Page 50 of The Rebound
If I’m being completely honest with myself, I kind of like the idea of others thinking that we’re together. It’s flattering. I like living in this fantasy where I never friend-zoned Saint for the sake of my brother’s comfort. Can I justifiably blame Walker for all my heartache? If it weren’t for him—
No, I’m not going there.
With a little encouragement from Summer and Camille, Aspen dives into the story of how the two of them fell in love, dropping in the surprise twist that Alex and Eden were once an item.
Wait, what? I had no idea.
“That’s wild,” I sputter, honestly shocked.
Eden doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who would have patience for a man like Alex. That’s probably why they aren’t together anymore. Alex seems so playful and mischievous, and Eden is a buttoned-up professional. I don’t see them together at all.
“It was all thanks to Saint, really. Has he told you about the cabin he owns up in Canada?”
A little dumbfounded, I blink. “No, he never told me.”
“Well, I had nowhere to go after my ex kicked me to the curb, so Saint offered to let me stay there for the summer. Keep things in order, you know? Alex was up there doing some work around the property for him too, and ... I guess the rest is history.”
I smile and give her a small round of applause for the story, but my thoughts are elsewhere.
I guess there’s a lot about Saint I don’t know. I’ve only known him for six weeks or so. The thought that there’s so much more to the man than I realized is both exciting and daunting. Exciting, because I want to know everything about him. Daunting, because I’m worried my feelings for him will grow the more I learn.
I miss him.Is he as miserable as I am right now?
I’m surrounded by intelligent and compassionate female friends, and all I can do is pine for a man who will never be mine. I’m pretty much the worst.
After a couple of rounds of drinks for the table, I finally cave and obey the voice in my head begging me to justgo home. I tell the others that I’m tired and my feet hurt—both very true statements—and they give me hugs and promises of more get-togethers to come.
“Thanks again for inviting me,” I say into Aspen’s ear as she hugs me tightly.
“Thanks again for coming. Go get some rest, okay?”
I wish it were as easy as that. The Uber ride back to the complex is quick and painless, but I still feel uneasy and weirdly wired now that I’m alone with my own thoughts.
Stepping out of the elevator, I glance down the hall at Saint’s door. Before I can psych myself out, I hobble on my swollen feet until I reach his welcome mat. I knock, but there’s no answer.
“Still out partying, huh?” I say to the peephole, almost expecting a response.
He must not be missing me as much as I’m missing him if he’s still out on the town.Lucky guy.
I sulk back to my condo and shut the door behind me with a hollow click, peering down at my belly with a heavy sigh. “Just you and me again, kid.”
17
KINLEY
Iwake with a startled gasp, realizing that my sleep shorts are soaking wet. Trying to get my bearings, I take in my surroundings.
Sunlight streams brightly through the window and across my bed, and I blink my eyes against it. I push myself upright and reach out with a shaking hand to confirm that my sheets are absolutely soaked. There’s also an achy feeling in my lower back and pelvis. My water must have broken while I was sleeping.
Whoa. Okay then. I guess this is happening. I need to get to the hospital.
I grab my phone and call my brother. His phone rings for what feels like eons before I hear his voice.
“This is Walker, leave a message.”
Ugh.The idiot probably drank too much at Alex’s bachelor party last night and is still sleeping it off. I try three more times before I give up and call Saint.
He picks up after only two rings. “Hey, you okay?”
