Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“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 I think is 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.”
“And you would’ve been okay with that secret? Restarting our relationship with a lie? It makes me wonder what else you’re holding back.”
“Nothing. And you know that.”
“Right now, I don’t. And that’s why I have to leave.”
“So this is it? After everything, you’re just gonna fucking walk away from us?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. I need distance. This has been a lot for me.”
“Well, it’s been a lot for me too. And yeah, I fucking lied to you. But I’m not the one giving up. Again. You are. I can’t keep doing this back and forth, Callie. I know if you walk out the door, we’re done. So, make your choice. We work this out together, or you run away just like last time.”
“Are you serious?”
“I need to protect myself too.”
“Right, right.”
The slamming of a car door halts my thoughts, and I strain my neck to look out the front window. I don’t know what else to say, so I walk away, open the front door, and walk out on the porch.
“Jesus Christ, snow is so fucking stupid,” Tory says as she shuts her door. I gaze to the passenger side as Ashley climbs out, then back to Tory, who sees me and screeches, “Oh, my god! You’re alive!”
Tory starts walking towards me. I don’t know what, but something comes over me. My emotions are running so high, and I don’t know whether to cry or scream. Instead, I must black out for a moment because the next thing I know, I’m darting down the stairs and lunging at her. “You fucking bitch!” She squeals as I take her down into the snow.
“What the hell, Cal?”
“How could you do this to me? How could you do this to me!” I scream. I grab her by the lapels of her jacket and shake her.
“Dang, so I take it didn’t work?”
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” I pull her up from the snow just to slam her down again.
“Okay, shit, sorry!”
“What the hell were you thinking?” I screech at the top of my lungs.