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I kept my distance at the hospital because I couldn’t be near him. Any time he tried to talk to me, try to convince me that he had a good reason for lying, I made excuses to leave the room. Because nothing he was going to say would change the decision I’ve made. I was leaving.
When Sammy opens the front door and a ball of fluff runs out, a massive smile blasts across my face. “Jake!” I squeal as he runs toward me, his tail wagging. “Hey, buddy! Remember me?” I assume that’s a yes since he’s practically licking away the first layer of my face. “Awe, I missed you, too. Have you been a good boy? Has anybody been rubbing behind your ear like this? Just like you like it? Oh, that’s a good boy.”
“When you’re done making out with my dog, you can move out of my way so I can get to the couch.”
I narrow my eyes and shoot Easton a dirty look. Leaning forward, I kiss Jake on his nose and whisper loud enough for Easton to hear. “Good luck with that one, buddy.” Then I stand and move out of his way. He doesn’t look in my direction as he hops inside, adjusting his crutches and dropping onto the couch.
“Can I get you anything?”
“No,” he says flatly.
My fists ball against my side. He’s the only one at fault here, yet he’s acting mad at me. “You know what—”
“Callie, I forgot to mention, Bill towed your car to his shop. They were able to thaw the lock enough to get the key out. Bill is working on getting a new key made.”
“Okay, thanks.” I can feel Easton’s eyes on me, but I refuse to give him what he wants.
“Oh, and there was a call for you on the main line for the cabin rentals. A girl named Terry?”
“You mean Tory?”
“That could be it. Pretty frantic. Said she was supposed to hear from you and didn’t. I explained that you were okay. But I reckon by the way she was yelling, she didn’t believe me. Said she’s on her way up.”
Oh, great.
“Well, if there isn’t anything else. I’m gonna be on my way. Easton, I hope you’ll stay away from that ravine for a bit.”
“Have no reason to be up there anymore.”
That dig was meant for me, and it sure hit its mark.
Sammy turns to me. “Callie, it was a pleasure meeting you. Hope we cross paths real soon.”
“Thanks, Sammy.” I give them a hug, and he’s out the door. Silence quickly washes over us. I don’t know what to do or say. My hands fidget at my side. “Uhm. . . Did you want me to—”
“So, you’re leaving?”
“I am. I think you know it’s best.”
“I think the exact opposite. What Ithinkis that we—”
“Easton, don’t make this any harder than it already is.”
“Harder? You’re the one that’s choosing to leave.”
“I need to. I. . . I need time to think.”
“What the fuck do you have to think about? Do you love me?”
“That’s not fair. This isn’t about love. You know how I feel.”
“Right now, I don’t. Because you’re choosing to leave. Callie, please. Just listen to me. Put yourself in my shoes. You would’ve done the same thing.”
I want to spit out that I wouldn’t, but a part of me knows I might.
“You know, I would’ve understood if you came forward after a couple of days. Because you’re right, maybe I would’ve done the same thing. But a week, Easton? Were you ever going to tell me?”
“Probably not, if it meant you stayed with me.”
