Free Shy Kinda Love by Deanna Eshler

him. If he wants to talk, then talk. If he starts asking questions you don’t want to answer, tell him you’re not comfortable talking about that topic. If he’s a good guy he’ll respect that, and if not, then you get up and leave.”
    I purse my lips and squint my eyes. “When did you get to be so smart, Ryder Reed?”
    He smiles, then stands and pulls me into an embrace. He wraps both his arms around my shoulders and I take in another deep breath as I feel him do the same. “Now, take your ass back to your house and stop avoiding people who care about you.”
    I hug him back, then shake my head. “I’m going to hang out here for a while. I just need some space for now. I’ll face them all later.”
    Ryder agrees, so we spend the rest of the day watching TV and catching up.

 
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
    The next morning I get home from the barn around ten-thirty, ready for a nap. Tanner seems to have forgot about the progress we made yesterday, or I misinterpreted his gestures of friendship. When I tried to lead him to a pasture separate from his herd, he reared up, catching his leg in the gate. I let go of his lead line to minimize his risk of injury, and he was able to get free of the gate unharmed. I then tried to allow him to graze just outside the pasture where his herd mates were grazing, but he was still too anxious. By the time I left the barn, I was frustrated and exhausted.
    My plans to slip off to my room for a nap are thwarted as soon as I set foot in our living room. Keegan and Gemma are watching TV, but when I open the door, I’m given their full attention.
    “You missed a great night last night,” Keegan announces.
    I pass through the living room, heading for my room. “You can tell me all about it later. I’m tired,” I tell them, just before I disappear around the corner. I’m searching my dresser for a pair of shorts when the girls let themselves into my room. I look over my shoulder and watch as Gemma crawls onto my bed and Keegan sits at my desk. I find the shorts and begin changing out of my jeans. I know I’m not going to get that nap until I listen to the saga that was their evening, so I might as well get comfy for story time. Once I’m changed, I sit on the bed next to Gemma, only I crawl under the sheets.
    I look to Gemma to get her replay of the night, but first she asks, “So, what’s the deal with you and Kade?”
    Um, what? I have no idea how I became the topic. “I thought you were going to tell me about last night. Why are you asking about Kade?”
    Keegan answers for her. “Because you came up last night. Luke asked where you were and I gave him my speech on how he’s not good enough. When Kade realized who we were talking about, he perked up like a dog on the hunt. He then, nonchalantly, makes his way over to Luke where they proceed to discuss you. From what I could hear, Luke said he’s making a play and Kade agreed to back down.”
    “They were discussing who is going to make a play at me?” I try to sound outraged to cover my embarrassment. I hate the idea that people were talking about me. I really hate the idea that two guys were deciding my possible dating life for me.
    Keegan’s lip curls on one side. “Yeah, and I’m pretty pissed that Kade didn’t fight harder. I thought maybe the two of you were going to fall in love and make babies. I mean, he didn’t even seem upset. Well, except that he decided to throw down a couple shots of whiskey and snag the first willing girl. Of course this girl was more than willing to sit on Kade’s lap while she pretended she wanted to learn how to play euchre,” she adds with disgust.
    Well, I didn’t expect to hear that Kade was hooking up last night. Maybe that’s what I need to hear, so I get this picture of a sweet, caring guy out of my mind. Also, Kade told me he doesn’t drink. I rein my thoughts back to the rest of what Keegan said.
    “Kade and I are not going to be making babies. We are friends, or something