Page 14 of Unbearable

“Yeah, but you’re really good at what you do,” I replied. “My dad always says you’re the best mechanic around. He wouldn’t trust anyone else with his car.” He smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes.

“Your dad is great. He’s been a big help, always referring clients to me,” he replied. “So, if you ever need help with the cabin or anything else, just let me know. I’m happy to lend a hand. My way to help repay the favor to your family.”

“Thanks, Chris. I appreciate that,” I said, genuinely grateful.

Returning to this town brought a sense of comfort. The sincerity and kindness of the people here stood in stark contrast to the impersonal nature of the city. I had forgotten how the friendly charm of Woodstone Fallscould make one feel truly at home, even if I knew it would never be my home again.

We said our goodbyes to Chris and Henry and started walking back toward the truck.

As Trent and I made our way across the parking lot, I noticed his jaw clench in annoyance, likely because I was moving slowly, my balance slightly off-kilter.

I rolled my eyes after he let out an exasperated sigh. “Yeah, yeah. I’m a little slow. I think I drank a bit too much,” I admitted, trying to ease the tension.

“You’re fine, Dot. Take your time.” He extended his hand to help me up into the ridiculously tall truck. I took it, his calloused hand warm in mine. I let go as if I had been burned the second I was fully seated, unable to bear another second of contact.

FIVE

Trent

DOWN BAD - TAYLOR SWIFT

I don’t knowwhat the hell I was doing or why I thought offering Dotty James a place to stay was a good idea.

It’s as if I laid eyes on her for the first time in a decade and all common sense went out the fucking window.

Ever since I saw her standing on those church steps, she had consumed my every damn thought, no matter how hard I tried to think ofanythingelse. It was pathetic how one small interaction with her could stir up everything inside me. She had been gone a decade, and it finally seemed the dust had settled in her wake. I had learned to breathe again, free from the chaos of emotions she managed to bring out in me.

But then she came back, a whirlwind stirring everything up all over again, and now I can’t fucking breathe.

We stopped at the ranch house to pick up her bags before heading to my place. Unable to resist, I found myself watching her sleep instead of waking her. It was the only time she wasn’t looking at me with the weight ofthe last ten years in her eyes. Her head rested against the window, her body half-curled up and completely at ease. I forgot how being near her lit a fire deep in me.

Her messy blond hair was falling out of her bun and onto her face, framing those blue eyes that had haunted me. As she snored softly, her freckles faintly visible in the dim light from the truck’s dashboard, it was ridiculous how her unconscious little puffs of air could feel like I snorted straight dopamine. Her presence was magnetic, pulling me in.

Pushing down those feelings, I reached over and gently shook her awake. “Hey, Dot. Wake up. Let’s get you to bed,” I said softly.

She let out an adorable little grunt and her eyes fluttered open. She mumbled what sounded like an apology before reaching for the door handle.

Quickly rounding the truck to help her out, I placed her arm over my shoulder and carried her inside. I headed right into the guest room and set her on the bed. She muttered something under her breath.

“What did you say?” I chuckled.

“I hate how you can be so infuriating, nice, and handsome all at the same time. It’s quite annoying,” she slurred, still in her drunken haze.

I wanted to beat my chest like a damn gorilla. Any attention from Dotty was a victory, even when she pretended to hate me. I was willing to endure all the animosity she sent my way simply because it came from her. I’d take all her insults and jabs, because it was attention from the girl I had dreamed about for years. The girl I wasn’t sure I’d ever see again. Yet here she was, in my house.

“Let me get your bags and some water. The bathroom’s right through that door on your right if you need it,” I said softly.

She mumbled a garbled response. I grabbed her bags from the truck and grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen.

By the time I returned, Dotty was already asleep, sprawled atop the duvet. Carefully, I eased off her boots and gently pulled the blanket from underneath her to cover her properly.

Unable to resist, I leaned down and placed a small peck on her forehead. The soft hum of satisfaction she made in response only made me only want more.

She always made me want more.

But despite how perfect Dotty James was, I knew better than to get too close to her again.

After a night of shit sleep, I decided to get up once the clock hit six. I made breakfast and went to sit on the front porch to watch the sun slowly rise above the mountains in the distance.

---