Page 31 of Falling Too Soon
“I’ve got you, babe. Even if I were on the schedule tonight, I would have called out for you. Let’s face it though, I call out if the wind blows the wrong way,” she laughed. It was true, though. Lexi had a love-hate relationship with work. She loved the money but hated to work. It wasn’t that she hated being a nurse necessarily. More like she didn’t want to work at all. But she also didn’t want to be someone’s trophy wife. Lexi was a complex and independent woman, and I was grateful to have her in my life.
She pushed the wine glass into my hand and ushered meto the couch, where she had snacks already waiting for me on the coffee table. All of my favorites were there—cheese and caramel popcorn, multiple varieties of gummy candy, and beef jerky. I know, I know, a weird combo, but my favorites, nonetheless. I definitely lucked out in the bestie department.
We sat facing each other with our legs curled up on the couch and a fluffy throw blanket over us. I swallowed a big swig of wine and then took a deep breath. Lexi already knew the bulk of what was going on and I didn’t particularly feel like rehashing everything, but I knew she’d give it to me straight.
“Tell me I’m doing the right thing.”
“I’m not you, Daphne,” she winced. “I’m not a relationship girl, so I couldn’t say. I would have left, but not for the same reasons you did.” She was right, of course. Lexi didn’t do relationships. She did friends with benefits, one-night stands, and situationships, whatever that meant.
“Yeah, I know that, but I guess I need some reassurance that I’m not crazy for walking out on something that could have been something because it felt too soon, ya know?”
“You are not crazy. Period,” Lexi said definitively. “You are emotional and impulsive sometimes, but not crazy. If you felt like it was too soon to start something with the sex god, then it was too soon. Take some time and get your head right, and then you can reevaluate.”
“But what if I fucked this up beyond repair? What if I decide I was wrong, but Nathan’s already moved on when I reach out? I’m freaking out, Lexi. I feel like I’m alwaysleaving relationships or potential relationships. What if I’m the problem?”
“You listen to me and you listen good. You are not the problem, bitch. Your feelings are valid. Marcus fucked with your head for far too long, and you need some time to get your mind right. I fully support your taking a break and doing just that.” Lexi sounded so sure of what she said that I almost believed her, even if the voice in the back of my mind was still unsure.
We continued to chat and eat and drink, and I was just starting to feel a little calmer when my phone buzzed in my bag. Lexi gave me a knowing look. It was one of three people. Marcus, Nathan, or my mom, whom I had still yet to tell about my situation. It wasn’t that I wasn’t close with my mom, I was, but she was also a huge fan of Marcus and I hadn’t been looking forward to that particular conversation. I huffed, made an exaggerated show of getting up, and rolled my eyes as I stalked over to my bag that I had left by the entryway.
Fucking Marcus. Of course, it was himagain. He was really getting on my nerves, so I decided I was going to give him a piece of my mind this time. “What?” I snapped as I answered his call.
“Hey babe,” he slurred his words as if he’d been drinking. “I’ve missed you so much. When are you coming home?”
“You’re delusional, Marcus. I broke up with you and moved out, remember?” I quipped.
“Daph, there’s no way we’re over. I love you, and we’reso good together. I miss you so much. Just come home and we can sort this all out.” Marcus must have really believed his own bullshit. How could he think I’d come back, especially after all the unhinged messages he’d sent me over the past week?
“Marcus, we are done. I’m not coming back. I do not miss you. Please stop calling me.” I sighed. He was so exhausting, and I was over this conversation. “Goodbye, Marcus.”
I hung up the phone and immediately blocked Marcus on everything. I was done dealing with the constant texts and calls. I don’t know why I hadn’t done it sooner. As I went to put my phone down, it chimed with an incoming text. It was Nathan checking to make sure I got home okay. I let out a slow exhale as I stared at my phone. Shit, I totally forgot that I promised to let him know I got in safe. I tapped out a quick reply that I was fine and then turned my phone off completely. I needed bestie time without distractions of the male variety.
29
NATHAN
My plan had completely backfired, and Daphne left anyway. I knew it was probably too soon for both of us to get involved with each other, but I also couldn’t deny the pull we shared. I was drawn to her immediately, and our chemistry was something I’d never felt before, not even with the woman I was supposed to marry. Crazy, huh? I was sure that Daphne felt it too, and that’s why she ran. It scared her to feel for me so soon after her breakup, and I couldn’t blame her in the slightest. I was completely surprised by my feelings too, but I wasn’t willing to let her walk away from this without telling her how I felt.
As I watched her car pull out onto the road and drive out of sight, I was uncertain if I’d ever see her again, but I swore I’d do everything in my power to make sure that I did. She wanted space, and I could respect that. For now.
The short drive back to the cabin was filled with silence—my thoughts were all over the place. WasI doing the right thing? Had I just lost her? Would I see her again? Would she block my number and move on completely? Would she want to explore things with me in the future? God, I was going to drive myself crazy.
When I reached the cabin and went inside, it seemed colder despite the fire that I had left burning in the fireplace. One thing was clear: I needed to get the fuck out of this cabin. There was no way I wanted to be here without Daphne. I wanted to surround myself with my family. They always brightened my mood, even if they sometimes drove me nuts. But first, I had to cancel the dinner I had planned for tonight and let the cabin owner know I was checking out early. This day was totally fucked and turned out nothing like I had planned or hoped it would.
After canceling the dinner and contacting the cabin owner, I packed up my things and left. I drove right to my dad’s from the cabin and called him to make sure he’d be around. Of course, he told me to come right over. It was reassuring that I could always count on him and my brothers, no matter what.
My childhood home was just outside the city and a couple of hours from the cabin. During the drive, Daphne consumed my thoughts. Taking in the sights on the way, I was reminded of how much Daphne loved the changing leaves and the scenery when we drove into town that first day. That day was perfect. We laughed and joked, and things were so easy between us. To think I may not get to experience days like that again with her was too much to bear.
As I got closer to my dad’s place, my spiraling thoughts shifted to fond memories of my family. My childhood was a happy one filled with loving and supportive parents. My parents were the epitome of what a relationship should be and when we lost my mom a few years back, it took a toll on all of us. I will forever be grateful for the life she gave us and the example she and my dad set for us.
The house I grew up in was a modest two-story colonial on a quiet street lined with mature trees that were starting to change color and lose their leaves for the season. It was such a cozy neighborhood that you couldn’t tell it was so close to the city. We grew up riding our bikes up and down the street, staying out from morning till night, playing with neighbor kids, and generally causing a ruckus. Our parents had their hands full with the three of us, but I suspect they wouldn’t have changed a thing.
As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed my brother Brandon’s car was also there. Good. I could use some brother time too. I parked and walked up to the front door. Before I could reach the handle, my dad was there, opening it and ushering me inside. He brought me into a bear hug and slapped my back. “How’s my boy?” he boomed. I was a big guy, but my dad was a beast and, according to some regulars at the shop, a silver fox. He stood 6’5” and was almost double as broad as me.
I groaned and chuckled, “I was fine until you just crushed my spine, so thanks for that, Pops.”
“Pussy,” he laughed under his breath. “Come on in. Your brothers are here too.”
“Is that lover boy?” Dylan called from the kitchen. Great, they weren’t gonna take it easy on me.
