Page 79 of Harvest Heat

“Rhys, I know there’s more between you and Caleb than work and making out.”

“I… maybe.”

“Then why am I here, taking care of you, while Marianne takes care of Caleb? You should be together.”

Rhys shook his head. “I can’t.”

“Because you’re worried about the town being in your business or⁠—”

“Yes. I don’t want us to be what everyone’s talking about. I don’t want our relationship scrutinized like that, but what’s even worse is what happens if things end badly?”

Tessa sighed. He knew she didn’t have an answer. She couldn’t fix that problem. “You’re scared.”

“Yes.”

“I would be too, but what happens if you don’t see him anymore?”

“That’s not possible. He’s right there. I’m going to see him all the time.”

“And how will you feel if the two of you aren’t together?”

Rhys took a moment to attempt to pull air into his lungs as his body buzzed with panic. “Like shit.”

“Exactly.”

“I’ve already fucked everything up, haven’t I?”

Tessa shook her head. “No, but you’ve already fallen for him, and now you have to decide what’s worse, taking a risk or watching him live his life while you’re on the outside.”

“It won’t even be like that. He’ll be right there. He’s friends with you and Finn and everyone. If we are together and then…”

“Yes, it will be horrible if you date and then break up, but are you willing to risk that for a chance? What if he’s the man you’re meant to be with?”

Rhys’s stomach flip-flopped. What if he was? Being with Caleb was different than anything he’d experienced. Was he really going to give that up? “I don’t know if I risk everything.”

“Then take a little time and figure it out, but don’t wait too long. The festival is in a week.”

“I told Caleb to enter on his own.”

“Rhys, he doesn’t want to do that.”

“He deserves to win.”

Tessa glared at him. “You both deserve to win, but more importantly, you deserve to be happy.”

“I want to be alone now.”

Tessa narrowed her eyes. “Fine, but I’m going to check on you often.”

“Just text, okay.”

She kissed him on top of his head. “Okay, but you’d better answer.”

Once she left, he lay down on the couch and pulled the blanket over his head.

CHAPTER 29

When Caleb’s alarm went off the next morning, he decided he’d died and was in hell. No sound could be that painful anywhere else. He was sure if he moved, his head wouldn’t stay attached to his neck, not when it felt so heavy and hurt so much. And why did his mouth taste like he’d been drinking from a sewer?