Page 114 of Burn the Wild

“Are you going to the lake?” I push. “Are you swimming? Is that what you’re doing?”

She freezes. “No strings, remember?” Her eyes plead with me to let it go, but I can’t. Not anymore.

Staying detached is a fool’s errand. I’m getting soft. In over my head. But if I had the chance to go back, I wouldn’t.

I want this girl’s life story. Unabridged.

“Baby, you don’t have to hide from me.”

Laughing lightly, she turns her pale face to the window.“Hiding is what I’m doing here, Ford. You have to respect that.”

I do, but it also pisses me off. Because she doesn’t trust me. I don’t blame her after what she’s been through, but I want her to come to me when she’s sad. Or mad. She doesn’t have to fake it or lie,especially in the middle of the night.

“The last thing my mom said to me before she gave me away was, ‘Be brave, Reese.’ I’m not brave enough to do this. Not tonight.”

“Then when?”

She flinches. “Please, Ford, just let me—”

“Lie?”

Her eyes widen. “I’m not doing that,” she says in the softest tone. “It hurts that you’d think that.”

I shake my head, not knowing what to think. All I know is she’s pushing me away. She’s doing what Savannah did those last few weeks—hiding from me.

The burn in my chest clenches.

It’s too close. This feeling of having everything, right before losing it. My hands ball to a fist, and I feel like punching that goddamn jukebox all over again.

“You are. You’re not telling me the truth and you’re pushing me away.”

Our gazes burn. Fire on fire.

“If you think that’s what I’m doing, then you’re an idiot.” Nostrils flaring, she glares at me.

“Maybe I am.” I clear my throat. “Maybe we should call it. Take a break.”

She swallows. “You’re serious?”

“Yeah.” I shove my hands in my pockets, hating myself. “I am.”

I don’t know if I can do this again. I don’t know if I can give my heart to someone and have them take it from me.

Fuck. I don’t know if I’m strong enough for that.

Her lower lip wobbles. Her face softens momentarily before going hard again. “Fine. I get it. You got your rocks off with the famous country singer and now you’re done.”

I close my eyes against the sting. It would hurt less if she slapped me. “That’s a bullshit thing to say and you know it.”

I watch as Reese grabs the small bag she’s been keeping here and furiously stuffs clothes and belongings inside. “What are you doing?”

Long, damp hair obscuring her face, she doesn’t look up. “Going. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

No.

I shake my head. “Reese…”

Tears in her eyes, she glances up. “I’ve played games all my life with Gavin. I won’t do it with you.” She inhales a shuddery breath. “You’re right. We’ll take a break. We’re just friends, after all.”

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