Page 97 of Major Love

Then I’m grabbing my gear for the snowmobile and heading out of the backdoor.

Leaving my work cell on the kitchen counter, completely forgotten.

Chapter 23

Sunday

I relax deeper into the pillow, the feel of something warm caressing the nape of my neck.

Without opening my eyes, I reach up to feel what I’m wearing, and a small smile touches my lips when I finally realise what it is.

Jason’s sweater, that he helped me slip into last night. Right before we watched my favourite show from the back of his truck, with the snow-covered pines to keep us company.

I peek down beneath the quilt, admiring his clothes on me as I slowly wake up.

I don’t usually sleep in a lot of layers but, now that I’ve recovered from my cold, I can see how an extra shirt might be exactly what I need during this winter.

Or maybe there’s something else that I would rather get wrapped up in… something that Jason was one thread of control away from giving into last night.

I purse my lips to hide my smile and then I lift myself up onto one elbow, the steep mountain and the snowy evergreens outside the large window making my chest swell with wonder.

I’ve missed this – being so immersed in nature that it feels like I’m a part of it.

The rightness of waking up to the gentle rustle of deer treading through the forest, the silence of last night’s snowfall blanketing everything else from comprehension.

My mind flickers back to the thought of my house down in Nashville, the beautiful mansion that I admired but that never truly felt like a home, and as if the Universe can sense the path of my thoughts, my phone suddenly stirs on the bedside cabinet, vibrating to life as a new notification pops up on the screen.

There are five missed calls and three texts from an unknown number, and I tap on the messages warily before relief spreads through my chest.

He signed his first text withRileyso that I would know who the messages are from, and it’s actually sweet to hear from him again seeing as we’ve been friends for over ten years now.

I breathe out a quiet laugh as I read through his messages, so over-the-top with Nashville-isms that I roll my eyes with amusement.

I tap out a reply to congratulate him on his album release, and to tell him that I totally appreciate his concern but he doesn’t need to check up on me. I explain how his manager helped clear up the ‘secret relationship’ articles, just in case she hadn’t told him seeing as his schedule is off-the-charts chaotic.

Besides, to Riley another article isn’t really a big deal. If anything, it’s beneficial, keeping him constantly in the spotlight, whereas for me it was nerve-wracking because I had nothing to gain from the attention. I’d already sold the bar, so all the article did was drag my name – painting me out to be something that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Seeing as the press somehow caught wind of our friendship and twisted it into something so beyond what it is, I tell him that it’s probably for the best if we keep a little distance for now, but that I still think he’s a rockstar and can’t wait to hear his new songs on the radio.

Then I toss my phone back onto the cabinet, push down the sheets and hop out of bed.

I tie my hair into a high ponytail as I descend the stairs, my bare feet padding quietly when they hit the hardwood, and my eyes instantly fall to the bare coat hooks by the front door, telling me that Jason must have already left for work hours ago.

Although, when I glance through the stunning floor-to-ceiling front window, I can see clear as day that his truck is still out there on his drive.

Intrigue lifts my brow, curiosity settling in my stomach as I tilt my head to look at it.

His truck is still here… but there are other tire tracks in the fresh snow.

Did one of his guys pick him up to take him to the site today?

I blink at the large black vehicle for another long moment before brushing it off, low-key impressed with my own detective skills.

Because like, really, why else would Jason’s truck still be here?

Surely it’s not so unimaginable for the crew to hitch a ride every now and then.

I’m about half a minute into scoping out his cupboards when my attention suddenly flashes to the kitchen counter, and to the large black rectangle lighting up as it vibrates.

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