Internally, I marvel at the chaotic emotions the woman across the yard has dredged up. I like this feeling—like my life is being shaken up for the better.
The sound of an axe splitting wood jolts me from my thoughts.
“I need more wood, Santi,” Rhett says with a huff as he splits the last piece of wood in front of me.
I jerk my attention away from Blair and look at Rhett, who’s a sweaty mess. His face is flushed as he straightens to catch his breath. He drops his axe by his foot and reaches up to rake his hair out of his face. The motion lifts the hem of his shirt, exposing his lean stomach.
Again, my cock jumps.
Thisis the typical response. My body has ached for Rhett ever since he popped into my life. The attraction hasn’t dimmed, either. In fact, each day it grows more intense. I haven’t even looked at another person since I realized Rhett was all I wanted.
That is, until now. My thoughts shift back to Blair.
“Santi,” Rhett snaps, frustration staining his voice.
“I’m going, I’m going,” I placate, my hands coming up in surrender. “Anything for you, Rhett. However, I’d rather becoming, so if you’re interested I have wood right here in my pants. I’m all hard and ready for you to?—”
“Do you want to keep that fire going or what?” Rhett demands with an eye roll, cutting me off.
We both look over at the strong flames burning in the fire pit. The smoke gently billows from the flames, doing its job to keep the last of the season’s mosquitos at bay. There’s a decent pile of wood beside it which begs the question…
“Something bothering you?” I ask him, my smile faltering. I take a step closer to him. Lowering my voice, I press, “Do you need a night out again?”
It’s September, a particularly hard month for Rhett. I know what happened in his past took place around this time of year. I also know that Rhett’s entire being is attuned to that traumatic moment in his life. Most of the time, he’s not easy to be around. He doesn’t talk much, and when he does, his words are clipped and to the point. There’s a lot of scowling, ignoring, and lashing out when he starts to feel too much. But when September rolls around? Fuck, all that is way worse. While most people give him a wide berth, I’ve never given him that space. I think that’s why, eventually, Rhett let me in to see the real man beneath the abrasive exterior.
I’m glad he did because his pain is beautiful and focused.
His murderous outlet for it is perfect for both of us. Rhett uses his pain to seek out absolution, while I use mine as a catalyst for justice. At the end of the night, we both come home a little bit lighter.
Sometimes, however, I know that pain makes it hard to wake up and to breathe. While I’ve managed to wrangle my anguish down so that I can function, Rhett has a hard time pushing it back. Now that Fall is here, his hardest time of the year, I have towatch him a bit closer, because hewillspiral—I just don’t know how or when.
I stare at him now, wondering if that spiral has started.
“I told you the other day we needed to cut back,” he mutters, averting his gaze. “I think… I think it would be wise if we didn’t. Not so soon at least.”
“Isit soon?” I ask, feigning innocence. “It feels like forever since we’ve gone out.”
Rhett sniffs out a dry laugh. It dies pretty quickly.
“We should probably lay low.She—” Rhett nudges his head toward Blair without looking at her. “—has already brought enough trouble here to Caddawalk.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.
Rhett’s expression darkens. “Some of the guys in the shop said the police found a charred body in the rubble of the farmhouse that caught on fire. Another was found in a car that was set ablaze north of town. All happened last night, then Blair suddenly shows up here at the cabin.”
I blink in surprise. “Um, I’m going to need more explanation than that. Why do you assume any of that is because of her?”
“Because, Santi,” Rhett hisses. “Something’s not right about her. Haven’t you noticed?”
“Ah… no?”
Rhett sighs, the sound full of frustration. “She’s weirdly vigilant. It’s like she’s on high alert. And have you seen how still and stiff she stands? I’m betting she’s military of some sort.”
I consider this as I glance over at Blair.
Rhett’s right. Now that I know what to look for, she does seem… militant. Her legs are braced shoulder width apart and locked, her arms are crossed over her chest, and her back is straight. Blair’s gaze is sharp and steady as her eyes seem to trail over every tree, bush, and shadow until she’s looking in mydirection. When our eyes meet, I get that strange feeling that I know her all over again.
At the same time, my cock grows stiff.
