Page 18 of When We Were Us
“Seriously? You can’t say shit in this town without someone hearing you. Wouldn’t be Timber Forge if you could.”
I know for a fact it’s one of the biggest reasons Hudson never came back to Timber Forge after college. Wrenley, too, come to think of it.
I just lift my head and pin him with my gaze as I wait for an explanation.
Hudson rolls his eyes like he can’t believe I need details and that the answer should be obvious.
“Nat stopped by the big house this morning and caught Mom and Pop having coffee.” He gives a half shrug as if to say the rest was history. “Wren came into the café. She talked to Finn. Finn talked to Nat. Said you accused her of just being back in town for money.”
Fucking gossip mill.
“And how the hell did you find out?” I direct my gaze toward Hutch. He hikes his chin in the direction of Hudson and waits for me to elaborate.
I groan, knowing I should have figured as much. For all our closeness, these two assholes are some shit talkers too.
The same irritation from a week ago curls in my gut.
“So? What’s your deal? You guys have history, but it's ancient, right?” Hutch stands and turns to flip the meat.
I don't want to talk about Wrenley. I already feel like an asshole. God, the look on her face when I’d said that shit to her… I shove the thought away. I don't owe her anything. But if I have to talk about it, it’ll be with these two idiots. We always have each other’s backs.
“I don’t know. I wasn’t expecting her,” I grit out through clenched teeth.
“I get that. But did you really accuse her of being back for money?” Hudson says, cracking the cap off another beer.
“Of course, he did. He’s a grumpy motherfu?—”
“Shut up,” I cut Hutch off. “What the hell else am I supposed to think? She hasn’t been back here since she left. But the second her granddad died, she just shows up? If it's not for money, then what the hell else could it be?” I’m getting all worked up again just thinking about it.
“Dude. That’s what the fuck people do when someone dies.Show up.You accusing her of anything other than that was a dick move, and she probably wanted to kick you in the balls,” Hutch says over his shoulder.
When I don’t answer but continue to stare at the ground between my boots, Hudson sighs and sits forward, mirroring my posture.
My brother is annoying as hell, but being two years younger than me, he was old enough to remember how gutted I was when Wrenley left town. Hutch was barely sixteen and didn’t understand anything beyond dirt bikes and BB guns when she’d decided she didn't want any part of a life in Timber Forge. Which included me. I’d wanted to marry that girl for fuck’s sake.
“Look, man, she’s probably stressed out. You guys have history. She caught you off guard by showing up here after all these years. I get it. Just talk to her. Apologize. This town isn't big enough for the two of you to avoid each other forever.” Hudson looks at me over the crack and pop of the fire between us, then glances at Hutch as if waiting for him to agree.
“It’s not like she’s sticking around. She hates this town,” I said, annoyed that I’d come here for some time with my brothers, and we couldn't find anything else to talk about.
“Maybe, maybe not. Finn said she might be staying a while.” Hudson shrugs like it shouldn't matter one way or the other.
My head snaps in his direction. He holds up his hands in a posture of surrender when I scowl at him.
“I know she messed you up, but that was seventeen years ago, and she isn’t your enemy,” Hutch adds.
I glance away from both my brothers. They're right. Wren and I do have history, but her presence in Timber Forge doesn’t have to affect my life. And I won’t be apologizing because I am staying the fuck away from Wrenley Hardcastle.
“I can't believe I’m taking advice from a dude with a man bun and a guy that wears mirrored aviators.” I scoff and flip my bottle cap into the fire.
“And I can’t believe you're still wearing the same busted-ass baseball cap afterfifteen years,” Hutch shoots back, flipping his own bottle cap at me.
“He’s probably got underwear older than you,” Hudson cracks.
I give them both the finger, but my lips can’t help but tip up just a bit. Idiots.
There’s a lull in conversation as the fire continues to crackle and the smell of meat wafts our way. I knew I was being a jerk about Wrenley being back in town, but I don't have time for this drama, and I don’t like all the things her presence brought up. It’s like my world has been knocked out of orbit, and I can’t see straight because of it. Besides, I don’tdofeelings. Not anymore.
“So, how did she look?” Hutch slides a glance at Hudson before settling his gaze on mine.
