Page 43 of Sunset

“That girl you just sent running, she’s been it for me, since we were kids. I’ve been in love with her my whole life. I screwed up, when I moved to New York City. You were a distraction and served your purpose. Now, I’m home, and I have another chance with her, and I won’t be going back to the city or to you. I can’t believe you think I’d be with someone who would hurt a girl like that. I couldn’t have made it any more obvious what she meant to me just now. Even if I never win her back, I could never be with the likes of you.”

Shock crosses Sherri’s face and finally understanding. At least, she has enough self-respect to know when she should cut her losses.

“I’m sorry I bothered you, but you don’t have to be an asshole.” She says, as she composes herself and slips her sunglasses back on, turning and walking out of the door.

I watch her go, making sure she leaves, and then I run a hand down my face. What a fucking mess. When I turn around, Rich is standing at the desk, not even hiding that he saw everything.

I know this will be all over The Inn by the end of the day, and I hope it will. I want people to help Brynn see that this girl was nothing to me.

“Fuck, that was better than a daytime soap opera.” He says, shaking his head.

“Yeah, and I just got Brynn to drop her walls last fucking night. Now, I’m back to square one.” I sigh.

“Well, you know she ran straight to Lin. My advice is to go after her, and fix it now. The longer you let it stew, the higher her walls will get again. You know, the more time she has to think up every possible scenario, the harder it will be to talk her down.”

I’m not sure if I need to go after her now or give her time, and I’m about to call my mom and ask, when my phone goes off.

Kade: What the fuck happened?

Me: A ghost from my past showed up at the worst fucking time.

Kade: I know things aren’t always what they seem, but Brynn says she’s your girlfriend.

Me: No, and she never was. That’s the term Sherri used, when she asked Brynn to get me.

Kade: Is she gone?

Me: Yes, and I wasn’t too nice either. My mom is going to have my hide.

I watch the three bubbles pop up and disappear several times, like he can’t decide what to say, before a text finally comes through.

Kade: Sunrise. Back porch.

Fuck, I owe Kade more than he will ever know.

Chapter 19

Brynn

Girlfriend.

That word seems to bounce over and over in my head. Who knew one word could shatter your heart so completely? This is what I get for letting my walls down.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I won’t be doing that. Thankfully, Lin and Kade are easy to find in the lobby of the Sunrise Inn, and I guess, they can tell something is wrong by the look on my face.

“Talk now,” I say, heading right back to the small porch between Lin’s room and the main back porch. It’s private enough we won’t be bothered, and most guests don’t even know it’s here.

I sit down and bring my legs up in front of my chest, wrapping my arms around them. I rest my chin on my knees and let them get settled.

“Spill it,” Lin says.

“Jasper has a girlfriend,” I tell them.

“Yeah, you,” Kade says, giving me an ‘aren’t you a little slow’ look.

I shake my head. “No, one from New York named Sherri.”

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