Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Olivia
It’s been nearly forty-eight hours since Rhett and I almost kissed. Have we talked about it? Nope.
Rhett scampered off pretty quickly after my nose stopped bleeding with some excuse about needing to be up early for work the next day. Now it’s been almost two whole days, but we still haven’t had a chance to talk about it. Between the fundraiser, the café, and the ranch, it’s felt like we’re two ships passing in the night. Maybe I should be grateful for the time to think. I know in my heart what I want, but my brain is telling me something else entirely, and I’d really like the two to agree. Realistically, the time has only given me the space to come up with every reason why that almost kiss didn’t mean anything.
“What’s going through that beautiful head of yours, Ol?” Dad narrows his eyes at me as we sit on the couch after dinner.
It’s been a great night with incredible food and good conversation, but try as I might, I can’t keep my mind from swirling with thoughts of Rhett or the realization that I’m only here for another month and a half. Where has all the time gone? And inevitably, that leads me to the fact that I don’t want to go back to my job after all this, and I don't want to leave Roots.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
I have to be. It’d be selfish of me to leave my job at the Big Four. It’d be impractical. I just can’t help the fact that I’m enjoying my time here, and I want to explore all these new relationships—with my parents, with Callie, and, of course, with Rhett, even if we haven’t had the chance to discuss what that almost kiss means.
Wringing my hands together in my lap, I look up at Dad. His eyes have returned to the TV as two announcers analyze the upcoming Rangers matchup.
“Actually, can I ask you something?”
“What’s up?”
“Why does it bother you so much that you left public accounting early?”
He mutes the TV and turns toward me with even more concern on his face than earlier. “I guess it felt a bit like a failure to me. In school, the standard was always to at least make it to senior, and I couldn’t even do that.” His sorrow-coated voice quickly takes on a new tune as he adds, “But my little girl is going to do better than her dad ever did. I mean, look at you! You’re taking time off and getting the help you need. I have no doubt you’ll come back stronger than ever and get that promotion this fall like we always dreamed, right?”
Like we always dreamed. How the hell am I supposed to tell him that it’s only ever been his dream? How do I tell him that I think this career has been what’s driving my anxiety? I can’t tell him the truth. It would kill him. I have to stick it out. I have to stay in San Francisco and make it to senior, regardless of whatever I may want.
Mom comes back into the room. “What time is Rhett coming over?”
“Should be any minute. The game starts in twenty.”
“Rhett is coming over?” Despite my best efforts to sound nonchalant, the words come out extremely high-pitched.
“Yeah, he always comes over to watch the Rangers play. He didn’t mention it to you? I thought you two were living in the same house now.”
“We are, but he’s been so busy with work, I’ve hardly spoken to him lately.”
“Is something going on with you two? You can tell me.”
“It’s nothing.”
Oddly enough, I don’t want to keep my mom out of the loop just to keep her at a distance. I’m opting for silence because I’m embarrassed. I’ve replayed the events of the other night over and over again in my head, trying to convince myself Rhett wasn’t going to kiss me, but there’s no other explanation. If Maverick hadn’t popped up, it would’ve happened, and I’m certain it would’ve been incredible. Except, when we were interrupted, I swear he looked relieved and ashamed, like he would’ve regretted it.
Even so, I can’t seem to tamp down that flicker of hope that still blazes inside of me, that piece of me that hangs onto that little something I saw in his eyes that makes me believe whatever made Rhett scurry off the other night had nothing to do with me.
I should be excited about the opportunity to finally see him again, but the last thing I want is to be stuck hanging out with him for the evening while my parents hover over us and watch our every move. I want to address the elephant in the room, not just pretend it isn’t there.
A knock at the door makes my stomach somersault.
“I’ve got it!” Dad calls. His excitement over Rhett’s presence is kind of cute.
When my dad and Rhett walk into the room, Rhett’s eyes immediately catch on mine. I can see a whole storm swirling inside of them, and it gives me even more hope. I’m not the problem. I know it.
I awkwardly bring my hand up to give him a half-hearted wave and smile, which he returns with a lopsided grin of his own.
“First pitch should be any second.” My dad hands Rhett a glass of water.
“Ol, have I shown you the new paint swatches for the living room yet?” Mom grabs me by the hand and drags me off as I give Rhett one more glance over my shoulder.
* * *
“Well, this game is basically settled then,” Mom notes. “What do y’all want to play after?”
“Please don’t make me play anymore card games, babe,” Dad groans. “You know I love you, but I’m all card gamed out.”
“Even poker?”
“Even poker.”
“Damn.” Mom brings her pointer finger up to her mouth in thought. “What about pool?”
“Oh, pool could be interesting. What do you think, Rhett?”
“Pool sounds great as long as you’re ready to lose.”
I toss a hand on my hip. “What am I, chopped liver?”
“Of course not, honey, but you’re not our guest.”
“I don’t live here. Shouldn’t that make me a guest?”
“You’re our daughter. That means you don’t count.”
My mouth falls open, and Dad chuckles. “I’m just teasing you, Ol. You know what I mean. You always count.”
The Astros get three outs in only five pitches, ending the game abruptly, and we all head into the spare room for a game of pool.
“What do you think of men versus women?” Dad suggests.
“But Mom sucks, and I’m rustier than that truck you have sitting out in the driveway.”
“You take that back!” Dad shouts, a smile still on his face. “That thing is my baby, and it’ll run someday. I swear.”
“Your dad has been giving me lessons.” Mom’s eyes flit to dad for support. “I might surprise you.”
“I’m sorry, Mandi. You still suck. We can do you and me versus Olivia and Rhett.”
I glance at Rhett and catch him wincing. Jeez, what did I do to him to make him so upset with me?
“Go ahead and break, Jack.”
Dad sets up and nails the ball perfectly, managing to send two solids into the pocket.
Rhett grabs a cue and walks around the table, assessing the balls carefully before setting up. As he places one hand down on the table to hold the pole steady and pulls his other arm back, his triceps flex, on full display for my enjoyment. He stabs the cue ball and sends two balls in opposite directions, somehow pocketing both. Of course he’s good at pool! It wasn’t enough for him just to look good while doing it.
In line with my expectations, Mom takes her turn and completely misses the ball. I’d say she didn’t even try to aim, except that she spent a solid two minutes lining up the ball, closing one eye and sticking her tongue out before striking the cue ball.
When it’s my turn, I waltz around the table, determining the best move to make. I can feel Rhett’s gaze on me, but I try not to let it distract me. I strike the ball, and when I just barely miss, I throw my head back, groaning.
Dad just chuckles as he quickly sneaks in and knocks two more balls in. Rhett counters with one, and my mom once again does very little to contribute to her team. We go around the rotation a couple times until we are down to one ball for Mom and Dad and two for Rhett and me.
I rub some chalk on the end of the cue and start to line up. Before I can go, Rhett places both hands on my waist, tugging me gently back. I swivel around to look at him. When I come chest to chest with him, my breath catches, and I can’t help but wonder if my parents can also feel the crackling electricity in the air between us right now.
“What’re you doing?” I whisper.
“I wouldn’t go for that one.” He tilts his head as he moves to the other end of the table and points to a purple-striped ball. “This is the one.”
“Are you sure?”
“Definitely. Line it up and see for yourself.”
I do as he says, and again, he stops me before I can hit the ball. “You look off-center.”
“What do you mean? How can you tell?”
“Line up again.”
As I do, he leans over me from behind, guiding me to adjust my setup slightly to the left. I’d like to say I can feel the difference in what he’s showing me, but all I’m aware of right now is the way his whole body is wrapping me up and setting me on fire.
“Now go,” he whispers in my ear, covering my arms in goosebumps before he pulls back from me.
I hit the cue ball, and it stops immediately when it strikes the ball I’m aiming for. The ball shoots into the pocket, and I jump up and down hollering. “I did it!”
I twirl around to Rhett, and he’s absolutely beaming, sending me into a melted puddle on the floor. We move in close to one another, and I have to quickly draw back, realizing the way his magnetism just seemed to pull me right in. I settle for giving him a high five before asking him to help me set up for the next one, claiming, “We have a chance. We have to beat my parents.”
“You’d take us down after we fed you and clothed you all these years?”
“Yes,” I deadpan, narrowing my eyes playfully at Dad.
Rhett sidles up next to me again, setting me up, and once again the ball goes in with ease. I leap into his arms, and he accepts me, holding me tight until our gazes meet and time stops. We sit there like that for a beat longer until we realize where we are and break apart.
He clears his throat and scratches the back of his head. “That was good.”
“I couldn’t have done it without your help.”
He nods, and the tension is finally broken when Mom announces, “We need to switch teams! I want Rhett on my team. Your dad is apparently a really crappy teacher.”
* * *
I tuck a strand of stray hair behind my ear as we walk out the door together and get our first moment alone for the night.
“Is there anything you aren’t good at?” I tease.
“Of course.”
“Really? It doesn’t seem like it to me. You play guitar. You cook. You bake. What can’t you do?”
“I can’t whistle. Every time I try, I sound like a dying cat.” He demonstrates, and I can’t help but laugh. He does suck at it. “I’m also terrible at golf. I took lessons one summer when I was thirteen, and I’m pretty sure I’m single-handedly responsible for the instructor’s retirement that fall. And worst of all, I’m terrible at staying away from you.”
My mouth goes dry, and my head immediately spins with all kinds of thoughts, but before I can jump to conclusions, I ask, "Why do you need to stay away?”
“I don’t do love.”
“But why not?”
“I told you about my parents.”
“There has to be more to it than that. You can’t let your parents’ bad relationship stop you from having one.”
“Okay, well answer me this. Are you planning on staying in Roots?”
“I—no. I mean, part of me wants to, but it’s not practical.”
“Then you and I don’t make sense, right? If I have been hurt by love before, why would I want to start a relationship that is guaranteed to end and hurt me again?”
My stomach sinks. He’s right.
“What if you didn’t have to commit to love? Then would you let me in?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. I don’t have an answer. I just know that I was disappointed when we didn’t get to kiss the other night.”
“Me too.” He steps closer, and I instantly feel the heat radiating off his body. My breath hitches, and I can feel my heart pounding out of my chest. He snakes one arm around my waist, pulling me into him and pressing his forehead against mine. “I don’t think I can do casual with you. You’re not the kind of girl someone keeps things casual with.”
“But what else can we do about this?” I press my pointer finger from my chest to his and back. “We just have to pretend we aren’t attracted to one another, that we don’t care for one another? I don’t think I can do that. I’m still here for over a month. We’re still living together. The cottage won’t be ready for at least another two weeks.”
“I don’t want to do that either.” He kisses the crown of my forehead, and I become increasingly aware of how hot it is outside tonight. He slowly brings his face closer to mine, and I stand on my tiptoes. The herd of elephants is back, stampeding through my chest when the porch light flickers on. Mom barges out the front door, and the two of us leap apart.
“Rhett, don’t forget your—” She stops, furrowing her brows as she takes us in. “Did I interrupt something? I can go back inside.”
“ You didn’t interrupt anything. I was just saying goodnight.” Rhett turns back to me. “I think I have a solution to our problem. Will you come with me to Copper Hill tomorrow?”