Chapter 38
Pucking love
Istillcan’tgetover the shock of seeing Reno at the arena tonight. And then that little stunt he pulled beneath the table at the restaurant?
But hell, I can’t even make myself be mad about it because that orgasm was phenomenal, better than any I’ve self-administered the past couple months.
Sitting in the backseat of Bubba’s truck, I stare at my phone, unable to pull my eyes from a photo of Reno and me from Pineapple Island. In the pic, I’m holding the phone at a high angle and grinning up at it. But Reno? His face is turned to the side, looking at me like I invented bacon.
God I’ve missed him so much, the way he touched me… the way we laughed together… the way he treated me like I was the only thing that mattered. And when I blathered on about everything from goats to clouds to movie soundtracks, he joined in on the conversations, unlike my asshole ex. I can’t even count the number of eye rolls I’d endured from Collin, usually accompanied by ugly words about my “stupid babbling.”
But now Reno’s here in my town, and I’m not sure what to do with that. Did he get back with Leia or is he still suppressing his latent feelings for her? I refuse to play second fiddle to anyone. I may be sweet, but I do have more pride than that. Collin broke my confidence, and it took me a long while to get it back, but as I built myself up, I vowed never again.
A text notification pops up on my screen, and I swallow hard before checking it. It’s short and to the point.
Reno: Give me your address.
Jesus, help me. The thrill that demand sends down my body and to my core should be embarrassing. What should I do? I put my thumbs to my screen and respond.
Juliette: I’m not sure that’s a good idea.
Mere seconds pass before I get another message.
Reno: Now, Juliette, or I will knock on every goddamn door in town until I find you.
Sometimes a person’s tone is disguised in a text message, but yeesh! Reno’s is crystal clear. He’s not fucking around. Exhaling, I tap out two texts.
Juliette: 45 Maple Court
Juliette: Park in the garage. I’ll leave it open.
By doing that, am I also leaving my heart open and vulnerable for him to work his way back in? I inwardly laugh at myself.
Like he’s ever been truly gone.
I pace my small kitchen, my bare feet slapping against the linoleum as I cross the floor so many times I’m probably wearing grooves in the surface.
I pick up my phone and send Evie a text. She’s the only one who knows the identity of the man I was sleeping with in paradise.
Juliette: Freaking the fuck out, Eve-ster!
Evie: What’swrong? Do I need to send Dane to handle something?
I blow out a laugh. My best friend’s ability to make me smile hasn’t been erased by time and distance. And I have no doubt Dane would do anything she asked if she batted her pretty blue eyes at him and cooed, “Honey, someone hurt Juli. Would you pretty please rip their eyeballs out? For me?”
And he’d no doubt reply with a gruff, “Of course, Wildcat. Should I use a knife or my bare hands?”
But I don’t need anyone snuffed out. I need advice.
Juliette: Reno got traded to the Brewers.
Evie: Holy shit, are you serious? I haven’t watched any sports news in a while. I was too busy, you know, coming back to life and shit.
I shake my head at her ability to joke about even the most serious of subjects before typing again.
Juliette: He lives in Pine Tree Falls!!! Literally a few blocks from me.
Evie: Everything in PTF is literally a few blocks from you.
