Magnetic by Robin Alexander Read Free Book Online

paint was.
    “This first cabin is assigned to Blanchard.” Stick pointed to the right.
    “That’s us,” Ronnie said with a wave and wrapped her arm around Stacy’s waist. “It’s cute, isn’t it, baby?”
    “Everything you need is inside, but if not, see me or Les. Actually, any of the staff will help.” Stick tugged on her T-shirt emblazoned with Moss Ranch on the pocket. “We all wear these as I’m sure you noticed. Layne, yours is here,” Stick pointed to the next, “and, Molly and Jenny, yours is just past that stand of trees.”
    Layne stifled a sigh. Stacy and Ronnie’s cabin wasn’t but a stone’s throw away from hers. Molly and Jenny’s had more privacy. Stick continued to walk with her as Molly and Jenny scampered off to investigate.
    “Have you heard about the barn dance we have each night?”
    Layne nodded as she took in the quaint log cabin. As Stick had said, there was a hammock on one side of the porch and a swing on the other. “I may take it easy the first night. I’m kind of tired from the trip, but I’ll certainly check it out some other time.”
    “Good, save me a dance when you do.” Stick smiled warmly when she caught Layne’s eye. “It was very nice meeting you. I hope to see you around.”
    “You too.” Layne stepped up on her porch when Stick walked away. “Well, Layne, here you are,” she said under her breath as she slipped the key into the lock, “and here you will stay while this nightmare plays out.”
    *******
    “Your friends are nice,” Stacy said as she and Ronnie unpacked.
    “Normally, they’re a lot more jovial. I think Molly’s probably tired. She’s just really getting her strength back. Layne isn’t herself at all.”
    Stacy put the last of her shorts in a drawer and moved her suitcase into the corner. “How long were she and Olivia together?”
    “Six years. I don’t know how Layne put up with her for that long. Olivia is one of those women who thinks the world revolves around her. Most of the time when we all did things together, Layne didn’t bring her along, and for that, we were grateful. Olivia almost always sent her food back complaining that it was improperly prepared. She loved to show off her latest watch or piece of jewelry she bought herself, and my personal favorite to hate was the name-dropping. She was quick to tell you about the latest politician she’d met, even claimed to have run into a few movie stars at parties Layne wasn’t invited to. Olivia is a snob. Layne’s a good person, but she has a tendency to be a bit materialistic and she’s drawn to women like that. I’m so glad she’s free of that coldhearted bitch.”
    Stacy smiled. “Tell me how you really feel.”
    “Oh, sweetie, I’m really censoring myself. Molly and Jenny tolerated her for Layne’s sake, but I fucking despised her, and I let her know it.” Ronnie took her toiletries into the bathroom. “This trip will be good for Layne if she’ll come out of her shell. Stick is already swooping in, and I saw a few others give her the eye. Maybe she’ll get laid by a real living human being and see what she’s been missing.”
    Stacy looked out the window at the cabin beside them knowing that Layne was inside. She remembered the desperation with which Layne had clung to her. It had occurred to Stacy that night that Layne seemed to be chasing demons away by immersing herself in another soul. Her touches were tender, her kisses like fire, and her passion was all-consuming. At times, it felt as though they weren’t strangers, and there were moments when it seemed like they were making love instead of simply enjoying a pleasurable physical act. And as she pondered those memories, Stacy wondered if maybe that was why she’d been so affected by Layne. Maybe it was more than being beaten at her own game.
    She listened to Ronnie humming as she put her things away, wondering how to define what was happening between them. They’d slept together the night they met and