CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Two days later, Alex was still reeling from Brody’s proclamation of love. She was desperate to dissect it with her team, but playing hostess and helping Brody entertain Violet had occupied her weekend.
The second Brody left to take Violet to the airport, Alex reached for her phone to text her friends. She had only a couple of hours before he’d be back. When she touched the screen, an alert popped up on Whispering Pines. Her search engine was set to notify her whenever it was mentioned online.
Clicking the link, she saw it was the Wanderlust article—Brody’s review. It only took the first sentence to know he’d betrayed her.
She dressed quickly and walked to the office to help Lauren deal with any fallout.
“I can’t believe it,” Lauren said. “I thought he said he wrote a good review.”
“He did,” Alex said.
The article kicked off with a blistering take on the service and the facility, then continued with a malicious list of amenities—loud construction noise, leaky roof, surly cabin manager with no boundaries.
It concluded by saying the concept of internet-free camping was noble, just poorly executed at this particular campground.
“Maybe it won’t be that bad,” Lauren said. “Who still reads travel magazines anyway?”
“I don’t know, but it’s possible we might get some cancellations over this. If that happens and they seem receptive, you can try to refute some of the accusations. Otherwise, just be polite.”
“What if we reached out to some past campers to ask if they would counteract his review with their own? The writers’ group maybe?”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Alex said. “People might actually read the reviews on our website before they ever see the Wanderlust garbage. I’ll send some emails.”
They spent the morning anticipating possible consequences and how to mitigate them, batting around ideas of preventive incentives—offer a nightly discount, a free pizza, a ride from the airport?
A few hours later, Alex left the office glum but also furious. Sure, it was Brody’s right to review the place anyway he wanted, but why did he lie to her? That’s what was intolerable.
She stalked up the steps to her cabin. Only to find Brody sitting in a chair on the porch.
“This is not the article I submitted,” he said preemptively, holding up his phone.
Alex’s anger quelled a little. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, someone at the magazine overrode my submission. They took bits and pieces of my original notes, amplified the bad stuff, and totally manufactured a new review.”
“Explain.” She put a hand on her hip.
“We use a system where multiple people can collaborate on a project at once. It’s where I enter all my info—notes, pictures, drafts, any random thoughts I might use.
My initial impressions, which admittedly weren’t so great, were saved there.
” He paused to run his fingers through his hair.
“But later, I changed all that and wrote the article I wanted printed. I talked with one of my coworkers who told me management thought the negative stuff would get more clicks and published it without my sign-off.”
Alex didn’t say anything. The excuse sounded reasonable, but it didn’t change the situation.
“I’m so sorry, Alex,” he said. “I had no idea this was coming. I guess they figured since I was leaving anyway, it didn’t matter if they pissed me off. Which they have.”
“The damage is done, Brody,” she said. “There’s no ‘undoing’ the internet.”
According to him, this wasn’t his fault, but she hadn’t fully wrapped her mind around that yet, and residual anger still oozed toward him.
Rather than talk it out or attempt to work through her feelings right there in front of him, she walked past where he sat and went inside, leaving him on the porch.
After being upset all morning, it was going to take her a minute to shift gears. She changed into leggings and a hoodie and was relieved when she opened the door and found the chair he’d been sitting in empty.
Running in the cold wasn’t her favorite thing, but she needed this. Trees, nature, and fresh air couldn’t unpublish Brody’s article, but it would soothe her soul.
She threw a handful of bread into Daisy’s house, stretched a little, and set off. Her ankle was a tiny bit sore, but not enough to hamper her. Any real pain, and she would switch to a walk.
Even though Brody had explained what happened—and she had no reason to doubt his story—the feelings of betrayal wouldn’t go away.
Maybe the anger and hurt were a subconscious defensive mechanism, working together to shore up the wall surrounding her heart.
To keep it safe from what she felt was inevitable—Brody disappointing her in some way.
She jogged around the lake twice, slowing to a walk after the second lap. Just when she thought she felt better and was ready to talk to Brody, a woman flagged her down in the parking lot.
She’d just gotten out of a snazzy black town car with rental car plates. Tall and blonde, she wore heels and a flimsy white blouse tucked into a tight pencil skirt. Good luck getting anywhere dressed like that.
“Excuse me,” the woman called, throwing up a hand and waving. “Where can I find Brody Collins?”
Alex looked her up and down. She screamed big-city businesswoman, but the look in her eyes said this was personal.
“I don’t usually give information about renters.” Was she fishing for information? Yes.
“Well, I’m his girlfriend,” the woman said. “I’d ask him myself, but I wanted to surprise him. He’ll be happy to see me, I promise. Do you know which cabin is his?”
Alex’s brows shot upward. Was this Chloe? Or some other woman claiming to be Brody’s girlfriend? Was this another lie, or another misunderstanding? Either way, Alex was done.
All the irritation she’d just worked so hard to run off came flooding back tenfold. And in that moment, she would’ve given Brody’s cabin number to anyone who asked—serial killer, door-to-door salesman, any religious group.
“Cabin twelve. Straight down that road.” She pointed the way, and without another word, jogged back to her cabin.
She refused to cry over Brody Collins. He did not have any hold on her heart. Even if there was an explanation for the fancy lady, Alex didn’t want to hear it.
Just seeing the type of woman he liked—pretty, polished, and prissy—made her doubt his attraction to her. She was the complete opposite—brash, bossy, and dressed like a lumberjack most of the time. Obviously not his type.
She had enough on her plate. She didn’t need drama from the man in cabin twelve. After a quick shower, she turned off her phone and went to see Juliet.
Juliet was the closest to her geographically. Plus, she had dogs. As Alex drove past the Barkingham Palace sign and caught sight of two terriers frolicking next to the barn, she immediately felt better.
“Give me the cutest, fluffiest one you got,” Alex said. “A puppy if possible.”
Juliet chuckled and walked her to the kennel of a slow-moving yellow lab. “No puppies, but this ol’ girl will do if you need some lovin’. What happened?”
She unlocked the gate, letting the dog lumber out as Alex gave a quick rundown of the last few days—Brody saying he loved her, the negative review, the excuse about the negative review, and the encounter with the woman.
“You don’t actually think she’s his girlfriend, do you?” They sat on the floor in the middle of the barn, the lab’s head on Alex’s lap.
“If that was Chloe, then I doubt it.” Alex stroked the dog’s head. “Could be some other woman. Or maybe it was Chloe and they never really broke up.”
“Why would he lie about that though? Especially with the whole catching-her-cheating story? That just makes him look bad. Plus, we barely knew him then.”
Alex shrugged. “Maybe it’s all explainable. It probably is, just like the article. But there’s too much ambiguity. What will come out next? That he isn’t really staying here? That saying he loved me was some big joke?”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Juliet said. This was the other reason Alex had come here. For some sage advice. Juliet was a year younger than the rest of the team, but sensitive and wise beyond her age.
“I have to talk to him. I know you’re right.” The lab picked up its head and licked her face, causing her to laugh. “You sweet thing. Maybe I should get a dog.”
“They are great for unconditional love,” Juliet said.
“All right.” Alex stood. “Well, thanks for this. I needed some furry, four-legged therapy.”
“Maddie left this morning, but Tess, Faith, and I can bring dinner tonight if you want.”
“And wine,” Alex said with a wink.
“What about Brody?”
“If he shows up, he shows up. Either way, I’m not gonna say no to dinner delivery.”
On the drive back, she checked her phone, thinking Brody would have called or texted.
Nothing. When she returned to Whispering Pines and took a quick detour down Brody’s road, both the town car and Brody’s truck were gone.
She didn’t know what to make of that, but it seemed like if he’d sent her on her way, he’d have reached out by now.
The longer she didn’t hear from him, the more unsure she became.
Was she wrong to give him the benefit of the doubt? Maybe Chloe had talked him into getting back together, and he’d left right then and there without even saying goodbye. What if she was expecting a “reasonable explanation” that wasn’t coming?
Two hours later, when he still hadn’t called, she caved and texted him.
Everything okay?
It took him several minutes to reply. And when he finally did, it was with a meager, yes. Which told her nothing, so she tried again.
You coming over for dinner?
Another long delay before, No. Chloe and I are back together. Don’t call me, I’ll call you.
Alex blanched as she reread it. She set the phone down, emotions at war.
One part of her found it impossible to believe what was happening—that he could be so rude.
But another deep-down part knew this was unavoidable.
Why would he choose a country bumpkin from Hicksville over a big-city Barbie doll?
No, it actually made perfect sense. There was no misunderstanding to be explained away.
His supposed feelings for her had been a sham.
He’d said not to call, so she wouldn’t. It hurt, she couldn’t deny that, but she’d be damned if she’d give him the satisfaction of hearing it in her voice.
Ten minutes later, her friends poured in, boxes of pizza and bottles of wine in hand. They read her mood instantly.
“What’s wrong?” Faith asked.
In a daze, Alex told them what had happened. Sleek black car, tall, sleek woman, and Brody AWOL. When she got to the contents of the text, she fought valiantly to keep the tears at bay and was mostly successful. Only a few escaped, and they were immediately batted away.
“He reunited with the bimbo who cheated on him?” Juliet asked. “She must be a real smooth talker.”
“Or have some other skill set that would cause a man to blithely abandon his pride,” Tess muttered.
“Probably weird bedroom stuff I wouldn’t have a clue about,” Alex said, cracking a smile.
“And he left without saying anything?” Juliet was incredulous. “I just can’t believe it.”
Alex pulled out her phone, opened the text chain, and handed it over. Her friends huddled around it.
“I’ll kill him,” Tess said. “With my bare hands.”
“I know where we could bury the body,” Juliet said. “No one will ever find him.”
“Okay, I’m in,” Faith said. “But don’t tell Nick. He’s kind of a goody-goody when it comes to felonious behavior.”
Alex chuckled and shook her head. They were joking, but it felt good to have friends in her corner. “It was only a matter of time before the whole thing blew up anyway.”
“Has it really blown up though?” Faith asked. “You don’t know for sure his side of the story.”
“What could his side possibly be?” Alex said. “He literally texted he was back with his ex. A blow-off doesn’t get much clearer than that.”
“I don’t know.” Faith tapped a fingernail on her teeth. “Now that I’m thinking about it, this makes no sense. Why would he go back to some floozy who betrayed him right after telling you he loves you?”
“Faith’s right. It doesn’t fit,” Juliet agreed. “He’s super into you. Anyone can see that.”
“What if she’s holding him hostage?” Tess said. “Or stole his phone? Or is blackmailing him? We might have to do some sleuthing.”
“Settle down, Nancy Drew,” Faith said.
“Yeah,” Juliet said. “The last time Alex ‘sleuthed,’ Nick showed up on Brody’s doorstep ready to arrest a fugitive.”
They laughed at the memory.
“Even if he does have some explanation,” Alex said.
“There’s no point in prolonging the inevitable.
Brody’s not the kind of man who would move to Green Valley Falls.
Plus, he’s got too much going on already, trying to start a new career and all that.
He needs to be flexible to travel or relocate.
It’s better this happens now, before I fall in love. ”
They’d been friends for over twenty years. No one had to say out loud what was written-on-the-wall obvious—Alex was already in love with Brody.