Hot tears roll down my cheeks, but I’m going to exit this situation with my head held high. Once I’m behind the wheel, I punch out a text to Durban. My heart breaks with each word, but it’s done.
I reverse and drive away from his place for the last time. I won’t be planningtheirwedding.
Durban
I walk out of the bathroom. The engine of Campbell’s car fades. I should’ve walked her to her car, given her a goodbye kiss, and pumped her up about the rest of the day, instead of cleaning up the towels, but I didn’t want her to worry about them.
I can’t believe I almost made her late by talking about us. Today will launch her career and help her family, and I almost made it about me.
My phone pings, and then starts ringing. Shit. I don’t know what Natalie wants, but we have no business together anymore.
I don’t look when I answer. “Hey, we do need to talk, and it’s about you not calling.”
“Whoa,” Haven says. “I can send smoke signals, but it takes too long.”
“Shit. Sorry. Thought you were Natalie. She’s been trying to call.”
“Why?”
“Good question.”
“Okay,” he says, like he wants to stay far away from the situation. “Do you have time to lend a hand? I’ve rounded all but one asshole steer that got out. He thinks he’s outsmarting everyone when he’s dumber than the rocks he thinks he’s trapped in. We need horses and ropes to get him out.”
“Yeah, I can be there in ten.” I hang up and see more notifications.
I hit Campbell’s first and read it three times, my stomach sinking lower each time until it slams to the floor.
Campbell: In case tonight’s too hectic, I wanted to say thanks for everything. You fulfilled your end of the deal. No more cleaning up my messes. See you around.
What the hell? Thanks for everything? See you around?
The back of my throat burns. She’s done with me?
A ping sounds just as another message from Natalie appears. Why the hell is she trying to get a hold of me now? I need to figure out my Campbell situation. The Natalie one is done.
Natalie: We should talk.
Her timing sucks, but then it always did. Just another thing I ignored when I was with her. I read her earlier messages. She got offered the job in Bozeman, and thought I’d care? A missed call too? Why the hell hasNatalie resurfaced? Is she missing how she strung me along until I was no longer convenient? I told Campbell once I wouldn’t do that to someone. I know exactly how it feels.
Does Natalie have some sixth sense that I’m moving on? We’re over and have been for weeks. She breaks up with me and then contacts me, like I should be diving for the phone? I deserve better than that.
After being with Campbell, I can look back on my relationship with my ex and see that it was one-sided. I put in all the effort, and that’s not what I want. I deserve to have someone champion me as much as I support her.
Grinding my teeth together, I punch out a message.
Me: There’s nothing to talk about. We’re done.
Natalie: It was a stressful time, but it’s over now.
It sure as hell is.
Me: So are we. Don’t call or text me anymore.
I stuff a hand through my combed hair. Does Campbell mean what she said?
Fuck. I’ve got a brother waiting and a steer to rescue, but I’d ditch them both to talk to Campbell.
I’ll see her at the reception. I can’t intrude on her day. We’ll have plenty of time to talk after her job is done and her uncle signs off on the land.
