Page 10 of Wandering Closer

“Hello,” I answer and hit speaker so I can finish my project.

“Hello my favorite author, how are things going?” she sings out. It is really nice to hear her voice. While I have made friends with Thoren and Michele, I am still isolated out here in the woods. Hearing Andrea’s voice is comforting, and it makes me miss her, probably the only thing I miss about Phoenix.

“You say that to all your authors. It’s going great! I will have the next five chapters to you by the end of the week. I found someone to help me with my baseball knowledge, so it should be even better than you were expecting.”

“Your work never disappoints. Who is your special helper? Please tell me it’s someone hot,” she begs.

“He is ridiculously attractive, and get this, his brother actually plays for an MLB team. And to top it off, he’s my neighbor, and he has a dog.”

“A dog? Oh god, you’re in love aren’t you?” she jokes. She has three dogs and I may beg her weekly for spam of their adorable faces. I wasn’t allowed to have pets growing up, so I seek out every dog I can. I can’t wait until I can get one of my own, maybe after I finish this next book. “Also, I saw Tyler at a coffee shop this weekend and was curious if you had heard from him at all? If I wasn’t with a client, I would have marched over and dumped my coffee on him.”

Chills skitter down my spine just hearing his name. Andrea is the only person who knows the whole ugly truth about my ex. She’s never once judged me for it, but she expressed concern throughout our relationship. When it ended, she cheered, thencried with me when she found out the truth. She’s been a fierce champion for me since. “No. I haven’t heard from anyone there.”

Andrea’s sigh is heavy through the speaker, “I really think you should sue. I know we’ve talked about it before, but it isn’t right, Lily. They deserve to pay.”

I’ve been good about leaving the past in the past. I’ve even been good about letting go of the anger and the humiliation. “I can’t admit it in front of a court, to be shamed and humiliated again. I just want to move on with my life.”

“Okay, I hear you loud and clear. Promise me you will think about it some more. I’m glad you have the help you wanted with the book and I can’t wait to read your next chapters. I’ll check in next week again, okay?”

I let my shoulders sink with the drop of that conversation. “Sounds good, thanks Andrea. Talk soon.” With that one call, my motivation is gone. There’s still a few hours of sunlight, so I trudge upstairs and change into shorts and a tank top and throw on my running shoes. With an angry playlist in my ears, I head down my driveway and out toward the main road.

Physical release is my go-to for pent up nerves and feelings I don’t know what to do with. I guess I should say, sex would be my go-to, but since that’s not an option and my toy is on the charger, a run is a great alternative. Setting the tracker on my watch, I get lost in the music. I stay on the main road my little lane is off of and follow it until my lungs are burning and my legs shake, then turn around to do it all again as I head back home.

The fresh mountain air sweeps past me, rays of the setting sun reaching between the trees. Sweat is dripping down my back, despite the dense woods keeping the temperature comfortable. When I finally make it back to Alder Ave, the sun has sunk behind the trees. My body is beyond exhausted, but my mind is clear.

Avoiding looking at the new cracking tiles, I shower quickly, then heat up leftover spaghetti. My bed is calling my name, and my shaky legs barely get me up the stairs to it. Lying in bed, I try not to let my mind wander back to Tyler. Instead, I think of Shadow and if she would be a good painting buddy, or if that’s a disaster waiting to happen. I think I’ll risk it and bring her over anyway. With thoughts of the loveable black dog and her handsome owner, I drift off to sleep.

The bright morning rays stream through my windows, the no curtain idea bringing a smile to my face. There truly isn’t a better way to wake. I am dreading the day I can’t enjoy my mornings on the deck, but at least I have a wall of windows to bring some of the outside in. My legs ache from the run yesterday, but I don’t let it slow me down.

It’s dog-mom day, and I get to spend it with my new favorite furry companion.

Wearing an oversized tee with bike shorts, I make a quick omelet and cup of coffee. When that first hit of caffeine buzzes through my veins, I walk over to Thoren’s to get Shadow.

Wandering through the woods like him sounds like a recipe for disaster, so I stick to the road like a city girl. Walking up his gravel driveway takes longer with his house sitting further back than mine. When it finally comes into view, I am stunned by the masculine beauty of it. The cabin is at least twice the size of mine, and is painted black from the roof to the front porch floor. Mahogany wood shutters surround the windows matching the stunning front door. Despite the darkness, it is inviting and raw. The back deck is the length of the house and corresponds with the rest of the color scheme. He has an outdoor table and chairs on one side by a grill and two rockers set on the other side.

Shadow barks and bursts through the back door as I open it. She jumps around me, her butt wiggling as she bounces. I give her a tight squeeze and lots of rubs before stepping inside to grabher leash. I may not need it, but I am dying to peek inside the house.

The back door opens to his kitchen and dining room, and it is surprisingly bright inside. The cabinets are a pretty oak with a white quartz counter and subway tile backsplash. Wide plank flooring spreads throughout the space, giving it a cozy and modern feel, every detail more beautiful than the last. More than that, it is clean. Like, ridiculously clean, not a dish in the sink or clutter on the counters.

My heart beats faster, the OCD side of me thrilled at the sight before me. I expected it to be a little cold, maybe broodier to match the outside, but I kind of want to move in, and I definitely want to keep snooping. Shadow circles between my legs, ready to go, so instead of invading Thoren’s space, I grab the leash and close the door behind us.

“Ready to go paint?” I ask the overeager pup as we head back to my place. Just as I thought, Shadow doesn’t need the leash. She wanders, sniffing here and there but comes right back to my side when called. As my cabin comes into view she darts ahead and sits patiently by the front door. I let out a small chuckle, already so in love with her.

When I let us in, she scopes out every corner, smelling everything in sight. I let her explore while I set up my paint trays, rollers, and brushes. She eventually makes herself at home on the old couch I need to replace as I start painting the walls. The day passes by quickly as I put two layers of paint on the living room walls between lots of outside breaks to play and eat some shared snacks. Who knew an apple with peanut butter would also be her favorite snack?

My phone rings from somewhere inside, so I rush in from the deck to grab it. I swipe the green button, waiting for Thoren’s voice to fill the speaker. “Hey Lily, are you home?”

“Yeah, sorry, do you need me to bring Shadow back over now?” I ask, a little bummed to lose my companion.

“No, not at all. I’m glad she’s there with you,” his voice sounds far away, like he’s talking through a car speaker. “I’m actually hoping to drop something off to you. Can I stop by on my way home in about fifteen minutes?”

“Oh, yeah, I’ll be here.”

“Sounds good, see you in a bit then.”

I mumble a “See ya,” before hanging up.What would he have to drop off to me?

The crunch of gravel draws my attention so I follow Shadow to the front of the house. Jake’s black truck and trailer are parked next to my car, but Thoren hops out.

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