Page 75 of The Rowdy Ones

He’s quiet for a beat and then sighs. “Same height and physique, yeah. The hair color was close too.”

“If they don’t catch this guy, he could be next,” I choke out, fear swelling inside me. “This is terrifying.”

The urge to go to Rowdy is greater now. I want off the phone and in his arms right away.

“I should get to bed,” I tell him with a fabricated yawn.

“Yeah, of course. I’m beat too.” He pauses for a second and then huffs. “Sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought we were on the same page about fooling around.”

Oh God.

I really wanted to avoid this conversation until at least tomorrow.

“We were,” I rattle out. “But then I wasn’t feeling it. To be honest, Weston, I really like you, but as a friend. I’m not sure I’m ready to be romantically involved with anyone right now.”

Not true…

My skin heats as I continue. “I’m sorry if I led you on.”

“Wow.” He makes a choked sound of disbelief. “I’m such an idiot.”

“No. Don’t say that. This is my fault.”

“I really thought we had a connection, Destiny.”

“We did…we do. But as friends.” I wince because it sounds awful. “Please don’t be mad.”

“Mad? I’m crushed.”

“Me too.”

“Then why are you doing this?”

Because I’d rather grind on my brother than you…

“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” I murmur. “I still want to be your friend.”

He scoffs. “Did you ever think maybe Idon’twant to be yours?”

Click.

“Hello?”

No answer.

I ask my phone to call Weston back. When it goes straight to voicemail, I realize he ended our call without even saying goodbye. It stings, but I can’t say I blame him for it. Maybe he’ll be open to discussing a friendship tomorrow when he’s cooled off.

As for me…

I feel relief.

I’m so awful.

All I want is to signal to Rowdy I’m ready for him to come for me. Now that I’m off the phone, I plug it in and make sure my window is unlocked. Then I listen for any signs that people are still awake in the cabin.

Nothing.

I turn off the light, throw on my coat and boots, then wait by the window. A few minutes later, it opens and a cold breeze pushes inside. As if I’ve been kept from him for an eternity, I reach through the window and hug Rowdy. His pine and smoke scent eases all the tension in my muscles.