Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“I know my brother,” she insists. “He’s stubborn, but he’s not immune to regret. Just give him time.”
Time is all I have because my life is moving on, with or without Trey.
We chat a bit more, catching up on the latest farm news and reminiscing about better times. I could kick myself in the ass for not staying in touch with Kat and Abby when I left home eleven years ago. It’s like we never had that break in our friendship now, and I vow to never let this go again.
Eventually, the conversation turns back to my future plans. “I got an offer on the printshop,” I tell her. “Supposedly it’s a good one, but I haven’t reviewed the details yet. I’ll do that tonight.”
“Oh, wow. That was fast.”
“Yeah… but I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”
Kat’s silent for a beat before asking, “Is there a chance you’ll come back and run it?”
“No,” I say quickly. “No, there would be no reason. Not when…”
My words trail off, but she knows what I mean.
Not when Trey and I are no longer a thing.
Kat’s voice is encouraging. “Don’t rush it. You’ll know what’s right when the time comes. And who knows… maybe you’re meant to come home permanently. You never know what the future holds.”
After we hang up, I watch the pedestrians walking by. Zurich… this beautiful, vibrant city, full of opportunities. But my heart is still in Shelbyville, with the Blackburns, with Trey. I’m torn between moving on and holding on to the hope that things might still work out.
Indecision washes over me, but one thing is clear: I need to follow my heart wherever it leads me. And for now, it’s telling me to wait, to see if there’s still a chance for me and Trey.
CHAPTER 24
Trey
Thank fuck it’s Friday.
The end of the work week. I don’t have to go to the farm for two whole days and I can hole up here, in my house that I used to share with my now-dead brother, and hopefully drink myself into a stupor.
I consider the beer bottle in my hand. I want to slam it, get another, and do the same, but truth is… I’m not much of a drinker. I’ll nurse a few tonight, but beer’s not going to take away my racing thoughts. In fact, it might lower my inhibitions and I could do something stupid like text or call Holland.
Nope. Not doing that. It would defeat the purpose of my decisions, and I’m not even sure what I would say to her. I know I sure as hell don’t have anything to offer her right now other than another heartfelt apology.
My mind is a mess, a tangled web of guilt and regret. After another grueling day at the farm, I’m drained, both physically and emotionally. The house feels empty without Wade, the silence almost deafening. Even the ticking wall clock feels like it’s mocking me with each second that passes.
A knock at the door startles me. I’m not in the mood for visitors, but I drag myself off the couch and shuffle to the door. When I open it, I’m surprised to see Gabe standing there. His presence feels like an intrusion into my misery and I’m immediately irritable.
Well, more irritable than normal.
“What do you want?” I ask, my voice razor sharp.
Gabe smirks, unfazed by my hostility. “I’d like to talk. Got a beer for me?”
I consider slamming the door in his face. It’s something I’ve dreamed of doing since he started seeing my sister but instead, I sigh and step aside. “Yeah, come on in.”
I lead him to the kitchen, grab a couple of beers from the fridge, and hand one to him. I lean against the counter, arms crossed, trying to put a barrier between us. “Make it quick.”
Gabe takes a swig of his beer and then looks at me, his expression serious. “I’m here to help you get your head out of your ass.”
I’m immediately offended. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” Gabe says, not backing down.
“Did Kat send you? Is she too afraid to confront me?”
“Kat has no idea I’m here but frankly… I’m tired of seeing her upset at you, so I took matters into my own hands.”
“And what exactly do you hope to accomplish?” I ask, bewildered.
“I hope to make things easier on Kat, your parents and Ethan. You’re making them suffer more than they should be because, in addition to mourning Wade’s death, they’re worried sick about you.”
If I thought I had been oppressed by guilt before, I feel like I’m suffocating now. I’m not sure I’d ever considered how my actions were affecting others, but most significantly, I don’t want to be a burden to my mom’s heart.
“But really why I’m here is to tell you that you made a stupid mistake letting Holland go.”