pinpoint why he felt disappointed. Because Ryder wouldnât tell him which guy heâd been watching? It wasnât any of his business if Ryder didnât want to share. But theyâd been hanging out so much, it felt like Ryder would tell him before heâd tell anyone else.
Oh well.
Andrew shrugged it off and they talked idly for another thirty minutes before the snow finally slowed enough for them to go out. As they walked out into the silent, late morning, Ryder dropped a hand on his shoulder.
âThanks for listening. It felt good to get it off my chest.â
âAnytime, Ryder. Itâs really okay.â
*
The boys rode in from the field after two hours of riding to warm up and get something to eat. Andrewâs body ached in places he never thought possible, and Ryder teased him mercilessly as Andrew slid off Magpie and stumbled.
âAnd you thought you had strong legs.â He laughed, still sitting astride Cobalt. Magpie nickered softly and nudged Andrewâs back pocket. He pulled out a sugar cube and held it out for her.
âSheâs going to get fat with all the sugar she eats,â Andrew said.
âAnd youâre changing the subject yet again.â
Ryder dismounted more gracefully than Andrew had, prompting a slight twinge of jealousy. Even though Ryder had been riding forever, and this was only his second day, he still hated being shown up.
âYouâre doing really well with guiding the horse, but your form when you trot? It sucks. You bounce all over the saddle. Youâre going to fall off if you go any faster.â
âShut up,â Andrew responded as they put the riding gear back in the tack room and headed inside.
âIâm trying to help!â
Mrs. Kensington stood in the kitchen again, adding some spices to a soup when they stomped in. âBoots. Off,â she commanded before they could track mud into the rest of the house. They sat on the floor and pulled the boots off, dumped them at the door, and then ran up to Ryderâs room.
âWe can go back out for another ride later,â Ryder said, flopping back on his bed. Andrew sat on the edge of it gingerly; clothes and books littered the desk chair, preventing him from taking a seat there. âThe horses need a rest.â
âScrew the horses. I need a rest. My ass is sore.â
Ryder snorted and grabbed a pillow. He pulled it against him and curled up on his side. âThink Andrea would like riding?â
âI donât know. She might. She likes horses, but never asked for lessons.â
âIs she feeling better?â
âBetter enough to be a witch about Danielle.â And continue bothering him about college plans. She needed to lay off.
âIsnât that the job of a sister?â Ryder nudged him with his foot.
âYeah, I guess it is.â
Ryderâs room was directly over the kitchen, and they could smell the fresh bread baking in the stove. The room itself, aside from the messy desk and chair, was clean and neat with light brown walls. The comforter and pillows on the bed were black, and the rest of the furniture was cherry-stained pine. On the desk sat Ryderâs computer, the screen black. A stack of CDs balanced next to it, with crumpled paper scattered across the top. A few more sheets made it into the small garbage can under the desk.
Andrew noticed the bookcase in the corner, stuffed completely with books of all sizes. âAre all of those yours?â
âYeah. Brought them up with me.â
âI didnât know you liked to read. Iâve never seen you read outside of class.â
âWell, when weâre hanging out, would you want me to sit there and do nothing but read?â Andrew didnât have to think about it and shook his head. âThere you go.â
Ryder pushed himself up on one elbow, resting his head in his hand, with the other arm draped over the pillow. Andrew glanced back at him but