Page 31 of Falling Too Soon (Seasons of Love #1)

NATHAN

M y plan had completely backfired, and Daphne left anyway.

I knew it was probably too soon for both of us to get involved with each other, but I also couldn’t deny the pull we shared.

I was drawn to her immediately, and our chemistry was something I’d never felt before, not even with the woman I was supposed to marry.

Crazy, huh? I was sure that Daphne felt it too, and that’s why she ran.

It scared her to feel for me so soon after her breakup, and I couldn’t blame her in the slightest. I was completely surprised by my feelings too, but I wasn’t willing to let her walk away from this without telling her how I felt.

As I watched her car pull out onto the road and drive out of sight, I was uncertain if I’d ever see her again, but I swore I’d do everything in my power to make sure that I did. She wanted space, and I could respect that. For now.

The short drive back to the cabin was filled with silence—my thoughts were all over the place.

Was I doing the right thing? Had I just lost her?

Would I see her again? Would she block my number and move on completely?

Would she want to explore things with me in the future? God, I was going to drive myself crazy.

When I reached the cabin and went inside, it seemed colder despite the fire that I had left burning in the fireplace.

One thing was clear: I needed to get the fuck out of this cabin.

There was no way I wanted to be here without Daphne.

I wanted to surround myself with my family.

They always brightened my mood, even if they sometimes drove me nuts.

But first, I had to cancel the dinner I had planned for tonight and let the cabin owner know I was checking out early.

This day was totally fucked and turned out nothing like I had planned or hoped it would.

After canceling the dinner and contacting the cabin owner, I packed up my things and left.

I drove right to my dad’s from the cabin and called him to make sure he’d be around.

Of course, he told me to come right over.

It was reassuring that I could always count on him and my brothers, no matter what.

My childhood home was just outside the city and a couple of hours from the cabin.

During the drive, Daphne consumed my thoughts.

Taking in the sights on the way, I was reminded of how much Daphne loved the changing leaves and the scenery when we drove into town that first day.

That day was perfect. We laughed and joked, and things were so easy between us.

To think I may not get to experience days like that again with her was too much to bear .

As I got closer to my dad’s place, my spiraling thoughts shifted to fond memories of my family.

My childhood was a happy one filled with loving and supportive parents.

My parents were the epitome of what a relationship should be and when we lost my mom a few years back, it took a toll on all of us.

I will forever be grateful for the life she gave us and the example she and my dad set for us.

The house I grew up in was a modest two-story colonial on a quiet street lined with mature trees that were starting to change color and lose their leaves for the season.

It was such a cozy neighborhood that you couldn’t tell it was so close to the city.

We grew up riding our bikes up and down the street, staying out from morning till night, playing with neighbor kids, and generally causing a ruckus.

Our parents had their hands full with the three of us, but I suspect they wouldn’t have changed a thing.

As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed my brother Brandon’s car was also there.

Good. I could use some brother time too.

I parked and walked up to the front door.

Before I could reach the handle, my dad was there, opening it and ushering me inside.

He brought me into a bear hug and slapped my back.

“How’s my boy?” he boomed. I was a big guy, but my dad was a beast and, according to some regulars at the shop, a silver fox.

He stood 6’5” and was almost double as broad as me.

I groaned and chuckled, “I was fine until you just crushed my spine, so thanks for that, Pops.”

“Pussy,” he laughed under his breath. “Come on in. Your brothers are here too. ”

“Is that lover boy?” Dylan called from the kitchen. Great, they weren’t gonna take it easy on me.

“Lover boy?” my dad questioned. “I thought you and whore bag broke up?”

“Jesus, Dad, whore bag? Tell me what you really think.” I shook my head as we entered the kitchen, or as Mom used to call it, Grand Central Station. This kitchen was the epicenter of the house. It was where we ate all our meals, did our homework, and usually congregated while we were growing up.

“Son, she’s a cheater, and you know how I feel about that shit. That’s unforgivable. So yeah, her new name is whore bag,” he laughed, giving me another thump on the shoulder.

“Fair enough, and yes, we broke up. Her cheating was most definitely a deal breaker for me,” I agreed. “Hey Brandon, hey Dylan,” I greeted my brothers, giving them each a hug. After saying our hellos, Brandon grabbed some beers from the fridge and passed one to each of us.

“What brings you home so soon? Trouble in paradise already?” Dylan asked with a grin. Fucking asshole.

“What’s that about?” Dad asked, “Seriously, what’s going on?”

I sighed heavily and then filled him in on my beautiful surprise at the cabin, the PG version of the events that unfolded and how she went running for the hills.

“Wow, you’ve had some week, son.” My dad grimaced. “So what now? ”

Brandon chimed in, “Have you talked to her since she left?”

“Oh, shit no. She was supposed to text me when she got home, but I haven’t heard from her yet.” I pulled my phone out and shot off a quick text to ask if she had made it home safe.

Ding. She replied almost immediately.

Daphne

Yeah, I’m good. Thanks.

Ouch . But at least she responded, so I wouldn’t worry. I tapped out another message.

Me

Okay, good. I meant what I said, Baby. I want to explore this, whatever this is, but I know you need time. I want to respect that, but idk how long I’ll last. If nothing else, please don’t shut me out completely, okay?

Nothing. Not even a read receipt. She either put her phone down or turned it off. My brows furrowed. “Shit,” I said as I pocketed my phone.

“That good, huh?” Brandon bumped his shoulder into mine, drawing my attention back to the group.

“Yeah, she said she needed space, but I can’t seem to let that happen. I think I fucked up today when I went after her.” I thought back to the look in her eyes on the side of the road as I told her how I felt. Did I say too much? Did I completely overwhelm her ?

“Hey, at least she knows where you stand, bro. And if you have real feelings for her, you have to lay it all out there for her. Give her all the facts so she can make an informed decision.” Out of my brothers, Brandon was definitely the optimist when it came to love and relationships, though he himself had been unlucky in love as of yet.

“Jesus. Do you hear yourself?” Dylan scoffed. “He just met the girl. It’s not like she’s the love of his life or something.”

At that, Dad chimed in, “What have I always said? When you know, you know. I knew from the moment I met your mother that she was it for me. Sometimes it happens that way. Don’t give your brother shit just because the only pussy you’ve ever loved is your fucking cat.

” That did it. Brandon and I were dead. I was bent over, clutching my stomach, laughing my ass off.

Dylan looked offended, although I doubt he was. “You leave my Coco Baby out of this!” Dylan roared.

God, I loved these ding-dongs. They made everything a little more bearable.

“All right, all right,” Dad started. “You all staying for dinner? I’m making Mom’s chicken parm.”

Hell yes, I was staying for dinner.

Dinner was delicious, and it felt so good to be in the company of my dad and brothers again.

The weeks leading up to what would have been my wedding were hectic, to say the least, and aside from our tux fittings, I hadn’t gotten to hang out with them.

It probably didn’t help that they weren’t exactly card-carrying members of the Courtney Taylor Fan Club.

I guess they saw what I should have all along, that Courtney was a self-absorbed, fame-hungry waste of my time.

Thankfully, I didn’t hear any more “I told you sos” over dinner and we spent the time catching up on what had been going on in their lives.

For the most part, it was the same old, same old, but Dad had alluded that he was coming back to work at the shop.

I guess being retired didn’t suit him, and he was bored out of his mind.

My brothers were, of course, delighted for him to come back.

Although they’d still run the place, our dad was eager to get back to tattooing again and rejoin the fun in the shop.

Since Mom’s death a few years back, he’d retreated from the world, and we were excited to see him starting to get back to his old self.

I knew he’d never completely get over losing Mom, but it was still nice to see him making progress.

After dinner, we went into the sunroom for a nightcap, which was our usual after-dinner routine.

We used to do this when Mom was around too, staying together in each other’s company a little while longer before we headed back to our places.

“So, what do you plan to do about Daphne?” Brandon asked as we all got settled into our seats.

“Honestly, right now, I don’t know. I feel like I should give her the space she asked for, but I’m afraid that if I do, I’ll lose her,” I sighed, thinking back to her face before I closed her back into her car.

She looked so sad, like she really didn’t want space from me, but what was I supposed to do? Force her to stay?

“Yeah, you’re in a bit of a tough situation, son. If she’s as special as you say, you’ll work it out. Don’t give up.” Dad was an eternal romantic despite the heartache he’d experienced.

Brandon chimed in, “Yeah, don’t give up, brother. You’ve got to woo her.”

“Woo her?” Dylan practically choked. “You guys are wild. You met her what, like five days ago? I think you’re still a little cum drunk. There’s no way you have real feelings after five fucking days.”

“Hey, language!” Dad scolded. Even though he had a mouth like a sailor and never censored himself, he still didn’t like us to curse around him, despite the fact we were all grown men.

“Seriously, Dad? You made a pretty foul crack about me and my cat before dinner.”

“Do as I say, not as I do, wiseass.” Dad folded his arms over his chest, signaling that the conversation was over.

“Listen, guys, there was just something about her, and it wasn’t just the S. E. X.” I spelled the last word for dramatic effect. My dad was not amused and rolled his eyes at me to let me know.

Brandon continued, “Yes, woo her. You’re a romance author for crying out loud. I’m sure you can come up with some sort of grand gesture to win her over.”

He’s right. I’d written so many grand gestures and happily ever afters. Surely, I could come up with a way to get the girl.