The room falls silent and so does my mouth. Words don’t come out because I don’t know what to say to that. The tension between us is rising quickly again. I’ll do anything to fix it.
“I’m sorry if that’s how I’m coming across,” I state lightly. “But I’m not compromising my values just because you’re turned on every other night.”
The glare she gives me is practically deadly. “Well, your values are stupid to me,” she retorts, spinning around on her feet and heading back toward the door. My blood is boiling and my heart starts to beat faster.
“Is that it? My values are stupid?” I snap. “Well, at least I have some!” Her eyes flash with anger and she starts grabbing her things. I don’t even try to stop her. I’m way too frustrated with this whole situation. It shouldn’t be like this. If the roles were reversed, I’d be painted as a womanizer.
Without another word between us, she slams the door shut behind her. My heart is telling me to go after her but my legs won’t move. I hear her car start, and she flies down the driveway. Rosco, my black lab, comes and tucks his head under my hand dangling at my side. I sit down on the kitchen chair and pet him as I replay the entire argument in my head.
“Maybe it’s just supposed to be you guys and me, huh? Maybe I’m not cut out for a relationship.” I sigh with exhaustion.
Chapter 5
Jesse
“Dude, I let you off Wednesday. This group is small, and it’s only a six-day hunt,” Cody says, standing in my stone driveway outside his truck.
Stress fills me; this is the last thing I feel like arguing about. “All the more reason I don’t need to go along.”
I haven’t been sleeping well the past few days. When Lexie left after our argument the other night, it felt like we broke up, even though neither of us said it outright. I just don’t know how we’re going to work through this. It’s clear we have different views, and I can’t compromise on mine. It’s up to her, and knowing how stubborn she is, I just don’t see her changing.
Cody huffs. “What’s really going on? It’s our favorite time of year and you’re moping around like someone died.”
“It’s just stuff with Lexie.” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Had a fight the other night. Haven’t talked since,” I say, looking away.
Cody tosses his hands up in the air. “This is why we don’tdate during hunting season, we don’t have time for this shit!”
I straighten, watching him as he stands there with his hands on his hips. “I have been single the last ten years, I’m not just going to turn down a girl because I’m busy with work!”
He shakes his head and points a finger. “Well, the right girl wouldn’t be running you ragged, knowing this is your life. If she can’t handle it, you gotta throw her back!” he scolds, and his words cut me, because deep down I know he’s right.
The moment of silence between us feels like hours before he interrupts it.
His voice is surprisingly gentle. “You guys fight every other day. That’s not normal.”
My jaw clenches. “’Cause you would know,” I mutter.
He crosses his arms and his tone tightens again. “I would, actually. Bree and I barely fought—we meshed. You guys clearly don’t.”
I think back to him and his ex-fiancée. Their relationship, how it looked on the outside. They seemed happy. But she had us all fooled, including him. They were just minutes away from saying I do when she decided to split. Although it was almost five years ago, Cody hasn’t been the same. He’s always been the stubborn, rough-around-the-edges brother, but after that, his opinion on women changed. He doesn’t trust them, and he has no desire to be with one again. That one betrayal scarred him for life. He focuses on work, his family, and nothing else.
“Well, that’s for us to decide. I don’t need your opinion or approval, it’s not about you,” I state, pushing my hands into my pockets.
He shakes his head again. “Alright, fine, go figure your crap out with her. I’ll just do all the work around here.” He gets back in his truck and peels out of the driveway.
* **
The drive to Lexie’s apartment is the opposite of enjoyable. It’s silent, as I refuse to turn on the radio. Worried I’ll hear some love song that could cloud my judgment and steer me away from doing what I’m doing. I know Cody’s right and I’m doing the right thing. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
When I get to her apartment, my stomach knots. I take a deep breath before I pull the key from my ignition and get out. Walking up to her front door, I can practically hear my heart beating faster.
The door swings open and there stands Lexie, wearing gray sweatpants and a black sweatshirt that says, “Beautiful Badass.” Her hair isn’t done, but she still looks good.
“What?” she mutters.
“We need to talk, Lex.”
Sighing, she steps aside to let me in, but I don’t move.
