Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Nate cleared his throat and picked at the pieces of meat without actually taking anything. “Right. Yes, of course. I have no doubt you’ll have a line of Littles waiting their turn.”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“I don’t care about the line,” I said. “I want someone to settle down with.” Okay, that was a lie. “I’d like to get married again too.” Horseshit.
He bobbed his head and wouldn’t look up.
The fuck was wrong with him?
A blind person could see he was uncomfortable as hell—but why? He’d met someone. Didn’t I deserve the same happiness?
“I didn’t know you’d thought about marriage,” he said quietly.
I fucking hadn’t. Had he, though? Was he gonna marry that goddamn Aceyboy one day? Was a guy who hated the outdoors going to know my kids?
“Aside from the kids, nothing made me happier than being your husband.” At least that was true. “I wanna feel that way again.”
He cleared his throat and nodded slowly, and he gave up on the smoked meat. He couldn’t stomach it, could he? I knew that feeling.
“I, uh…I think the whiskey was more than enough,” he said awkwardly. “I’m gonna take a walk before bed. Would you mind bringing this inside?” He gestured at the meat and his beer.
He didn’t wait for a response. For some reason, he needed to make a hasty exit, and I watched him stick his hands down his pockets as he walked briskly along a narrow path. If he continued straight ahead, he’d reach the communal showers and kitchen of the campsite, or he could venture into the forest on one of several trails.
You’re not getting away that easily.
I took another swig of my beer before I got up too. I could tidy up after us later.
After throwing a glance at the RV, I took off on the same path Nathan had taken, and it wasn’t long before I spotted him around a bend. He was getting closer to the part where he could choose left or right, and he opted for left. Into the forest.
I let out a low whistle to alert him to my approach.
He stopped and looked back at me, and he tensed up. “I need a moment, Ash.”
I shook my head. Nah. We weren’t doing that. I wanted to confront him.
“I was more thinking you could fucking level with me for once,” I said, reaching him. “Come on.” I jerked my chin at the trail we’d walked with Lily yesterday. She’d wanted to lead a hike, and this one was approximately five hundred feet long and called Bug Trail. It was also paved, and several of the trees had fun facts for children attached to them.
I made Nate sigh a lot.
Within seconds, we might as well be the only two people on earth, and I saw no reason to walk farther. It was almost pitch black in here.
I turned to face him. “Tell me what you’re thinking—and no bullshit.”
Even in the dark, I saw how his jaw clenched.
“You know what I’m thinking,” he bit out.
I did, but I wanted to hear it.
I waited him out.
Tell me that you miss me and want me back.
He scrubbed his hands over his face, frustration radiating off him. “Fine.” He let his hands fall again, and he suddenly looked ten years older. “Of course it hurts hearing you talk about remarrying. We were supposed to spend the rest of our lives together.” He swallowed as his eyes started glistening. “Now I keep thinking…someone else is going to watch you smoke a cigar. Someone else is going to create memories with you, go on vacations with you, and—and grow old with you.”
Fuck you, Aceyboy. He’s mine.
I took a step toward him as stupid hope rushed through me. “Say the word and I’ll move back in. You think I like any of this? This entire year can go fuck itself.”
He screwed his eyes shut and shook his head. “You can’t say that to me.” At the same time, he planted his hands on my chest—to push me away or to pull me in, I didn’t know yet.
If he was anywhere near surrender, I had to take the chance.
“I’ll say whatever I want,” I murmured, my heart beating faster. I swallowed my nerves. “I miss you, Nathan. I miss you every goddamn day and night.”
He hadn’t opened his eyes yet, but I took it as a good sign when he grabbed at my shirt.
“We could be a family again in a second.” I reached out and cupped his cheek.
“Nothing has changed,” he croaked. “I can’t be with someone who admits to missing a part of himself that he’s too scared to explore.”
I gnashed my teeth but reined it in. “Is the alternative better? Are you happy?”
His shoulders sagged a little, hopefully in defeat.
“Tell me what you want right now.” I inched closer and rested my forehead to his, and I slipped my hands back to his neck. “I can back off…or I can take care of you. Remind you that we belong together—that you’re mine.”