37. Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Chloe
My head throbs. I can barely open my puffy eyes and my heart is as dry and brittle as fallen leaves. The last thing I want to do this morning after spending the night sobbing into my pillow and hating myself for being like Mom is to go to work. But I can’t afford to take any time off. I already asked for two days of leave for the festival.
Dabbing face cream under my eyes, I hope it helps the swelling subside.
I texted Dawson last night asking for an update on Finn. He hasn’t responded yet. I get it. He trusted me—heck, I trusted myself, allowed myself to believe I could have my dream, and I failed on my first test. I doubt Dawson will ever want me around Finn again.
How will Dawson and I work together to get the festival finished?
We can’t.
I can’t. There is no way I can be around Dawson and not hate myself and at the same time wish we were still together knowing we aren’t. We never can be. I unlock my phone screen for the millionth time and take a breath.
Me: You have your hands full with Finn. If you’ll bring the decorations in your garage the morning of the festival, I’ll handle the rest on my own.
A notification pings. Dawson liked my message, but there’s no other response.
Me: One more thing. If you’ll set the thank-you gift supplies on your front porch tonight at six, I’ll have Kate pick them up.
I’m free, but I can’t go to Dawson’s and see him. Or Finn. The reminder that I failed and ruined us in the process is too much. I have no idea what to do about Finn. He’s going to think another woman abandoned him. Maybe I can write him a get-well card so he knows I’m thinking about him.
It takes everything in me to stay focused and get through the workday, but my heart isn’t in it. At least tonight I can focus on the festival and not my broken heart.
“What do you mean you’re not coming anymore?” I ask, pacing my living room floor.
“I’m sorry ma’am, but we double booked ourselves,” the pizza truck employee says.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “And I have to suffer because of your mistake?” What am I going to do? How am I supposed to find a food truck in less than twenty-four hours ?
“We’ll email you a fifty-percent-off coupon for the trouble.”
I snort. “Right, because a coupon is going to solve my problem right now.” Aaah! I hang up, throwing my phone across the room at my couch. Maybe I’ll order a bunch of pizzas from The Pie. But how will I keep them warm? Our festival is open house style. People can come and go as they please. Not everyone will eat at the same time. I could have two delivery times, but I don’t know how much to order.
Breathe, Chloe. I don’t have time to figure this out right now. I’ll deal with it later.
Snatching my keys and purse, I head out to the pumpkin patch to pick up whatever leftover pumpkins I can find for bowling and decorations. But first, I have to stop to switch my car for Carter’s truck. There’s no way twenty-five gourds are fitting in the trunk of my Corolla.
There aren’t many vehicles in the parking lot of Crenshaw Solutions. It’s easy to spot Dawson’s Subaru.
My chest tightens at the sight, making it hard to breathe. I miss Dawson’s teasing, his goodness, the way he listens, his hugs, and most definitely his kisses. I miss Finn’s funny comments, his smiles and stories. The past week and a half, I’ve kept as busy as possible, preventing myself from thinking about the Reed boys. Last night was impossible. I kept thinking about the costumes Finn and Dawson ordered. How Finn managed to go trick-or-treating. If they were missing me as much as I miss them.
This physical reminder is too much. My nose stings, saliva pools in the back of my throat, and tears fill my eyes. Why can’t I be perfect? Why must I be the one who inherited Mom’s gene of hurting people?
But I have.
And now I’m back to square one. Protecting others from me by keeping them out. I never should have asked Dawson out on a date.
I search my car for a tissue but don’t find anything. Getting into Carter’s truck, I riffle through his middle console and glove compartment, but he doesn’t have napkins or anything either. Sniffling, I do my best to ignore all thoughts of Dawson—like how his car was prepared for everything. You’re fine, Chlo. Move on, you have things to do.
Finding a rock station on the radio, I let the loud instruments drown out my thoughts as I drive. The festival is tomorrow and I still have a million things to get done.
My phone vibrates in my back pocket. Carter’s name flashes on my screen. “Hey,” I say. “What’s up?”
“Is there any possibility of adding fifty more people to the festival?”
I let out a hysterical laugh. “Good one, Carter.”
“I’m serious, Chlo. We signed another client this week and they’re local. I want them to come to the festival and get our relationship off to a good start.”
Adding a few people wouldn’t be a big deal, but fifty?! That means buying apples, pumpkins, prizes, food, books, craft supplies, and thank-you gifts. Even with help, it’s not possible. Most of the stuff I ordered online weeks ago. “Carter, I’m sorry. I don’t think I can pull it off.”
“Is it the budget? I’ll give you more money if that’s the problem. ”
The light in front of me turns red and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Resting my head against the seat, I close my eyes for a moment. “It’s one of many issues. Look, can’t you send this new client a gift basket?”
“No. I want to show these guys why Crenshaw Solutions is different.”
My twin senses tingle. “You’ve been working a ton of hours this year and now you’re pleading with me. You don’t beg. What’s really going on?”
“I want to grow my company.”
He said that way too fast. His excuse might fly with his employees, but not me. I know him too well. “The real reason, Carter.”
“An investor is interested in Crenshaw Solutions, but they want revenue up another million before they’ll buy me out. I want to sell, Chloe. I want to do something besides sit behind a desk staring at a computer all day. But I need the money to do what I really want.”
I feel like I don’t know my twin at all. I’m blindsided. “I thought you loved designing video games.”
“I did. But I found something I’m more passionate about.”
“Do I get to know what it is?” Because I can’t possibly come up with anything Carter might love more than the job he knew he wanted to do since he was fourteen.
“Yes. I will tell you everything later, but for now, can you make this happen for me?”
I have absolutely no idea how, but I don’t want to let Carter down. He’s taken care of me since we were six. It’s not often I can return the favor. “Yeah, I’ll figure it out. ”
“Thank you, Chloe. You’re the best sister ever. I’ll be done working after eight. I’ll stop by and do whatever you need me to.”
“Yeah, sure. See you then.”
We hang up and my mind whirs like beaters whipping potatoes for a feast. First things first. I’m going to need more pumpkins. I hope all the stores nearby have everything else I need. I’m not sure how I’ll pull this off in twenty-four hours, but for Carter, I’ll find a way.