Page 131 of Pretend You Love Me

“Brooklyn, did you hear me? You need to go inside.” His hand is on my arm. I can feel the heat radiating off his body even through his gloves and my coat. There’s a fire growing inside me.

He starts to move me toward the house, but I snap out of it and dig in my heels. “Kip, stop. I’m fine.”

“You aren’t fine.” His grip tightens.

I reach my hand up and place it over his. At first I was going to fight him, but as soon as he feels my touch, he stops. “Brooklyn, please.”

“It’s five minutes. Literally. I’m fine. Go do your manly thing.” I wave him back toward the others.

“We’ll keep an eye on her,” Zadie says.

“Yeah. She’ll be fine.” Elizabeth wraps her arm around my shoulder.

I wave him away again.

“Fine.” He stalks back to his position beside Keene and picks up the ax. His other hand is clenched into a fist at his side.

Juno continues giving the directions.

“Now that the preliminary rounds are over, we’re ready for the finale. The guys all have start times based on their performance in the previous rounds.” Juno is standing on a tree stump to give her little speech.

“They do like to make this complicated,” Maggie says, shaking her head.

“I don’t mind.” Elizabeth looks lustfully at James. He winks at her.

“Well, I don’t either.” Zadie laughs, her eyes locked on Ethan.

Juno calls time, and Declan starts chopping wood as fast as he can. Everyone is yelling and cheering. Juno calls each one’s name until all of them are chopping. I’m focused completely on Kip. No one else exists. He’s swinging the ax over and over. His back and arm muscles ripple with each movement. He’s no doubt channeling his anger toward me with each swing.

“Time.” Juno jumps up and down. “Count your logs.”

After a few minutes, Juno stands up on a tree stump and says, “Well, we have a tie this year.”

Everyone murmurs in response. She pauses dramatically.

“It’s Eli and Kip!”

Cheers fill the air. There’s a lot of patting on the back going on and handshaking between the men. My feet are cold now, so I turn to head back into the cabin. A hand catches my arm. I’m expecting to see Kip, but when I look up I see James.

“You okay? Doctor wouldn’t tell me anything.”

I laugh loudly. “Bet that pissed you off. Did you try torture?”

He just scowls. “Brooklyn...”

I know not to press his buttons too hard. “James, I’m fine. My blood pressure is a little low, and I stood up too fast.”

“Your blood pressure is low? Since when? What did he say you should do?”

“Oh, calm down. It’s nothing.”

“That doesn’t sound like nothing.” His eyes are glowing at me.

I take a deep breath. “I have a doctor’s appointment next week. Happy?”

He releases my arm. “That’s good. Do you need to see someone sooner?”

“No.” I turn again to start into the house.