Page 77 of Take My Heart
‘Maybe. I’ll think about it.’ I hold up the piece of paper. ‘Thanks for your help.’ I kiss her. ‘I’ll see you later.’
I head to the door to get my coat, wondering why the hell I just kissed her. I kissed her goodbye, like a boyfriend would do. I’m not her boyfriend. I’m barely her friend. We just met. So what the hell was I doing kissing her goodbye?
This is getting complicated. Last night messed everything up. She was just supposed to be my temporary tenant, paying me to stay here for a few weeks. But now I don’t know what we are. What if she thinks we’re dating? I don’t want that. Why would I date a girl who lives two hours away?
I shouldn’t have let her spend the night in my bed. That’s a relationship thing, something couples do. But I didn’t want her to leave. I actually wanted her there, which is strange because I prefer to sleep alone. I like having the bed to myself, but for some reason, I wanted Kate there last night.
We need to end this before it gets out of hand. Like Nick said, if Kate’s feelings get involved, she’ll end up getting hurt and I don’t want to do that to her. I don’t want to hurt her. As for me? I can keep my feelings out of it. I’ve been doing it for years, with every girl I’ve dated. It’s why I’m still single. It’s a choice I made, to not let any relationship get serious until I’m ready for that. And I’m definitely not ready.
Chapter 15
Kate
I’ve been staring at my phone for ten minutes now, trying to decide who to call first. My voicemail is full and I have so many text messages I haven’t even read them all. I kind of wish Brody hadn’t gotten me that charger for my phone because now that I have it, I have no excuse for not calling people.
My parents should probably be first on the list but calling them means arguing with them and I don’t want to do that. I’m surprised they haven’t shown up here to try to take me home. At least they don’t know where Brody lives.
Looking down at my sweatshirt, I see the Kanfield name and remember that I told Jill that Brody’s parents own the orchard in town. She could easily look it up and find out I’m in Haydon Falls.
I have to call my parents. If I don’t, there’s a very good chance they’ll show up here.
‘Kate?’ my mom answers.
‘Yeah, Mom, it’s me. I can’t talk long. I just wanted to—’
‘Where are you? Are you okay?’
‘Yeah. I’m fine.’
‘Are you still at that man’s house?’
‘Yes, and I’ve decided to—’
‘I don’t like this one bit! You shouldn’t be staying with some stranger. Your father and I discussed it and we’re going to come get you as soon as the roads are cleared.’
‘Mom, no. You are not coming here. And if you do, I’m not going back with you. I’m an adult. I can make my own decisions and I’m choosing to stay here.’
‘Kate, what is wrong with you? You’ve never acted this way. Your father and I don’t know what to make of it. We’re very concerned.’
‘There’s nothing to be concerned about. I just need some time away, some time to myself. I don’t want to be in Chicago right now. I don’t even have a place to live. I can’t go back to the apartment with Cam there.’
‘He’s not here. He had to return to work.’
‘Work? He had three weeks off.’
‘He decided not to use them. The office needed him so he flew back to DC last night.’
Here I was feeling sorry for Cam, imagining him at his apartment, mourning the end of our relationship, and instead he’s back at work, like nothing happened.
‘Oh, he wants his car back,’ my mom says. ‘Harry will be going up there in a few days to get it.’
‘He can’t. It’s in a ditch buried under the snow. Brody said it could take all week before a tow truck is able to get to it. And when they finally get it out, it might not start. I’m pretty sure I damaged it.’
My mom sighs. ‘Kate, this behavior you’re displaying is unacceptable. You’ve always been a very responsible girl, and now you’re running off to some rural town, shacking up with a stranger, and having absolutely no concern about Cam or the fact that you destroyed his car?’
‘The car can be fixed and Cam seems to be doing just fine. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be back at work. And I’m not shacking up with Brody. I’m renting out a room in his house, like a vacation rental.’
‘This is not a vacation. You’re supposed to be on your honeymoon. Drew, get over here! Kate’s on the phone.’
