Page 100 of Ice Princess

I speak as clearly as I can. “You and I are over.”

“We can be friends.”

“No, we can’t.”

Her eyes fill with hurt. “Gunner.”

“I won’t be friends with someone who’s doing her best to break up my relationship.”

“But Rebel?—”

“Is my girlfriend,” I say in a tone that brooks no argument.

I’m not with her because I feel sorry for her. I’m not with her because she’s pretty. And I’m not with her because she’s a prize.

The words pulse through my throat, but I don’t set them free. That isn’t a conversation that I need to have with my ex. When I share the depth of my feelings, it’ll be in front of the person to whom those feelings belong.

I turn away. “Don’t waste your time on me anymore.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Victoria’s shoulders slump.

Though she’s hurt right now, I strongly believe she’ll get over me. Victoria Pierce has a lot to offer someone. But that ‘someone’ isn’t me.

“Gunner?” My dad’s voice stops me as I’m halfway to mom’s hospital room.

I stop and wait for dad’s long strides to catch up to me. It doesn’t take long.

Dad’s holding two cups of steaming hot coffee. “I was wondering where you disappeared to. I thought you took Rebel back to town.”

I shake my head.

Dad studies my face and then offers me a cup.

I accept it. “How’s mom?”

“She’s doing much better.”

“When can she leave?” I take a sip of the strong brew. Dad likes it as black as the dirt in the orchard.

“Tomorrow. The doctor said that she needs to avoid stress and anxiety.”

I tap my finger on the flimsy paper cup. That’ll be a difficult task. Mom works herself into a frenzy over the tiniest details.

Comfortable silence falls between us.

“Son,” dad clears his throat, “about last night, I don’t blame you. It’s normal for adults to want some breathing room.”

I study my father’s weathered face.

He rubs the back of his neck. “You don’t have to tell me where you went if you don’t want to…”

“I was rebuilding the treehouse,” I answer bluntly.

Dad’s eyes widen. Guiltily, he shifts his gaze to the coffee cup.

“I didn’t stay out last night because I was mad.” I consider my next words. “I did it to avoid another fight with mom.”

Not that it did any good. Mom ended up in the hospital because of me.

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