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“Couldn’t, or wouldn’t?”
“Both. We can’t move to Nashville, Scar. My job, Chloe’s school, our family is in New Hope.”
“Right.” I nod, still blinking, but now trying to keep tears at bay. “Of course. Besides, we’ve never really said this thing between us is going anywhere.”
“Stop talking,” he says with frustration. “I’m not telling you that we aren’t going to be together, or that I’m not thinking about the long-term with you. Do you think I throw the L word around to everyone?”
“No, I—”
“But it’s not as easy as Chloe and I just packing up the house and relocating. It’s not that simple.”
“I understand that.” I nervously pluck at a loose thread on my chair. “I do. It’s just…I’m based out of here. I have dozens of people who rely on me, and my career isn’t something I can just pick up and move.”
“I understand that, too, and I would never ask you to give it up.”
“So, it’s impossible,” I whisper. “I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
“Hey, the Scarlett I know isn’t this dramatic.”
I stare at him in horror. “Are you fucking kidding me? We basically just decided that our relationship won’t work, and you’re calling me dramatic?”
“Who said our relationship won’t work? I didn’t say that.”
“Oh, for the love of Moses.” I stand and walk into my bedroom. “I’m done discussing this.”
“You brought it up.”
“And I’m dropping it,” I reply coldly. “Because the alternative to you moving here is us being fuck-buddies on the rare occasion I get to New Hope, and I’m not going to insult either of us by insinuating that that’s what you meant.”
“Now you’re just pissing me off.”
“Thanks for catching up to the conversation at hand.” I plant my hands on my hips and frown at him. “And thanks for being so willing to compromise. It’s the foundation of a functional relationship, after all.”
“Scar, everything Chloe and I know is in South Carolina. She’s in school there, with friends and a whole community that loves her.”
“Nashville has schools,” I inform him. “And it’s not like I’m suggesting we never go back to New Hope again. I know I don’t get home often—”
“Or ever.”
“I’ll buy a private plane for God’s sake, and we can fly over any time.”
“I don’t have a solution,” he says, holding his hands out to his sides. “I know that I don’t want to lose you. And I also know that Nashville isn’t the answer for me.”
“So, I’m the only one who should bend here because I’m not a mother, and I have money.” I nod, feeling hurt all the way to my soul. “I guess it’s good to know now what your expectations are.”
“I don’t have any fucking expectations,” he growls.
“Well, I do. I expect you to consider the whole picture and come into a conversation with an open mind.”
“I’m not the only one unwilling to bend. You just said your life is here and you can’t pick up and move. Why aren’t you compromising, Scarlett?”
“There is nothing productive about this conversation.”
“Agreed.”
I’m breathing hard with anger and disappointment. Sadness. Frustration. “The other guest suite is down the hall.”
“You’re kicking me out because you didn’t get the answer you wanted?”
“I’m kicking you out because I’m mad at you.”
Tucker shakes his head and blows out a breath. “I guess you’ll know where to find me then.”
He turns on his heel and stalks out the door, closing it firmly behind him.
I’ve ruined everything. I just had to share my home with Tucker and Chloe. I wanted them to see where I live.
I wanted them to just shift right into place, into my life, without any hiccups.
“I’m an idiot,” I mutter and turn to the bathroom. I need a hot shower, and I need to let go of some of this angry energy.
17
~ Tucker ~
“Damn it.” I grab the pillow and flip to my side. When I can’t get comfortable, I flop onto my back and stare up at the ceiling.
I’ve been tossing and turning for nearly three hours. It’s well after midnight, and I should’ve spent the night making love to Scarlett, but here I am, brooding over our fight.
Normally, I’d be quick to concede because I don’t like to fight, and I sure as hell don’t want the woman I’m in love with mad at me, but I don’t feel like I’m wrong in this situation. Scarlett wants me to bend, but she isn’t willing to give me the same courtesy. And, okay, maybe I was a little harsh and quick to shut her down, but we’ve only been together for a short time. She left me once already, and who’s to say she won’t do it again? And how awful would it be for that to happen after I’ve shifted around my entire life to accommodate hers?
It would be fucking horrible.
I’ve given her my heart, but that doesn’t mean I fully trust her with it.
