Andre honors the law and respects that Spencer keeps it intact without going against the grain. He leaned forward, lightly using his fingers against her cheek.
"I know you can't. But you're an very intelligent woman. At the end of the day, you'll make the decision that's ultimately right for you"
She smiles, touching her hand with his.
"The intelligence side of me comes from you"
He turns with an wink.
"You better know it. The fight in you comes from the best parts of your mom. That woman can win any argument she starts. But that's enough lollygagging, back to the task at hand"
"You do that, I'm gonna go check on Chris, see if he needs help with mending the fence. You gone be okay until I get back?" Andre scoffed waving her off.
"I'm built like an lion, I'll be just fine, don't you worry your pretty head"
She shakes her own, walking out toward the open land, where Chris was working to the bone, shirtless. She lets out an heavy sigh, bracing herself as she went to approach him. Her mind drifted to the night before, then the morning. How it felt being in Spencer's arms. All the things he said that she's waited years to hear. She took her phone out of hiding, sending an text to his phone.
Olivia: I know your with your dad and brothers, but we should about what happened at some point. When I'm ready.
"Yo!"
Chris called out when he saw her. She waves moving in his direction.
"Hey! How's it going out here?"
She prods, while he wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Pretty good. I'm finishing up here. I was gonna help your dad with fixing the lawn mower. Get some exercise in with the horses by your guy's stable"
"You don't have to do that Ris"
Chris's lips slanted over, tossing his shirt over his shoulders with an laugh.
"It's better this way, unless you wanna be here few days out of each week"
"Not happening today. I'm sure my dad and I will have an sweet moment that'll allow me to convince him into hiring some extra help"
Chris took an fresh bottle of water, chugging it down. Olivia watched in an trance, amazed by how his throat moved while he swallowed effortlessly. The way his skin bronzed out in the sun after being out in it for so long. She tried tearing her eyes away but to no avail. He finished his drink, giving her what was left.
"Take this. Can't have you out here all hot and dehydrated. It's pretty warm out"
"It really is"
She mutters, taking an few gulps. Shaking her head while giving her best effort in rattling the dirty thoughts of him from her mind, clearing her throat.
"Want an hand with the fence?"
"I'd love that"
Chris lifted his chin, giving her the hammer.
"I'll pull while you secure the line"
"Piece of cake"
They work alongside each other, Chris teasing her and the inability of hitting the nail, almost hitting his hand instead. Sweat dripped from her forehead as she moved over to the poles that were left. This reminded her of how much she hated manual labor. After ten minutes had passed, mending the fence was complete, going to the next task.
"Let's save this for another day"
"You telling me you wanna haul them by yourself?"
"I'd do an lot better if they caught on fire"
He arched his eyebrow.
"What is it with women and hay piles?"
"What you trying to say?"
She wonders, crossing her arms going in defensive mode. His hands raised surrendering.
"All I'm saying is how much you guys like to complain about when they have to be moved"
"They're heavy that's why. Not to mention, the hay gets in your hair even when you take every precaution to keep it out. Back aching for days and it itches real bad"
"You wanna chop wood instead? Hunt? Fishing? Cleaning out the stalls?"
He quizzed with an grin.
"Sleep sounds heavenly, that's what I wanna do"
Chris busts out laughing, wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her against him.
"You're an hot mess"
"Beats being sweaty and gross"
He crouched lowly, gripping her legs, throwing her over his shoulder, running in the other direction.
"Chris!" She squeals.
"Let me down!"
He ignores her pleas, sprinting until they reach the lake.
"Don't you do it!"
She shouts hearing the water.
"What am I tryna do, beautiful?"
His voice feigning innocence. She hangs upside down as the lake comes into view. She starts flailing around, smacking him on the ass, hoping that'll deter the man from doing what he plans to do.
Water. Cold. Cold. As. Hell.
Shortly, Chris kicked off his boots, throwing hers over one side of the lake. Last thing she saw was him stomping in the water, allowing it to splash all around them.
"Are you kidding me!!"
She screamed as the frozen water pelted her skin as he spun them around. He put her right side up, letting the water rush around her legs. She squats low, paddling water towards him.
"If I'm going down then so are you!"
She plotted throwing water his way.
"That all you got?"
He taunted, jumping in front of her, causing the water to make it to her belly.
"Dead man walking!"
She giggled, charging forward. Chris didn't relent continuing to go after her. After an few minutes, both of them were drenched but cooled off at the same time, standing with large smiles on their faces. He inched closer when her teeth chattered.
"You cold ain't you?" She nods.
"Ye-yes. I-I'-m fre-feezing"
Chris helped her out onto the grass, circling his arms around her. She leaned into his body, letting him warm her up. She nestled her head under his chin, rubbing hands against her arms, forming friction and heat. She held on longer, liking the difference she felt in Chris's arms. Not familiar, but very comfortable. Chris wouldn't let anything, or anyone hurt her that's why she knew cheating would never be an option for him or breaking her heart. She relaxed closing her eyes with this notion.
"How bout we get out of here and check in on your dad, see if he needs help with anything else?"
He says without moving his arms away from her. She sinked further into his arms, tucking an wet strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah, let's do that. He's probably looking for us by now"
They head back to the house together, gathering any other tools they may need. Andre was sitting by the work bench, messing with something. She can't recall how many times she'd sit on a stool next to him, watching him do his thing. He turned around, eyes growing warm again.
"Hi, pumpkin. Did ya'll finish everything?"
Chris's throat staggered walking toward him.
"I actually have an few more things on the list to do, Mr. Baker" Andre smiled brightfully.
"You're such an good man Chris coming over on your day off to help me. Hope you're paying attention, Olivia"
She glanced at Chris, beaming.
"He sure is"
Andre dropped the item he had been tinkering with, sitting back.
"I need an break, this hip is giving me trouble right now. If ya'll need me, I'll be relaxing in my chair. Thanks for your help, son" Chris clasped his shoulder.
"It was my pleasure"
Andre walked over, kissing his daughter's forehead.
"See you later, pumpkin"
"Enjoy that nap!" She ruffed as he grumbled to himself.
"If you wanna go home and change, I can finish this up"
She offered. Chris stepped into her space, his hair shining with the sunlight and through the windows.
"Or I can finish helping your dad for an little while longer and you can make me din-din afterwards"
"Din-din?"
"Dinner. The meal we eat that comes after lunch" He nudged her.
"Figured you could eat one meal with me since I've been working overtime all day for you, and you attacked me with water earlier" Her muscles clenched trying to think of an way out of this.
"I don't know, Ris. Today's been very...complicated?"
"Maybe but dinner doesn't have to be"
"True, but what about this morning? How are you so calm about it?"
He gave her an tight lipped smile, sighing heavily.
"Olivia, we've been over this. I have no right to be angry about you and Spencer, but I feel like you want me to be"
She paused, pondering those thoughts. She cautiously goes to Chris, resting her hand to his arm.
"Sorry for making you feel that way. That's not my intention. I just know if it had been me, I'd feel an way about it" He tugged her closer, winding his arm to surround her waistline.
"I'm not overjoyed over it, but I'm not angry or anything. I'm pursuing you, Olivia, not the other way around. I know you. You wouldn't go out of your way to purposely hurt me or wound my feelings. You're upset, confused, and still tryin to see past what you and Spencer shared. Getting angry with you over that does nothing for either of us. He was with you last night, and I don't care to know the details. I'm pretty sure I can sum it up in my head, but I'd rather not know. With that said," He interludes, eyes hardening into seriousness.
"If we decide were going to give it an real chance, I won't share you. If you pick me, then it has to be me and only me" Her eyes close, grappling on what to say next.
"Before you go off the deep end with this, I want to be clear that there is no rush. I can continue being patient with you"
"If I'm being real?"
She touched his chest, gawking at the freckle on his pec.
"I'm afraid"
"Of what?"
She lifted her head, gazing into eyes.
"Us. You. The idea of us I just!"
She pushed back, Chris overpowered her in that regard, holding her against him.
"My bestfriends brother. You're Chris!"
"You're Olivia!"
He leered. She shot him an fake smile.
"You real funny"
"I'd like to think so"
"You're not getting it. You've been part of my life for like, ever. I don't wanna end up messing that up!"
She ogled in his deep grey eyes, catching the fear floating over the surface. He was afraid too. Not for the same reasons as she was, but it was there.
"Quit actin like I'm proposing to you. The foundation of us lies at our friendship and that'll never change. Whether we become more or not"
"That's not what I'm implying. I just don't want to lose something that I hold dear to my heart"
"And that is?"
"Your friendship"
"You won't. Just trust me. Let me keep working, and you go figure out dinner" He delicately took her dainty hand.
"Alright, dinner it is"
"Let's avoid any driving. Takes away our chances of another tire blowing out while were out" Chris suggestively smirks.
"Friends?"
"Yes, two close friends enjoying food together at the same time. I can even cook if you'd prefer it that way" He volunteered.
"It's okay, I'll cook. We're not eating whatever your trying to make. Just come by my place later tonight. We'll talk, eat, and see about that second chance for an date"
"I get to pick the movie then. You do the cooking, I'm in charge of the entertainment"
"Not if it's some Tarantino movie. We need an movie from the current generation"
She pointed her finger at him as he chuckled.
"Terrible choices"
"Their not, you're just stuck on the same six movies that share the same genre. Time for you to expand your horizons"
Chris pressed forward, planting an kiss to her cheek, walking towards the door.
"I better get to working on this mower. You've got cooking to do. Hop to it, woman"
He sniggered. Her hands braced the edge of the door as her temple rested against her knuckles, watching him walk away, before he turns to smile at her.
"Oh, and Olivia? This isn't an date but don't be alarmed if I happen to bring flowers with me" She blushed down, reveling in his persistence. She raised her head, working up her courage.
"I wouldn't object to that. See you around eight"
"I've got the right movie!" He hollered.
"And which one is that?"
"You'll find out tonight!"
Chris waved before disappearing up the hill while Olivia left to the store to prepare for the night to come.