Chapter 4:Jealous cousin

Hardin's POV

After l and Marcy had gone in to clean up, the vet was called to come give Miranda some injection shots for infection.

I was still in awe of everything, this was unlike what I was used to, before I left for military school I didn't really do much work at the ranch because I thought they were going to get me all dirty and l wasn't really an animal person, but now looking at how gentle she was the animals, how much care she showed them and devoted she was to her work , I realized I probably was.

"So, what are we gonna name him"she said to me and Nathan when we already got to the house garage.

"Hmmm" Nathan stroked his chin "how bout Billy?"

"You could always name him Marcy" l teased with a smile.

"Haha very funny" she teased back,"I think the name billy has a nich touch to it" she said smiling at Nathan who in turn gleamed back.

I honestly hated this guy at this moment, why does he have to flirt at every moment, I mean I overheard my mum and marcy's mum say they went to the same school, and he had a huge crush on her, which would probably explain why he took a summer job here but why, weren't there other girls at his school, why does it have to be my marcy.

(Wait where the fuck did that thought come from? I sounded like an obsessed boyfriend)

I didn't even realize that my hands were balled into fists until Marcy held my hand.

"Are you alright Hardin?"she had this innocent and caring look on her face.

"I'm okay,I just need a shower"i released my hand from her grip and started walking towards the house,l could feel she and Nathan's stare on my back as i walked away.

I didn't mean to storm out on them like that but I couldn't comprehend what I was beginning to feel for my own cousin,it was a weird feeling,like this fluttery feeling when you have a crush on a girl and each time she stared at me with those beautiful eyes or touched me on the shoulder or hand,I'd get it every single time,which was why i walked away from them minutes ago.

Weird how I've only been here a few hours and this was already happening,if I let it get past this , it will definitely be a total mess up considering how she's my cousin and all. I definitely couldn't let that happen.

Marcy's POV

Something weird was going on with Hardin, but I couldn't just place a finger on it.

I mean when he came,he was cold and unexpressive towards me, showing in his usual insults which he always initiated whenever we were alone.

Then when he came to swim,he was looking at me weirdly like he hadn't seen me before or something.

Then all of a sudden he wanted to see how I delivered a cow. He was definitely full of surprises.

I watched his face while I was delivering miranda, I saw different emotions, anxiety ,fear ,then relief and finally happiness.

He looked so happy when Billy came out safe,I never knew him to be an animal person because he rarely visited the ranch before he left for Military school.

I noticed his mood changed whenever Nathan was trying to be friendly,which was what I couldn't comprehend,he barely knew the guy,Nathan only worked here during summers ,and he only moved to my school two years ago.

I mean actually enjoyed the fact that we were getting along for a second,so what could have been the problem now,let me go and check on him,maybe we could talk it out.

I left Nathan at the garage and went back inside the house,I saw my mom in the kitchen with Reece,it looked like they were already done with dinner,

"Oh hi honey ,have a seat while I heat up your dinner"my mum said while putting my dinner in the microwave.

"I heard you delivered Miranda and that Hardin joined you and before you ask I heard it from Anna,one of the ranch workers on duty who came buy to drop some livestock off here at the house" said Reece.

"Yeah it went pretty well"i said stabbing my fork on the table repeatedly,I needed to go find out what had offended Hardin.

"Soooo does that mean you two are already bonding?"she teased with a sly smile.I ignored her.

"Umm,I need to go wash up mom,I'll have my dinner in 15 minutes "

"Oh alright honey"said my mom.

I climbed upstairs and went to hardin's door,I raised my knock,I was still trying to decide whether I should leave him alone.

I finally knocked on the door and opened it ,he was lying bare back on the bed,he had just shorts on,he was going through his phone but stopped and sat up on the bed

"What do you want Marcy?"

"Did I do something wrong,I mean everything was going really great and and um..".

I didn't know why I was stammering but something about him seemed so intimidating right now.

"And what Marcy?"he looked so impatient.

"I thought we were bonding ".

He stood up from the bed and stood right in front of me, bringing his face so close to mine,I could smell his minty hair shampoo and his citrus fragrance.

"What made you believe I would ever bond with you Marcy,can't you get it into your head Marcy,I hate you,always did,always will"

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to stifle the tears that was threatening to fall from my eyes"No you don't mean that,I'm your cousin and i mean... I thought we've gotten past all that "i heard my voice break.

"Well we haven't" he pointed at the door "now get the fuck out of my room".

I bowed my head and went to the door and walked out without even looking back then entered my room,then walked into my closet and that was when the tears finally flowed.

Yeah he was right ,what was I thinking ,that we could bond , we've pratically hated each other our whole lives.

I wiped my eyes,It was there and then that I decided that I hated Hardin Adams with every single bone in my body and nothing was going to ever change that.