Page 20 of Heartstrings & Horizons
“I’m sorry.”
Fuck, I’m an asshole.
“No, it’s fine. Sometimes I wonder if…”
“What ifs are dangerous, Cade.” She inhales a shaky breath. “But… sometimes I wonder, too.”
“Maybe in another life, huh?”
“Yeah. Maybe.”
I left shortly after my brief conversation with Paige, but not before I promised Dean I’d meet up with him for brunch the next day, since he’s only in town until Monday. We agree to meet at a little place in town called Rosie’s Diner. They have the best hangover cures and I have a sneaking suspicion Dean is going to be needing it.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” I say with a chuckle as Dean saunters into the diner, hair disheveled, and dark sunglasses on his face. “How was the rest of your night?”
“Better than yours, I’d imagine.”
“Fair enough. How’s Cara?” Dean smirks, and it’s all the response I need.
Rosie’s Diner is the go-to gathering spot in our small town of Oak Ridge, Kentucky. It exudes cozy, rustic charm with weathered wood walls, and old vinyl booths that make you wonder what these walls have seen and heard over the years; the scent of freshly brewed coffee permeating the air. A low hum of conversation mingles with the soft clinking of silverware and the sizzle of the griddle behind the swinging doors to the kitchen, adding a nostalgic soundtrack to the mid-morning rush.
The large windows open up to the view of main street. There’s a sense of familiarity here. It’s a place where the worries of the outside world are momentarily forgotten over a steaming cup of coffee and a plate stacked high with fluffy pancakes. It feels like home in the best ways.
Lisa, our usual server, saunters over with a pot of coffee in hand and a knowing smile. I wonder what shethinksshe knows. Nothing gets past anybody in this small town, so I have no doubt the rumor mill has been churning out gossip this morning. Just as we finish placing our orders, Miles slides into the booth next to me and rests an arm around my shoulder. He’s the 3rd member of our brotherhood — we’ve been inseparable since high school. Removing his hat, he skims a hand through his overgrown blonde hair, before putting it back in place backwards. His eye contact is unnerving, the piercing blue of his eyes meeting mine. There’s a glint of humor in them, warning me to brace myself for what’s about to come out of his mouth. Miles is a wildcard.
“Heard you had a rough date last night, Cade?”
“Who’d you hear that from?” I ask, but I’m pretty sure I know the answer.
“You know nothing in this town stays a secret for long, man. Liam said the leggy blonde ditched you at the table and you ended up sulking over at the bar.”
“Liam is too old to be gossiping like a teenager, and I wasn’t sulking.”
“He also said you were practically glued to your phone afterwards, smiling like an idiot,” he quirks a brow, “something about a photo of a pretty brunette.”
Fuck me.
Liam must have gotten a look at my phone when she called.
“The ‘pretty brunette’ has a name.” My tone is defensive and I need to reel it in.
“Care to share with the class?” Dean asks, curiosity lacing his tone. This must be the first he’s hearing about my evening. After all, he was preoccupied with Cara when everything happened with Paige. I sigh, realizing I have no choice but to spill everything.
“Do you remember last month when you told me about that new dating app?”
“Yeaaaaaah…” Miles draws out the word like a question.
“Well, I might have joined and…” I’m about to give a cliff notes version of the last several weeks of my life, when the server interrupts to ask Miles for his order. After she turns back towards the kitchen, all eyes are once again on me, but I can’t seem to form words.
“And? You can’t leave us hanging like that, man. Did you get laid last night or what?” Dean asks.
“Nah. Definitely not. I met someone a few weeks ago.” Realizing my mistake, I rush to explain before they can cut me off. “Before you get too excited, she lives in Canada, and it’s not like that.”
Miles opens his mouth to say something when my phone vibrates on the table. “Oh shit, is that her?” he asks.
I glance at my phone, noticing a text with a selfie attached. As I open the message, I am stunned to see my curvy, brown-eyed goddess looking back at me through a mirror. Her jeans fit her like a second skin, and that top is doing amazing things to her breasts. Yeah, I’m definitely drooling.
Paige: OMG, I meant to send that to Mags.
