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Until she ruined it without reason.
I glance from the black screen of my phone out the windshield in contemplation of what’s next. Sleeping in my Jeep supplies me with too many moments to stew on the past. The flames of anger stoke constant red embers in wait of their moment to flame bright and burn.
Speaking of flames.
Two spaces over, a head of wavy hair the deepest shade of red I’ve ever seen emerges. Immediately after the bobbing curls catch my attention, the rest of her materializes from beyond the driver’s door of a ten-year-old white Lexus. I cup my jaw in contemplation of the rounded hourglass figure. One that comes straight from nature with a bit of food appreciation to give it the perfect softness. Pretty sure my tongue lolls out of my mouth like a caricature at the vision of high-waisted jeans and the crop top she’s working.
Fuck. Me.
There’s nothing sexier than a woman confident with her body. I don’t care if she’s a size two or twenty-two. And this woman, closer to the latter range, radiates her confidence.
As much as temptation encourages me to jump out and smooth talk my way into her car and her bed, I stay put and watch the vision cross the truck stop parking lot and enter the convenience store ahead.
I spent half my life being proud of the fact I’d only ever been with my wife. I wore the badge with honor, not wanting to be like all the other men.
At this moment, with my sights set on an absolute goddess? I can?
??t be more glad that Nora fucked it all up.
2
Evie
The afternoon sun blazes behind my rear window, casting an orangish glow across the dash. My open window gusts warm air in my face to help me remain awake, in addition to the air-conditioning on full blast.
Grittiness scratches my eyes after two days of straight driving. Tears long ago evaporated, but a red blotchiness encircles the drooping lids. If I don’t pull over soon, I’ll fall asleep and possibly crash into a ditch. Considering the recent turns in my life, that may not be the worst outcome.
A call rings through the dash, the name flashing on my radio screen, and I jab the button on the steering wheel.
“Hello?”
“Tell me where you are.” The panicked voice of Eric, my brother, fills the confines of my car and incites a roar in my gut.
“You don’t need to know.”
“I don’t like you out there alone.”
I scoff. “I don’t need you to rescue me.”
“Evie.” The pain in the utterance slices me wide open.
“You know this is my only option. I’m not moving across the ocean, and if I tell you, you’ll just tell him again like last time.”
“I’m so sorry.” The roar of wind nearly steals his apology, but I catch the tortured whisper.
I rid the tension through my exhale. “I know.” My fingers twist tight around the steering wheel as I come across the first town limit sign in what feels like hours.
Arrow Creek 5mi
“Look, I’m going to find a place in the next town. I’ll check in regularly, but don’t call. Please. Nothing you can do will make this better.” The plea fissures through my voice.
The blame lies with me, and I wish he’d stop trying to fix this. He doesn’t know the whole story.
“As long as you don’t make me worry, I’ll wait to hear from you.”
“It’ll be okay. I’ll figure this out.” I hope.
Falling in love with my brother’s best friend, Tate, was dangerous from the onset. I always knew the power tilted to his side. Letting him rip my heart out three years later was more devastating than I ever imagined, though I’ve had some time to recover since then.
