Page 73 of Back in the Country
“I didn’t think it was a big deal! And then he came here andI was going to tell you about it today.”
“Some other guy texting my girl asking her tocome homeis a big fucking deal, Marlee! He fucking showed up!”
“Thisis my home!”
“You’re not acting like it.”
“I don’t know what happened to make you like this all of a sudden, but I’m not going to sit here and just take it. We’re supposed to trust each other, and it’s obvious you don’t trust me. I’m sorry I was so upset by Caleb showing up that I just wanted to get lost in you, Waylon. That’s on me.
“But I’ve had enough doing what everyone elsethinksI should do, and no one is going to make me feel guilty for finally taking control of my life. Caleb tried to make me something I’m not, but I’m not going to give you that chance. You want to be done? We’re done.”
It feels like all the air has been sucked from the room as she moves past me to gather her things. This isn’t how I saw everything going, but there was no stopping it once it started. It felt like a freight train barreling down the tracks, and I was a willing passenger. The front door slams as she walks out of my trailer and out of my life for the second time, and I know I’ll never recover.
29
MARLEE
It’s only been four days since my fight with Waylon, but it may as well have been a lifetime. He’s never spoken to me like that before—made me feel like I wasn’t worth it—and for what? A business trip that wouldn’t last more than a week and an ex-boyfriend who wouldn’t leave me alone?
We could literally visit Nashvilleanytime we wanted.
If he can’t handle that then he isn’t the man I knew. He isn’t the man I loved either. That man was kind and generous and inspired me to be myself. When he’d broken my heart in college, he hadn’t been cruel. The Waylon of this past weekend was someone I’d hardly recognized.
The Caleb thing though was on me. After the initial shock of the fight had worn off, I could see why he was so angry. I should have told him, but to me the texts didn’t matter and him showing up only chased me into Waylon’s arms.
I didn’t love Caleb. I had been drowning in emotions when I’d been notified of Sorren’s injury, and he had only pushed me farther under. Caleb hated my love of Clementine Creek and every single thing about my small town. His visit here only confirmed that.
He thought it was holding me back but he was wrong.Hewas holding me back. He never wanted to visit here—never even gave it a chance. He didn’t want to get to know my family and the neighbors I love so much. I didn’t want the money and the bright lights of Nashville, and he didn’t want me to beme.
I was shocked when he proposed, but it was the wakeup call I needed. Things had ended and I’d come back to Clementine Creek as soon as I was able. I hated the person I’d become when we were together, but that was over now.
Mostly.
I scroll to the most recent message and hit respond.
CALEB:Are you still seriously with your brother and those people? He’s a grown man and he doesn’t need you—none of them do.
MARLEE:STOP FUCKING TEXTING ME! WE. ARE. DONE.
I block his number—again—butthe victory is a hollow one. Caleb has been texting me all week, but I haven’t heard from Waylon at all, and maybe that hurts the most. Even after I went back to college, we’d been distant but never completely absent from each other’s lives. There was a Waylon-sized hole in my heart and not enough eye cream in the world to hide the bags he’d left me with.
“You almost ready to go?” Sorren asks from behind me. I could drive myself to the tiny Blackstone Falls airport, but I don’t want to leave my car there.
“Yeah.”
We haven’t talked about how things ended with Waylon although I know he wants to ask. Instead, he’s been doing little things for me like bringing me lunch if I am still glued to my computer midday or making a fresh pot of coffee.
One night he even dragged me out for ice cream despite my protests. He’d been making an effort, and it was nice to have those few moments that weren’t totally consumed by thoughts of Waylon.
Sorren’s keys jingle in his hand, and I’m relieved as I sip the last of my coffee. I need the caffeine just as much as I need the distance from the town I love so much.
Originally, I’d been thrilled to take this trip. It was going to be the perfect transition to continuing my life in Clementine Creek, and I was so thankful for the opportunity. Everything had been finalized the night before my fight with Waylon. I was going to tell him in the morning, but I didn’t get the chance.
I didn’t get a chance for a lot of things.
Sighing, I tried to focus on the one bright spot in all of this. Graphic design has always been my passion, but Robin really helped me cultivate my skills. Those skills helped me make a decent name in the company but also with our clients.
I exhale and try to shake off the dark mood I’ve been carrying around all week. Running through my mental checklist, I note my bag is by the door and I have just enough time to—
