Page 86 of There's Pumpkin About You
End of next year?
“There’s some people even flying in from out of the state. It’s the chance you need to take things national.”
National?
“Surely, seeing how successful this party has been, you’re excited to move on to the next?”
I lean in closer as Wren adjusts her stance. “Of course, I’m excited to plan more events. This is my life. This is my dream. And the chance to take my work out of the state… it’s insane to think about.”
“But make sure you do think about it. You can’t stay in these tiny towns forever, Wren,” says one of the twins. “Who the hell would want to stay stuck in one place forever?”
I’ve heard enough.
How stupid I’ve been, thinking that Wren would ever want to stay with me here in this “tiny town”. She wants to branch out and I handed over her chance to do so without even knowing it. She told me in the beginning, said that she would get more business from this party, open up more opportunities for her. But she said it would do sohere. In Eaglewood. In the end, I found no downside to helping her, because I knew in the end, the town would see what she’s done and offer me a chance to make her stay and work here.
But how can one little town in the middle of nowhere possibly compete with the chance to travel and work for those who can offer her a life of luxury?
As I storm out of the barn, rejection weighing on my chest, Iwonder how I could have possibly been stupid enough to fall for someone like Wren Southwick.
* * *
The night air is exactly what I’ve needed to cool down some very heated thoughts. The constant thought of being abandoned by the one woman I want to stay more than anything is causing my skin to prick and itch with the harshness of reality.
The reality is that no one is going to stay. Why would they when the idea of leaving me seems to hold so much appeal?
“August?”
Despite my anger, I can still feel the way my entire body stands to attention when she’s around. The way every part of me almost sighs in relief at the knowledge that she’s close by. I hate feeling like this. I never want to be stupid enough to be so vulnerable ever again.
“Yeah.”
“Everything okay? I’ve been looking around for you everywhere.”
“Here I am,” I say bluntly.
She pauses, both her movements and her words halting for a split second. “What’s the matter? Is the party a bit too much for you, because we can go outside if you’d prefer?”
“No, thanks. I’m fine right here.” In my town. On my farm. In my home.
A small hand finds its way onto my shoulder and I tense so not to shrug it off. “August, talk to me.”
“What happens from here on out?” I ask, my tone snippy and emotionless.
“I don’t understand.”
I stand abruptly, taking several steps forward hoping that the distance will quell some of this anger.
“What happens? Where are you going to work after this?”
She watches me cautiously, clearly not sure where this has come from. “Um, I suppose I’ll just see where my job takes me.”
I scoff at such a vague answer knowing exactly what it means:If I get to leave, then I’ll leave.
“Right.”
“Gus, have I done something wrong? Because you seem… agitated.”
“I am agitated.” I turn to face her, taking one more step back for good measure. “I’m mad that I was stupid enough to think that there was anything to this.”
