Page 10 of The Rest is History

“Yeah,” I admit.

“It’ll be okay. I promise.”

I press my lips to his, wondering how my husband can promise that meeting my ex-boyfriend after more than ten years will be okay. “I love you, Sawyer,” I whisper. “And if you tell me to back out, I’ll back out. If any of this makes you uneasy, just say the word, baby.”

Sawyer rests his forehead against mine. “I love you too. And no, I’m not uneasy about anything. I’ll go see Pippin after work. I’ll come home in time for dinner, like we discussed. You need me anytime before that, just call or text, okay?”

“Okay.” I press my lips to his one more time. “I brought you food.”

He grins. “Awesome.”

Fifteen minutes later, I let myself into the cottage that I share with Sawyer on the edge of town.

Now that my work day is over, I can absorb the reality of my current situation. I’ll see Reece Carter in a few hours.

I considered telling my mother about his visit. She would want to see him. Sawyer said to wait until after Reece’s visit. See how I feel first. I love him so much. He said this was necessary – seeing Reece. Things like this can’t be left unresolved forever.

Now, I look around our home, reminding myself that resolving things won’t change anything, anyway. Sawyer and I have built a good life together.

Our house is nice. One bedroom downstairs with a bathroom. Open plan living room and kitchen. Upstairs, one bedroom, bathroom and a study. No one uses the study. I pick up the latest wood carving Sawyer made – a hummingbird. Having a husband who chops down trees for a living, and who is a man of the earth, having wood carvings all about the house is one of its perks.

My fingers trace along the shape of the bird in my hand. He’s so talented. I set the bird back onto the mantle.

Yes. We have a good life together and I won’t change the way my life turned out for anything. Sawyer is my life and I won’t give him up for anything – anyone – in this world. He knows every part of me and I know every part of him, and Reece’s visit won’t change anything.

Chapter 5

Reece

I pull my phone out of my pocket to check the registration details of the Uber, and then make sure I’m standing in the correct pickup area outside Des Moines airport. The early March chill bites into the exposed area of skin behind my neck. My scarf is doing little to help.

Overhead, the sky is dull with heavy clouds. It might rain. Maybe even snow. It’s so fucking cold.

Other Uber users gather in the covered shelters to get away from the wind. Most of the crowd waiting for their rides have enough luggage to take them around the world. I have one bag at my side and a satchel slung across my chest. The only thing of value in the satchel is my old journal, a single pair of Abby’s yellow socks, and a jar of prickly pear jam for Asher. For Asher and his husband. A thank you gift for letting me visit them.

I have enough luggage to last me a week. Maybe two weeks. The rest of my belongings are stored up in a facility in Arizona. Who knows how long it will lie there?

I remove one glove and check my phone again. Two minutes.

A text from Julie shows up on the preview: Did you make it?

Me: Yeah. Uber is on its way. How’s California?

Julie: It’s nice. I’m settling in nicely.

I know what this looks like. We’re cordial and kind to each other, pretending we’re holding it together, but the truth is that we’re both running from this unbearable shared pain, hoping not to cause the other more worry than is necessary. Strange, because I was more than willing to cause Asher worry when I bullied my way into visiting him. Them.

Me: The house is on the market. All our stuff is in storage. Abby’s things are double wrapped. Don’t say sorry. You don’t have to.

Julie: I know. Thank you for dealing with everything. I hope you find what you’re looking for, Reece.

Me: I hope you do too.

Julie: I will. We will. We’ll always have Abby.

I respond to her text with a heart emoji and put my phone away as my Uber pulls up. He helps me with my suitcase and I settle in the back.

“Is there a radio channel you prefer, sir?”

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