Page 26 of Free

I bite back a sigh. Mom’s relentless optimism has always been both a blessing and a curse. “Sure would be nice to get to that ‘better’ part sooner rather than later.”

She gathers her hair over her shoulder, studying me. “I wonder if you should take Garrett and Angela up on their offer and stay with them for a while. Some distance from Davis might not be a bad thing.”

The suggestion makes my chest tighten. “I don’t know, Mom. If I did that, I’d be just as likely to run into Nick as I am to run into Davis if I stay here. Not sure which is worse.”

“Nick might be exactly what you need in a time like this.”

The surge of joyful agreement in my heart is quickly dampened by the silence between us over the last year, only to be reignited by the memory of being wrapped in his embrace in his truck.

“Nick made it very clear where we stand when I went to see him at the hospital,” I say, choosing reality over hope.

Mom shrugs, the barest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “I think he made it very clear where you stand when he came to your rescue at the wedding. I’m not talking about getting involved with him. I’m just saying, you guys have really enjoyed each other’s company in the past.”

“In the past.” I laugh. “Operative words.”

“Fine. Disregard my parental nudges. It’s not like I raised you or understand you or have been a woman in your stage of life ever. What do I know?”

“What stage of life is it when everything blows up and you’re left standing in the rubble, confused and alone?”

“The best stage.” Mom grips my hand. “The one where you get to build everything back stronger, better, and completely on your terms.”

After we put the groceries away, I head upstairs to try and piece my thoughts together. I hate the idea of running away from Wildrose Landing just because Davis is a jerk, but I might hate the thought of running into him again even more. I cringe to think of what he’ll accuse me of next. If it wasn’t for Nick, I wouldn’t hesitate about asking Garrett if his offer still stands. But, with as close as the Hutton family is, Nick and I are sure to run into each other. Would that be any less awkward than what happened today?

His letters to me sit in their box on my vanity. I don’t know why I kept them all this time. They just felt too special to throw away, I guess.

I grab the first one off the stack and open it, smiling sadly as his familiar handwriting greets me. His tone is light and happy. He’d had a good day and couldn’t wait to tell me about it. I open another. Then another. The thoughts in these run deeper. He’s vulnerable. Worried. He tells me I’m the best thing that happened to him. That he looks forward to my calls, my letters, my voice.

If I believe what he told me at the hospital, every word is a lie… a manipulation to keep me on the hook even though he had no intention of following through on a relationship.

I go through letter after letter after letter until I’ve read them all, then sit, my heart pounding, tears in my eyes.

These are so raw, so genuine. There’s no way he was lying.

There was something real between us. I don’t know why he told me differently—and was so cruel in what he said—but I didn’t imagine things. I didn’t care more about him than he did for me.

So what would be worse, running into Davis, who probably never loved me and is willing to spread lies about me to save face? Or Nick, who probably did love me, and is willing to come to my rescue despite that not being true anymore?

Neither situation is easy, but one feels better than the other. I reach for my phone and shoot Garrett a text.

Sooo that offer that never expires? Still good if I claim it?

I explain my conversation with Mrs. Smith and Davis’s accusation that I stole his grandfather’s Rolex. Garrett is appropriately outraged, as is Angela, based on the string of angry emojis she sends.

Garrett

You can hit the road tonight if you need to, sis

Need gas money?

I tell my brother I’m good, thank him, then drop onto my bed and smile at the ceiling. What a blessing to have a family like mine. We’ve been through our share of tough times, but we grew through them together instead of apart, and not everyone can say that. This situation is hard, but I know, without a doubt, I don’t have to go through it alone.

My phone rings and I gasp when I see the caller ID.

Nick?

My heart shimmies and shakes, the phone vibrating in my hand as I stare at his name. It’s been so long since I’ve seen it there, and for a moment, I just let it ring, too stunned to move.

The phone rings again.

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