Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
“Is it that, or is it that someone else came on the scene not so long after she left and mended your broken heart?”
February most definitely had taken my life by storm. But even if she and I were opposites, we were compatible. And if there had been a broken heart to mend, she would’ve helped with that. But contrary to the rumors in this town, I wasn’t devastated by my ex leaving. It turned out to be more of a relief than a heartbreak.
“My feelings for February don’t change the fact that Nina was never right for me,” I told Trevor. “But as far as February goes…” I shook my head and smiled, thinking again about our virtual sex last night.
After a moment, he burst out laughing. “Damn, that good, huh?”
I couldn’t help grinning. “Yes, my brother. It is that good.”
“You devil.” He lowered his voice, though our only company out here was wild animals. “You had sex with her?”
I didn’t feel comfortable giving my brother details. So I tried to be vague. “We didn’t have sex…in person. That’s all I’ll say.”
“Well, shit. That sounds kinky. No wonder you don’t give a shit about Nina’s calls.”
“It’s not that I don’t give a shit about Nina. You don’t just stop caring about someone you were with for a while. But I see now that we weren’t right for each other. And it’s not gonna help her if I entertain whatever it is she wants from me. That would be like opening an old wound. End of story.”
Trevor dropped the subject as we got back to work, and I began chopping wood.
Several minutes later, I’d just swung my ax backward, getting ready to slice into a huge log, when a voice stopped me.
“Hey!”
I turned to find February behind me. What the hell?
“What are you doing here? I nearly took your head off.”
“Sorry. I didn’t realize this was a danger zone.”
I put down the ax. “How did you know where I was?”
“I went to the bar, and the bartender on duty gave me the address. I used the GPS on your phone to walk here.”
“Hey, February,” my brother called out.
“Hi, Trevor…” She smiled, but it seemed strained.
Something is off.
“You shouldn’t be walking alone. But you already know that. This is a very desolate area.”
“What choice did I have if I wanted to come find you?”
“You could’ve called, and I would’ve come to you. You know that.”
“I didn’t want to stop you if you were working.” She looked down at the ax on the ground. “Obviously, you’re busy.”
“Let’s talk over here.” We walked toward the back of the property where we could have some privacy. “What’s wrong, February? You look like something is bothering you.”
“You’re right.” She exhaled. “Something is bothering me.”
“Talk to me. What’s going on?”
She frowned. “I got a phone call earlier on your phone.”
“Okay…”
“It was your ex-girlfriend.”
Crap. What the fuck?
“I asked her if I could take a message, but she just told me to tell you to call her back. Apparently, you haven’t been returning her calls.”
“There’s nothing going on there, February. I don’t understand why she’s trying to reach me all of a sudden. But that’s correct—I haven’t been taking her calls.”
“She said it was important.”
“It’s not important.” I shook my head. “She’s trying to get back with me. And I want no part of it.”
She looked up at the sky. “I shouldn’t be upset, but it rattled me a little, that’s all. With me leaving soon, I’m just extra sensitive, I guess.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why haven’t you taken her calls?” She crossed her arms. “Is that how you treat someone you used to be involved with?”
“Trust me, it’s for her own good.”
February cocked her head. “Why?”
“Because it’s over between us. Nothing good can come from opening up the lines of communication again. She left. She made her decision. It was the right one. And I have no interest in entertaining what she has to say. Anything I tell her about what I’ve been up to since she left isn’t going to please her, because I’ve been happier than ever. I’m sorry if my attitude about the whole thing seems shitty, but I feel like my refusing to talk is in her best interest, too.”
A look of worry crossed February’s face. “You really think she’s trying to get back with you?”
“I suspect that.”
“Why?”
I paused, unsure whether to elaborate. “Before she left, Nina had seemed sure I would change my mind. She’d bet that I’d come to my senses by her birthday, said she’d come back and we’d meet up at the place where we first met. Her birthday is approaching. That’s why she’s calling.”
“So you’re standing her up?”
“I’m doing what’s best for her instead of wasting her energy. Why would I want to let her down a second time?” I sighed. “I’ve also been in a good headspace lately. I don’t want to disrupt that. I’m setting boundaries. You know what I mean?”