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Oh god, that was way too scary. “But what if?—”
He didn’t let me finish. “Darlin, life’s too short for what ifs. You get something like that, you hold on to it with everything you’ve got, and you never let go.”
Tears shimmered in Laura’s eyes as she smiled at her husband. It was all I could do not to start bawling at the look on his face when he lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. Then she turned to me. “What he said.”
Okay then. “Guess I’ve gotta figure out what I’m going to do.”
“Seems like! In the meantime, you’ll stay for dinner, right?”
“Thanks, I’d love that.”
Hours later, after I’d stayed for dinner and helped Mia with some homework, I was no closer to deciding on a plan. Now, the drive back to Esperance seemed to take forever. The scenery, usually a source of comfort, felt monotonous and oppressive. I replayed my conversation with Laura and Ethan over and over in my head. They were right. I couldn’t let Rhett slip away. But how do you fight for a guy who’s halfway around the world?
The distance felt huge, like a wall separating us.
Dragging in a breath, I tried to push away that feeling of hopelessness. Rhett had run, but I refused to let him disappear.Not now that I knew how I felt about him. Not when we had a family to build.
My phone rang, and I saw Veronica’s name on the screen. Hesitating for just a moment, I reached out and hit ignore. I wasn’t taking her shit tonight. I had more important things to think about. I needed to figure out what to do next. It was time to reclaim my life, to get Rhett back, and make this all work.
CHAPTER 42
Rhett
My condo felt cramped and lifeless. I was already four bottles into a six-pack of beer, slouched on my couch in the dark. Fucking loser. All I could think about was Scarlett, of reaching out to her, of explaining why I’d bolted and begging her to give me a chance. But the words stuck in my throat, and I had no idea how to start. The silence and isolation were deafening, leaving me feeling all alone and unsure of what to do next. Fuck.
My phone pinged and you bet my pulse leaped, thinking it might be from Scarlett. Grabbing it, I stared at the screen blearily. Not Scarlett. Dammit.
Gray:We’re downstairs. Come down for dinner.
I arched my brow. Firstly, what were they doing in Wolfe’s condo in Raleigh, instead of their little love nests in Esperance?
Secondly, why the fuck would they want me there?
Thirdly, how the fuck did he know I was back?
Me:Not in the mood. Fuck off.
Gray:Stef’s on her way up to get you.
Jesus Christ.
Me:I’m coming.
As I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for Wolfe’s floor, I dragged in a breath, steeling myself for the onslaught of questions that I knew were coming. Where have you been? Why did you just take off without a word? Why had Scarlett mentioned to Stef that you were away for work, when that was an outright lie? I wasn’t exactly looking forward to that conversation.
Fuck it. I was a grown assed man; I could do whatever I wanted.
Shaking my head, I stepped out of the elevator and straight into Wolfe’s condo. It looked like everyone was having a whale of a time. Esme and Stef were sitting in the living room with the kids, watching a movie on the big screen. Wolfe and Grayson were in the kitchen, cooking something amazing, from what my nose could tell.
Everyone looked way too fucking happy for my current state of mind.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal brother returning,” Grayson said without turning around. Leading with some snark. Great.
“Fuck off.” I grabbed a beer from the fridge and leaned back against the counter. “Didn’t realize I needed permission to take a vacation these days.”
Wolfe shot me a look over his shoulder. “A vacation is one thing, Rhett. Dropping off the face of the earth with no word is another.”
Popping the cap off my beer, I took a long pull. The cool liquid did fuck all to settle the unease churning in my gut.