Max Anderson appears from her side, gripping her wrist before forcing her to walk away, but I don’t miss the apologetic smile he briefly flashes Harley and Joanna before turning his back.
"I had her handled," I said, because I did. I had so much more that I wanted to say to her now that I finally found the courage.
"I know you did, but that woman has always hated me. I’m not a kid anymore. I had to put her in her place."
"Why doesn’t she like you?" I ask, looking between Harley and Joanna, who is busying herself with replenishing the empty wine shelves, pouring a glass for the three of us.
"Beats me. When Austin decided to hate me, she did too. No skin off my back." He shrugs as we both accept the glass of wine his mom offers us.
"She’s not worth it, Harley," Joanna says reassuringly, while resting her hand on his shoulder.
"No one in that family is."
seventeen
Cassandra
It’s wild to thinkthat I’ve been back home for almost a month. I already have a new job that I love so much, and as of today, my very own apartment.
They gave me the keys two weeks ago, but I’d been too preoccupied with the carnival to focus on moving in. But the day had finally come. I haven’t lived by myself in my thirty years of life, so this is going to be a change for me. A challenge, even. But it’s one I’m looking forward to.
I’ve taken so many steps in bettering myself since being back in Grangewood Creek, but buying my own place has to be the cherry on top. I’m hoping to keep the friendships that I’ve rekindled, too, which is why I’d invited Bea, Laney, and Harley over for dinner tonight.
I missed out on a lot over the last decade, and I only had myself to blame.
Living with my parents has been brief, but I’ve overstayed my welcome. Their constant berating and hovering are getting to me, too. It’s suffocating, and I just needed to catch my breath.
"Have you spoken to Austin?"
"Do you think you’ll move back to California, or are you happy here?"
"What’s Angela’s issue?"
"Are you going to date your new boss?"
It’s all just…too much.
My sisters are insistent that tonight with Harley, Bea and Laney is a double date, no matter how many times I’ve told them that Harley and I are just friends.
I told Lizzie that I would consider creating an account foronedating app once I got settled into my apartment, even though I don’t actually plan on it. I just needed to shut her up.
"Getting on a dating app will prove to me that you don’t want to fuck your hot boss. Download it, create an account, and I’ll get off your case. Don’t download it, and I will hound you until you let Harley pound you. The choice is yours," she had said, followed by a manic, evil laugh, like she was the wicked witch of Grangewood.
Watching as my father and Harley unload the last few boxes out of the truck, I don’t miss how he winces and rubs his shoulder once he places the box down onto the ground. I tried to read about his injury online, but I couldn’t find anything of importance, so I gave up pretty quickly.
He and I still haven’t spoken about the night at the creek, either, but it plays on my mind a lot. We’ve seen each other at work and gone for more milkshakes with Bea, but we’ve never been alone. I don’t exactly want to talk about it in front of anyone, so I’ve ignored it all together.
While the kiss at the creek was brief, it still happened, and it left me wanting and cravingmore.
More of Harley Wingrove.
More of what I’ve been fighting so hard to stay away from. But I couldn’t admit that to anyone. I could barely even admit it to myself.
I’ve hardly been single for four months. And even though I know my feelings for Austin have well and truly vanished, I still need to get to know myself again. And I don’t know how long that’s going to take. Which is another reason I invited Bea and Laney to dinner. Who know’s what I’ll do…or allowhimto do, given the chance.
I’m not ready to find out.
Today has been long.
