I look back over my shoulder, silently urging him to continue. He’s standing on the last porch step, and my heart sputters at the sight of him. Strong and stoic as ever, his broad shoulders and chest stretching the plaid button-up he has on.
“What?” I finally ask. I hate the hopeful note to my voice, especially since I know he’s about to push me away again.
“Take care. I’m here if… if you… need anything.”
I blink a few times, trying to stem the tears, but it’s a losing battle. Looking away from the infuriating man, I start shoving my bags in my trunk before opening the driver’s side door.
Stupid tears stream down my cheeks, and I hiccup out a sob, trying to cover it with a cough.
“Gwen,” Remy rasps, taking a step off the porch.
“I’m fine,” I say in the least convincing voice. “You’ve made it clear I’m not your problem anymore.”
“Wait, that’s not–”
“Goodbye, Remy.”
I slip behind the wheel, slamming my door shut before starting the car. I refuse to look back at him as I shift into reverse and take off down the long driveway.
It isn’t until I’m nearing the bend in the road that I glance in the rearview mirror, but Remy isn’t there anymore.
The tears come in full force, along with broken sobs. I know I should probably pull over, but I just need to get off this farm.
I cry the entire drive back to town, and park outside of the apartment building. I leave my bags in the trunk. I’ll get them later. Right now, I just need to cry in peace. A little alone time to lick my wounds, and I’ll forget all about my grumpy old boss.
I let myself into the apartment, relieved that Malia isn’t back from Los Angeles yet as I head down the short hallway and into my new room. I fall onto the bed, grabbing the pillow and sobbing as I replay everything that happened this morning.
I cry until I’m out of tears. It’s only then that I realize that I never got my last paycheck and I choke on a pitiful laugh. My eyes sting and I close them, drifting off into a restless sleep.
SIX
Remington
Livingwithout Gwen is just as miserable as I suspected. It’s only been three days but it feels like years. I’ve kept my same routine as every other day, but it all just seems meaningless without her to tease me or make me smile.
I thought I was lonely before Gwen came into my life, but now I feel completely empty. A hollow husk of a cowboy. Everything aches from head to toe, and my body feels like lead.
I’ve gone back to hiding away in my house or barn. It’s not that I don’t want to see my brothers, but they’re all happy and in love, and it only reminds me of what I can’t have. I just can’t be around them right now. Seeing them so in love is like pouring alcohol into the gaping wound in my chest, and it already hurts enough without doing that.
My phone rings and my heart takes off like a shot. All I can think is that it might be Gwen. Maybe she forgot something or maybe she just misses me.
I swipe it off of the kitchen table and the smile slips from my face when I see that it’s not Gwen but my friend, Wesley.
“Hey,” I answer. He laughs.
“Hey. You sound super excited to hear from me,” he jokes. I try to sound happier for the call.
“Sorry, just been a weird few days.”
“Yeah? What’s going on?”
“It’s a long story,” I lie, and he huffs.
“Well, I wanted to tell you that I’ll be in town in a few weeks. We should catch up.”
“Yeah? What’s bringing you over this way?” I ask as I grab a glass and fill it with water.
“Business. I’m selling a few horses.”