It doesn’t matter if Wilder didn’t mean what he said. He still said it. And he knows better than anyone that once you say something, you can’t ever take it back.
I mean, is it the worst thing in the world to be understanding and forgiving?
Or is he right? Do I let the boys I love off the hook too easily?
There’s a resoundingyesthat echoes in my head.
It would be easy to blame Cash. He spent too many years conditioning me to never question him. To feel honored that he chose me.
But Wilder’s not like that. I never have to earn his love. It’s just there.
So, can I be angry with him and still believe that our relationship will work past this?
“Random question, Wild,” Cash pipes up, ruining the awkward silence.
“Hit me,” Wilder says as he leans forward and rests his elbow on the back of my seat.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cash eye me nervously, then look back at the road.
Good. He should be scared of me.
“What do you think about… manscaping?”
My eyes roll so hard I’m afraid I might sprain something.
“Manscaping?” Wilder repeats.
“Yeah,” Cash answers.
Wilder’s hand runs down the length of my arm, and I resist the urge to lean into his touch.
I don’t want to fight with him. I want things to go back to the way they were.
“Blondie’s the one who works at Loretta’s,” Wilder reminds him. “She’s the person to ask about manscaping.”
“I would rather not be included in this conversation,” I say as I keep my eyes focusedout the window at the long stretch of two-lane road ahead of us.
Wilder’s fingers continue to stroke my arm as I lay my head back on the headrest, needing to be closer to him, but grateful for the space.
“Back to me,” Cash says. “I haven’t really done much down there since Ingrid broke up with me.”
“You broke up with me,” I clarify, keeping my gaze out the window.
Cash and Wilder ignore me.
“You got a full-blown bush going on?” Wilder deduces.
Why are they having this conversation with me present? Why?!
“Yep.”
“Did you manscape for Ingrid?” Wilder asks.
Kill. Me. Now.
I say, “No,” at the same time Cash says, “Yes.”
Wilder chuckles. “Yes or no?”
