Page 60 of Run to Me
“I’m aware,” I say lowly, meeting his gaze.
“Alright. Just making sure.”
I check my messages, flipping over to a game when I need something to distract me from the bubbles in my stomach. Am I really doing this? I close my eyes, envisioning Jace helping me onto a horse while never letting go of my hand. Yes, I am.
I tried to stick to my end of the deal, and I did for a little while, until I couldn’t escape the scent he left behind in my bed and couch. I couldn’t escape him. He was everywhere. In my dreams, in my photo gallery, the first name I thought of when I woke up.
It turns out, I really couldn’t do it. But why should I when what we have is something most people could only wish for? I never even saw it coming. The best things in life come as a surprise, and Jace was definitely all of the above. I’ll show up at his door and convince him to change his mind. I’ll remind him I’m not perfect myself. I cheated on my fiancé and I’m willing to stomp all over his heart in order to find mine again.
On the last twenty minutes of my ride, I pull up the note app on my phone and start a new list. I title it, “All the things that make Nate a bad person.”
Didn’t go after the love of my life when I found out where he was.
Said yes to marrying a man I don’t love.
Cheated on my fiancé.
Fell for my big brother.
Went against a deal I made with my best friend
Invited myself to someone’s house without them knowing.
Is considering stealing a horse.
Sitting back in my seat, I hit save and exit the screen. Green grass and trees are everywhere. So many ponds, and cows too. I’m already loving the view out here. Very peaceful and quiet.
“Almost there,” the guy says. “The one good thing about driving here is there’s never any traffic. What I don’t understandis why anyone would want to visit a place out in the middle of nowhere.”
“It’s not really for you to understand.” I shift in my seat and wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans.
“Sorry, just trying to start a conversation.”
And he can feel free to stop at any moment. We reach a long dirt road with only one house on it. Blue and white, exactly like all the pictures Dad showed me. Mom wouldn’t tell me anything about where uncle Judd lived, but she wasn’t going to stop me from finding out.
The car comes to a stop behind a blue pickup and the driver pops the trunk. “Well, here we are. My name’s Andy and I work down at the Stop and Go, fifteen minutes that way if you ever need someone to show you around.” He gives me a once over and my stomach recoils.
“Yeah, I think I’m good Andy, but thanks.” I step out of the car and grab my bag. The front door opens and my aunt steps out on the porch, lifting her hand in front of her face.
I close the trunk and walk up the long dirt driveway as I wave Andy off. He couldn’t even take me to the damn front of the house. I wonder if he would have if I’d taken him up on his town tour.
“Nate, is that you?” My aunt beams, rushing down the steps.
“Hey, Auntie. How are you?”
“Oh my goodness. I can’t believe it. I haven’t seen you since you were small. You know your uncle doesn’t like to leave the state.”
“I know.” I smile, embracing her in a hug. She smells like freshly baked cookies and lilacs.
“I didn’t know you were coming up for a visit. If I had, I would have been more prepared. Your brother didn’t mention anything to me about it. I’ll have to get on to him when he gets back.”
“Oh, don’t be mad at him. He didn’t know. This is a surprise visit. He said I should come out and see the farm, so here I am. Sorry, I should have called.”
“Oh, nonsense.” She waves me off. “You know you’re welcome here anytime. I would just have liked to fix the guest room for you, is all. Unless you’d rather sleep out in the barn with your brother.”
“It doesn’t matter to me where I sleep. I’ll set a tent up outside if I have to.”
She shoves at my chest. “Oh, stop. You know I’d never have you do that. Not unless you were out back deer hunting with your uncle.”
