Page 6 of Timber's Line

“You have no fucking idea what I’m going through.” Then I stop myself. Fuck me.

“Shit, Ever. I’m sorry.”

She holds up her hand. “I get you are angry. I was after my accident as well. But sometimes we have to move on. Maybe there is someone out there for you. But you have so much hatred for everything going on right now that you wouldn’t know it if you found her.”

“I don’t know how,” I tell her.

“You will figure it out. It’s okay to be angry. Do me a favor—take this as a vacation from everything. Take some time when you’re not working and do some self-reflecting.”

I nod. She’s right. When I was doing the shit errand boy tasks Sal asked me to do, we were still in the city, and everything reminded me of Snow. Still does, even Hickory.

I just don’t know how to get over my anger.

I walk down the hall and I hear crying. Timber.

Fuck, I am a dick. I wasn’t always this bitter. Somehow, I need to find myself again. I press my hand to the door, wanting to say something, but I’m not ready for that yet.

I think I’ll go for a jog. That always helps. No destination in mind, and that’s what I need, nothing in my head but music.

CHAPTERTHREE

TIMBER

I clean up my leg and find some antibacterial ointment to put on it. I can hear voices and know that people have arrived. I take another look in the mirror to fix my hair, not that I can really fix anything, and head out.

“She’s a frumpy soccer mom,” I hear a voice say down the hall.

“I think you’re just being a dick.” I know that is Memphis.

“I’m not being a dick. I just think she’s setting herself up for failure going on the show. She’s not the type. She’s fat.” Okay, wow.

I creep closer, peek around the corner, and see that it’s Dayton. He is sweaty and shirtless. I would admire him if it wasn’t for the fact he just called me a frumpy soccer mom type of girl.

“Get your shit together,” Memphis replies. “She’s a friend, and I think she is perfect for the show.”

“Who made you God?”

“Look, D, I know you’re working some shit out in your head, which is why I’m not going to beat your ass right now. Timber is a sweet girl, and any guy would be lucky to have her.”

“Whatever.” Dayton walks off, probably going to spread more hate.

Memphis chuckles. “You can come out now.”

“I wasn’t . . .”

“I know. I also meant every word.”

“I think he might be right though. I’m not the sexy type.”

“And that’s what the show needs. That’s what you need. The world doesn’t want bombshell— they want real, and you have curves that most guys crave. Use that.”

I just smile and thank him. I believe the next couple months are going to be stressful.

“Come on, food is almost done.” Memphis takes me by the elbow and leads me outside.

“There she is,” Skye calls out, waving me over.

“Aren’t you excited?” Ivy asks.