A Hidden Truth

The Drive Home

    When we pulled out, I closed my eyes. It had been difficult to see Jaxon being friendly with another woman. Especially since I knew they’d had a relationship before. This wasn’t going to be easy, but I would try for his sake.

    “So now we’re going to the ranch, right?” She asked.

    “Yes. We live in one of the houses on the property. Please try not to distract my students. They’ve paid for my time and losing focus will hurt their grades.” I said.

    “Got it! Can I ask you some questions while we drive?”

    “It seems you’re quite capable.” I sighed.

    “What’s the deal with Becca Shaw?” She inquired.

    I hadn’t been expecting that. “We used to be friends. She’s a b***h. She cheated on her boyfriend. Becca blames me for him dumping her and her losing access to the ranch for training.” I shrugged.

    “Is it your fault he dumped her?”

    “No. I didn’t cheat. She did. I didn’t lie. She did. She was never good enough for him anyway. He was just too wrapped up in her to realize it.” I told her.

    “He seems like a nice guy. Why did she cheat?” Kenny asked.

    I snorted. “I have no clue. Randy isn’t nearly as hot as Clayton. He lacks ambition. Clayton thinks about his future and the future of the ranch. He’s not going to inherit it, like Randy will his family farm, but Reeds always seem to end up well off. I bet he’ll get something going once he’s done with rodeo. Right now, that’s his passion.”

    “I heard she kept putting Clay off so he’d want to marry her, but Randy was flirting and she decided on a one-off that turned into a regular thing.” Garrett muttered.

    “Sounds like a very Becca thing to do.” I scoffed. Like mother, like daughter.

    “That bitch.” Kendra hissed. “Did you ever date him?”

    “No. Clayton was only a passing acquaintance until recently. We’ve grown closer since I started seeing Jaxon, but I wouldn’t call us friends.” I responded.

    “Is Jackie your first boyfriend?”

    “I had a boyfriend in fifth grade. His family moved away and I just never got another one.” I said.

    “Why not? You’re pretty hot. Guys had to have been asking you out.” She insisted.

    “Yes, they did and I turned them all down. I’d decided to focus on my studies. None of them were really interesting anyway.” I sighed.

    “Not even Clay?” She asked.

    “He never asked. I would’ve said no if he did.” I replied coolly.

    “Is it because you were having an affair with your stepdad?”

    “So you’ve heard the gossip?” I snorted. “That isn’t true. I also never slept with my brothers, aside from platonically. Never sold my body in Green’s Pass or Corvado. Didn’t give birth to my little brother, and I’m not sleeping with my friends. I’m not sure of everything you heard, but a lot of it is made up.” And I knew exactly by whom.

    “I didn’t hear the prostitution one before.” Garrett said.

    “It’s an old one that comes around whenever I get in the news. That was the reason some people made up for why I quit riding.” I murmured.

    “Why did you quit riding?” Kendra asked, softly.

    Hank was why I quit. For three weeks, he had me put on satin panties and ride him. It got to the point where I worried about embarrassing myself on a real horse from the memory. After that obsession had died down for him, he’d order it from time to time. The damage had been done. I couldn’t even watch someone ride without blushing and feeling warm between my legs.

    “Just didn’t want to anymore. Don’t need a reason to stop a hobby. I didn’t see it as a career option, so I moved on.” I responded nonchalantly.

    A concerned look came over her face. I glanced at Garrett. He had a similar look. I was guessing I hadn’t been as convincing as I’d hoped.

    “Have you had s*x with him yet?” She murmured.

    “Is that really your business? I know you had a relationship with him. Are you trying to figure out whether or not he likes me better? Do you want me to tell you about the times he says I did something you never did, or I did something better than you? Why is our s*x life important to you?” I growled.

    “So… that’s a no. Jackie would never talk about what a past lover did or didn’t do. He’s a good man. You know he’s just my friend, now. We were never really more than friends with benefits. All I did was teach him what he needed to know. He never realized when girls were flirting, missed out on a lot of opportunities. How’d you manage to get him to notice you? You aren’t his type at all.” She scoffed.

    I wasn’t his type? At all? Did that mean he wasn’t serious? My mother did tell me a man would say anything… but I didn’t think Jaxon was like that. I started to feel the panic rise. 

    He was making me wait, but wasn’t serious about me. Maybe he wanted to have someone think they were in love, try something other than friends with benefits. Was Jaxon using me? Was he planning to keep on using me in college? He couldn’t be like that. It was something I’d believe of Hank, not Jaxon.

    We pulled into the drive and the ranch hands waved us through. I felt sick. He said he was taking me to meet his parents. Was that a lie, too? Was that even his mom on the text? 

    I remembered the rumors about his father and the ones about his mother. Could he really be like that? Maybe the dream I had was just a dream and not my father. Just my brain trying to push me into this relationship.

    When we reached the house, I picked up my bag and headed in. I needed to get snacks and drinks pulled out. My students needed me to be focused and on top of things. If Garrett or Kendra talked to me, I didn’t hear it. I was entirely fixated on the thoughts running around my head.