Page 24 of Rekindled Heat

"I know what you and Brandy are up to." I start right in.

"Are you okay, Erik?"

"Why did you send her here? Why help her? I was doing perfectly fine without her."

"Is that really true?"

"She lied to me."

"It was time for you two to reunite. She told me she wanted to win you back, and I am all for it. And, besides, you wouldn't be this upset if you didn't care about her."

"That's not the point, Mother."

"I think it is. She told me you've reconnected, and she sounded happier than ever when she called me. I think you two have something great together. Don't let this small thing get in the way of your happiness."

"This is not a small thing. How can I trust her ever again?"

"Brandy has a great heart. She's an amazing woman. You must have seen that in the few weeks that you've been together."

"That might not be enough to build a future together."

"Oh dear, you love her."

"That's not what I said."

"You love her, you love her. I knew it would work. You two belong together. I'm so happy for you, baby."

"I think I lost you somewhere. I'll call you sometime soon." I grumble.

I hang up the phone, and all the feelings and thoughts that are going through me crash down on me, and I want to curl up in a ball and die. Could I see a way out of these circumstances? Am I brave enough to follow my heart even though it's been broken in what I believe is a brutal way? I settle for drinking until I'm in a drunken stupor. This way, there are no more thoughts in my mind of her.

Brandy

Erik looks really hurt, and I can't blame him. I'm still sitting here in my towel since he left the room. His bedroom. I'm not sure what to do. My heart said to stay and fight for him, but my mind heard his harsh tone of voice when he told me to leave. Right now, I'm the problem and the solution is easy. I must pack up and return to Woodland Falls with my tail between my legs.

I get dressed as quickly as I can and go back to my room, where I start pacing. I want to talk to someone about this, but the only person who needs to hear what I have to say is Erik. He doesn't trust me anymore, and trust is not something you can get back in a day. You have to rebuild it bit by bit and I can't do that from back home.

I reach for my bags when my phone rings. I check the caller ID, and it's Anne.

"Hey, Red, I'm packing."

"What? Why?"

"Erik found out that I wasn't being one hundred percent truthful about the reason I was here, and he kicked me out. I'm not sure what to do, though. I don't like how we left things."

"Did you tell him how you feel?"

"I told him he was the love of my life. I think that's pretty straightforward."

"You need to give him some time to deal with everything. He's really into you."

"You think I should stay?"

"We have a guest room."

"A big part of me wants to go back home and lick my wounds while eating ice cream and wearing flannel pajamas."

"Will you be watching Hallmark movies while doing this?" Anne chuckles.

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