Hugh got Maizie.
Maizie accepted the rolled-up newspaper like it was a scepter.
“I guess that’s the only way you can beat me huh?” Maizie taunted the group. “Watch out.” She pointed the newspaper directly at Christian with a competitive grin. He couldn’t stop his own grin in response. She was cute when she was feisty.
Hugh started the next round and before he knew it, someone called Montana. The newspaper whipped against his face with a blinding force, and he fell back into his chair with so much momentum the plastic legs dipped, and he flipped backward onto the grass.
He wasn’t sure which hurt worse, his stinging face, or his back.
“No head shots!” Aunt Cherie yelled over the laughter.
Christian blinked to clear the stars from his vision and rolled over.
“Sorry!” Maizie loomed over him and put a hand out. For as much as she claimed to hate him, she always came running when he was hurt.
He pulled his hand from his face and she gasped.
Everyone wore similar expressions of shock and amusement.
What? His left cheek was a bit numb, but he was okay.
Maizie took off into the house and returned only a few seconds later with an ice pack.
“You better put this on.” She grimaced as she looked at his face again. Christian left the circle and went into the house, letting the ice sting his face. The hall mirror showed a purple welt running the length of his cheek.
“I’m so sorry.” Maizie caught up to him. “I didn’t mean to hit you so hard.”
“You didn’t?” He turned and winked at her.
“No!”
“I’ll think twice before I get on your bad side,” he said with a chuckle.
She lifted her eyebrow at him. “Who said you aren’t on it already?”
“So that’s what this is? Payback for giving your boyfriend a bloody nose?” He meant it as a joke, but it came out harsher than he’d planned.
“I’ve already told you, he’s not my boyfriend.” She started to walk away, but he followed her.
“Someone needs to tell him that.”
“Oh, and what about Lyla?” She turned on him, heat lacing her voice. “Does someone need to tell her she’s not your girlfriend?”
“Who says she’s not?” He folded his arms across his chest daring her to argue with him. Maizie’s eyes widened, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t enjoying her jealousy.
“Well, I’m glad I didn’t injure your ego.” She whipped her hair in his face and walked out the door.
He’d overdone it again.
* * *
Maizie stormed around the party,putting anyone she could find between herself and Christian. How did he manage to be both annoying and tempting at the same time?
And why did Christian keep implying that Rob wanted to be more than just a friend? Sure, he’d given her those headphones today, but that’s just the kind of thing friends did, right? The more she tried to convince herself of it, the more unsure she felt. She didn’t like Rob, not like that anyway. He was a great friend and always would be. She couldn’t imagine him as anything else.
The sun slipped slowly behind the rolling hills. Maizie would never tire of the view on the farm. Forget beaches or cityscapes, the miles of green fields and beautiful mountains in the distance always won. Tonight was no different. She longed to run to her barn and throw her heart into the music, but she had to stay a little longer.
“Maizie!” Grandma shouted from somewhere in the house.
