Page 118 of Finding New Dreams

“True. Because I thought you’d break her heart. And I think you did.”

My own heart clenched. “I didn’t. That’s not how it was.”

“Well, I can’t say for sure, but I know Rose. And it takes a lot to shake her. But I’m also not calling to speak for her. I just want to be sure that you know what you’re doing. Because I know you too. And when you said your goodbyes, it seemed like there was more than one broken heart in Tangled River.”

“Who, me?” I tried to scoff.

“Yes, you,” she said quietly. “I was so worried about you hurting Rose that I didn’t realize she might hurt you too. I thought you were out for fun, like you usually are. Especially after…your ex.”

“This had nothing to do with Lorraine,” I growled.

“See? Right there! You’re defensive. What’s going on, Flynn?”

“I’m…” I blinked rapidly. Pain built in my forehead. My insides felt like they wanted to be on the outside. “I’m…in love with her,” I whispered.

A muffled squeak came through the phone. Then some shuffling and a deep voice, probably Hunter’s, asking a question. A whispered answer.

“Yep, great. Just leave me hanging after that,” I said loudly. “Chloe?”

“Sorry, Flynn. I just…wow. You’re sure? This isn’t just a passing thing? You tend to change your mind a lot.”

I ground the heel of my hand into my temple. “Yes, I know that. But this is real. The realest, most gut-wrenching thing I’ve ever felt. Like I’d do anything for her, even leaving her behind and living my hollow L.A. life so she could have her perfect life there with Mr. Perfect.”

“Oh, Flynn,” Chloe whispered. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I mean, I knew you cared about her, but I didn’t…” She took a deep breath. “I was just going to give you a speech about how much happier you seemed in Tangled River with your friends and family…and Rose. The artwork and classes you did together. All of it.”

I tried to laugh around what felt like jagged glass in my throat. “I was pretty damn happy. But don’t I need this too? To finally be a big deal in the art world out here? To have my big showcase with everyone there to see this artwork that I’m so incredibly proud of? To finally have my dream come true?”

“Of course! You deserve all of that! You worked hard for it. And if that’s really your dream, then I won’t say another word. We’ll come visit you a lot more, and that’ll be that.” Another pause. “But is it?”

Is it my dream?

Dreams. I remembered Rose’s painting. “Finding New Dreams.”

I gazed at the pounding surf. The beachgoers. Back at Ozzy guzzling his mojito.

Was this still my dream?

I closed my eyes and thought of Tangled River. The whispering pines. The rushing, traveling river. The fun events. The community. My sister and my new brother-in-law, Wyatt and Leo, Carter and Owen, Louis, Sarah, Gina…Rose.

“I think I lost him,” Chloe’s voice filtered through. Shuffling noises again. Then—

“Flynn? It’s Hunter. Look, I’m sure you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and like you don’t know which way to go. Trust me, I’ve been there. I thought I had everything I wanted, everything I planned for. But turns out, life had different plans for me. I also found a new life in an old home. Now I’m not saying that’s what you should do—”

“Hunter!” Chloe hissed.

“—but I want you to know that leaving one life for another isn’t giving up. It’s finding what your heart really needs and going for it.”

My eyes flew open, flooding with light. I shot to my feet. “Thanks, man. That actually makes a lot of sense. And I think you just gave me a brilliant idea.”

He grunted in a very Carter-like way. “No problem. Here’s your sister before she tackles me in front of several young children.”

I was already striding back to the patio with my shoes in hand and a jittery energy flooding my veins.

“Flynn?” Chloe’s breathless voice came back. “What are you going to do?”

“Can’t tell you yet. I have some calls to make. But you helped me out a lot, Chloe Bear. You and Hunter. I owe you.”

“Consider it a debt paid,” she said, a smile in her voice. “Good luck, Flynn. Love you.”

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