Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“I’m … flattered.”
“Fuck, Anna. I don’t want you to be flattered. And…” he laces his fingers behind his neck “…I should have said it months ago. And maybe it would have made a difference, and maybe it wouldn’t have. But it’s out there now. I can’t take it back, and I don’t want to take it back. Just know that you owe me nothing.”
I owe him so much.
“I think I need to move out.”
“No, Anna. Don’t do that. This doesn’t have to change a thing. I …” He blows out a long breath. “I have to go back to be with my mom. I shouldn’t have left, and you helped me see that. But I want to talk about this more. I want things to be okay. If you get that job in Spain, great. But don’t leave just because you don’t feel comfortable here with me. Promise me you won’t make any decisions until we talk more.”
His desperation wears me down, and I nod.
“Thank you. Now, will you come downstairs and eat?”
Another nod.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Eric
“You’ve been avoiding me?” I say as soon as Anna answers her phone. Over the past week, she’s found every excuse not to FaceTime with me or answer my calls. She’s been replying to my texts, but only with a few words and emojis.
“A little.”
I don’t expect her honesty.
“Why?” I ask.
“Shaun lied about his mom. She’s not doing better.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Did you ever meet her?”
“No.”
“I take it he’s having a rough time?”
“Probably. We haven’t talked much since he left here to be with her again. He’s staying another few days to help his sister go through their mom’s belongings and get things settled at her house. They don’t think she’ll go back home. A care facility is the next option.”
“O-kay … so that’s why you’ve been avoiding me?”
She doesn’t respond.
“I’ve had a lot on my mind. Many decisions,” she finally says.
“Decisions? Did you hear back about the job?”
“Not yet.”
“Then what decisions?” Fuck … is she breaking up with me?
“I think I need to move.”
“Move? Out of Nashville?”
“Out of this house.”
“Why?”
Again, there’s a long pause. “It’s weird, me living with Shaun. He needs his space, and I’m sure my presence isn’t exactly great for his dating life.”
“You didn’t think it was weird when I asked about it. How did it suddenly become weird?”
“I don’t know. I’m just … ready for something different.”
“Why would you consider moving before you find out if you have the job in Spain? Why risk having to move twice or signing a lease and—”
“Jesus, Eric! Why are you grilling me on this?”
I hold the phone away from my ear.
“I’m …” she huffs. “I’m sorry. I’ll talk with you later.”
“Anna?”
She’s already ended the call.
“Trouble in paradise?” My dad asks, poking his head in my bedroom.
I should have shut the door, but he doesn’t hear anything most of the time and refuses to get hearing aids, but when something's none of his business, it’s like I’m wiretapped, and he’s on the opposite end of the line with perfect hearing.
“No. But thanks for eavesdropping … I mean checking in.”
“She’s probably upset that you flew to Nashville to get some action and left without doing something extra.”
“Extra?” I walk to the door and shut off my light, forcing him to head toward the living room in front of me.
“Flowers. Jewelry. A poem.”
“Are you really giving me advice on women?”
He backs into his recliner, plunking down with a grunt. “I was married for nearly forty years. I think that earns me the right to impart some wisdom onto my only child.”
“A few weeks ago, you were considering a threesome because you thought that’s what Mom meant when she said she needed more passion. If that’s the level of wisdom you’re implying, I’ll pass.”
“Then what do you suggest? We both pine for the women we love for the rest of our lives? Spend the rest of our miserable lives golfing and masturbating?”
“I don’t golf. I had sex recently, so my need to masturbate is not a high priority. And I have Anna. I haven’t lost her like you lost Mom. So don’t lump me in with you like we’re going through the same experience.”
“Then what’s the problem?” He’s good at goading me.
“I don’t know if there’s a problem. She’s having a bad day. I’m sure it will be fine the next time we talk.”
“You love her?”
I nod.
“Does she love you?”
I hesitate. She hasn’t said as much, but I know she does.
Doesn’t she?
“She doesn’t love you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
I water my plants to keep from letting him see my insecurities.
“What are your plans for this girl? She told me she’s hoping to get a job in Spain. That’s in Europe, buddy.”
“Thanks for the geography lesson, Dad.”
“If it were me—”
“It’s not you.”
“If you love her, then what’s the problem?”