Page 60 of Unbearable

“Thanks, guys. See y’all around.”

TWENTY-ONE

Dotty

FATHERED INDIANS - TYLER CHILDERS

That day ten years ago,replayed in my head on repeat.

This man before me didn’t seem like the person that left me that note.

And yet he was.

The boy, who took me to get ice cream when I found out I didn’t get into my dream college, was the same person who abandoned me without so much as a single word.

My friend, who spent hours outside his full-time job to help me fix up a cabin because he knew it meant something to me, was the same person that ignored me for weeks in his own home.

And this man, who stood before me, chatting away with all his friends that he’d made during the ten years we were apart, was the same man who left me a fucking note after letting me pity kiss him.

My mind couldn’t wrap around how he had built a life outside of Woodstone Falls, but being here was putting all of that in perspective.

I took another sip of my champagne, the bubblestickling my nose as I listened in to the conversation happening next to me.

Trent patted Mark on the shoulder. “How is civilian life going for you, man? It’s been, what, six months now since you got out?”

“It’s great. I forgot what it’s like to have a life outside the military. Daisy and I have been settling in nicely here, but I’ll have to visit Woodstone Falls soon to see the town you can’t stop talking about.”

“It’d be great to have you. Woodstone has always been home for me, and I’d love to show it to you sometime.”

I chuckled. “Well, let’s be honest. It wasn’talwaysyour home. You did leave, without even saying anything at that.” The words slipped out of my mouth, fueled by the courage the champagne had given me.

“Dotty.” Trent pinned me with a glare.

Mark chuckled and peered over at me. “I knew I liked her.” He winked. “I need to go find my wife and say hello to the rest of the guests. I’ll let you two talk.” He nodded and walked away.

Before I knew what was happening, Trent had his hand around my forearm, pulling me forcibly, albeit gently, into the hallway.

“What the hell are you doing?” I whisper-yelled.

“What the hell areyoudoing? You think you can have a few glasses of champagne and say whatever the hell you want?” He sighed, regaining his composure. “You were the one who said we should leave the past in the past. Mark already knows everything about you anyway. He knows I’m the asshole in this situation.”

“I’ll have you know, I have only had two glasses.” I used that opportunity to chug the last of my second glass. “That counts as a couple, not a few.” I poked him in the chest.

“What the hell has gotten into you?” He looked around before opening a door and pulling me inside.

Of course, it was a fucking closet. A dark, tiny closet, complete with a mop bucket, taking up half of the small space, forcing me closer to him.

I glanced around before turning back to him, raising my eyebrow.

“I’m not having this conversation where anyone is going to overhear,” he said.

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know why I even agreed to come here. I don’t even know who you are anymore. You have this entire life.” I gestured all around me. “This entire group of friends you built while you weregone.” My voice threatened to crack. “This is all a reminder thatIwasn’t included in that. I really don’t need to see how you spent the last decade building an entire life that I am not a part of.” My eyes started to sting with tears. I forgot how drinking made it easier to spit fire but equally easy to be vulnerable.

Something in his entire demeanor softened. “Dot…” He reached for me, pulling me into his embrace. I fought him, but he remained steady, as he always had been growing up. After a moment, I gave up and settled into his arms.

“I know a lot has happened between us,” he said, his breath hot on my head as he held me close. “And I know we don’t know each other like we used to, but I want to. And I think we are on the right track,” he said, moving back just enough to look at me.

His expression was so much softer than I was used to. I nodded my agreement.

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