“We face shit instead of running from it around here. It’s not healthy to spend all your time smoking your product, living out in the deepest part of your woods to avoid everyone, and busting up targets like it’s your sole purpose in life…nine days later.”
Just as I turn to make good on my threat, Benson emerges from the woods, cursing a set of thorns that are tearing at his jeans.
“Cougar is in a foul mood today,” he gripes as he comes and sits down like he’s been extended an invitation.
Killian clears his throat and looks around, and my eyes narrow in suspicion.
“If this is the start of an intervention, I’ll save you some trouble. I’m going to spend however long it takes working her out of my system, and I’m going to do that however I see fit. Whether I’m throwing axes at targets way the hell out here or at your homes depends on what you say next.”
I gesture between all three of them, and then I launch the axe at the next target, effectively destroying it.
“I think I’ll just listen in,” Benson states.
I thought not having sex would magically make this all a little fucking easier. Instead, all I can think about is all the time we wasted when we weren’t together.
If the distance I tried to put between us didn’t help me at fucking all in the end, then what was the point in wasting a single second?
Then again, I’ve never seen Hale Vincent as fucked up as he is right now.
“What happened between Hale and Reese?” I ask, even though I shouldn’t.
He and I had a silent understanding that we wouldn’t discuss it. In fact, I don’t think we’ve said much of anything at all. Today’s the most I’ve had to speak since I left Piper asleep in my bed, and walked away while I had the strength left to do it.
It really shouldn’t have been that fucking hard to do.
Something cracking and snapping has me looking over my shoulder as Liam and Jared Malone come to join the damn gathering.
I glare over at Killian.
“This was more for Hale’s benefit than yours. I know better than to fuck with you when you’re brooding, but Hale’s gotta snap out of it at some point,” he explains.
We’ve been out here for nine days, camping in the hunting shack on the back half of the property, and living off the land.
I don’t see what the big deal is.
Liam takes a seat on a log, and he glances around at the campsite.
“I thought I had it rough when Kylie left, but I think this tops even that.”
“Kylie wasn’t a fancy girl, and you didn’t have to contend with an ungodly wealthy family, who is in the running for a senate seat,” Killian tells him. “Hale’s not exactly been groomed for the blue blood elite. He can’t go after Reese, and even if he could manage to fit into that world, he didn’t end things in the best way. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t speak to him again even if he tried.”
Benson scrubs a hand over his face, and I take a seat. If they’re discussing Hale instead of me, I won’t feel so murderous.
“What’d that boy do?” Bill asks in a way that suggests he’s scared to know the answer.
“Let his emotions get the best of him, and broke it off a few seconds before he dropped her off at the door. Then refused to speak about it anymore than that, and even ignored her when she tried to talk to him. To be fair, this is his first real breakup, excluding the junior high relationship that never got past hand-holding,” Killian points out.
“I’m not so sure Hale’s gonna want this personal information exposed,” Liam points out.
“In this case, it needs to be known. First girlfriend. First breakup. First…a lot of things. I can’t handle this all on my own,” Killian says on a tired breath. “Especially not if misery loves company and Kai is perfectly happy with being miserable out here for an indefinite amount of time. Hale could end up turning wild man and never coming back to town.”
“That’s a melodramatic conclusion to immediately jump to, don’t you think?” I ask bitterly.
“Does Reese know she was his first?” Benson asks as though that’s an important fact.
“Doubtful. It’s not as if Hale was going to volunteer that information, and I think she found it endearing that he wasn’t all that experienced, so it’s not like he lost points in the sack,” Killian goes on.
“You still a virgin?” Bill asks him, pursing his lips. “Are you saving yourself for the day Nila stops being as oblivious as the rest of the Wilders?”
I think I just threw up in my mouth.
“Why are we discussing me again?” Killian asks as he glares at his uncle.