Chapter 16
16
Cortney
With my water bottle clutched in my hand, I shove the door open with my back and wave.
“It’s good to be back. See you Monday?”
My Pilates instructor, Ashley, returns my wave. “Same time, same place.”
I step out into the evening sun with a smile.
That class was very much needed. Though the way my muscles resisted at first, I can bet on being sore tomorrow and might even regret this.
After two lazy weeks on the beach, eating and drinking my heart’s desires, I’m very much ready to get back into my routine. It doesn’t help that I’ve spent the last two weeks in a funk. This return to reality after reconnecting with Spencer is hitting me hard. Harder than I could have imagined it would. Our time together was meant to be a fling, but I think my heart may have missed the memo.
A hot bath is calling my name, followed by binge-watching a new medical drama Whitney told me about.
I toss my stuff into my hot car, dropping onto the seat with one leg in and one leg out.
“Oh no, you don’t,” Juniper calls out from the curb.
“Dammit,” I mutter under my breath.
“I told you you’re not getting out of coming out with us.”
“Did you really stalk me to Pilates?” Squinting against the harsh light, I shield my eyes with my hand. The sun really brings out the red in her burgundy-colored hair.
“Since you left the vet clinic early, I didn’t have a choice, but Bridget was all too accommodating and took a peek at your calendar.”
“I told you I didn’t want to go.”
“You’ve been avoiding us for two weeks now. I know you have room for one cocktail. We both know you’ll sit on your couch with a glass of wine to relax tonight anyway.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
Out of all my sisters-in-law, I’m closest to Juniper. We had a friendship of sorts before she started dating my brother because Ollie and Lincoln were friends. Even though she’s younger than me by about ten years, we bonded over playdates with the boys and the fact neither of us had young kids. She’s also been around the longest, giving us more time to get to know one another. I was there when things went down with her dad, and she was the first person to pick me up off the floor after Sebastian.
“I think being married to my brother is rubbing off on you. You’re too stubborn,” I grumble.
“Good.” Her smile is radiant in the evening sun. She loops her arm through mine and directs me out of my car.
“One drink.”
“Mm-hmm.” She shoves my door shut while I secure the locks.
“You’re going to keep me out late, aren’t you?”
“Most likely.”
Arm in arm, we stroll the two blocks down to The Rocks.
Stepping into the dark building, I’m temporarily blinded by the transition from the sun to the dimly lit bar. I blink rapidly until the blurred shapes begin to resemble people again.
“Look who I found.” Juniper tows me to a large table near the back of the room by the pool tables.
“I knew you wouldn’t let us down.” Bree slides her chair to the left, making room for me to sit.
I drop heavily into the vacant seat, setting my phone beside the drink menu. My finger grazes the screen, lighting up the wallpaper for all to see.
My heart lodges in my throat, just like it does every time I look at this picture.
I changed the background image to the one Spencer sent me. It feels a little taboo when only I know the name of the photographer. This is safer than the sunset image I wanted to use with an extra pair of masculine legs in the frame. At least if anyone gets a glimpse, they’ll just assume I’m full of myself, and I can fib about who captured the conceited image.
I’m supposed to be moving on from our torrid tryst. That is what we agreed upon. But in a moment of weakness, I texted him a picture with the subtle message that I was thinking about him.
I thought I was being friendly. Letting him know I was thinking about him.
His answering text was loud and clear.
Meaning he never sent one.
“What’s dragging you down?” Frankie pauses with the straw of her mocktail halfway to her mouth.
“I’m just missing the beach.” I flag down a server and order a fruity cocktail. Something listed under a nonsensical name with pineapple and vodka. “And this week was hectic.”
“I heard Corjan brought in all those Beagles for you to check out.” Bree tosses back a handful of popcorn.
“Technically, I used the mobile vet at the Sanctuary. There were too many for my small clinic, so this was easier.”
“How many were there?” Whitney asks, tucking her blond hair behind her ear.
“There were six moms in rough shape from excessive breeding. They also had a total of eighteen puppies.”
“That’s so sad,” Bree says.
The server barely sets down my drink before I shove the straw between my lips.
“Two of the moms are going to stay with Jude and me at the Sanctuary for an extended period, and the other four already have foster homes lined up. I think they’ll all be okay after some much-needed patience and rest.” Frankie fills us in with what they must have decided after I left.
I donate my time to give wellness checks, but my brothers run the day-to-day of the Sanctuary all on their own. Frankie and Jude contribute the most hands-on care, seeing as they live together on the property.
“Enough shop talk,” Juniper declares. “Before we lose Cortney to her couch.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m already out with you. There’s no point in bailing now.”
“Good. Then let’s get you another round before trivia starts.” Juniper flags down the server again.
“I’m not even finished with this one.” Another hearty gulp puts the beverage halfway down the glass.
“You need to catch up,” she declares, slashing her finger through the air.
“Fine.” I toss back the remainder of my drink. “Order me another one. And keep them coming. If you intend to keep me here, I might as well do girls’ night properly.”
Frankie holds out her hand. “Keys. Anyone not getting picked up by a significant other is getting a ride home from me since I don’t drink. Or you’re free to crash at the Sanctuary for the night.”
The significant other remark lands like a jab. My keys clink as I dig them from my purse. “Either is fine by me.”
“Now that that’s settled, we need to split into teams,” Juniper says, passing out paper and pens.
Confusion steals over my face, and I’m too tired to hide it. “What are we doing again?”
“Book trivia!” Juniper announces, retaking her seat. “Winning team gets one-hundred-and-fifty dollars to When Spines Align Bookstore.”
“We need to make teams. Six is too many. We’ll be arguing until the timer runs out.” Bree scoots her chair closer to Whitney on her other side.
“I guess it’s going to be you three.” Juniper points at Bree, Whitney, and Isla. “Against us.” Her hand circles across herself, Frankie, and me at the end of our trio.
Bree looks at me with a challenge in her eye. I pick up my fresh drink, knocking back a chug. “You’re going down.” I lick the sweet concoction from my lip.
“Yeah, right. Isla and Whitney both have infants at home. What do you think they do while they’re nursing around the clock?” Bree giggles.
Isla leans forward with a smirk. “John’s been cluster feeding too, which means he wants to eat nonstop. I’ve been tearing through my Tbr.”
“There’s no way I’m finishing mine before I die.” Juniper leans back from the table with a sigh.
An emcee takes over the sound system, her voice crackling through the speakers. She announces the game and the points system before rattling off her first question.
“We’re going to start with an easy one. In the book Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, what type of dragon is Tairn?”
Gasps and chatter are heard all around the room as teams discuss their answers. Our town might be small, but by the looks of the full tables, we have a lot of book lovers here. The competition for that gift certificate is going to be tight.
“Question two: Decode these three acronyms. DNF, Tbr, and MMC.”
“Easy,” our table groans together, followed by a round of giggles.
The night goes on in a blur filled with laughter and book boyfriends. My table is crushing the game, both teams, as we’re helping each other out and basically working as one. By round three of trivia, I’ve managed to keep myself on my fourth drink, and my bladder is about to burst.
“I need a break. I’ll be right back. Don’t lose while I’m gone.” I blow my girls a kiss and slip off to the restroom.
In the mirror, I find flushed cheeks and frizzy hair. The lack of a shower after Pilates did my appearance no favors. I wash my hands and smooth out the strands as best I can. Being that it’s summer now in Minnesota, my beach tan lingers longer than it would have in the winter months. I inspect my skin and splash water on my cheeks to cool them down.
I miss Spencer.
Thinking those three words sends a tightness to my chest so strong it’s like I’ve been wrapped in a tight hug.
But not the good kind of hug. The bad kind. The claustrophobic kind. The kind that has me clawing at my chest and throat, trying to get loose because I just can’t breathe right.
Holy crap, do I miss him.
The admission catches me off guard, and I grip the sink for balance. I’ve drunk just enough to feel dizzy but not enough to fall. My heart dances in my chest just thinking about him, and before I give myself time to think it through, I dig out my phone.
As I scroll to his contact, I lean my ass against the sink and cross an arm over my chest. A physical barrier of sorts to protect myself. I debate over texting or calling. On the one hand, a text rejection is less embarrassing, but on the other, I need to hear his voice again.
In the end, I hit the call button and listen as the phone rings in my ear.
Hey, you’ve reached Spencer. Leave me a message…
I close my eyes as his voice washes over me. Hours spent listening to him talk filter through the haze of alcohol, and for a moment, I’m transported back to the resort, lying in a king-sized bed in Spencer’s arms.
“Hey. Hi. It’s me. Cortney. I’m sure you already knew that. I’m not sure if you want to hear from me, but I thought I’d call. I was thinking of you. Well, not thinking of you like that, but more like I was reminded of you. I’m out at the bar playing book trivia with all my brothers’ wives and fiancées, so you could say there’s a lot of romance in the air around here. Not—Not for me, of course.” I laugh cynically. “I’m so far removed from anything resembling love that I might as well be a potato.” I pause. “Wait. That’s not right. People actually really love potatoes,” I mutter.
Wrap this up! my thoughts scream at me.
“That’s actually why I’m calling. Kind of. Not potatoes, though now I’m going to order some potato skins when I get back to the table. Those sound really good right now. Um, no. Hang on.” I take a deep breath. “I’m just calling because I-I miss you.” My voice cracks abruptly. “Sorry. I tried to say that the other day, but maybe I wasn’t clear or maybe you didn’t want to hear it. I just really hope you’re doing well wherever you are. And I just want to say that if you happen to find your way back here, come find me, okay?” Hot tears prick my eyes. I blink heavily to force them away. “I don’t want us to be strangers anymore. We don’t have to be anything, but let’s not be strangers. I can’t—I don’t think I can stand it.”
I pull the phone from my ear and stab the button to end the call.
There. That was oddly cathartic.
Did I say too much? I’m not sure. I can’t remember half of what I said since I was talking so fast. Judging by the lightness now filling my heart, I think it was exactly what I needed.
I pocket my phone and wipe my palms along my leggings before exiting the restroom.
* * *
“Thanks for the ride.”
I pop the door handle and open the passenger door.
“Any time.” Frankie’s smile is disgustingly bright this morning.
I tug a pair of Jude’s sunglasses over my eyes and hop out. Frankie idles until I’m safely in my car before she drives away.
This morning is a little rough. It’s not the worst hangover I’ve ever had, but the throbbing in my head hasn’t made for an easy morning. I dig some pain meds out of my purse and wash them down with my tumbler of water leftover from yesterday afternoon.
“Yuck.” I tip back another swig to rinse out my cotton mouth.
I crank the engine to life and plug in my phone. I lost battery sometime in the middle of the night. We got back late, and I fell asleep before I could ask Jude if he had a spare charger. This morning, I didn’t linger. As soon as I swiped the sleep from my eyes, I asked Frankie to drive me back to my car.
The screen lights up, drawing my attention to my lap as notifications roll in. I unlock my phone with facial recognition, but I’m interrupted by a knock on my window.
“Can we talk?” Sebastian thrusts his hands in his jeans pockets and rocks back on his heels.
Anger doesn’t give me time to assess the situation before I swing my door open and step out. I sway slightly, the head rush making me dizzy with all the abrupt movement.
“Are you joking right now?” I hiss, gripping the top of my door for balance.
He holds his hands out placatingly. “You haven’t been answering my texts or calls.”
“I don’t have any texts or calls from you.”
He cocks his head. “Do you have me blocked?”
The question is enough to momentarily temper my rage. I nearly laugh as I realize that I do, indeed, have his number blocked.
All thanks to Spencer.
The revelation cools me considerably, leaving behind an icy indifference.
I level him with an assessing stare behind dark sunglasses. Sebastian looks the same. Same crisp polo shirt. Same medium-wash jeans. His reddish-blond hair styled back into a slight wave that I used to find attractive. Now he just looks like the pretentious prick I now know he is.
“What do you want?”
“I want to apologize. I made a mistake.”
“You mistakenly fucked your assistant? How cliché. Did she trip and land on your dick too?”
“You need to hear me out.”
“You know, there’s a difference between people who say they want to apologize and people who actually use the words I’m sorry.”
Sebastian frowns. “I am sorry.”
“You should have started there.” I move a step closer to my car, keeping my getaway close. “You hurt me.”
“I know. The wedding planning messed me up. I don’t think I was ready.”
“I’ll say. I’m shocked you’re a lawyer with how poor your communication skills are.”
He runs a hand through his hair, wrecking what I know took him thirty minutes to style. “I didn’t mean for things to happen as they did. It only happened once.”
“Really?” I cross my arms. “Is that why you decided to fuck her on my couch?”
Sebastian narrows his eyes in frustration. “I accidentally left a file in your house from the night before. We stopped by on our way back from the courthouse in Minneapolis, and I guess one thing led to another. I don’t really know how it happened,” he mumbles. “Just that it did.”
“The camera footage reveals exactly how it happened.”
He grimaces. “I forgot about that.”
My stomach pitches. I can’t be sure if the nausea is from last night or his disgusting story.
“I don’t believe you.”
“It’s the truth,” he says, and he actually looks like he means it. In fact, he looks like he might cry.
He can cry himself to sleep every night for all I care.
“I think you’re a coward.”
He nods as if accepting my insult.
My hands ball into fists.
“No, you don’t get it. I think you’re a coward. I think you didn’t want to go through with the wedding, not because you weren’t ready, but because you were too busy fucking your assistant on the side and you didn’t want to lose that piece of ass. I think you’re a coward, because instead of coming and talking to me or breaking things off like an adult, you decided to bring her to my house and fuck her on my couch, knowing I have security cameras in my living room!”
“Cortney, I swear I didn’t—”
“Yes, you did! Because you know me well enough to know that if I caught you cheating, which I told you was a hard line for me since I was cheated on by Ollie’s dad, you knew that if I caught you, I’d call things off. Me. ” I stab a manicured finger into my chest. “Because you’re too much of a coward to call it off yourself.”
“That’s not… I didn’t mean… I fucked up.”
“Yeah, you fucked up,” I hiss. “More than once. You tried to fuck up my vacation too, but I hate to tell you, your plan didn’t work. While you were here with your doe-eyed assistant, you sent me on a luxurious two-week vacation with a very attractive man.”
Sebastian balks. “I thought it was only for one week.”
Gripping the top of my car door, I lean closer and smirk. “I extended it.”
I slide Jude’s sunglasses down my nose, give him the ole once-over, and push them back up. “Leave me alone, Sebastian. I want nothing to do with you.”
“I thought we could have another chance.”
My laugh is slightly maniacal, but I’m beyond caring what Sebastian thinks.
I drop heavily into my car and grip the handle.
“Stay away from me. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
The door slamming shut between us solidifies the finality of the argument. I have nothing left to say to him.
My engine roars to life, and he finally stalks off.
Hopefully for the last time.
I sigh, rubbing my throbbing headache. I’m not going to be happy if this develops into a full-blown migraine. I get them often enough without having one brought on by this unwelcome conversation.
My phone lights up in the cupholder where I dropped it, the list of notifications still on the screen.
Right. I was about to read them when I was rudely interrupted.
The first thing I notice is the list of missed calls.
Six. All from Spencer.
“Oh my god,” I groan, throwing off the sunglasses and pushing the heel of my palm into my eyes. “The voicemail.”
The screen is smooth beneath my thumb as I swipe away from the calls and open my texts.
Ollie checking in after I said good night. He stayed over at Lincoln’s last night.
Corjan confirming the time of the vet clinic at the festival on Sunday.
My favorite store announcing a summer sale.
Last, I reach Spencer’s text, and I brace for rejection. I wasn’t thinking last night when I left him that voicemail. And now, after my run-in with Sebastian, my defenses are inadequately prepped for the consequences.
A solitary line appears. My breath catches audibly at the short sentence.
Spencer
That’s all I needed to hear