Page 70 of Forever Enough

Exhaling and trying to push away that memory, I told her about the packed lunch and how we almost said forget the condoms and had sex in the kitchen, but his mother called just in time.

“It was strange, though, after that call.”

“What do you mean?”

I shrugged even though she couldn’t see me. “I don’t know. His mom said his agent had shown up. I overheard him asking why she was staying at the house and not at a hotel. When he got off the phone, he was distracted. Almost distant.”

“Really? I wonder why?”

“I don’t know. He was quiet the entire ride back. Oh, and I forgot to mention one of his best friends from high school, who’s a ranch hand…I think might like me. Bradly thinks he does, and there might be some drama there. I’m not worried about that, though.”

“Okay, well, you sound worried about something. Why do you think he was distant? How did the date end?”

“Good. He kissed me like he was going to miss me. And then we made plans for dinner at my house. Oh, and we sort of, kind of, admitted we were falling in love, but in a serious way.”

She gasped, and another loud noise came through the phone, followed by my sister cursing. “Hold on, I stepped in a fucking bucket full of dirty water.”

I pressed my mouth together tightly to keep from laughing.

“You told him you were falling in love with him after knowing him for what? A few days? Are you insane, Kenz?”

“I am falling in love with him, Em. But before we get carried away with that, Duke said something to me that’s been bugging me.”

“Who the hell is Duke?”

“The ranch hand—his best friend—who I think might like me. He said Crystal, who’s apparently Bradly’s agent, was something more than just an agent.”

Emily drew in a gasped breath. “Oh my God. Do you think they’ve been together?”

I sighed. “I’m not sure.”

“Maybe that’s why he was acting so weird. The woman he’s had a past with shows up at his parents’ house, is staying there, all while he’s in a new relationship with you.”

“Even if they did have a past relationship, so what? I’ve had past relationships.”

“And are those guys currently staying at your place?”

My thumb came up to my mouth and I started to chew on my nail.

“Stop chewing on your nail.”

Dropping my hand, I asked, “How did you know I was chewing on my nail?”

“I’m your sister, Kenz. I know you. I know what you do when you start to feel anxiety and stress. Speaking of…Mom asked about you when she called me this morning, to ask again if Doug and I were coming to visit her. I told her I had no intention of setting foot in Georgia ever again, but didn’t mention going to see you. She asked if I would give you a message.”

I picked up the knife I’d been using to cut the zucchini. “Do I want to hear it?”

“Probably not. She told me to tell you that enough is enough, and that you need to contact her. She claims she has every right to see you and know where you are.”

“Seriously? Does the restraining order I have against her and her dickhead of a husband not mean anything to her? I’m not a child, I’m an adult. Her rights ended the day I turned eighteen.”

“Trust me, I reminded her that her husband used to hit you and tried to choke you, and she told me I shouldn’t believe your tales. I think she conveniently forgets I was there and saw most of it.”

I rolled my eyes. “She’s completely delusional. Em, you have to stop talking to her. She’s only going to try and poison what you have with Doug.”

Sighing, she said, “I know. I know. But enough about that. What are you going to do about Crystal?”

“Nothing.”

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