Chapter Nine

Bree didn’t talk to me after that. She didn’t call, return my messages, and when she and her brother cut through my yard, they stuck to the very edge of the property line.

I wanted to apologize and tell her I’d made a mistake, but she never gave me the chance. After a week, I thought for sure she’d drop by to see how I was doing. My leg was mostly healed, and I’d managed to drive into town to get a handful of items on my own, but a part of me still wished she’d say something, even if it was so she could ask me to keep my distance.

At least then I’d know where I stood.

She also needs to return that dish. The dish wasn’t important, but I’d used it as an excuse in my messages anyway.

Considering how she left things and how much time had gone by, it was starting to feel as though I was being blamed for something I had no part in.

“I screwed up, Greta. I don’t know what happened, but I ruined everything. I had her over again last week and… I tried to kiss her.” I grimaced as my cheeks turned hot from the memory. “I was so embarrassed, and Bree…” I honestly couldn’t say what she was.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” my sister asked with concern in her voice.

“I was hoping things would blow over, you know?”

“And?” she urged. “Have they?”

I released a long breath and looked out the front door. I could almost make out Bree’s figure far off in the distance with her brother following close behind her. Neither one of them looked my way or slowed down.

“Carley?”

“Not even close,” I said, responding to Greta’s earlier question as I backed away from the door.

“What happened?”

“She came over for dinner, and there was a point when she said something completely directed at me. It felt like flirting, but I’ve been out of the loop for so long that maybe—”

“She’s sending you mixed signals,” my sister said before I could finish. “She didn’t have to join you. And twice in one day? No wonder—”

“She said it was for the food.”

“But she talked during dinner, right? She enjoyed the company?”

“I think so.” It certainly seemed like she did.

“Then you didn’t read her wrong. She’s using it as an excuse.”

“For what?”

“I guess that’s up to you to figure out.”

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. “Greta—”

“What? If you want to know the truth, you can’t honestly expect to get it for you. You have to sit her down and get everything out in the open.”

“It’s a little too late for that now.”

“The Carley I know never steps away without a fight.”

Normally, I’d agree with her, but… “She’s avoiding me.” Ignoring my calls and walking far from the house? If that wasn’t a clear sign of how Bree felt, nothing was. Then, as I made my way into the kitchen, I said, “I think I should come home.” There’s nothing left for me here. Not anymore.

My sister agreed. “You outlasted all of our expectations. If you come home now, everyone will understand. As for Bree, she’s clearly making you miserable, and while I’m all for giving things one last shot, you’re also right. Real life doesn’t really work the way it does in books.”

“It would be nice if it did,” I said to her as well as myself.

“You could try.”

“No,” I said, cutting her off. “I think I’ve done enough.” I might not have understood why it upset her as much as it did, but I understood boundaries, and she was throwing up flags left and right. If I didn’t respect those boundaries and went against her wishes, I’d make things even worse than they already were.

If that’s even possible.

“You know I’m more than happy to share a gallon of ice cream with you,” Greta said, pulling me from my thoughts. “Besides, if you sulk over here, I can hug you instead of trying to fit myself through the phone. There isn’t a lot of room in there, you know.”

I smiled at that. “Movie night would be nice.”

“Tell me what you want to binge and I’ll make sure it’s ready to go by the time you arrive. I’ll get tissues and everything.”

“It feels like I’m giving up,” I told her as I walked back into the living room.

At this point, I was pacing. On one hand, I really wanted to go home. However, I also felt terrible for leaving such a place. I really do like it here. More than I thought I would.

And it wasn’t just because of Bree, either. The house, the forest, and even the small town had its charms. I may have missed my family, but I knew as soon as I went back, I’d miss the quiet, the solitude, and the stillness of it all.

“Okay,” Greta said over a handful of clicks in the background. “I can get you on a flight as early as tomorrow morning. You’ll have to jump a second flight, but—”

“Get it,” I said without hesitation. The sooner I leave, the better. No room for second thoughts.

“Impulsive,” my sister said with approval. “Nice. Okay, it’s set to take off around ten, so make sure you’re there—”

“Super early, I know.” Even the smaller airports had their red tape that I’d have to go through. I knew the drill.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

I paused halfway down the hall between the living room and my bedroom. “As much as I’d love to feed that romantic side of yours, I think it’s time. I came out here to breathe, and I did. In addition to that, I’ve learned a few lessons, met some new people, and found a new appreciation for the few moments of silence I’ll have once I get back. I don’t need anything else.”

“Okay, then I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I guess you will.”

I’m going home, I thought with a touch of excitement. By this time tomorrow, I’d be in my sister’s car on the way to our apartment.

My heart skipped a beat, not just for the people I was going to see, but for those I’d leave behind as well.

I walked to the front door again and peered outside.

Bree and her brother were gone.