For the first time since I’ve known her, Charlotte is speechless.
“Anyway,” I say, tapping on the table, “I should get my papers together for tomorrow in case this storm turns into nothing and I have class in the morning. I’ll do some brainstorming on how we can get Jake to escort you to the wedding.”
“Sounds like you have enough on your plate.”
“No, this’ll distract me. We’ll figure it out.”
“Thanks, babe. I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Sorry about Duke.”
I hum under my breath, say my goodbyes, and disconnect the line before sprawling out on the couch to bury myself in my pillow.
All I want to do is sleep. At least in my dreams Duke and I are still together.
Chapter Six
Duke
I’m not sure I’ve ever had a longer night in my life. I’m also not sure why I ever thought that telling Kit about how I feel would help the situation. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Feelings that can’t be acted upon don’t do any good out loud. A fucking teenager would know that.
What the fuck was I thinking? How could I allow myself to be in a situation with her that was so vulnerable?
All I can think about is her soft, pink, little pussy and the way it creamed around that dildo, the way she bucked and moaned, the way she looked at me when I said goodbye.
Fuck!
I climb up into my truck and start the engine before assessing the damage the snow brought last night. We got about two feet of fresh powder, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary for this area this time of year, so it’s business as usual. Good thing too. The sun is out today, and I’ve got time to make up for after yesterday’s slowdown. Hopefully I can focus.
Ineedto focus. The Wilders are coming into town next week and they expect phase two of our project to be complete. These are the types of guys that don’t like to be disappointed, though who the fuck does?
The roads have already been plowed, and the truck skims over the pressed powder as I make my way through the snowlined forest and down into town. I try not to look at Kit’s house as I pass by, but I can’t help myself.
She’s already left for the day. The driveway is already plowed like her father took care of it this morning.
I should invest in a good plow for the truck. It’s probably time to see it as a necessity. It will be in Wyoming too.
Wyoming.
I swallow hard and turn up the radio, hoping to drown out the thoughts that keep circling my head, but they only get louder.
Why the fuck are you leaving?
Why the fuck are you leaving?
Why the actual fuck are you leaving?
The thought of not seeing Kit for twenty-four hours ruins the day. I can’t imagine not running into her for months.
I try to convince myself that it’s about the business, that living out in Wyoming to head the new branch makes the most sense, but I know damn well we could run it just fine from here. I also know a couple of the guys are willing to travel if needed.
No… I have to go because I can’t run into Kit around town. I can’t see her on holidays. I can’t watch her fall in love with another man, watch them have a family, watch them live a life. I want it for her, because I know she deserves it, but I can’t watch it happen.
My chest tightens and I drag in a deep breath as my phone buzzes on the dash. It’s Wade and I’m sure he’s got a laundry list of things he needs picked up on his way in.
“Morning.”
“Morning. You getting down the mountain alright?”
I nod, though he can’t see me. “So far so good. What’s up?”
