Page 58 of Unbearable

Trent caught my eye, and for a moment, his smile faltered. He seemed to sense the shift in my mood, his brows knitting together in concern. I remembered the day he left as if it were yesterday—the sudden departure, the silence that followed, the void he left behind. It was a day that shattered my world, leaving me to pick up the pieces alone. The hurt and anger from that time had never fully healed, and now those emotions suddenly resurfaced,seeing him with all the people who got to be a part of his life when I didn’t.

As I stood beside Trent, I found myself grappling with trying to reconcile the man before me and the last image I had of him etched into my memory.

TWENTY

Trent - Ten Years Ago

GHOST TOWN - BENSON BOONE

Sergeant Davidson handedme a packet of paperwork. “You are all set, recruit. Your bus leaves at zero seven hundred tomorrow morning. Here’s your paperwork. Good luck.”

“Thank you, sir.” My phone rang in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see Dotty’s name on the screen. “Hey, Dotty.”

“Hey, there’s a bonfire tonight at the Reynolds house. Want to go with me? It may be our last chance to do something fun before I leave next week for college.”

My heart sank at the thought of leaving Dotty behind without telling her. “Do you think it’s too close to your house? Will your dad know?” I asked, knowing the Reynolds ranch was only a mile down the road and wanting any excuse to get the opportunity to talk to her in private tonight and not at a party.

“I’m an adult. I really don’t care if he knows I am going to a bonfire with some friends,” she replied. “A bunch of people are camping out afterward. I’ve got lots of blanketsto throw in the back of the truck.” My heart tugged, and I relented.

“Okay, let’s do it.” Going to a party the night before leaving for boot camp probably wasn’t smart, but I’d do anything she asked me to.

After waiting for Dotty to get ready and ensuring we had plenty of alcohol and snacks for the evening, we arrived as the last bit of sunlight faded, leaving the fire as our sole source of light.

The fire cast an orange glow over Dotty’s face as she sang along to the slow country song playing from someone’s truck speaker. Her cheeks were flushed, illuminated by the flickering light.

“Dance with me,” she said, pulling me to my feet.

“Yes, ma’am.” Her soft blue eyes made it hard to say no.

The lyrics out of her mouth were slightly off key but adorably so. “I love this song.” Resting her cheek on my shoulder, she seemed so carefree in that moment.

Despite my impending departure, I found myself swept up in the warmth of the evening, trying to bury the growing unease in my chest. Dotty deserved someone who could give her the world—a future I wasn’t sure I could promise.

As the night wore on and laughter filled the air, I stole glances at her, unable to shake the guilt gnawing at me. The truth hovered on the tip of my tongue, but every time I considered telling her, fear paralyzed me.

What if she begged me not to go? What if she saw me differently after knowing my decision?

The fire crackled, casting shadows across Dotty’s face as she turned to me with bright eyes. “Trent.”

Fuck. Just hearing her say my name stirred something deep inside me. “Yes?”

“Kiss me. Please.” Her request startled me for a moment, and I thought that I must have been hallucinating. “Gosh, I’m sorry. Forget I said that. It’s probably just the alcoh?—”

I cut her off with my mouth crashing onto hers. She tasted of strawberries and promises. I didn’t even really like strawberries, but I’d drown in them if it meant I could have another taste of her.

The need for her was too strong to keep the kiss gentle, but she met my desire.

“Dotty,” I said when we finally pulled apart, her giggle echoing in the night as she hid her face in her hands.

She peered up from her hands, smiling. “Sorry, I wanted to do that all summer, and I promised myself if you didn’t before I left, I would. Just in time for me to leave next week.”

“Just in time, indeed.” The words felt heavy leaving my mouth, but I kissed her again.

Her lips melded with mine. As she let out a small gasp, I took the opportunity to deepen the kiss.

She whimpered, and in that moment, I realized I would have moved heaven and earth to be the man she needed me to be.

But I wasn’t that man right now.

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