AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shake my head. “No. You should come here. We should talk.”
3
SUMMER
“Idon’t wanna talk.”
Good gosh. Nice going. Sound like a petulant child much? No wonder Dane doesn’t take me seriously. That’s probably not fair. I don’t know that he doesn’t take me seriously. But he wanted nothing to do with me when I was eighteen, so why would he care that I was freezing in the cold?
I’m totally being a petty brat. Of course Dane cares. He might not want me romantically, but he was always kind and looked out for me. Like when he gave me his own money so I could go to prom. Or all the times he picked me up on the side of the road so I didn’t have to walk wherever I was going as a teen.
Dane’s kindness is one of the reasons I always liked him. Even as a young man, he was polite, thoughtful, and respectful. And hot. Gosh, he was so hot. Still is. In fact, he’s better looking now than he was when we were younger. They say men age like fine wine, and I am here for it. Dane Bennett is eye candy for the starved. And I’m starving.
“You don’t wanna?” he mocks with a half-smile.
I’d been practically hysterical when he’d scooped me up from my porch, but I was with it enough to know what was happening. I knew he’d brought me to his house and tucked me into his bed, then climbed in with me. I should have fought it from the start. It felt so good to have someone else take the reins and take care of me. I knew I was safe with him, and having his arms around me calmed me all the way down to my bones.
Now, though, I’m in a better frame of mind and I need to create some space. If I don’t, I might do something I regret later. Like throwing myself at him and getting rejected again.
“What kind of release do you need, Summer? Maybe I can help.”
My eyes bug out, and I start to choke on my own saliva. “Y-you can’t help. I was just rambling.”
He raises his eyebrows, puts his hands on his hips, and damn. I don’t think this man knows how fine he is. The way his once dark hair has turned salt and pepper with age, and the way the lines around his eyes have deepened. Yeah, he’s lickable. Very, very lickable.
“I think I can. Tell me this. Is the release you need some time in Little Space? And don’t try lying to me. I’ll know, and I won’t be pleased.”
How does he know? I told him I was Little, but that was so long ago. Does he remember that? I mean, obviously he does. He’s asking me about Little Space. Maybe Greer said something. I’m going to kill her if she did. After I ask a million questions, of course. I need to know every single thing Dane has ever asked or said about me.
“I asked you a question, baby.”
“Why are you asking?”
“I’m curious. And if you need time away from your mom to be Little, I can provide that for you.”
The lump is back in my throat, and I’m struggling to swallow it down. I lower my gaze from his. Out of my periphery, he moves toward me. He stops only a foot or so away, close enough that I catch a whiff of his scent. My bottom lip trembles, and as if he knows I’m about to lose it again, he takes another step toward me. I start to crumble more. A tear breaks free.
I don’t want to cry again. I had my time to fall apart. It’s over now. I need to get my shit together and help my mom. That’s why I’m back in Pine Hollow.
When he reaches out a hand, I lift mine and push his away. “I’m fine, Dane. I don’t need time to be Little. I’m here to take care of my mom. My life goes on the back burner for now.”
He reaches for me again, only this time he grabs my chin roughly and forces me to look at him.
“Listen to me and listen good. Just because you’re taking care of your mom does not mean you need to put your entire life on hold. It means you need to find balance. Putting your needs on hold is not healthy for your mental or emotional health. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your mom. So, I’m going to ask you again, and I’d like a straight answer. Is the release you need some Little time?”
His eyes search my face, waiting. After a few seconds, I flick my gaze away from his and nod. Instead of releasing my chin, he gives it a slight squeeze.
I don’t know why, but I feel better after admitting that to him. And what he said—defending my needs—it means so much to me. He has a good point. I know I can’t be my best self if my mental and emotional health aren’t good. It’s the only way I’ve been able to cope with my job in Seattle.
“I should go home,” I whisper.
Instead of arguing with me like I half expect, he drops his hand and lets out a quiet sigh. “I’ll walk you.”
“Thank you.”
In silence, we make our way downstairs, but when we get to the front door, he grabs my arm to stop me. He snags a jacket from the entryway hooks and holds it up for me.
I furrow my eyebrows. “It’s a three-second walk.”
