“You what?” Adam said.
I made my voice louder. “I punched Callum. He’s bleeding, and I might have broken his jaw. I don’t know.”
Adam stared at me. He put a hand to his forehead and grimaced. “Jesus. What did he do?”
“He’s been bullying me since Luke and I started getting together. He’s jealous or something. I don’t know. And he was being mean to Noah, and I couldn’t take it anymore.” My cheeks heated with shame. “I’m sorry. I hope he’s okay.”
Adam nodded slowly. “I do too. But Callum’s had something coming for a while. From someone. He can’t keep his damn mouth shut, and he’s got the maturity of a ten-year-old.” Adam scratched his forehead. “Let me contact Adrian. Don’t go anywhere yet. I need to do some damage control before we get sued up the ass.”
Adam went into his office as I waited outside the door.
After a few minutes he came out. “Adrian says Callum’s fine. His nose isn’t broken as far as he can see.”
“I still have to leave, Adam.”
“Fine. But you’ll have to come back if Callum presses charges. I doubt he will but I wish you would reconsider and stay.”
I didn’t think Callum would press charges either. I mean, it was a punch for God’s sake.
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I can fit in here.”
“Jensen, you’re already fitting in here.”
We stared at each other.
Adam must have seen the determination in my eyes. He took a small key from his pocket and walked to Connor’s desk. He unlocked the drawer where the phones were kept and grabbed one out, removing the piece of tape with my name written on it before passing it to me.
He sighed. “You’re going to upset two of my favorite men by leaving right now.”
I nodded curtly. “I’m sorry about Noah. I don’t think Luke cares about anything other than my ass, frankly,” I said. “Bye. Thanks anyway.” I held my hand out for Adam to shake.
He took my hand between two of his, and I appreciated the genuine warmth in his gaze, mingled with what was probably regret. “Best of luck.”
“Thanks.”
He released me.
I chewed my lip. “For what it’s worth, I think this place is amazing. The BCR just…isn’t right for me.”
“Okay,” Adam said, distracted.
I nodded and hefted my duffel bag, then walked out the front door to the parking lot.
Now I was actually leaving, I felt shaky and subdued. But I knew I was making the right decision. If I stayed, things would only get worse. I’d make bigger mistakes. I’d have my heart ripped out of my chest by either Noah or Luke.
Leaving was the safest option, for everyone.
I unlocked my light-blue sedan and threw the bag in the back seat, then got in the driver’s side. The car smelled stale and old, like my life had been before I’d found myself here. But it also smelled familiar. After I closed the door, I sat there with the windows rolled down, gathering my thoughts.
This was the right thing to do. I’d go home, look for an actual stable-hand job with real horses, where I wouldn’t be risking anything at all.
After a few minutes a calm descended over me, and I was ready to drive. I put the key in the ignition. The engine came to life as the passenger door opened with a rusty creak.
“Not so fast, cowboy,” Luke said as he plopped himself into my car and grinned at me as my chin dropped in shock. He shut the door and there were two of us in my stinky car.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I gasped, gaze flying over the snug pair of pineapple-print boxer briefs, Docs, and leather collar he was wearing.
“Stopping you from being stupid.”
