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Her words were like a knife to the stomach. As much as I didn’t want to talk about it, I knew Ashley wasn’t going to let it go.
“To be honest? I’m not entirely sure. I’ve gone over that night in my head a thousand times. I wish I could blame it all on Caden and the alcohol, but I liked feeling something other than the hurt. I think I just wanted to feel wanted or needed by someone.” I shrugged. “But I don’t regret it, not now. Brendan is my entire world, and I wouldn’t change that.”
“I know.” She nodded her head in agreement. “You ever tell Rhett that?”
I gave her anare you kidding melook and heaved out a breath.
“It actually hurts me to say this,” she said after another moment.
My gaze drifted back to hers. I braced, wondering what she was going to say.
“Kyle’s right.” Ashley sighed dramatically, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “He texted me last night.”
“He’s your brother, it’s not like that’s headline news.” I rolled my eyes at her dramatics.
“No, butwhathe texted is.” One corner of her mouth turned up.
“Oh?” I acted curious, but I knew her game. She would eventually spill the beans. I just needed to wait her out.
After a few moments, she muttered, “You’re no fun, you know that?”
“Mm-hmm, so I’ve been told.”
“Kyle said he had a visitor stop by last night who wasin a mood. He thinks we need to lock you two in a room so you actually talk to each other.” She raised her hands up before I could cut her off. “I told him to butt out,and yetI think he’s right, Bella. You two need to have a serious talk and get all your shit out in the open, because if not, my brother is going to make a huge mistake.”
My face heated at her words. How dare she imply Rhett’s stupid decision to marry someone out of misguided obligation had anything to do with me.
“I shouldn’t have to own his mistake.IfRhett wants to be with me, he knows where to find me.” My face felt flushed now, and my heart rate picked up. I stood and gathered up Brendan’s toys. “Ashley, you’re my best friend. But sometimes…” I shook my head at her.
“I’m sorry. I just hate seeing you both so unhappy.” She scrambled to her feet, helping me pick up the last of the beach toys.
I glared at her. “I’m not unhappy. I have Brendan, and he’s all I need.” I scooped Brendan up, and he wrapped his tiny arms around my neck. I held him tight, wishing I believed the words I said to Ashley. Brendan was my world, but my heart was breaking all over again. I squeezed my baby and kissed his chubby cheek. “I need to get him down for his nap. I’ll see you at dinner?” I asked.
“Yes, but Bella…” She hesitated before adding, “I heard he’s bringing Sarah to dinner tonight.”
I dropped the bag of toys. “Seriously?” I slammed my mouth shut, clenching my teeth.
She looked down, staring at her feet digging into the soft sand. I felt the sympathy rolling off her like the waves in front of us, but I pushed it aside.
“Great,” I said as I debated whether I wanted to tell her what I had decided. “I have a few shifts I need to finish out this week, but I’m planning to take B and go stay with my dad for a while.” I swallowed over a lump in my throat. “I talked to him earlier. He’s working on getting me an interview at a marketing firm he has a connection with, so it might be a permanent move,” I admitted as I picked up the toys.
I left a stunned Ashley standing there, speechless for the first time in her life, as I marched up to the house with determination to get the hell out of this town.
The Past
June 8th, three years earlier.
Chapter Eight
Rhett
I had theboat stocked for a day on the lake. Food, beer and water, sunscreen, towels, and condoms. Not that I would need that last item. But I liked to be prepared… if only I could get up the nerve to kiss her again.
I had been waiting for this day for what felt like forever. Since our first kiss seven years ago, I’d been dying for the chance to do it again. But no matter how much I thought about it, it seemed like the timing was never good. Either she was dating someone, or I was. There were also times we missed seeing each other completely during her visits. She spent most of her breaks with her dad in Asheville and only came back to Half Moon Lake for a few days at a time.
But after Bella’s last trip out here in December for our family’s annual Christmas party, I knew I couldn’t wait much longer. She looked like sex on a stick in her short red dress and high heels that showed off her long legs. I almost kissed her then. I could see it in her eyes, the plea to do just that. But the downfall of a big family was someone was always up in your business, and getting her alone for more than two minutes proved impossible.
Over the last few years, the chemistry between us had gotten stronger. At least on my end, but I was pretty sure she felt it too. The problem was thatdamnfriend zone. And how thehelldid I get us out of it?
