Fletcher glares at me. “You still haven’t said it back to them, huh?”
“Who?” My blood pressure is rising the longer this conversation continues, especially because I can feel my insecurities about Elodie lurking in the background to join the party.
Let’s just air all of my fears tonight, shall we?
“Carol and Nick,” Fletcher finishes, leaving me silent. Our eyes remain locked until a puff of air bursts from his lips. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He leans toward me with narrowed eyes, and I brace for what he’s about to say. Sadly, no preparation could make it sting any less. “You ran the first time Nick said it to you, tried to fucking cheat death so that you could ignore how it made you feel, and you’ve been running from it ever since.”
I pound my fist into the table, chips scattering to the floor. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about! And besides, you’re one to fucking talk, Fletch.”
He moves his face even closer to mine. “No, I’m the one that has every right to call you on your shit because I did the same fucking thing, Henley. I ran from this town to escape my father, and guess what? It still caught up with me. And if you don’t face this lie you’ve been feeding yourself that you don’t deserve to be loved, it doesn’t matter if Elodie chooses to stay or not, you’re going to fuck it up anyway. Because that’s what you’ll let yourself believe—that you don’t deserve her.” He sizes me up, a look of disgust gracing his features. “And right now? I’d have to agree. You haven’t earned her, Henley. She deserves a man who is willing to face his past to give her a future.”
I stand from the table and slam my glass down on it. “You know what? Fuck this. I’m going home.”
“She’ll never stay for you if you don’t think you’re worth staying for!” Fletcher yells after me as I storm out of Elliot’s house. I stomp out to my truck and drive home with a grip on the steering wheel so tight it feels like I’m trying to strangle the damn thing.
But deep down, I know Fletcher’s right.
I’ll never be enough for her if I can’t believe I am.
My parents fucked me up far worse than just abandoning me at a young age.
They stripped me of my self-worth and made me doubt that I could ever be enough for anyone.
And Elodie deserves a man who knows his own worth and hers. Turns out I’m not that man, and I don’t know if I ever will be.
Chapter 20
Henley
Options & Acceptance
“It looks like the whole town showed up tonight.” My sister stands beside me, holding Remy.
“They usually do.” I lift my water to my lips.
“Yeah, but I also heard that Carolina was bribing people with donuts at Bites & Bliss, so that might have been a factor.”
I direct my gaze in the direction of the bar and see Carolina handing out samples of the blueberry donuts that Elodie loves, bragging about Elodie and her voice, as well as her exceptional taste in baked goods.
It’s the night of Elodie’s performance at Hart Winery, and as my sister pointed out, the place is packed. Gas heaters are spread throughout the courtyard to ward off the chilly November air, especially after the snow we got earlier this week. But the people of Blossom Peak aren’t afraid to put on a jacket and bring a few blankets to supportone of their own, and in less than an hour, Elodie will have everyone warming up when they start dancing.
I heard her rehearsing in her room when I got home from Elliot’s house last night. She probably doesn’t know since I didn’t bother her and I was too busy pacing my room after my argument with the boys, but all I could think about is how tonight was going to feel—how watching her perform for the first time would remind me of why she came here in the first place, to make a decision about the role that music still plays in her life.
And I think by her deciding to do this, her choice is clear and I need to accept it—music is still what she wants.
“How are you feeling?” Dilynne asks as Remy blows raspberries in her arms.
“I’m not the one performing.”
She rolls her eyes. “No shit, Sherlock. But I can tell by the scowl on your face that you’ve got something on your mind.”
My eyes scour the crowd again, looking for any sign of the one person I know Elodie wants to be here. “Elodie’s mom said she might come tonight, so I guess I’m on edge.”
“Really? I thought her parents weren’t supportive.”
“Oh, they’re not. I gave them an earful about it, though.”
My sister laughs at me. “God, I knew this girl was having an effect on you, but I didn’t think it would happen this fast.”
