Free Falling for Bentley (Part One) by Shawnte Borris

did, too, when she placed her hand on Haley’s arm. “Well, Haley, you must be one great teacher if that is the case. Any school would be lucky to have you.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Well, I must go before it starts raining again. It was great seeing you both. Haley, when you have a chance, stop in and visit me.”
    “You still live on Linsey Street in the yellow house?” Haley asked.
    “I do.”
    “Then I guess I’ll see you later, Mrs. Harris,” Haley said as she walked away.
    Haley took a few steps away from me, but I reached out and grabbed her hand again, “Haley?” She turned around and faced me, “Do you want to talk about it?”
    “Not much to say,” she half smiles. “I’m going back to the city, which I hate living in; to a school where they care more about what I wear than actually relating something to my students; and I have a neighbor that is constantly hassling me to go out with him.”
    I instantly felt angry and jealous. “Has he hurt you?” I gritted out.
    “No, no nothing like that.” Haley shook her head before changing the subject. “I’m going into the hardware store, coming?”
    “In a minute.”
    “Find me in there, okay?” she smiled at me.
    “I’ll be there in a minute, promise.”
    I watched her walk away as I flexed my hands a few times and took a few deep breaths to calm myself. I sat back in the truck to think. Here I am, in the same situation as Haley. Lost in what we want, backing down from the fight of what we need and what makes us happy. Maybe Haley did understand what I’m feeling; maybe she truly believes I’m not a washed up farm hand.
     
     
    WALKING INTO THE hardware store, I saw Henry talking to Haley about paint.
    “Would it be possible to have the paint delivered when it comes in?” asked Haley.
    “We can do that for you.”
    “Great, let’s do that then.” Haley smiled.
    “Should we put that on the farm account along everything else that you need?”
    “That would be great, Henry, thanks.”
    I walked up behind Haley. “Hi, Bentley, I’ll be with you in a minute. I’m just going to finish up with Haley.” Henry gestured.
    “No, thanks, Henry, I’m actually here with Haley today,” I smiled.
    “Then let’s go up to the front and put the order together.” Henry and I waited until Haley went first. I loved watching her ass in those jeans. I heard Henry clear this throat. I looked at him and shrugged my shoulders, what ? Henry chuckled until we reached the counter.
    “Look over everything and make sure it’s right then sign at the bottom. I’ll call you when it’s here. Shouldn’t be more than two days.” Henry said, sliding the paper over to Haley.
    My phone rang in my pocket. Taking it out, I saw that it was the farm calling. I put my hand on Haley’s shoulder, “Haley, I’ll meet you outside, I just need to take this call.”
    “Okay,” she looked up and smiled. Her smile is cute, and I love her mini dimple that comes out. I shook my head while heading outside.
    “Hello?”
    “Hi, Bentley, it’s Mom.”
    “Hey, Mom, what’s up?”
    “Just checking in.”
    “I’m good. How are you and Dad?”
    “Oh, we’re good, sweetheart. What are you doing today?”
    “I’m in town with Haley. She had a few errands to run and I thought I’d help her.”
    “Haley who? I don’t recall you being friends with a Haley?” Mom probed.
    “Haley Wells. She’s the granddaughter of Eleanor and Wyatt. The football team is helping out at the Wells’ ranch in exchange for new uniforms.”
    “The same ranch Travis is helping out at this week?”
    “That’s the one, Mom.”
    “Travis and the boys say she’s quite pretty.”
    “Have they now?” I tried hard not to sound irritated, but I don’t think I succeeded.
    I could hear the humor in my mom’s voice, “Yes, and Maggie says she is absolutely delightful.”
    “Mom, you called to talk about Haley, not to check in,” I laughed.
    “You caught me,” she laughed back.
    I pulled