Page 96 of Timber's Line
“He’s right about getting competitive,” Rome snorts as he takes a seat next to me, Ice trailing behind him.
“What are you doing?”
“Told you I would be back,” he replies, watching the competition.
“I’m not talking to you,” I snap.
“I know. I’m sorry for what happened this morning.”
I watch the guys. Noah and Ty shove each other as “You’re Going Down” by Sick Puppies plays.
I feel the other side of the sofa dip and I turn to see Snow take a seat next to me.
“What are you doing here?” I know I sound snappy.
“I came to talk to you.”
“Why?”
“Because you need to know that he only loves you.”
“Love,” I snort.
“When he left here, he was really depressed and angry. He called me, wanting to meet. I thought he wanted to get back together with me, but all he talked about was you. How he was rude and hurtful to you before filming started. How his nightmares stayed at bay when you were around. He talked about how sweet you were and an amazing person for caring for everyone and their animals. He was hurt and angry, and with good reason. But you had a reason too. He was living in the past. He thought he loved me at one point, and maybe he did, but he was never present. Dayton is scared that people will leave him. I don’t know if he told you his story.”
“The fire?”
“Not just that, but he had horrible parents. He was in the system until Brice could get custody. Then Brice, in his grief, tossed him out on the street. He was living in shelters and under overpasses until he made enough to get his own place. He thrives in the cage, and he’s good at it. He needs someone who supports him in that, and he wants it to be you.”
I don’t know what to say.
“But he lied.”
“Men are good at that,” she says, and Rome snorts.
He winks at her. “Thanks.”
“I know you have to finish this, but don’t give up on him. If you have to take a few days, do it. But you are perfect for each other.”
She heads back over to where Ever and the others are sitting.
“I don’t know.”
“I know how he looked at you when you weren’t looking. I know when you were in the barn, he snuck up there to be with you.”
“Nothing happened.”
“I know,” Rome smiles at me, “and even though you don’t think it right now, you have people who care about you.”
I shake my head, not wanting to talk about that just yet.
“Timber, we have a winner.” Carlton waves me over.
I step into the scene so he can tell me who I have a date with.
“The winner is Silas.” I smile for the camera.
“Shall we?” He holds his hand out, and we head out for dinner. I like Silas, and if Rome wasn’t right about Dayton, I could see myself with him.
