Page 74 of Break My Heart
I know it’ll change. It always does. The first few weeks of any relationship are all sunshine and rainbows and then reality hits and you have to figure out how to make it work. I usually assume it won’t, but with Sawyer maybe it will. I’m just going to choose to think that because it’s better than thinking about this ending.
Chapter 16
Sawyer
Gina and I have been together a few weeks now and things couldn’t be better. We get along great and the sex is the best I’ve ever had. I’m enjoying it while it lasts because this is usually about the time when relationships change and you realize it isn’t as perfect as you thought. I’m prepared for that, and prepared to work through it. I’ve never wanted to work this hard for a girl, which tells me how much I like her.
My brothers have been giving me shit about it, especially since it’s Gina. Ever since camp I’ve complained about her, saying she must have cheated to win all those competitions. My brothers told me to get over it, to forget about her, but I couldn’t. It’s like I told her, she drove me crazy, but in a good way. I love that she’s good at stuff, that she can beat me and doesn’t even try to let me win. It turns me on and makes me respect her more.
She really is perfect for me, and that’s what worries me. I found a girl who could be the one, but I’m worried we won’t last. My fiancé left because she didn’t want to live here. What if Gina does the same thing? She’s not from here. What if she doesn’t stickaround? If her brewery doesn’t survive, would she leave? She’d have no reason to stay, other than us, but is that enough?
‘Hey, Sawyer,’ Nash says, coming up to me. I’m outside by the barn, setting up pumpkins for the festival.
Nash’s wedding is only a few weeks away so he’s been coming up here a lot to finalize the details. This weekend he and Callie put the wedding plans on hold and are here for the fall festival, the orchard’s biggest event of the year. It starts Friday, which is tomorrow, and goes all weekend. We’ve all been helping out this week to get everything set up. Even Gina helped, working with my mom, Lyndsay, and Callie to get all the baked goods packaged up and ready to sell. My brothers and I have been helping with the outside work, getting the orchard cleared of any fallen branches and the grass mowed so the place looks perfect when the press comes to film and take pictures. We get a lot of publicity for this event and a lot of tourists coming to town. I hired some temporary help at the brewery, knowing we’ll be busier than normal this weekend.
‘Hey, Nash.’ I wipe my hands on a rag. They’re covered in dirt from unloading the pumpkins Brody brought up from the fields. We arrange them by the barn for people who don’t want to pick their own. ‘Is Callie feeling better?’ I ask because she’s been sick since they got here.
‘She’s in the house trying to eat something. Your mom’s with her. She’s been great with Callie. We’re even considering moving up here for awhile so Callie can spend more time with her.’
‘Are you serious?’ I toss the rag aside and walk over to him.
‘We haven’t decided yet, but we’re talking about it. The pregnancy has been hard on Callie emotionally. It’s just another reminder that her family is gone. This is a time when she really needs her mom and she doesn’t have her. That’s why it’s been good for her to be around Aunt Martha. She treats Callie like adaughter, which is exactly what Callie needs right now. I’m willing to move here for a few months if that’s what Callie needs to get through this. I think it’d be good for both of us. You know how much I love the country.’ He looks out at the orchard, at the rolling hills dotted with autumn colors from the changing leaves. ‘You don’t get a view like this in Chicago.’
‘Where would you guys live if you moved here?’
‘The house your parents got with that land they bought.’
‘You sure you’d want to live there? That place needs a lot of work.’
‘Which is another reason we’re considering it. I made a deal with your parents. They let Callie and me live there for free, I’ll renovate the house. It’ll give me something to do while we’re here. And it’s only a half mile from your parents. Callie can go see Aunt Martha all the time, and when she feels better, Callie wants to help your mom with the baked goods. Callie used to work at a bakery. She kind of misses it.’
‘Sounds like you got it all worked out.’
‘Yeah, I’ve just got to figure out who can fill in for me at Wheeler Construction. I just started a new project downtown. I can’t leave it until I find someone.’
‘Your brothers can’t fill in for you?’
‘They’ve got their own projects they’re working on. Dad offered to fill in for me, but he really doesn’t have time. We have so many projects he’s been spending his days in the office, handling the paperwork.’
‘At least the company’s doing well. That’s good news.’
‘How’s yours doing? It looked busy when I drove by there last week.’
‘It’s doing great, especially now, with the festival coming up. This time of year, tourists take over the town. My place has beenpacked every night. The downtown location really helps me out. It’s where everyone goes.’
‘Sawyer!’ Tom comes around the barn, smiling as he walks over to me. ‘I got the t-shirts. Should I bring them to the barn?’
‘Yeah, but go in the main door. Lyndsay can help you. She’s setting up the tables.’ Tom glances at Nash. ‘Have we met before? You look familiar.’
Nash goes up to him and shakes his hand. ‘Nash Wheeler. I’m Sawyer’s cousin.’
‘I think I’ve seen you around town.’
‘It’s possible. I live in Chicago, but I’ve been here so much lately I feel like I live here.’
‘He’s getting married here in a few weeks,’ I explain. ‘He’s been here getting ready for it.’
‘Better you than me,’ Tom says to Nash. ‘I’m divorced. Never doing the married thing again.’ He looks back at me. ‘I went to your place last night. Had to wait for a seat.’
