Page 25 of Heartstrings & Horizons
“Who is it?” I listen into their conversation like a creep, standing rooted to the spot.
I missed her voice. No, that’s not right. I missedher.
Paige has been radio silent since Saturday, and it’s been torture keeping my distance. I’ve wanted to text her so many times, about funny work stuff, or the stray cat outside of Rosie’s diner. I probably could have sent them anyway, but I was certain Paige was trying to put some distance between us and I didn’t want to overstep. She needed time, and I was going to give it to her.
“Hello?”Paige.She must’ve stolen the phone back while I was lost in my thoughts.
“Hey… Sunshine,” I say, with a hint of tenderness in my voice.
There’s a slight hitch in her voice before she sighs, “Cade.” That’s it. Just my name, but it’s strained. My name on her lips is like a balm to my aching heart.
“I missed you,” I confess. The last shot of jager must be hitting my system now – or maybe it was the 5 others before it. Who knows?
“I’m sorry. It’s been a long week,” she says, exhaustion lacing every word. “How are you, Cowboy?”
Cowboy — the silly nickname she pulled out of one of her favorite romance novels. Before I can answer, someone snags the phone from my hand. I scowl as I turn and find a grinning Miles holding my phone to his ear.
“Well, if it isn’t Sunshine herself!” he singsongs, switching the call over to FaceTime. “Calling to sing Happy Birthday to the birthday boy?” he asks.
She’s wearing my fucking hoodie.
“Is it your birthday?” she asks him.
“No, silly, it’s Cade’s birthday! Yourcowboyhere is 27 today!” he says as he sways on the spot. Probably a good time to end the call before Miles makes a fool of us both, but I can’t seem to bring myself to hang up.
I lock eyes with the gorgeous girl on my phone. Her face is dejected, unshed tears glistening along her lashes. God, I want to reach through the phone and hug her.
Miles, the asshole, hands me back my phone and walks away like he didn’t just royally fuck up my evening. I may not fully comprehend why Paige is avoiding me, but I’m 100% sure this little interaction will only make things worse. Seconds later, my suspicions are confirmed.
“Happy birthday, Cowboy,” she says before the screen goes dark.
The rest of the night is complete chaos. The entire bar sings an offbeat rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, but I can’t seem the muster the enthusiasm to care. I lift a beer in a silent thank you and slink onto a stool at the bar. Liam is passing a tray of shots to a cute blonde when he catches my eye, giving me a knowing look.
“You ok, Cade?”
“Yep…no. Honestly, man, I don’t even know anymore.”
“Wanna talk about it? It’s sort of bartender 101 that we’re like unpaid therapists.”
“Not really.”
“Let me guess, it’s your girl.”
Mine.
“Ok, let’s make a deal. I’ll tell you about Paige when you tell us about the piece of shit ex who left a kid on your doorstep.”
“Not much to tell, man. She’s long gone now and I’m a dad. Aidan is my world and there’s not much more to it. Doing the right thing doesn’t always have to be complicated,” he says, and I know we’re not talking about his kid anymore. “Sometimes when you’re faced with a choice, you have to follow your gut. So what is your gut telling you about this girl?”
“It’s not that simple. I like her, I might even care about her,”too much, I think to myself, “but this can’t go anywhere. She’s there and I’m here and…” the last sentence trails off.
“Look, I’m probably the last person to give relationship advice but it seems pretty simple to me. If you want her, tell her. At least then you’ll know if you should keep pining or move on.”
“Fuck you, I’m not pining.”
“Sure looks like it from where I’m standing.”
Am I pining? Yeah. I am.
