Page 46 of The Book Club Boyfriend
“I don’t know. I just think maybe it’s not your fault; maybe there’s a reason why you’re struggling.”
“Oh, please… enlighten me then.”
He turns to meet my eyes. “Maybe your problem is that you don’t actually believe the stuff you preach.”
I go still.
A cold breeze rolls in from the lake, but it’s nothing compared to the way my blood runs hot.
How dare he?
What the hell does he know about any of this?
I don’t think. I don’t hesitate. I just snap.
“Why don’t you stay in your lane, and I’ll stay in mine? I know nothing about hockey, and you know nothing about writing.”
He nods. “I don’t know anything about writing, you’re right. But I do know that you’re struggling.And at some point, you have to stop blaming other people for why you’re so freaking miserable.”
The words hang between us like a loaded gun.
Chase’s jaw tightens. A muscle in his cheek twitches.
I see red. How dare he pretend to know what I’m thinking, what I feel?
We met two weeks ago.
“Have fun with Rip,” I say. “I’m going to walk back.”
And without waiting for his response, I turn and head for the water. It’s probably a mile back to my house.
Chapter Fifteen
Classic Remington
Chase
So… I messed up. Pretty badly.
I stare out at the waves crashing against the shore. Rip lies at my feet, snoring softly, blissfully unaware of the absolute wreck I’ve made of things.
“I put my nose where it didn’t belong and said some things that angered Scarlett,” I continue, phone pressed to my ear. “If I could take it back, I would. She’s not speaking to me, and I haven’t seen her in a week.”
There’s a beat of silence before Evie sighs dramatically. “Chase.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t know. Because if you did, you wouldn’t have done whatever stupid thing you did to make her mad.”
I groan and let my head fall back against the deck railing. “It wasn’t even that bad.”
“Uh-huh. And yet, you haven’t seen her in a week?”
I scowl. “It’s not my fault she’s actively avoiding me.”
Evie hums, and I can practically hear her amused little smirk through the phone. “Are you sure? Maybe she just realized she needs a break from your relentless charm.”
I grunt. “If that were the case, she wouldn’t have lasted more than two days.”
