Page 7 of Wrong Number, Right Lumberjack
Besides, standing here, under the weight of Jace’s disappointment and Ethan’s joy, I know it wouldn’t matter anyway. I should’ve told him. And now, I might’ve ruined everything.
A sharp whistle cuts through the air. Ethan perks up like someone flipped a switch. He tosses one last look over his shoulder before bouncing back into line with the other campers. Somehow, he’s leaving even more full of energy and excitement.
And just like that… the quiet is deafening. It’s just me and Jace.
I can feel the tension crackling between us like static, and I hate it. Ihatethat it’s come to this. But I also can’t ignore the tight knot of fear in my chest. Total honesty and accountability are my only options here.
I turn to him slowly and let out a deep exhale. “Listen, please, don’t make this weird. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I’m a mom. I just… I didn’t think it was that serious between us. We both know what this is, and you’re such an incredible person, so Iknow you probably don’t want to admit it. But I mean, you’re only here temporarily.”
He doesn’t flinch.
Instead, Jace’s eyes lock on mine with quiet intensity. “What if I wasn’t?” he asks. “What if this were my life here in South Carolina for good?”
His words land heavy. It’s too much to think about. I take a step back. I try to find air. I’m desperate to remember why I built these walls in the first place.
“Stop, it’s okay.” I say, shaking my head. “We both know what this is. What we’ve been doing... It's fun. It’s temporary. And unfortunately, I let myself get carried away.”
His jaw ticks, and I immediately regret everything I’ve just said. It might be true, but I’m being harsh, and Jace is the sweetest man I’ve ever known.
He folds his arms across his chest. “So that’s it? You’re done?”
“I think I have to be.” My chest hollows out.
He lets out a humorless chuckle. “So you keep the fact that you’re a mom a total secret until I’m all in with you. Then you’re out, at least until the next guy calls a wrong number. Then you’re all in with him. Ha. I hate that.”
I wince. Then I roll my eyes to cover it. “No,” I say, my voice cold now, clipped. “I’mall inwith my son. It’s where I should’ve been from the beginning.”
“Don’t do that.” Jace flinches like I slapped him.
But I can’t stop now. If I do, I’ll break. “Enjoy your trip,” I add, already turning away. “And I’m sorry I involved you in my complicated life. You didn’t deserve that. I’m going to let you move on with your life now. But I’m going to miss you, you should know that.”
Another whistle blows, and when Jace turns toward the sound, I walk. I don’t dare look back, even though every step feels like leaving a piece of myself behind.
The lump wells in my throat, and I can’t stop the tears that spill behind my glasses. Deep down, I know I just pushed away the only man who has ever made me feel safe, seen, and a little less alone in this world.
But I can’t afford hope. Not when someone else’s heart is on the line. I get three feet from the door to my office before I hear the footsteps crunching behind me.
CHAPTER 6
JACE
“Dammit, Missy,” I call out to her. But I’m practically out of breath by the time I catch up with her. She’s booking it in those heels. If I weren’t so pissed off over the way she just ended things, I’d be impressed.
“Most days, I’m the first to admit I have no damn clue what I’m doing when it comes to women,” I say, voice low, hands open at my sides. “But you’re gonna have to help me out here, sweetheart.”
Missy’s standing stiff in front of me, arms folded across her chest like a shield. Her jaw is clenched so tight, I swear I can see the muscle twitch. Her eyes blaze with something just beneath anger. Is it fear? Or maybe it’s hurt. But that doesn’t make any sense. I’m the one who got unceremoniously rejected when I thought we were in love.
“Jace, stop. This is already so hard.” She holds up a hand like a traffic cop. I swear there is a tear in her eye, and it hits me square in the gut. “You can’t justcasuallymake and break plans where kids are concerned. I know it isn’t anything to you to offer to come to a game and then change plans. But it’s everything to him. That isn’t your fault. You aren’t his dad, and you didn’t know he existed, which was so stupid.”
Her voice cracks on the word, and something cold settles in my chest.
“I’m not upset that you have a son. I’m surprised, but it feels like a bonus. I don’t know why that’s a bad thing.”
She shakes her head and pulls her shoulders back. “I know this isn’t your fault. You’re not his dad. I’m not expecting you to be. ButIam his mother. That means I’m the one who has to pick up the pieces when people walk away.”
“Then don’t make me go.” I shrug. “I don’t understand what’s happening here. I’m all in with you, that means I’m in for Ethan too.”
Her eyes meet mine, and they’re glassy but unflinching. “I can’t let you come into our lives, intohislife, only to leave. He can’t take any more losses. And neither can I.”
