Chapter 17 Seasons change

Alex got back at Killarney and it wasn't long after his arrival when he drove his Ute to Drovers Run. It had been a long time since he really had been there. Alex remembered the times he was a very regular visitor. He felt like he needed to explain things to Stevie. She probably wouldn't be happy that he hadn't spoken her since his time in the hospital. And he kind of felt bad for not contacting her, but when he was in Argentina he didn't have the courage to call. He didn't know exactly why, but Alex just wanted to explain things in person.

Alex got out of his car, wearing his blue polo, walking upon the Drovers Homestead. Regan was pushing a wheelbarrow when she saw her neighbor strolling to her. 'Hey Regan!' She stopped and watched him. That had been a long time, but she noticed he looked good and seemed fine. 'G'day. I hadn't expected you here.' It was a line with an undertone Alex understood right away. 'Yeah, sorry, I needed some time to figure things out.' She nodded, accepting Alex' apology.

He stood there for a moment, not really sure what to say next. 'Uhm', he licked his lip and watched the girl again. 'Do you know where Stevie is?' A soft smile appeared on Regan's face. Of course Stevie. She turned to the hay shed. 'I guess she's over there.' 'Ah, okay then I will check there'. Regan could see he was a bit nervous and while the girl picked up the wheelbarrow she smiled at him. 'Good to see you again, Alex.' He smirked back, still a bit uncomfortable. It felt strange, nothing like the many times he just walked here totally relaxed.

Stevie and Riley had just finished gathering some hay bales. The redhead sighed for a moment, rubbing the back of her arm and hand across her forehead. 'Well that's done'. Riley shrugged his shoulder and looked at her. 'I think we've earned some rest now', he grinned. 'You think?', she said with a teasing smile. 'We still have a lot to do ...' 'Yeah, well you can't force me.' She gave him a stare, knowing what he was up to. Stevie took in a demonstrative posture and glared at him, raising her eyebrows.

He stood in front of her. 'Like that will help.' She nodded. 'Yeah ... well let's put it this way: get your lazy butt into action Riley!' She moved her lips playfully. 'I know something better', Riley said. They both had felt the tension between them getting bigger these last few days and the teasing remarks had filled the air. 'Like what?', Stevie asked, still not changing her position. Riley moved closer and touched her hand. 'Like this ...' She looked at his hand touching her and when her face moved up again she felt him really close. Staring in his eyes she just went along with the moment. His other hand touched her chin and he softly kissed her. It made Stevie giggle while she felt his lips on hers, giving him a quick kiss back.

Alex had heard her giggling and when he walked along the wooden bank he saw his friend kissing this Riley bloke. For a moment he couldn't move and the feelings that ran through his body where new to him. He stood there totally stupefied. When all of a sudden he looked right into her eyes. She could still sense the taste of Riley's lips when she looked behind him and saw Alex standing there nailed to the ground, with an expression that she didn't really recognize. When Alex realized her gaze he turned around a fast as he could, big steps took him back to his Ute.

Stevie was still standing there, dazed. Was that Alex? 'Alex?', she mumbled. Riley looked at her and she could feel his arm around her waist. 'What?' She stared at the bloke, feeling like she just had visited another planet. Stevie tried to speak, but there wasn't even one word that left her mouth. She just ran away.

Stevie saw Alex' black Ute pull up. 'Alex!', she shouted, but he turned upon the road and drove off. So the girl just stood there, totally overwhelmed by the moment.

Alex pressed the accelerator, looking in his rearview for a moment. He couldn't think. He couldn't set his mind clear, staggered by the view. He never had thought he would find her like this. And it had upset him, not knowing why. Alex just could feel a sort of jealous feeling rushing through his blood.

I use to tell myself that you would wait
I borrowed time for two and I twisted fate
I left us floating in the air for the wind to hold on to
It let me down, it let you go

When he was a few miles away he stopped the car at the side of the road. Not sure what to do Alex just stared in front of him, blinking his eyes. What was this all about? So Stevie had something going on with Riley. Shouldn't he be happy for her? This was obviously something serious, cause why else would she kiss him, her horse-training partner?

It was strange. The last couple of years she never had a serious relationship. It was the first time he really realized this. Kane ... it was the last man that got close to her heart, but that was years ago. Maybe he wasn't used to the fact of his best mate being with another man. Another man ... he repeated the thought in his mind. He had expected to get her full attention when he would return. How could he just think that easy, noticing he had taken her for granted, expecting her to be there for him whenever he felt the need.

Sometimes the things you want are hard to take
Sometimes the ones you love are risks you don't make
The dust has settled into nothingness and I yearn for yesterday
Just look around
I'm still the same

Things weren't the same anymore. Their friendship wasn't like it had been. Things had changed. Alex started the engine again and just drove, thinking. Cause he couldn't get these thoughts of his mind, he couldn't get her of his mind.

So many things that we didn't say
So many reasons the world's not the same
Oh, it's not the same

I drive around like nothing here has changed
I drive and everything has changed and I feel the lightening it's in my own mistakes
and I was gonna tell you I wish all our wrongs could be right
I'm too late
I looked in my rearview and now I don't see you

I used to tell myself that you would wait ...

Anastacia - Rearview