When I got home, I texted Hunter to ask him to reschedule. I feigned not feeling well, and he accepted the lie.

I locked the front door, ran up the stairs, and flopped on my bed. The tears began to fall, and I never left my bedroom for the remainder of the night.

The hurt I felt because of Van was more than I could handle right now. Considering I was still mending my broken heart overTravis’ betrayal, and now the added fiasco with Van, I was at my breaking point.

***

Strolling out of the kitchen with my coffee mug, I sipped the hot brew, settled onto the recliner, and maybe binge-watched some mindless television show. It was Sunday, and I had no plans to leave the house. I’d go to the grocery store tomorrow, and invite Hunter for dinner later.

“But right now, I need a good show to get lost in,” I sipped more coffee, picked up the remote control, and turned on the television.

Sitting in the recliner, I found the streaming service and mindlessly searched for my options. Nothing sounded appealing, so I glanced at the small stack of fiction books I’d picked up one day shortly before leaving Washington, D.C., weeks ago.

I envisioned returning to Coleman, relaxing, and reading some books. But I had yet to pick one up. As I set my coffee cup on the side table next to me, my cell phone dinged, announcing a new message.

Reaching into my robe’s pocket, I retrieved the device, thinking the message may be from Hunter. I groaned when I saw Van’s name on my screen.

“I’m not speaking to you,” I told my phone. “Now, leave me alone.”

Tossing my phone on the table next to my coffee cup, I walked to the books on the sofa table across the room. Flipping through them, I took a cozy mystery and strolled back to the recliner.

Just as I got comfortable, drank most of my coffee, and was halfway through chapter one, my cell phone jingled, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Van was now calling me.Ignoring him, I got up and went into the kitchen for more coffee. When I returned to the living room, my phone beeped, announcing a new voicemail.

“Cripes, Van,” I grumbled. “Just leave me alone.”

Sitting in the recliner again, I picked up the book and continued reading. I finished the first chapter, and my stomach growled, but I was so comfortable that I didn’t feel like getting up.

My phone ringing again caused me to roll my eyes, and I glanced at the screen to see Hunter was now calling me. Sighing, I reached over and answered.

“Hey,” Hunter replied. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah,” I muttered. “Just was feeling…”How did I say this?“Dealing with too many emotions, and betrayal.”

“You can’t let that jerk ruin your life anymore, Taylor,” Hunter sighed. “It’s over. You’re here, and he’s not.”

“I know,” I whispered, closed my eyes, and tried not to lie too much to my brother.

I was speaking about Van, but he was referring to Travis. Either way, my heart was numb.

“Are you sure getting involved with Van so soon after the break up with Travis is such a good idea,” Hunter said. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that.”

“What about it?” I frowned, not wanting to have this conversation right now.

“Just as I said,” Hunter replied. “Is Van the rebound guy? I don’t want him to get hurt because your emotions are rampant…”

“What!” I exclaimed. “You can’t be serious!”

I jumped up and began pacing the living room.

“Calm down, Taylor…”

“Calm down? Really?” I shouted and walked to the kitchen. Leaning against the counter, I stared out the window over thesink, staring at Van’s house. “You don’t wantmeto hurtVan?What about me getting hurt again?”

“Taylor, you’re taking this the wrong way…”

“Then tell me how I’m supposed to take it,” I growled.

“Let me come over and talk in person,” Hunter replied.