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“You’re right. I’ll message Liv and get his number again. I haven’t spoken to anyone. Sort of forgot to let them know I had a new number.”
Martina’s eyes bulged. “Girl, you need to get a grip.”
“Tell me about it.” I typed out a quick message while it was fresh in my mind. “You’re probably right about Jake being behind all the weirdness. I just don’t have proof.”
“The only proof you need is your gut. What is it telling you?”
I sat there for a long beat. “I’m so confused. Everything had been fine until we went to Burntwood.”
“Is it really fine, though?” She stared at me like she was trying to get me to hear her thoughts. “After moving into his place, it’s like he occupies all your time. He’s pushed me away. Everything is about him and his needs.”
It was frightening to listen to her. Mostly because everything she said was true, and I’d just let it all happen.
My phone chimed with a notification.
I opened the message from my sister.
Olivia: Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to call you. Someone leaked Mindy’s sexual escapades with the high school quarterback to the newspaper. Holden is a mess.
“Holy shit! Scandal has hit my family. I need to call my brother.”
“What happened?”
“Mindy cheated on him with his star quarterback.”
“I didn’t see that coming.”
“Nobody did.”
“Well, don’t let it derail you from talking to Jake.”
“I’ll do it this weekend.” I got up and gathered my things. “We’ll talk later.” Rushing to my office, I replied to my sister.
Shelby: Poor Holden! Can you give me his number and Cade’s, please? My phone broke, and I lost all my contacts.
Olivia: Sure
After she gave me the phone numbers, I pulled up the Burntwood Gazette on my desktop. Mindy’s face appeared and my brother’s was beside hers. That was the thing about living in a small town where everyone knew everyone. There was no way Holden wouldn’t have been mentioned when the whole damn town had known Holden and Mindy were a couple.
Cade’s name caught my eye down below the sex scandal.
It was about his ranch. Some of his fencing had been damaged and his cattle had gotten loose. There was an investigation, and volunteers were patrolling the property.
Jesus, it sounded like chaos had swept into Burntwood after I left and I’d been totally oblivious to it.
I dialed Holden, and it went straight to voicemail. He wouldn’t know it was me calling with my new number and was probably screening his calls.
“Hey, it’s me, Shelby. I have a new number, so add me to your contacts. Just heard about Mindy’s indiscretion coming out in the paper. I’m so sorry this is happening to you. If there is anything you need, like a place to lie low until it all dies down, you’re welcome to come stay with me. Or if you just want to talk, call me. I’m here for you. Bye.” I ended the call, then noticed my break was over.
He frickin’ blindsided me just when I was pumped up to talk about our relationship and how I thought we should part ways. I’d gotten home five minutes ago and discovered his suitcase by the front door. “You won’t be back until Monday? Why are you just telling me this now?”
“I totally forgot about this business trip. Sorry, babe.” He rushed around the beach house like he was anxious to leave.
“This makes no sense. When did this all happen?” My head was spinning as I watched him move about the room. “I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
“Come on, Shelby. You’re sounding clingy,” he said sarcastically. “It’s only a few days, for Christ’s sake.”
Clingy? “Go. I don’t give a crap what you do!” I took out an open bottle of wine from the fridge and poured myself a glass.
