Rushed (Adventures in Love 1)

“No.” I swallow again.

“Can you stay in town for a few days after this trip?” he asks, and I nod, because I totally can. “Do you want to stay with me for a few days?”

“Yes,” I say softly, and the look in his eyes makes me realize that maybe he has been hurt too.

“Then that’s the plan, and we will figure out the rest.” He rests his forehead against mine. “Sunshine, did you really think I would let you go so easily?”

“I didn’t want to get my hopes up,” I admit, and he skims his thumb across my jaw right before he kisses me gently. And just like that, I don’t know up from down, but I also can’t bring myself to care.

Sitting next to the lake, with my hoodie up over my head to ward off the chill in the air, I watch the water ripple against the rocks as I dial Jade’s number. When I hear Avery laugh behind me, I smile; then my smile grows when Jade answers with a loud “Oh my God, Cybil. I’ve called you a million times!”

“Sorry.” I laugh, picking up a small pebble and tossing it into the lake. “We haven’t had phone service until today.”

“Are you okay? Are you having fun? What have you been doing? Tell me everything,” she rattles, and I shake my head.

“I’m good, for sure having fun, and there’s so much to tell you, but I don’t have the time today. We just stopped for lunch, and this is the only time I’ll have cell service until we get back to the lodge the day after tomorrow. Are you okay? How are things there?”

“I’m good. Things are good,” she says; then she pauses before adding quietly, “I had lunch with Galvin yesterday.”

“Oh.” I drop my eyes, not sure what to say.

“He got married,” she blurts, and I blink, positive that I heard her wrong.

“What?”

“I told myself that I would wait to tell you when you got home, but I just . . . I don’t want you to find out from someone else, or on social media, since it’s all everyone is talking about.” She takes a breath as I stand and make my way farther down the beach. “He . . . God, Cybil, he married Chris in Vegas the day you left for Montana.”

“Chris,” I repeat, trying to wrap my mind around what she’s telling me. “Chris—his roommate from college Chris?”

“Yes,” she confirms, sounding unsure.

“Oh.” I close my eyes as things begin to fall into place.

His third year at college, he got an off-campus apartment, and that’s when he met Chris. He broke up with me twice the first year of them rooming together, and I was not allowed to stay with him when I went to see him. Then a few months ago, he went to spend a week with Chris in Seattle—something he did every couple of months. When he came home, things seemed different between us. There was a distance that wasn’t there before, and he stopped wanting to be intimate.

I didn’t really dwell on it too much, because I knew he was busy and I was too. Plus, planning the wedding of his mom’s dreams was stressing us both out. God, I was so stupid. It also now makes sense why Chris seemed to hate me so much.

“His parents disowned him,” she says, and I take a seat as my chest starts to ache. I’ve known his mom and dad since I was a kid, and they are both very traditional. They always have been. Unlike some parents, who might come to accept their child when they open up about their sexuality, I doubt they will, which makes me wonder if that’s why he was with me.

“Is he okay?” I ask quietly, even knowing that he’s not and unsure if I should care. He’s always tried to do everything his parents expected him to do, and I’m sure he’s devastated that he had to choose between making his parents happy and doing what he knew would be right for himself.

“He’s upset. He hates that he’s hurt everyone, especially you. But . . .”

“But he’s happy,” I finish for her. “I’m glad for him. I mean, I’m pissed that he obviously lied to me for God knows how long, but I’m glad that he’s doing what’s right for him, that he’s finally being honest.”

“God, I fucking love you,” she whisper-hisses, and tears fill my eyes. “I told him that you would understand once you knew. I mean, I know you might not ever be friends again, but I knew you would still want him to be happy.”

“I will always want him to be happy,” I tell her quietly as I watch Tanner walk toward me carrying two plates of food.

“He’ll be relieved to hear you don’t hate him.”