I hobbled the rest of the way down the remaining steps.

  "Let me help you, dear. This is Lydia Raine. She and Jasper own the adjoining farm just up over the hill. Lydia this is my granddaughter, Kayla Anne."

  I walked the remaining two feet over to shake Lydia's hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Raine."

  "Likewise Kayla, and please call me Lydia."

  I smiled and nodded as I took the seat across from Lydia and next to my grandmamma. I couldn't help but notice how much Madison looked like his grandmother. The resemblance between the two of them was uncanny. I found myself staring at Lydia, in a way that surprised me.

  I felt drawn to her, almost as much as I felt it with my own grandmamma. Something about her made me feel comfortable and at ease. She was a lovely woman and looked to be at least ten years younger than Madison's grandfather. Her hair was a soft shade of white and she had it loosely pulled back into a low bun. Her face looked weathered, but not overly so. Her big green eyes stood out among all of her features, and her lips were almost as full as Angelina Jolie's. She was beautiful and I could only imagine what she had looked like when she was younger.

  My attention was quickly brought back to the present conversation when I heard my grandmamma ask her about Madison. Up until this point, neither had said his name. My grandmamma was askin' about his plans now that he had graduated and I was extremely interested in her answer.

  "I'm not sure about t
hat boy, I tell ya. He says him and his band have a few shows to do and that's why he can't stay the full summer like usual. I'm okay with it, but Harold, not so much. He thinks that poor boy needs more discipline, but I say you're only young once, so ya might as well do something exciting and fun. I know Harold had a long conversation with him last night, after he had come back to the house. Maybe he got some more information from him."

  Her and my grandmamma both took a sip of their sweet tea, as I reached over for a piece of pie that had been previously cut. Just as my fingers grazed the glass plate, I felt a cool hand slap down on it.

  "You can have some pie, after you have some breakfast."

  I smiled a weak smile, as visions of my mother broke through my head. I knew my grandmamma meant no harm, but it was the action in itself that had me feeling jittery. I excused myself and stood to grab myself a bowl of cereal, when my grandmamma caught me by the wrist. I cringed as pain shot up through my arm.

  "I'm sorry dear, come back and have some pie. No reason to let it go to waste." She winked up at me and I knew she realized what her small action had done.

  I sat back down and started forking bites full of blueberry pie into my oversaturated mouth. I was famished and I swear I could've eaten the whole thing given the chance. I couldn't even remember the last time I had eaten anything. I concentrated on my pie as Lydia and my grandmamma continued on with their conversation as though I wasn't even there.

  "When will Madison be leavin' us?" My grandmamma's voice was curt, but sweet all rolled in one.

  "Tomorrow will be his last day with us." Lydia responded.

  I looked up at her through my lashes, trying not to attract any unwanted attention. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be hangin' out with Madison, so I kept my opinion to myself. I was surprised he hadn't mentioned that he was leaving last night, not that I would have remembered anyway. Still, I knew he was going to be trouble, just like my momma had warned me so long ago, but I refused to believe that he was that cruel to start something with me and then just up and leave.

  Oh hell, what was I even saying, it's not like he wanted to date me. We had one late night conversation and I was getting all uppity about nothin'. But I would however, ask him about it when I saw him today. I glanced back at my grandmamma and realized that she said we had a lot to do today and I couldn't help but wonder exactly what that entailed.

  "Grams, what are we doin' today? I promised my best girlfriend back home that I would call her today and spend sometime talkin,' if that's okay." It was sorta true, but Cami wasn't the reason I was asking to get away.

  "I reckon you have nothin' more than what you have on to wear, so I figured we would head into town and get ya some clothes. After that, you're as free as a bird. Sound good?" She winked and I politely smiled in return.

  A little while later, my grandmamma finally went to fetch me a pair of socks, which left Lydia and I to our own devises. I never expected her to say what she did, but I was grateful all the same.

  "He's a good boy and if given the chance, he will be good to you just the same."

  I wasn't exactly sure where this was all coming from, but I could only assume that she had either seen us talking or knew her grandson that well. "I'll keep that in mind." And then my grandmamma appeared at my side.

  We said our good-byes to Lydia and I promised to come by and see her regardless of how busy I was. She told me that Harold was almost always gone workin' and that she would enjoy the company. I watched as she made her way to her small pickup truck and my grandmamma and I waved. I liked Lydia, and I think I was definitely gonna like being in Texas, even though it would seem my favorite thing about Texas would be gone soon.

  After two seemingly long hours of shopping with my dear old grandmamma, I was in desperate need of a nap. I swear living here was going to turn me into an old lady. As we made our way back to the truck from town, I caught sight of an all too familiar face. Although I had only seen him at night, I was one hundred percent positive it was him.

  He was standing outside of the feed store, talking to some girl in one of the sleaziest outfits I had ever seen. Her jean skirt was barely covering her ass, and her cut off tank top was exposing more of her stomach then I would deem necessary. I wasn't a prude by any means, but this girl just looked cheap and desperate, apparently his type. Once I pulled my eyes away from the tramp that was now touching him, I noticed just how handsome this cowboy really was.

  Immediately my eyes were drawn his jeans that were slung low and tight in all the right areas, emphasizing his delicious ass. My eyes kept scanning up the rest of his body just as his hand slid beneath his black V-neck shirt, exposing just enough of his six pack to make my mouth water. His shirt clung to his sweat-ridden torso and his large protruding biceps. His tattoos were more prominent in the daylight and the sweat glistening in the sun only emphasized the color in the ink that covered him.

  I licked my bottom lip, just as my eyes caught sight of his face underneath that dirty old baseball cap he always had on. Just as I was about to jump into the truck, his eyes caught mine and I found myself unable to look away. His hand flew out from under his shirt and waved in my direction. The girl he was talking to didn't like this very much, and I could feel her death stare from across the street.

  I gave a quick wave and bounded up into the truck with my grandmamma. Suddenly, I was worried that maybe he forgot about our meeting up today. I guess I would find out in half an hour.

  Chapter 14

  Madison

  I was trying to smile as politely as possible, as Taryn stood in front of me in all her slutty glory. Unfortunately, her father owned the local feed store, which meant she was always hangin' out there no matter what time of day.

  Taryn and I had dated once upon a drunken night. She was the school and town slut and almost everyone was guaranteed a piece of that if you played sports. That wasn't the only reason I had slept with her, I actually liked the girl at one point in time. She used to be all sweet and innocent, and now she was just used and whorish. I have never been one to talk bad about the opposite sex, but even her daddy knew what she was, and she seemed okay with it.

  I was in a hurry, whether she wanted to realize that or not was her problem. I had just told her I needed to be on my way, when I felt her near. I wasn't sure if she was actually around, but her presence was all I could feel. I didn't know how to explain it, but there was something I couldn't deny about her and it kept me longing to see her.

  If I hadn't been standing there looking directly at her, I would have thought she was a hallucination. She looked amazing in her short white shorts and yellow tank top. To top it all off, she was wearing a pair of brown boots that had my heart beating faster by the second. Her long brown hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and god damn, she looked good enough to eat. When I waved at her, I guess I expected a little bit more of a reaction, but all I got was a small wave in return and then she was gone.

  I caught sight of her grandmother as they turned out onto the main road back towards the farms, but I couldn't help but wonder why she didn't come over and say anything. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks when her annoying high-pitched voice broke through my thoughts. Taryn! Of course she wouldn't come over and say anything. Look at how Taryn was dressed and she was all but stripping me down in the middle of town.

  Taryn's hand slid up my arm and I quickly pulled it away. "Taryn, I gotta get back. I'll catch ya later." I turned and jumped into the idling truck. As I pulled away from the feed store, I watched Taryn's face fall, but I paid her no mind. I had a date in less than thirty minutes with the girl that just drove away.

  When I pulled back up to the stables, my granddaddy was standing in the shade waitin' on me. I could tell by the look on his face, that he wasn't in a very good mood. What was new? I threw the truck in park and jumped down and got to work, haulin' the feed into the barn. If he was in a bad mood, I wanted nothin' to do with making it worse.

  "What took ya so long?" He s
ounded pissed.

  "Sorry, Sir. I got caught up at the feed store. It was extra busy today." I didn't stop long enough to see his reaction to my blatant lie, but I had no time to waste. I needed to get my shit done and head out to meet Kayla.

  "After your done with the feed, go ahead and take a break. I gotta head into town for a quick appointment, but I'll be back around two. Don't make me wait on ya when I get back, ya hear?"

  "Yes Sir. I'll make sure I'm around. Is Gran going with ya?" I wanted to make sure not to get caught in anybody's cross hairs with Kayla.

  "I reckon she will come along. I'll see ya then."

  With that, he was gone. I finished haulin' the feed into the barn a little before noon and I was pissed. I wasn't going to have a chance to shower. Although, I guess it was a good thing, as to not tip anyone off. I was making my way up the hill, when my cell started ringing in my pocket. I checked the caller ID and quickly answered.

  "What's goin' on Glenn?"

  "Not a whole lot, dude. Just wanted to let ya know I booked us a gig tonight at the small bar in town. Do ya think you'll be able to make it?"

  "If I said no, would you find another singer?" I laughed knowing that was, never gonna happen. Glenn and I started our little band in seventh grade and we made a pact that if one of us left, the band would be no more.

  "You bet your ass I would. Ha ha, just playin', so can you be there at say, six?"

  "Yeah, I'll be there. You think you'll be able to sneak someone in for me? I'm not sure if she can make it or not, but it would be cool if I could get her in." I wasn't sure if Kayla would even be interested in going, but I wanted to give her the option when I saw her.

  "Yeah dude, no problem. I'll figure it out."

  "K, I'll see ya tonight."

  I hung up with Glenn just as I reached the top of the hill and her beautiful face came into view. She looked even prettier than when I had seen her just a little while ago. Her hair was now down and blowing in the breeze. Once again, I could smell the faint aroma of strawberries, and my pants grew tight. Everything about this girl had my body humming each I saw her. If I was a smart guy, I would run in the opposite direction, but I have to admit, I'm not a very smart man.