Jesus, I needed to get it together.Running a hand over my face, I grabbed my stuff with my other hand and got out of the car.
The gravel crunched beneath my boots, the sound louder than it should’ve been in the stillness of the evening.The porch light was off.It always used to be on when I got home, casting that warm golden glow across the steps.It was our unspoken signal that everything was okay.Now, the house just sat there, quiet and dark, like it was holding its breath with me.
I kicked the door shut behind me and dropped my keys on the counter.The sound echoed through the empty space.My eyes caught on the bra hanging on the doorknob, and something inside me broke.Every damn thing reminded me of her: the throw blanket she always left crumpled on the couch, the candle that had burned down to the wick but still smelled like vanilla and honey, the photo booth strip on the fridge.Us.Everywhere I looked.
“Home sweet fucking home,” I muttered under my breath.
I wanted to text her.Hell, I wanted to drive to Meadow’s and drag her back here just so I could stop feeling like my skin didn’t fit anymore.But that wasn’t what she wanted, and I’d already screwed up enough by not hearing her sooner.
Though I didn’t know how long she thought she could stay at Meadow’s before someone realized.Vine Valley wasn’t just a small town; it wasthesmall town where everyone knew everyone and secrets did not stay hidden for long.
It was only a matter of time before Odette or Steve spotted Rose’s missing car from our driveway or noticed it parked at Meadow’s place.
It wasn’t my problem.This was Rose’s making.I wasn’t the one who wanted to keep this a secret.Hell, if it were up to me, there’d be no fucking secret because we’d still be together.
I moved to the fridge, grabbed a beer, and twisted the cap off, not even caring that it skittered across the floor.I leaned against the counter, staring at nothing.
Tomorrow we were supposed to shoot new promo photos for the Reserve launch.I had signed up weeks ago.Me, Rose, and a couple of the vineyard crew.It wouldn’t be our first photoshoot.We were the happy couple who photographed well and got tons of likes on the vineyard's social media accounts.
My stomach twisted.How the hell was I supposed to pretend we were fine?Smile for a camera when every time I thought of her, my chest felt like it was caving in?
My phone buzzed on the counter, jolting me from my thoughts.I grabbed it fast, pulse jumping when I saw her name light up the screen.
Rose:We need to talk.
For a second, I couldn’t breathe.Talk could mean anything.It could be good, bad, the end, or maybe the start of something we could fix.
My thumbs hovered over the keyboard before I finally typed.
Me:Tell me when and where.
Her reply was instant.
Rose:I’ll come by your office tomorrow before the shoot.
It was short, polite, and completely distant—a far cry from our usual texts.
I stared at the message until the screen dimmed, fighting the urge to send a funny GIF.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow, I’d have to see her again.Pretend my world hadn’t fallen apart.Pretend I wasn’t still hers.Breakup or not, my heart hadn’t belonged to me in a very long time.It was Rose’s whether or not she wanted it.
***
My breath caught every time a noise echoed outside my office.Rose said she’d meet me before the shoot, but I checked the time for the fifth time in twenty minutes to confirm she was late… again.Rose wasn’t exactly punctual, but when she had something important planned, she set multiple alarms to make sure she was on time.
So where the hell was she?
I glanced at the clock once more when she appeared in the doorway like sunshine after a storm.She gave an awkward wave and stepped into my office before sitting in the chair across from me.
She looked tired.Bags lined her eyes, her skin was pale, and her hair was pulled back.“You okay?”I asked.She always did her hair and makeup for a photoshoot.
“Fine,” she said, but her throat was scratchy, tone completely unconvincing.
“Are you coming down with a cold or something?”
“Maybe.I think I just ate something that didn’t agree with me.”
