Page 72 of Back in the Country
“Yeah, but you’re going to be busy and so am I and I just…I don’t know if I can handle that. We’re supposed to be in this together—make decisions that affect both of us.”
Andhe’sin Nashville.
“What do you mean you can’t handle it? You’re just going to push me away because of a business meeting that was already scheduled before I even came here? That doesn’t make sense.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“And what do you mean decisions that affect both of us? This is good for my career and me andus.”
“No. You’re doing it for you, and you’re punishing me for what happened before. Dammit, Marlee, he’s still texting you!”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
I slide the phone across the table to her, but she doesn’t look at it, and I have no idea if that makes me feel better or worse.
“You didn’t even ask me to go with you.” I’m hurt and angry and no longer in possession of a filter.
“Ask you to go with me? To a business meeting.”Like it’s just a business meeting.
“To Nashville.” The words drip with disdain. “You know what? It doesn’t fucking matter. Is that what Caleb was talking about when he came here?”
Her eyes widen, and she looks so fucking guilty.
“I was going to tell you—”
“But you fucking didn’t, Marlee! That guy was here and you didn’t even tell me!”
“I didn’t ask him to come, Way. He showed up yesterday, and I told him to leave. I was going to tell you last night and then I didn’t get a chance.”
“Because you thought you could make it go away by fucking me?”
She blinks at me, her mouth falling open in shock, and I hate myself immediately for saying it.
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that to me.”
“You should leave. I’m sure he’s waitin’ for you,” I ground out with my hands clenched into fists under the table.
“Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.” I’m so angry I can barely see straight.
“Nothing happened with Caleb! He literally just showed up. You’re acting like I wanted him here and I didn’t. You’re the only one I want, Way, and you’re acting like what we have doesn’t matter.” Her words are choked as she waves her hand between us, but it’s from anger not sadness.
“You’re choosing workandhim over me and I just…I can’t watch you walk away again.” Blood pounds in my ears, and while I see her mouth moving, everything sounds like I’m underwater. I am fucking losing it, and I can’t make myself stop.
“You pushed me away last time!” she yells.
“Yeah and you were better off, weren’t you? Got real cozy with the first guy you saw, and guess what—he wants you to comehome.” I hate the words but I can’t control the anger.
Marlee pushes back in her chair so fast it slams against the wall. Her body vibrating with anger, she points an accusatory finger at me.
“Yeah, I wanted to make you jealous back then, and you couldn’t have cared less. He was fine for a while, but he wasn’t you, Way.” She pauses, and a single tear trails down her cheek.
“Thenwhyis he still texting you? Why was hehere?”
“He won’t leave me alone! I told him to stop texting me. He wouldn’t so I blocked him. Wanna guess what happened, Way? He got a new phone and it started all over again, so I just ignore him.”
“You should have told me.”
