Page 10 of Chasing Sunsets

He crossed his arms. “Neither did you.”

Damn, she hated when he turned the tables on her. She hadn’t mentioned it to him because she was doing everything to keep their lives separate, to live without him. “Our families did this. I’m sure of it. Everyone keeps asking if I’ve spoken to you.”

Their families didn’t understand why he’d agreed to an assignment in another state and hadn’t been home to see Kelly or why she’d not traveled to visit him. The reason was too painful and embarrassing to explain.

His t-shirt stretched tight around his biceps. He worked out most days, and his glorious body showed it. His brown eyes, curved down at the edges, always appeared a little sad.

They’d talked on the phone once a week while he’d been on an assignment in Colorado for the last year.

She headed for the door. “I’ll tell the crew we can’t participate.”

“We can’t?”

Kelly halted, inhaled a much-needed breath to face him again, and spun around. “Brett, I don’t want to raise our families’ hopes of us reuniting.”

“I suppose you’re right. It’s just—” He looked away from her. “I can use the money.” A proud man, he wouldn’t admit something so personal if it wasn’t true.

Even so, it amazed her he wanted anything to do with her. “I can’t believe you’d agree to this contest.”

“You’re the one who—” He didn’t finish his sentence. They’d discussed their problem, her problem, many times and both understood it didn’t help. After a few seconds, his gaze returned to hers, and he pinned her with a stare. “I was perfectly happy in our marriage.”

“You weren’t perfectly happy,” she argued.

“Yes.Iwas.”

The pain she’d been dulling with work jabbed at her insides. She damned up the barrage of tears she wished to cry. “Divorcing is the only fair thing for us.”

“So you’ve repeatedly said.”

A fierce competitor, Brett would do anything within his power to ensure they triumphed in this competition. She would be the weak link. Weak link perhaps, but not weak. It’d taken every ounce of her strength to separate from him, which made her the strongest person in the world.

Her brain saidnowhile her heart shoutedyes. If their marriage wouldn’t succeed, they could partner in this race and maybe win. At the very least, she’d have more memories of him.

“Why do you need the money?” she asked.

“I didn’t have a job while I was in Colorado.” He’d left the day after she asked for a divorce.

“I thought you were working, everyone did. I saw Roscoe at the store and he raved about the assignment and your performance.” Roscoe had been his boss for the last five years.

“Yeah, he told me. I admit it wasn’t my proudest moment when I lied and got him to cover for me. I had to get away. Clear my head.”

She’d taken the opposite approach, keeping busy made the endless days without him less brutal. She wished things were different, but like he’d frequently told her, wishing didn’t make anything better.

“The money would help me,” he admitted.

“And pay off my college debt.” She thought her words would cause him to look hopeful.

His expression didn’t change. Same Brett. He kept his emotions schooled at all times.

~

Brett stared at Kellyfor the longest heartbeat. Her blue-green eyes with gold flecks always fascinated him. Her shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair glistened, even in the dimness of the fluorescent lights. Fair skin she thought too freckled, he found beautiful.

A year away had been necessary, but also caused a dark void inside of him. She’d always been a necessary, bright presence in his world. His every instinct wanted to grab Kelly’s shoulders and shake some sense into her. He’d never do it, of course. Somehow, he’d convinced her to put off the divorce, though she brought it up every time they talked.

Her belief their marriage couldn’t work was bullshit. He’d told her he’d been extremely happy. She simply didn’t trust he was telling her the truth. Considering everything they’d been through, her not believing him stung worse than anything.

Kelly worriedly glanced at the clock.

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