Page 40 of Home in the Country
“Okay, but like,”—she takes a sip of coffee and then sets the cup back at her feet—“did shereallysay that? Or are you paraphrasing, because you’re a catch, Otto. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“She said she wants me, but I’m not what she needs.” I bite off half the cookie, and Rhea squints at me as I try to buy myself some time. Swallowing takes effort but finally I say, “She doesn’t really wantme. She’s fine using me as a distraction, but I can’t do it because seeing her again… I’m still in love with her and I won’t survive it when she decides I’m not worth it.”
A fist connects hard with my bicep, and I jump in my seat at the same time I rub my hand against the stinging flesh.
“Cut the shit, baby brother.”
“Ow. That hurt, you know.”
“You’re whinier than a wet dog at a barbeque.”
“Seriously, I’mfrom hereand that makes no sense.”
“You. Are. Worth. It.” I start to roll my eyes but stop when she cocks her arm back again. I wait for impact but it never comes. “You let people see exactly what you want them to see, and that’s fine. Youarethe good time guy, but you’re also loyal and kind and thoughtful and would literally give the shirt off your back if someone needed it.”
“I’m a good neighbor,” I say with a shrug.
“That.” She points at my face as she shoves another cookie into my hand. “You claim all the bullshit, but you won’t claim the fact that you’re a good guy. You work hard, Otto, you’re successful, and you’re not the playboy everyone thinks you are.”
“That’s weird, right? Like no one believes it’s Case—dude has his shit on lock.”
“Anyway,” she says, and I grin, the first real grin since everything went sideways with Fallon, “maybe you need to show Fallon what you can bring to the relationship instead of what she has to do to maintain it.”
“I…what?”
“She’s a single mom who recently got divorced, and she’s settling into a new life here. If it were me, the idea of dating someone on top of all of that would be really stressful, don’t you think?”
“Yeah…”
“So maybe try to make her life easier.” She shrugs, but the wheels in my head are turning.
“You’re pretty smart, you know that?”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” She hugs me again, and before she releases me she says, “Please don’t doubt that you are worthy and deserving of love.”
Tears well in my eyes and I’m back to fast blinking and deep breathing to keep myself together.
I kiss the top of her head and squeeze her hand where it still rests on my arm.
“So did you hang out with Colt when he was here last?”
The subject change has her laughing and shaking her head.
“Get out, goof.”
“What? You didn’t show him your goodies?” I hold up the cookie in my hand, and she chucks a wadded-up napkin at my head.
“Out. We’re done sharing.”
“I’m just sayin’, if you ever want to talk, I’m here for you.”
“Out!” Her laugh falls around us as she literally pushes me from her office and out into the hall.
“Love you.”
“Love you more, now go.”
With one last hug, I take the rest of my coffee and walk back to my truck before pulling out my phone.
