Page 59 of Finding Chloe

WithPretty in Pinkin the background, the girls broke out their first game. I plastered a smile on my face and did my best to pretend I was having fun. At least tonight was keeping me busy. I’d rather curl up in my bed and wallow, but it was Alex’s party, and she’d invited me as a friend, not her wedding planner.

This time, though, I took the glass of wine that was being served. The Kingstons had flown in some fancy, sweet wine from Cosland that Alex loved, and I was set to have more than one glass.

“Chloe, you’ve been quiet all night. What’s up?” Grace bumped me with her shoulder. The second movie was playing, and we were on our second game. We were writing down wedding advice, and Alex had to guess who wrote it.

I cleared my throat and swallowed the lump that formed every time I thought about the guys. “It’s nothing.” I blinked a few times to ward off the tears that threatened.

“Oh, Chloe.” Tori had moved a little closer, and just hearing the sadness in her voice almost made me break.

“I don’t want to talk about it. This night is for Alex.” I kept my gaze on the jar Jessie held out to Alex, who dipped her hand in to pull another slip.

She read the message out loud. “Always show how much you appreciate each other. Blow jobs every Friday, if all else fails.”

My jaw dropped, and all previous thoughts were wiped from my mind. Everyone started rolling over laughing. Once we could all breathe again, Alex pointed to Tori. “That one has your name written all over it.”

Tori made a fake bow, and another round of laughing fits later, we settled in front of the TV to finish watching27 Dresses.

“Seriously, Chloe. Is everything okay?” Jessie and Grace sidled up next to me.

“It’s the guys.” I let out a sigh. “I called it off.”

Gasps echoed around the living room. I hadn’t told anyone on the ranch, only Lacey and Holly.

“What happened?” Alex scooted closer, immediately forgetting about the movie.

“Alex, I don’t want to ruin your night. Let’s just forget it for now.”

“No way. We’re friends, Chloe. I hate to see you like this.”

I sniffled. Their kindness was the thing that pushed me over the edge. I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my face. “The guys don’t want to be a unit together. I won’t choose between them. I want them all. So I walked away.” I laser focused my gaze on the blanket wrapped around my legs and picked at a nonexistent loose thread.

“Good for you.” Blake patted my knee. “You know what you want, and if they can’t give it to you, then you have every right to walk away.”

“Easier said than done. I miss them like crazy.”

“I know, but don’t let them pressure you. I know it’s hard. Believe me, I know all of them and they are each stubborn in their own ways.”

“I agree with Blake, but I can see how much they care. I bet you broke their hearts when you walked away.” Abbey handed me my wine glass. “Hunter’s for sure.”

I knew she was right. Hunter and Kyle would be with me without Matt. I was the one holding out. “Do you think I did the right thing?”

“That’s really something for you to decide. Did they all have an issue with it being the four of you?” Abbey asked.

“Matt walked out on us.” I took a sip of the sweet alcohol, fighting the urge to crawl into my bed and hide under the covers.

“Do you love them?” Alex brought the bottle over and topped everyone’s glasses off.

“Yes.” I didn’t even have to think about it. I’d been falling for each of them in different ways. I’d been in love with Matt before Hunter came into my life. I was pretty sure I’d fallen for Hunter the first night I met him. And Kyle had worked his way into my heart since the day he helped me with the saddle.

“I think you did the right thing. Maybe with incentive, Kyle and Hunter will get off their asses and push Matt to fight for this relationship.” Alex shrugged.

“I’ve seen them around. They all seem miserable.” Grace sipped her wine.

“Not sure if that makes me feel any better.” I sighed and wiped at the tears flowing down my cheeks.

“Maybe giving them time will help. If they want this relationship with you, they’ll find a way to make it work. You’ve let them know it’s all of them or none of them. While it sucks to have to make that choice, only you know what is right,” Tori added.

“Maybe. I don’t know if anyone can get Matt to change his mind. Maybe it’s for the best. I’m going to New York after the wedding and need to find a job. They can’t come with me, and I can’t stay here. And it wouldn’t be fair of me to ask them to go.”

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