Chapter Ten
Eden felt like her heart was being torn in two as she watched Cain drive away in his truck. He said he had a conference to go to, but she secretly thought he was running.
She didn’t blame him. She was anxious about how fast their relationship had grown. Cain had asked to stay an extra week to help with a small class. She had hoped that would turn into another week and so on.
The fact that he’d never taken her to his bed in the house and only fucked her in her bed or at the club told her he wasn’t serious enough to take that step.
The last few days had been tense, and she hadn’t known how to make it better, so she tried to stay out of his way. He’d still come to her at night and fucked her until they were sore. She thought she’d felt something from him during sex, but now she thought he just wanted sex, and she was close.
Eden finished packing and set her suitcase by the door. She took one more look around before carrying her suitcase, purse, and a bag she wanted to give to Mary to give to Cat. She set everything down except the bag.
Eden had put a note in the bag for each of the women she had befriended. She thought about the one she’d written to Cain.
Dear Cain,
I wanted to thank you for everything. You taught me so much, and I will treasure it and our time together. Please stay safe, Eden.
She had wanted to write about her feelings for him, but he was already running, and she didn’t want to make his life any more difficult than it was.
Eden walked into the food barn and found Mary.
“I can’t believe you’re really leaving,” Mary said as she hugged her tight.
Eden blinked to hold back her tears because she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to stop. So, she wanted to be somewhere private.
“I’ll miss you,” Eden said. She smiled when they moved apart.
“We’ll miss you, too. Can I ask a personal question?”
“I’ll try to answer it,” Eden said.
“Why are you leaving? I thought you loved it here, and you and Cain were getting so close.”
Eden’s smile faltered. “It’s not me leaving, it’s Cain.”
Mary looked shocked. “Wait. He looked so happy with you.”
Eden shrugged. “I was a summer fling and nothing more. He’ll find someone in the next class to be with.”
Mary shook her head. “No. He was never like that until you came.”
“Yes, and then I fell into his lap and gave him everything I had, but it’s not enough, and that’s okay. I’d rather leave now than in a month or year because it would just hurt more.”
“God, he’s a dumb shit,” Mary said. “I have a mind to let him have it.”
Eden looked horrified. “God, please don’t do that. This is not his fault.”
Mary snorted. “Then whose is it?”
“I’m just not enough for him. It had to have been hard to be with me at the club when dozens of gorgeous young women were all over the place.”
“Dammit, I hope he didn’t make you feel less than them.”
Eden shook her head. “No, these are my insecurities.” She handed over the bag. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Yes.”
“Cat is going to come and get these clothes. I won’t be wearing them again, and one of the girls might.”
“God, this makes me so sad. You were both so happy,” Mary said, wiping a tear from her cheek.
“And I’ll heal and go on with life. Broken hearts are a part of life. I hear they eventually mend,” Eden tried to joke. She handed Mary the bag.
“Who’s taking you to the airport?” Mary asked.
“Randy.”
Eden reached for her one more time to hug her. “Thank you. I will miss you terribly.”
Mary leaned back and frowned. “Honey, it feels like you have a fever.”
Mary lifted her hand to touch her forehead, and Eden grabbed it. She’d known she was getting sick. “It’s just a cold.”
“Colds usually don’t come with fevers, Honey.”
Eden clutched Mary’s shoulders. “I promise I’m good. Please don’t worry.”
Mary looked doubtful but let it go. “Then I want a text or call telling me when you get home. Will you do that for me?”
Eden smiled. “Of course. I better go. Randy’s waiting for me.”
Eden waved to Clinton, Mary’s husband, and walked out of the barn. Randy stood by the truck talking to another man when she walked up.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He opened her door and waited for her to get seated before closing it.
Eden could tell she was getting sicker and wanted to be in a hotel room before she collapsed.
“Are you feeling okay?” Randy asked as they drove down the highway.
Eden glanced at him and smiled. “Yes. I’m just a little tired.”
He looked doubtful but didn’t say anything else. “When does your flight leave?”
“Soon. We’ll get there in time,” she said. Eden knew she wouldn’t be getting on any plane in the next few days. They wouldn’t let a sick person on, so she’d have to deal with it at the hotel.
They pulled up in front of the terminal. Randy pulled her suitcase and purse from the back of the truck. Eden got out of the truck, and was proud of herself for not collapsing.
“Where can I take this?” Randy asked.
“Oh, I’ll take it. It’s not that heavy.” She raised her hand and shook his. “Thank you for the ride and everything. This place and the people I’ll never forget.”
She was surprised by the flash of anger in his eyes.
“Then why the hell are you leaving?” he asked.
She thought about how to say what she needed. “Because the summer’s over, and I wasn’t asked to stay.”
Randy looked surprised. “What? You’re not leaving because you want to?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“The way he’s been acting, we all thought you were leaving him.”
She stood, not able to say anything.
“Oh, man, I can’t wait to get in front of him.”
Eden grabbed onto his arm. “No. Absolutely not. Please. It’s not his fault he doesn’t feel the same way I do, and I don’t want anyone to say anything to him. Let him be.”
Randy grunted. “Are you sure I can’t help with the bags?”
Eden shook her head. “No. Thank you, but I got it. I better get in there.”
“Take care of yourself, Eden.”
“You, too, and keep that boss of yours safe, too.” She walked away, putting all her strength into looking normal until she got away from him.
She relaxed when she saw the truck drive away.