“Has a nurse coming,” I interjected. “I’ve been doing research ever since I arrived and hired her yesterday.”

“When you didn’t come in. Of course,” Rocky whispered knowingly. She looked up slowly, pulling her lips apart so that her teeth shone like a wild animal. They sparkled brightly under the dim fluorescent light. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was ready to take a chunk out of my flesh. “Why would I go anywhere with you?”

Instinctively I let go of her wrist and yanked my arm back just in case she did go for a bite. “I know I haven’t been that open with you and the reason is…”

“What, Jesse? More bullshit?”

“Listen, I—”

Crap, how the hell was I going to do this? I knew how I felt. I could feel it in my heart, but all the thoughts I had in my head just felt so jumbled up—there were no words to describe everything.

How I still loved her.

How I knew she still loved me.

Why our lives were too different to converge.

I peeked up cautiously. “You’re an artist and you know that a picture is worth a thousand words, right?”

“You’re going to show me a picture?” she asked doubtfully.

Ah, my Rocky. As sarcastic as ever.

“No, I’m going to show you something even better. Something that’ll make you understand everything I’ve kept from you. Just…please come with me. It’s important.” Deciding that she wouldn’t bite me, I grabbed her wrist again, yearning for the need to feel her skin on mine.

She remained quiet and for a moment I feared that I had actually caused her to lose her mind. Luckily she took a breath and finally spoke. “I have work. You know, the job you left behind?”

“So call someone in. I’m sure you can pull strings,” I yelped out desperately. She had about eight hundred family members. I was sure at least one of them could come in to cover for her. “What about Belle?”

“Seriously? She’d be on the phone with my parents in no time, probably making up a stupid lie. Besides, I already switched shifts with Maurice in order to come over here. He’s about to get off soon, meaning I need to relieve him.”

Okay, there went that plan.

Still holding onto her arm, I led her onto the front porch, desperate to escape my mother’s ears. That was all I needed, an audience to tell our gossip obsessed nurse about my soap opera life.

“Isn’t there anybody you can call?” I was desperate. I needed this sense of closure before I disappeared permanently.

Rocky shook her head, sucking in shallow breaths. She was definitely anxious. “Where are we going? You can’t just expect me to pick up and leave with you.”

“Of course not. I don’t expect anything from you.”

She certainly didn’t owe me anything.

Her face folded into the angriest expression I had ever seen on her. Once her upper lip began to twitch, I knew I had officially crossed the line. “What if I’m not comfortable? Ever think about that, Mr. Secrecy? What if I’m sick of your bullshit?”

“Please,” I heard myself plead. “I’d like to show you something. It would mean a lot.”

It felt like an eternity had passed before Rocky’s face softened. She slumped forward and took a deep breath. “Fine. Let me call Justin. He’s my backup key holder in case I caught the flu or something.”

A wave of relief flashed over me. She really was a great person. Even I couldn’t have expected her to throw me a favor, especially considering how I’d been treating her. That was exactly why I didn’t deserve her.

“Thank you.” I walked backwards toward the far pillar on my porch, giving her room to basically lie to her employee. As a boss myself, I could only imagine how torn up she must have felt about the whole situation, which further convinced me that I owed her big time. When I heard her hang up, I glanced up with a smile. “You could win an Oscar.”

“Shut up.” To my disappointment she jammed her hands into her pockets. There went any chance of holding them. Biting her lip, she looked up hesitantly. “Where are we going?

“Charleston.”

Chapter 26

I was the stupidest motherfucker out there.

Why the hell did I insist she go to Charleston with me? Was I just a huge glutton for punishment?

I slyly shot her a glance and gulped at what I saw. She was stiff, no doubt about that, and her hands were folded prim and proper in her lap. This was definitely not the fun and relaxed version of Rocky that I had come to know. She sat as if she were stuck in court, preparing for an onslaught of questioning from a shark lawyer—timid, polite, and definitely awkward.

“Really? Are you going to torture me with your lack of conversation?” I chuckled, trying to alleviate the mood. I got no response.

Well, maybe she was the lawyer in this case and I was the defendant—guilty until proven innocent.

I shot her an obvious glance and pouted slightly. “Fine, I deserve that.” I paused and dared ask, “The same way I deserve your trust?”

“My trust?” she exclaimed haughtily. “This coming from a guy who spent the last five years pretending I didn’t exist? Oh, yeah you’re a real trustworthy guy.”

Well, at least she was talking now. I gnawed at my lip, licking at the delicate broken skin and taste of iron, desperately wishing that somehow she and I could get a do over. I’m not just talking about a second chance on our friendship or even this second encounter. No, I’m talking about life itself. I mean, how much easier would it have been if I had grown up with a background like Ethan? I probably would have had the guts and the backing to have asked out the only girl I ever really loved eons ago! It was probably why I was so obsessed with the boat shoe wearing douche. For as preppy as he was, he would always be the guy I always wanted to be.

But it would never happen in this lifetime.

“What’s your deal, Jesse? First you ignore me then you kidnap me?” Her cheeks slowly washed to an uncomfortable shade of red far from the usual cute pink glow she exuded.

“I didn’t kidnap you. You came willingly. That’s what I’m going to tell the cops, anyway.”

Her lips twitched not once, but twice before breaking out into a soft smile. “Can you just explain to me why we’re going to Charleston?”

Truthfully, I don’t know what I’m doing.

“You’ll see when we get there,” I lied. “But for now I think it’d be good if we talked.”

“Oh? About what?” She straightened, her eyes wide with interest.

“Our dinner at the burger joint was not enough to catch us up on five years, don’t you think?”

“Well, whose fault is that?” she grumbled.

I swallowed, taking a deep breath to slow my beating heart. “It’d be easier if you kept an open mind, okay? I know you’re mad at me and God, I know I deserve it, but please just hear me out before you make quick judgments.” I sighed and shook my head. I’d messed our relationship up so much I knew it was probably beyond repair. But I needed to try.

“Fine. I’m listening,” she responded curtly.

There was a brief moment of silence and I was sure she could feel the disappointment radiating from my body. I wanted to listen to her speak. I’d had enough of my thoughts, fears, and insecurities. Rocky always made me feel better. I wanted to hear her voice and hold onto every word she said.

“Well, I was kind of hoping you’d go first,” I admitted.

“Me? I’m not the one who has explaining to do.”

“Please.” I was practically begging, but I didn’t care. I was beyond the point of caring.

“What would I even talk about?”

“Let’s start from the beginning.”

“Like what?” She lifted an eyebrow and pursed her lips.

I thought about it for a moment and realized there was still one burning question in my mind. “Like why did you change?”

“I didn’t—”

I cut her off. “You might not see it. Hell, Stephanie probably doesn’t, either. You two are so tightly wrapped inside the cocoon that is Bethel Falls that you both don’t realize that you’ve become such a scared, nervous person. Where’s the girl who was up for anything? My go-to chick.”