Page 54 of It Happened Back Then
“I’ve got enough friends.”
She smiles slyly, adjusting her arms to push her breasts out. “We’ve always been friends, Bennie.Reallygood friends.”
I hold her stare for a moment, forcing myself not to glance at her tits, and instead, begin to scrub the pot in the deep sink when all of a sudden, her voice is right next to me. “Maybe it’s time to stop waiting for her to decide. You’re always putting yourself on hold for her. It’s time to take what you want now."
I look at her. Her big blue eyes are framed with black mascara, and she shifts her stance, accidentally but not at all, brushing her full breasts against my arm. I tense but not in a good way. I shake my head, taking one step away from her. "You don’t understand. It’s not like that."
"Isn’t it?" she asks quietly. "You moved back to Bluemoon. You took this job. Every decision you’ve made in the last two years has been tied to her, even when she didn’t want you back. Even when she kept you at a distance."
"I did it because I love her," I snap. "Because I always have."
She doesn’t get angry, but I see her flinch. I hit the mark, and it hurts. Savannah always knew there was something between Blossom and me. And maybe she knew she was the filler I used to try to move on. But it just never worked.
“I know you have.” She speaks softly. I have to strain to hear her but then her eyes meet mine. "But what if she never says it back, Bennie? What if she bolts every time you getclose? How long are you going to let her make a fool of you? At some point, you need to stop carrying the weight of two people in a relationship that won’t ever work.”
This time, her words hit the mark.
I drop the pot in the sink and lean on it, staring at the blank wall in front of me. I don’t want to hear any of this, but a part of me knows I need to.
"I’m not asking for anything," Savannah adds, running her hand down my arm. "Not really. I mean, we tried, right? We tried a few times. Maybe we were just too young, or maybe it was outside noise that pulled us away from each other. But I want you to be honest with yourself. If she won’t meet you halfway, maybe it’s time to walk the other way.”
She steps back, giving me one last look. She lingers for a moment longer, but I’m sure she’s hoping I’ll tell her to wait. But when I don’t, she walks out.
I let out a breath and pick up my phone, trying again and still getting no response.
CHAPTER 25 - BENNETT
The wood is heavier than it looks. Sweat beads at my hairline as I help Dad haul the last beam into place. We’re redoing the old shed out back, his idea, not mine, but I agreed because I’ve been feeling useless lately. There’s nothing like physical labor to drown out overthinking.
He grunts as he drops his end onto the sawhorses. “You’ve gotten soft, city boy.”
I roll my eyes, wiping my hands on my jeans. “I still lift twice what you do, old man.”
He chuckles, then falls quiet, which is always a warning sign, and I brace myself before he even speaks.
“You know, Savannah would’ve been out here with you. Making sure you have water while you’re working.”
I don’t take the bait. Not yet.
“She was always good at being supportive,” he continues, hammering like the words don’t sting. “Not like that other one. What’s she doing these days? Still working at that little boutique?”
I slam my hammer down harder than necessary, sending a crack through the board. “Don’t.”
“What? I’m just saying,” he shrugs. “Savannah stopped by here the other day to visit with me and your mother. Was nice to see her.”
“She what?” My voice is dangerously low.
Dad doesn’t even look at me, just keeps talking. “I don’t get why you’re still tangled up in something that’s clearly never going anywhere. Savannah? She has direction. Drive. She didn’t drag you down with her drama. If anything, she was looking to take you further.”
“She also didn’t know me,” I snap, straightening up. “Not really. She liked the version of me that fit into her plan. And I didn’t need her to take me anywhere, I can get places on my own, thank you.”
Dad wipes his brow with the back of his arm, watching me with that look, that disappointed,snap out of itlook. “I just think that you’ve wasted a little too much time where Blossom is concerned. From where I stand, you’ve spent too much time waiting for something to happen. I know she had a tough time when her father died, and you were there for her, but that’s years in the past now. She’s got to get over things.”
“You don’t ever get over losing a parent, Dad! What the fuck!”
He holds his hands up and it only makes me madder. “You’re a good man, Bennett, but youand hercan’t be stuck living like you’re in high school. You need someone who’s going to choose you, to move forward and build something together.”
That one hits because it’s true, in ways I don’t want to admit. But I’ve also been down this road too many times to let it twist me up again.
