Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I ran a hand down my face. “I don’t even know you, Rachel. How the fuck have we been dating for so long, and I don’t know who you truly are?”
“I gave you signs, Caden. You just chose to ignore them. I’m sorry, but this,” she spread her arms wide once again, “this isn’t what I want. I want to get engaged somewhere magical! Grand! And with a ring that’s Instagram-worthy. I want a husband who’ll spoil me rotten and buy me whatever I want. And I know now that isn’t something you’ll ever be able to do. I was going to break things off with you tonight, after dinner. I truly was. I can’t be in this tiny town one second longer. I need out. And you’re the only guy I’ve ever been with. I think…I mean, I want to experience other people.”
My mouth fell open. “Now you want to see other people? Are you going to ask for their real estate holdings and stock portfolio first before you agree to a date? Jesus…you’re making my goddamn head spin.”
“Caden, you don’t understand. I think you and I should go out tonight, meet up with our friends, then have one last night together before we go our separate ways.”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?!”
I turned abruptly, leaving everything sitting there, including the ring, and started down the trail.
“Caden! I am in high heels if you haven’t noticed. I can’t walk that fast!”
I picked up the pace and saw Gatlin and Ensley standing by the utility vehicle, parked next to my truck.
“Did you hear?”
“We heard enough,” Ensley said, shooting daggers at Rachel, who was still calling out my name.
“Take her home for me, will you?”
Ensley cracked her knuckles. “After I punch the shit out of her or before, because I’m game for anything you want?”
I looked at Gatlin.
“Go, I’ve got it.”
Hitting the gas the second I was inside my truck, I spun out and drove off, letting my brother and sister deal with Rachel. Once I was at least a mile away, I pulled over, got out of the truck and threw up.
Caden
A few years later
“Do you think he’s asked her yet?” Ensley asked as we set the dining room table for Thanksgiving lunch.
“I have no clue.”
She sighed. “Caden, how long are you going to let Rachel do this to you?”
Glancing up, I asked, “Do what to me?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t even act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. You’re miserable. You hardly ever go out. Have you even dated anyone in the last two years?”
“I’ve fucked a girl or two.”
She quickly looked around, then hit me. “Shut up! We have friends here, not to mention Grams and Grandpa. Do you want them to hear you talking like that?”
I set the last plate down and grabbed the napkins from her. “Nothing is wrong with me.”
“What happened to the carefree brother who was always down for a good time? Sneaking into bars when we were underage. Going to wedding receptions we weren’t invited to. Going out and dancing at the honky-tonk. Where is that guy? I want my brother back.”
I glanced at her and paused putting the napkins on the table. “To quote your favorite person, Caden can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Because he’s dead.”
Her mouth twitched. “Extra points for totally nailing the exact words. You’re a closet Swiftie, aren’t you?”
I rolled my eyes. “No.”
“Why are you letting her win? You don’t have to be dead, Caden. There are so many women who would die to go out with you.”
Sighing, I set the last napkin at its place. “Ensley, I don’t want to say this, but I’m going to. All women are the same. They lie, cheat, and think only about themselves. Excluding you and Emeline, of course.”
“Not all women are like that.”
“Rachel? Caroline?”
“That’s two out of millions!”
I needed to stop the conversation before I got frustrated and left. That would only make my mother and father angry, and I didn’t want that.
“Ensley, we’re done talking about this.”
She slammed the last knife down on the table. “Fine. But someday, Caden Wilde, there’s going to be a woman who makes you change your mind, and for your sake, I hope you don’t let her get away because you have this fucked-up idea that all women are bad.”
The doorbell rang, and my mother rushed by. “That will be our last guest!”
Ensley and I exchanged looks.
“Who else did she invite?” Ensley asked.
I shrugged and headed back into the kitchen to see if our grandmother needed more help.
“Grams, what else do you need me to do?” I asked, as I glanced around the spacious room.
“Well,” she said, as she pulled rolls out of the oven. “We’re waiting on Emeline and Levi. I do believe he said not to wait to eat in case they were running late.”