Page 14 of On One Condition

Now.

And yet, hell, I’m standing in this quiet house remembering when it’s been forgotten for so long, aren’t I?

It’s fucking stupid really. Hell, it’s been over a decade. I’ve had many lovers since then, many women who’ve occupied my bed and my time so that Asher’s and my teenage puppy love was merely a blip on my radar . . . and yet seeing her tonight . . . fuck, seeing her tonight gave me pause.

Nostalgia. Isn’t that what this is? An unexpected walk down memory lane?

It’s more than that and that’s what’s fucking with my head.

It’s created the desire to know her now. It’s reawakened an attraction to her I can’t deny. It feels so wrong for me and yet so goddamn right. I’m not a player by any means, but I’m also not one who pursues my exes once we’ve parted ways. The been there, done that mentality in full effect. And yet there’s something about Asher that had me pursuing her tonight. That already has me wanting to see her again.

“It’s utter fucking madness is what it is,” I mutter to the empty house.

The teenage girl owned me way back when, and the woman she has become seemingly holds my interest now.

I take a sip of my beer and step out the door into the backyard. It’s not like I’m getting any work done anyway. I contemplate the silhouette of the mountains against the night sky. The stars burning bright overhead that the city lights I normally live beneath drown out.

She was just as beautiful as I remembered. Even more so. The mane of auburn hair is longer now. Those big, gray eyes of hers still overly expressive. The curves of her body more pronounced, more feminine, than they used to be.

Clearly, the years have physically been kind to her, and yet, I sense they’ve hardened that wide-eyed wonder she used to have too. I guess they have for both of us. My naiveté was ripped away that last night together. I wonder what stripped her of hers?

But with age comes experience. Wisdom. Perhaps hardship. That shy, innocent teenager she once was, is no more. She speaks her mind and clearly doesn’t care who she offends. The jut of her chin in defiance wasn’t there before. I love the sight of it and at the same time, am curious about what made her change.

Plans change.

Dreams change.

Weren’t those her words tonight?

She shouldn’t still be in Cedar Falls. She had huge dreams of leaving this town and an even greater talent to get her there. A prestigious art school. An apartment in the big city. The chance to experience real life—the good and the bad—on her own. Wasn’t that what she wanted? What she aspired to do?

I bring my beer to my lips. What the hell was so important that she gave up her dreams to stay here?

Plans change.

I know better than anyone. Plans do change.

CHAPTER FOUR

Ledger

Seventeen Years Ago

“Pace yourself, Callahan.” I glance over to my brother who has just shot-gunned his third beer in less than twenty minutes. He glares at me, crushes the can in his hand before tossing it over his shoulder, and then flipping me off.

“Okay, Dad.” He rolls his eyes and then points to one of the girls to his side. “Grab me another, will you?”

I grit my teeth. He’s out of control as per usual. Dad’s been chill with us doing our own thing here—more so than he’s ever been in our lives. The last thing I want Callahan to do is fuck it up by getting so shit-faced that Dad will notice and tighten the reins on our freedom.

Then again, it’s Callahan. Screwups are allowed when you’re him.

But not when you’re me.

I glance at the beer in my hand and wish like hell I could say fuck it and be more like him. The problem? I’m sure if I did, our punishments would still be different.

You’re my first born, Ledger. The one most like me. I expect more from you than anyone else.

Fucking great. Perfect. I down the beer and try to forget who I am. Try to enjoy this newfound freedom here in Montana when every second at home is academics and sports and positioning myself for a future that’s preordained.