“This isn’t aboutyou,Santi,” Rhett sneers. Even though he doesn’t lift his head, Iknowhe’s glaring—he’s just directing it toward the desk or into his forearm, I can’t quite tell which.
Frowning, I take a step closer. “What do you mean?”
“I mean exactly what I said,” he grumbles. “Can’t a guy get wasted and it not be a fucking big deal around here? Go hang out with your newfriendand let me be.”
“Are you…” I tilt my head, trying to read the room. “Is this because you’rejealousof Blair? You know you don’t have to be.” I take another step closer and lower my voice so that hehearsme. “You know how I feel about you. That hasn’t changed because of?—”
“Well thatneedsto change!” Rhett bellows, suddenly lurching up. He spins in his chair and glares at me with bloodshot eyes. He points his index finger at me but it loses the intended ferocity as it shakes from too much alcohol in hissystem. “What are you not getting, Santi? I can’t give you what you want and I don’t want what you’re offering, so please for the love of god, redirect your feelings elsewhere! If you want Blair, fine. Do it. I don’t care. Now get out of here!”
He bends down, swipes an empty bottle off the floor, and as he sits back up, Rhett launches it at me. I duck. The bottle hits the door and glass shatters.
“Get out! Getout!” Rhett roars.
He tries to get to his feet but can’t find his balance so he plops back down with a grunt. He burps and the smell of beer grows stronger in the room.
“This is stupid!” I snap back, my temper rising. “We’ll talk when you’re sober.”
I turn and storm out before he can reply.
I’m tremblingwith rage as I storm up to the cabin. My feet slam down onto each wooden step that leads to the porch and the door slams against the exterior wall of the cabin as I throw it open.
Blair’s the only one in the kitchen as I come in, and she appears to visibly relax when she sees that it’s me coming in. The relief on her face melts away to concern, however, as she studies my expression.
“Santi?” She rounds the island, but I don’t stop until my arms are wrapped around her body and I’m breathing her in. She smells like wood chips and her creamsicle body wash.
“Hey,” she says softly, wrapping her arms around me. “What’s going on?”
“Am I too much? Is Rhett right?” I ask into her hair.
“What?” Blair pulls away, forcing me to lift my head. Our eyes meet and she gives me a confused smile. “No, well… Maybe?” She holds up a hand when I groan in despair. “Listen, Santi. You’ve got a lot of personality and I can see how it would come off as…um, wella lot. But, to me? No. It’s just the right amount.”
My bottom lip juts out. “You’re just saying that.”
Blair smiles up at me with warmth glittering in those large, brown, beautiful eyes.
“Santi, you’re—oddly enough—the most honest killer I’ve ever met,” she says, then chuckles. “You live in the moment, and you feel and express your emotions fully. There’s no subtlety about you, which means no games. Because of that, I trusteverythingyou say. That’s beautiful, Santi. I’ve never met someone like you, and I don’t think I ever will again.”
I sense the ‘but’even before she says it. My stomach clenches as I brace myself for the bad that’s surely to come.
“But,” she continues, as I expected. “I can see how that would be intimidating. Some people can’t even be honest with themselves, so to face someone like you—it would probably feel like a lot and it would scare them. That doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. You’re amazing, don’t let anyone scuff your shine, alright? You know Rhett only said those things because he’s hurting.”
I shudder under the well of relief and warmth that fills me as I stare down at Blair. The heartache and guilt I’ve been sporting since my fight with Rhett eases. It doesn’t disappear fully, that will take time, but it makes everything else manageable.
Leaning down, I kiss Blair—pouring my gratitude into the moment. She laughs against my lips but kisses me back. When I finally pull away, we’re both breathing hard.
“Okay,” I nod, smiling. “I feel better, thanks.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“If it’s still there, do you want to buy that hot tub tonight? I can hitch the trailer to the truck and we can?—”
Blair shakes her head, her smile fading. “No, not tonight. I think… I think I just want to take another walk. My head is feeling a bit scrambled and the fresh air helps.”
“Oh, alright, I can come with you if you want?” I offer.
She hesitates. “Well, actually?—”
The backdoor opens and Ledger steps inside, interrupting her. We both glance over and he gives us a tight nod.
