Chapter Nine
Warren
I’m up earlier than usual because after the most amazing afternoon lunch date with Maisie yesterday, my mind hasn’t been able to shut off long enough for me to sleep.
But I’m on too much of a high to even need it.
Getting my hopes up for anything happening between us again is stupid considering how different our lives are now, but I can’t help how happy it makes me to spend time with her.
Being near the woman who was once my best friend and who will always be the love of my life is giving me a false sense of hope that maybe, just maybe , she’ll remember how good we were together.
I should prepare myself for the worst, but I can’t. Not yet anyway.
Bodie’s brows furrow and he squints as he stares. “Why’re you smilin’?”
“Whaddya mean?” Even as I say the words, I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face .
Bodie’s face lights up and he points at me. “You got laid! Fuckin’ finally! Who is she?”
I roll my eyes at his obnoxiousness. “Not even close.”
Walking toward my office, Bodie catches up to me. “Is it about Maisie?”
I’m about to open my mouth to tell him the truth when I remember he can’t be trusted. “I’m not tellin’ you shit. You’ll tell the group chat.”
He mimics zipping his lips and throwing away the key.
“I’m not Bellamy. That doesn’t work on me.”
“Oh, c’mon! I’m your favorite brother.”
I scoff. He wishes.
“I bet you use that on Bellamy, too.”
“Well, obviously. I’m her twin, so she has to say it’s me. But I swear I won’t tell ’em.”
“Fine.”
He follows me into my office and sits in the chair in front of my desk. I log into my computer and click my emails tab.
“I don’t have all day, man. Spill it already.”
Rolling my head back on my shoulders, I give my neck a few cracks.
“Text me an embarrassin’ pic first.”
“Wait, what?”
“I need leverage. You spill the beans, I plaster your photo all over a datin’ app of my choosin’.”
His jaw drops in shock. “So much for being my favorite brother.” Instead of arguing like I assumed, he pulls out his phone and sends me a shirtless mirror selfie of him in a cowboy hat. Except, he looks good.
“This is the worst ya got? ”
“Yeah, I ate carbs that day.” He pats his abs like he doesn’t always have a six-pack.
I roll my eyes. “Fine, whatever.”
Instead of drawing it out, I share every single detail of our seven-day deal and what happens once the week is over. I tell him about each date we’ve had so far and what I have planned for the rest of the five days.
Shit, that feels good to get off my chest.
When I stop talking, Bodie’s expression is frozen.
“Gonna tell me what you’re thinkin’ or keep starin’?”
He mimics reaching down to pick up his jaw off the floor, and I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms while I wait for his dramatics to be over.
“Well, that…was unexpected. She’s engaged, though?”
“So? What does that matter when she’s married to me?”
“Do you truly think she’ll change her mind?” His face softens, concern etched in his features.
“I-I dunno. We’re gettin’ along as well as we always have, minus the touching or intimacy. I’m not pushin’ for any of that anyway. I just want her to realize what she’s givin’ up before she does.”
He nods, squeezing the back of his neck. “And if she doesn’t? You’ll finally move on?”
I lift a shoulder because who’s to say at this point? “I’ll have to.”
“You know I want you to be happy. If you two get a second chance, I’ll support y’all and be the ring bearer again at your vow renewal.”
I laugh at that. Considering he was thirteen at the time.
“But if not, we’ll get shitfaced at the bar and find you a freak in the sheets.”
“Why does she have to be?— ”
“Hey, boss…”
My head falls at Ricky in the doorway, grinning like a fool.
He’s Nicky’s younger brother. And yes, their names rhyme.
“We’ll chat later,” I tell Bodie.
He stands but rests his palms on my desk, leaning closer and lowering his voice. “Since I promised to keep this between us, does that mean I get updates during the week?” He waggles his brows. “So I can prepare.”
“Prepare for what?”
“Champagne if we’re celebratin’ or some Mad Dogs to drown your sorrows. Or if you’re feelin’ really down, Four Lokos.”
I snort because there’s no way I’m drinking that shit. “Sure, I’ll text ya.”
Once he leaves, Ricky enters and plops down in front of me.
“Don’t tell me you got married, too?”
After dealing with Ricky and going through emails, I check in with Bodie and see where I can help. I’m trying to stay focused instead of thinking about Maisie, but it’s nearly impossible.
Our picnic yesterday went so well, I’m halfway worried I won’t be able to top it.
Although that’s not the point of spending this week with her, but since I have to be here during the day and she’s spending time with her parents or working, we’ll only get a few hours in the evening. And I want them to be memorable.
Warren
Wanna go for an evening swim tonight?
It’s nothing major, but not being able to sleep is catching up to me.
I’d rather do something low-key tonight since I have other late-night activities planned this week.
We used to swim under the waterfall all the time when we were younger, but I haven’t been able to go there since the last time we went together.
It’ll also give me the opportunity to tell her about Angela since I didn’t want to do that in a public space.
Maisie
I didn’t pack a bathing suit.
Warren
That’s never stopped you before.
Maisie
Warren! I’m not going skinny-dipping again…
I laugh, unable to hold back the rush of emotions hitting me at her remembering the one and only time we did was the night I proposed.
Warren
You have until 7 to get one. Bring extra clothes to change into after. I made your favorite dessert.
Maisie
You bake too?
Warren
Just one thing, nothing special.
Cheesecake was always her favorite, so over the years, I watched videos and taught myself how to make it.
It took a while to get it right, but I finally got it down after several failed attempts.
I started making one yesterday after I got home from our picnic so it’d be cooled in time for tonight.
Once we’re ready to eat, I’ll top it with berries and salted caramel drizzle.
Maisie
Okay well, you won me over with dessert, so I’ll be there.
Warren
Glad to see nothing’s changed with your sweet tooth.
After work, I shower and crawl into bed for a quick nap. I’m dragging ass and will have to chug an energy drink before we go tonight.
The moment my body sinks into a deep sleep, a loud pounding at my door wakes me.
“Ugh, go away,” I mumble, grabbing the pillow to cover my head.
“Warren Garrett Langston! Open this door!”
Oh fuck .
My mother.
“We know you’re in there!”
Double fuck.
Aunt JoJo.
They know where the hideaway key is, so there are only a few more seconds of them shouting my name before they barge inside.
“Hope you’re decent. We’re comin’ in!” Aunt JoJo shouts.
“No one is home!” I yell.
“Nice try,” Mom says, walking into my bedroom without knocking.
“I coulda been naked in here,” I grumble, sitting up.
“I saw your mother give birth. Nothin’ I haven’t seen before,” Aunt JoJo blurts, sitting on the edge of my bed.
“I think we need to have a discussion about boundaries.” I pull the sheet over my waist since I’m only in my boxers.
“Speakin’ of discussions…” Mom grins, folding her hands in front of her. “We want an update on Maisie.”
“And you couldn’t have called or texted?”
“We did call,” Aunt JoJo says. “Straight to voicemail.”
“And that was an invitation to interrupt my nap?”
“We didn’t know you were sleepin’, honey.” Mom shrugs. “But since we’re here…”
“We want the juicy details,” Aunt JoJo blurts.
“Jesus, y’all are worse than Bodie.” I sigh, knowing they won’t drop it until I tell them everything. “Can you at least let me get dressed?”
“Sure, sweetie. We’ll be in the kitchen.” Mom nods to Aunt JoJo to follow her out.
“Don’t touch the cheesecake,” I warn, knowing they’re little snoops.
“ Cheesecake ?” Aunt JoJo’s mouth opens before it forms into a mischievous grin.
“Don’t,” is the last word I get out before my mom drags her out the door and closes it behind them.
You’d think living up the mountains away from the ranch and the main farmhouse would award me some privacy, but Aunt JoJo and my mom are the biggest gossips in town. They were best friends before Mom married Aunt JoJo’s older brother, so they have decades of getting in trouble together.
Once I have pants and a T-shirt on, I meet them in the kitchen.
“Sorry, honey. Bodie let it slip that you have seven days to win her back, so we needed to know what’s goin’ on.”
“That little shit,” I murmur.
I should’ve gotten a worse picture of him. He’s probably hoping I do leak it because it’ll make girls his age go crazy. Especially the ones with a cowboy fantasy.
“If I tell you everythin’, do you promise to leave and keep tight-lipped about it?”
“Yes!” they agree in unison.
I blow out a breath, then lean against the kitchen counter as they sit at the breakfast bar.
Starting at the beginning, I go back to last Thursday when she showed up at the house and continue with my plans for tonight.
Finally, I explain what’ll happen after the seventh day if she still wants a divorce—I’ll sign the papers and never see her again.
“Wow…” Aunt JoJo murmurs in a daze.
“You’re gonna let her rip out your heart a second time,” Mom says, the disappointment written across her face.
“Maybe that’s what it’ll take for him to move on from her for good,” Aunt JoJo says, speaking as if I’m not in the same room as them. “Unless she changes her mind and they give their marriage another chance.”
“Assumin’ she’s willin’ to move here.” Mom presses her lips into a firm line .
“She’s her own boss, so she can work remotely anywhere,” Aunt JoJo replies.