CHAPTER 21

 

 

“And what were y’all doing up there?” she asks, fixing my hair and picking out some straw that Wyatt had apparently missed.

“Nothing. What’s up?” I ask, hoping I don’t look too flustered.

“I have to leave early.”

“How early?”

“Like right now, early.”

“Why?”

“The husband has to go out of town for a week and I want to go with him, so we’re leaving as soon as I get home.”

“Aw, Stacey. I wish you didn’t have to go.”

“I know, I know, but looks like you got your hands full anyway,” she says then looks over at Wyatt walking away from the stable.

I turn around to look at him, too, watching him head towards the house.

“I’m so glad you interrupted us,” I tell her.

“Why?”

“Because I think that some things need to be left in the past.”

“Some things, but not everything.”

I sigh. “Let me help you get your bags.” I begin walking towards the house.

“Oh, you can’t get rid of me fast enough, huh?” she chuckles.

“No. I just want to help.”

“Well, I already packed and put my things in the car while you and Wyatt were in the barn rolling around in hay and whatnot.” She laughs.

“You’re silly,” I say, heading for the front yard where she’s parked.

“Silly, but you ain’t denying anything.”

“Okay, well it’s like this. Wyatt and I had a past, but I moved on. I began a new life.”

“If you began a new life, then why are you leading him on, Geneva? He deserves happiness just like you deserve happiness, don’t you think?”

A wave of guilt consumes me in that moment. I realize that what I’m doing is as wrong as it is reckless. I’m torn, twisting and pulling my heart into two directions. On one hand, I want to be with Wyatt. I want to explore him. Re-learn him. I want us to talk about the old times and reflect on our past.

However, I’m engaged to Darnell. And sure, Darnell may not be as nurturing and loving as I know Wyatt is, but he’s still my fiancé, the man who got down on his knees and asked me to be his wife.

Then again, Wyatt had done the very same thing, but ten years ago...

I pinch my eyes to keep from crying. Then I slide my hands in my pockets and say, “You’re right. You’re one-hundred percent right, Stacey. I have to get my head on straight. Wyatt and I had a past, but that’s over. Now, I have to focus on my future.”

Stacey shakes her head like she’s dissatisfied with my statement. “Well, look...if you need me, I’ll only be a phone call away.” She throws her arms around me and when she releases me, she opens her car door. “Tell Wyatt I said bye.”

“Okay,” I’ll tell him. “Drive safe.”

I stand outside until she’s down the road and when I turn to head inside the house, Wyatt his standing on the steps with his arms crossed.

“She’s gone?” he asks as I’m walking towards the steps.

“Yes. She told me to tell you goodbye,” I say and proceed to walk pass him and on into the house. I head straight for my bedroom, fully absorbing Stacey’s advice. I can’t keep leading Wyatt on, making him think that there’s a chance for us. It had to stop, and I had to be the one to stop it.