Chapter 13 #2
No one had to tell them twice, and in no time, they were all seated with heaping plates of food and drinks in front of them.
“I believe Slater has the floor,” Walker prompted.
He nearly choked on a forkful of brisket because he wasn’t prepared to just jump in like that. Clearing his throat, he nodded. “Um…yeah, so…I just really need to bounce ideas off of you guys because you know me and how I think, and I can’t seem to make a decision on what comes next for me.”
“You go with Evie to Seattle,” Connor stated as if it were the obvious decision.
“Uh…”
Nodding, Connor continued. “We all know it’s what you want to do, but you don’t think you should. And honestly, Slater? You’re exhausting.”
“I’m exhausting?” he asked incredulously. “How do you figure that?”
“Because—just like Axel—it’s like you don’t think you’re worthy of being happy. Well, news flash, dude, you are.” He paused and glanced around. “Did they bring in some extra barbecue sauce? I think the ribs are a little dry.”
“Will you forget about the ribs!” Slater snapped.
But Connor was focusing on his plate, so Walker chimed in.
“This last month, you’ve been happier than I think we’ve ever seen you. You’re always chill and relaxed and easygoing, but this was different. It was a whole vibe and I’d have to say it was because of Evie.”
Slater looked at each of his friends, who were all nodding in agreement.
“She makes me happy,” he admitted. “I enjoy just being with her and living with her.”
“If you can handle living in that tiny cabin and still feel like you want to spend time with her, then you’re completely into this relationship,” Walker said. “Because living like that could test even the most devoted couples.”
They all laughed at that.
“Okay, great. We can handle living together for a few weeks in a cabin. That doesn’t help me going to Seattle. What would I even do? You know I don’t stay anywhere for long.”
“Maybe you haven’t exactly noticed, but you’ve been here at the resort for over a year,” Milo said. “Almost two.”
“Not the entire time…”
“No, but those breaks weren’t anything major, and they’re still something you can do,” Milo continued.
“Seattle is a big city, and there are a lot of tour companies nearby that you can work for if you really wanted to—Mt. Rainier, Olympic National Park, plus plenty of opportunities for whitewater rafting, and…”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ve done a few of them here and there, and I guess that’s an option,” he murmured.
“Or…” Axel said slowly and then stopped.
“Or…?” Slater prompted in frustration.
“Or you start something of your own. You’ve worked for other people, you’ve invested here in the resort with the rest of us, but maybe it’s time for you to think about what you want most.”
Evie.
That wasn’t an option in this scenario, but it was the first thing that came to mind.
“I don’t know,” he said carefully. “Do I want to start a business in a massive city like that?”
“Maybe Evie would be open to a slight relocation,” Milo casually threw out there.
“What do you mean?”
Rather than respond right away, Milo took a drink of his iced tea and wiped his mouth.
Then he gave Slater a small smile. “Evie’s comfortable where she is because it’s all she’s ever known.
Maybe the two of you can meet halfway and find a place where you can both be happy.
A place that keeps her close to the city, but far enough out where you feel at home. ”
“Basically, you need to talk to Evie,” Axel said.
“We’ve talked and she’s resigned to me not going with her,” he said. “And I need time to think about all of this. I don’t think I can just…jump into something like this on such short notice.”
“Dude, I once watched you jump out of a hot-air balloon at 15,000 feet,” Walker commented. “No hesitation.”
“But that was why I was in the balloon,” he reasoned. “I knew I was going to jump all along.”
“But you could have backed out,” Walker countered. “Maybe look at this as that kind of jump.”
“You just gave him an out,” Connor said, frowning.
“He’ll know when he’s ready to jump,” Milo said confidently. “And wouldn’t it be better for both of them if he did this because he wants to and not because we’re forcing him to?”
They all looked at him expectantly, and he felt a wave of panic rise in his throat.
“So, uh…yeah. Like I said. It’s a lot to think about.”
“I’m going to miss you, Evie. You’ve been my best customer here at the Lit Loft all month!”
She smiled at Mr. Reed. “Thanks. I’m going to miss you too. Your shop reminds me of one of my favorites back home.” Handing him her credit card, she sighed. “Slater keeps telling me I may need to check an extra bag because of all the books I bought, but I think it’s worth it.”
Leaning in he whispered, “There’s no such thing as too many books.” And with a smile, he put her new books in a canvas tote and handed it to her along with her card. “Safe travels, Evie, and I hope you come back and visit.”
“Take care, Mr. Reed.” Walking out of the bookstore, she decided to take an extended lunch and treat herself to some ice cream. The Daily Scoop was located right next door, and ever since Reece had told her about it, she’d treated herself to an ice cream cone several times a week.
“Hey, Evie!” Mrs. Barrett called out. “What’ll it be today?”
The flavors never changed, but there were so many yummy ones that she always took a few minutes to carefully consider them. “Hmm…let's go with the dark chocolate in a wafer cone and add sprinkles.”
“Ooh…we’re going fancy on your last day. I love it!”
It hit Evie how she had come to know so many people here in Harbortown in the short time she’d been here.
It wasn’t like that back home. Not really.
The few places right around the office that she frequented almost daily knew her, but they were all so busy that it didn’t feel personal. Not like this.
Mrs. Barrett handed her the cone, and when Evie went to pay, she shook her head. “This one’s on the house. Like a little going-away gift.”
“Aww…thank you. You really don’t have to do that.”
“Reece has told us all about you and how hard you work. You deserve a sweet treat.”
She felt herself blush. “Thanks. I’ve been treating myself so much that my skirt feels a little snug. I’ll have to hit the gym hard when I get home.”
“Oh, stop. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re a beautiful girl.” The older woman smiled at her. “We hope you'll come back and visit sometime.”
I hope so too…
“I’m sure I will,” she said instead. The bell over the door chimed, and Evie took that as her cue to start walking back to the office. She had no idea when Milo would be back, but there were a few things she could do in the meantime.
Stepping back outside, she casually strolled along, smiling at people and admiring window displays. The pace was so much slower in Harbortown and it occurred to her how much better she’d been feeling lately.
Even with the extra ice cream weight.
As much as she wanted to give credit to Slater and the multitude of orgasms he’d given her, she had a sneaky suspicion that the easy pace of small-town life was the real reason.
Unfortunately, city life was all that she knew, and up until recently, it was where she thrived.
But how could she dispute how she was feeling?
Or am I feeling this because I don’t want to leave?
That was a real possibility.
She’d made peace with leaving and saying goodbye to Slater. Technically. There was still a tiny piece of her heart that was waiting for him to admit he was in love with her and couldn’t live without her before following her back to Seattle, where they’d live happily ever after.
Glaring down at the tote bag full of bags, she murmured, “You’re to blame for all this. All those romances filled with yummy heroes who always came back in the end to claim their heroines.”
By the time she arrived back at the office, her cone was finished and she felt more depressed about leaving. She was putting her purse away when her phone chimed with an incoming text, but when she looked at the screen, she groaned.
Tom: Hey! Mom says you’re flying home tomorrow!
Tom: Text me your flight info and I’ll pick you up and take you to dinner!
Tom: You’re cutting it close to the wedding, so there’s a lot to catch you up on.
Tom: We’re seriously relieved you’re coming back. Morgan and I want to leave a few days early for Costa Rica, and with you here, I know everything will be taken care of.
Tom: We’ll talk about it tomorrow, kiddo! Text me that info! Love ya!
All Evie could do was blink at the screen. This was what she was rushing home for. She could have stayed an extra week and just flown directly to Costa Rica, but no…she was trying to be responsible.
“And what do I have to show for it? Handling someone else’s to-do list.”
But it’s not responsible when they’re telling you what to do and not asking. You’re allowed to let people know when they’re burdening you with stuff. It’s not okay for you to be everyone’s lackey.
God, she hated that he was right.
But she also hated that she had no idea how to get out of this. Once she was back home, she was off from work and didn’t have an excuse for not helping out. She’d just have to deal with it.
And by deal with it, you mean that you’ll do what they want and ignore your own feelings. You’ll put everyone else’s feelings before your own.
And she really hated how he’d totally pegged that one too, but he didn’t understand. Not really. There’s no way she could just change who she was, the quiet, responsible one, when that’s exactly how most people saw her.
That’s not the woman I’ve spent the last month with. You are fierce and opinionated and strong. I don’t know why you don’t let more people see that side of you. You’re pretty damn spectacular when you stick up for yourself.