Page 28 of Sin Bins and Second Chances
Ethan is on my tail as I round the corner of the porch and take off down the steps and towards the golf cart. My butt is barely on the seat when I start it and back up to head across the property to my house.
Thunder sounds nearby and I can feel the static in the air. The smell of rain coming fills my lungs when I take a deep breath. We’re long overdue for some rain. It’s been so dry lately. This summer was hotter and dryer than usual and it hasn’t changed since we entered fall, or as fall as we can get here in Texas.
Ethan chuckles next to me as he grabs the barabove his head. “Damn, who taught you how to drive like this?”
I ease my foot off the gas, slowing the speed. “I’m sorry. I assumed we were both ready to get out of there.”
“Daisy,” his voice comes out, almost like a warning.
It’s the exact amount of ice down my spine I need. “I’ll take my time.” I sit up a little straighter and do just that. I need the extra moment so I’m not rushing things. “Since we have all this time, let’s talk about what made you decide to come back to Sage Creek?”
It starts to sprinkle, but I don’t increase my speed.
He doesn’t respond right away, the silence speaks for itself. My heart feels like it drops into my stomach when I realize I could be starting something. I don’t normally like confrontation, but he’s bringing it out of me. I liked my happy little bubble from before. Maybe I was ignorant or avoided life, but I was happy.
Fuck, maybe it would be better if I push him away. If he leaves, I can think more clearly. He can go home and I can take care of myself. I don’t need a man. I don’t need him. I’ve been just fine for the last seven years.
Fucking fine.
“It’s not always up to the player, we have to go where we can if we want to keep playing.” He sighs.
“Right.” I nod. “You could just as easily still be where you were before.” I pul up to the house and park under the carport. “Or be traded somewhere else entirely.”
“Yeah,” he growls out.
I don’t bother to see if he’s following me as I walk towards the porch. The rain starts slow as I pick up my pace. Only, I hesitate before I can get to the door.
“Why did you tell Andrew we were together?” I stare up at him and cross my arms.
He smiles and steps closer. “We are.”
I shake my head.
“No?” His brow raises in disbelief. “Tell me you don’t feel this.” He steps closer. “That you feel nothing.” His hands move to the side of my face. I feel fingers pressing against the back of my neck and his thumb tracing along my jaw. “You think this was ever really over?”
I swallow, my resolve weakening. No words come out. I can’t say anything, I can’t admit my feelings. So I do the only thing I can think of, I tell the truth about that day. It has to push him away.
“It’s nothing but lust.” The lie slips out. “It never would’ve worked out between us.”
“That’s fucking bull shit and you know it,” he argues.
I shake my head and step back. His hands fall from my face, but he takes a step closer. I can’t let him in. My heart and mind battle, wanting to take a chance but not wanting to risk it. I need to keep him at arm’s length. I need to tell him the truth.
“There was never anyone else, Ethan.”
“What?” With a puzzled look on his face, he pulls back. “What are you talking about?”
I close my eyes and let it all come out. “That weekend I was supposed to come and visit. I lied. I didn’t meet anyone else.”
“What the fuck, Daisy?”
“It was never going to work. It wasn’t real.” I open my eyes to see him back away.
He storms off down the stairs, then comes back up. His mouth opens to say something,then he moves down the stairs again. He paces a few more times.
I watch as he walks across the lawn to his truck. The rain picks up, but he doesn’t hurry to climb in. He hesitates at the door, his hands unmoving.
“I’m sorry,” I yell over the rain.
