Page 33 of Where We Call Home

Theo nodded, a small grin forming. I smiled back and placed a hand on her thigh. Her expression shifted, her gaze dropping to where my hand rested.

“Why don’t we get out of here?” I asked softly. “Say our goodbyes and leave. I’ll play sick.”

Theo sniffled, giggling. “I’d like that. Let’s blame you this time.”

We stood in unison, and she led the way back to the group. I put on my best performance to sell the story.

Theo took charge, offering a quick hello to Aspen and Penny before an even quicker goodbye to the whole crew. I nodded along, agreeing with the tale she spun about me being sick.

Apparently, I’d been so ill I was throwing up in the bathroom, and she had to rescue me. I then told her how amazing she was and that she was the queen coming tomyrescue. Even though the story was extreme, I didn’t protest. For tonight, she could have the win.

Twelve

My hands gripped the fabric of my camera strap as I sat ramrod straight in the passenger seat of Rhodes’s truck, refusing to speak.

Embarrassment simmered beneath my skin. I couldn’t believe how I’d reacted to seeing Penny and Aspen. My emotions spiraled the moment they walked in considering it was the first time I’d seen them in weeks.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. Was I wrong for pulling back? Maybe it was petty, but why should I be the one to reach out? My feelings were hurt, and I hadn’t done anything wrong.

At the bar, Rhodes told me I should talk to them. But in my head, that would only lead to awkward conversations I wasn’t ready for. It felt easier to let the distance grow, to avoid the pain altogether.

I stared out the passenger window, the passing scenery doing little to distract me. Rhodes cleared his throat, breaking the silence. I glanced at him, catching his gaze as it flickered in my direction.

“Yes?” I asked, turning slowly to face him.

One hand rested on the steering wheel, the other on the center console. His profile caught my attention—the soft curve of his jaw, stubble dusting his tanned skin. The slight bump in his nose hinted at an old break, and his messy black hair curled at the nape of his neck. I found myself wondering what it would feel like to run my fingers through it.

“You don’t have to act like everything’s fine,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “Especially not around me.”

His words hit a nerve. I raised my eyebrows slightly, his tone stirring something familiar.Holding it in does no good.A pang of déjà vu tightened my chest.

I locked my emotions away long ago. I hadn’t let anyone in—not fully. Not even the therapists who tried to help. But Rhodes? He felt different. Safe. Familiar.

“I know,” I confessed the words coming out in a hush. I squirmed in my seat, unable to bear the weight of my emotions. Uncomfortable that I’d not been able to keep myself in check.

But Rhodes noticed so that meant something.

There was a beat of silence before Rhodes spoke. “Did you want to talk about it?”

I did. I wanted so badly to let it out.

With a shaky exhale, I took a leap. I stood on a cliff, ready to take the emotional plunge. My mind screamed at me to let him in. I didn’t understand why, but the thought of sharing my feelings, of being vulnerable with the man sitting next to me didn’t scare me.

“It all just… sucks. I don’t know who I am anymore,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “I look in the mirror and don’t recognize myself. Inside or out.”

The tears came fast, hot streaks laying paths down my cheeks. Once I started, I couldn’t stop.

“I feel like a burden. Nobody wants to be around me. I’m not the same person I was a few months ago, and it’s terrifying. I used to be strong, independent. Now I’m… I don’t even know. Everything lingers. I’m angry constantly. Emotionally unstable. I’m tired all the time. My ankles are swollen. I’ve gained so much weight. And the stretch marks?—”

“Enough.” Rhodes’ voice cut through my rambling, sharp but not unkind.

I blinked at him, startled by the change in his tone. He flicked on his blinker, changing lanes abruptly to pull onto the shoulder. The truck jolted to a halt, the engine idling as he threw it into park.

“What the hell, Rhodes?” I snapped, glaring at him.

He turned to face me, his expression a mix of frustration and determination. My anger flared, contorting my face into a scowl.

We were just outside of town, the traffic still steady as it whirled past us. I silently prayed no one would stop to check on us because my anger was pooling and sizzling just beneath the surface, ready to boil over. No one else needed to see me go toe to toe with a man nearly double my size. Right now, I’m pretty sure I’d win too.

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