“I love you more than anything, Austin. I always have and always will, but I don’t trust you with my heart. That picture released all my insecurity back into…everywhere, and I don’t want to compete with the girls or your life. I want you to leave.”
“No, I don’t want to. I need you, Rebecca. Mia set this up so you’d react like this. Don’t you get that?” He moved to cup my face in his hands.
“I’ll never be enough for you. I don’t want to try anymore, Austin. I love you, but I want you gone. Don’t contact me before you leave North Reed. Don’t call me, don’t come to my work, and let me move on already. It hurts even worse the second time.”
He sighed and dropped his head forward.
I watched as he dressed, feeling my heart splinter into pieces. He left his shirt untucked over his jeans and looked at me when he was ready to leave.
“One last kiss?” he asked. I remained still. Austin moved towards me and pressed his lips to my unresponsive ones before pulling away with a low cry. “I love you.”
I followed him to the door and locked it securely before I went back to my room and sent Kim a text. I needed my sister. I needed someone who I could trust.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Austin
It was hard as hell not to see Rebecca all week, but I honored her wishes. I just didn’t leave town like she thought I might.
I spent the time on the phone with Preston, who was returning to New York soon. I called other people there and made the arrangements I needed to prove myself to the woman I loved. My dad sat with me, and I showed him the paperwork that I printed out daily. He clapped me on the back when he learned my complete plan. It felt good to do something different after everything that went wrong. It felt good to be fighting for Rebecca, even though she didn’t know anything about it yet. We kept it from Mom, choosing to surprise her around the same time if my plan worked.
I went into town a few times to deal with some local things, and it was apparent that Rebecca was unhappy with me. I knew that she didn’t tell everyone the details of what happened because that’s not how she was, but this was a small town. If she was at all down, I would automatically be the cause of that. I accepted it and went about my business, confident that I could change her mind.
I even roped Kim into it, visiting her at the library when I knew that Rebecca was at work. Together, we came up with a plan. I missed her more than anything, but this had to be done a certain way.
Dad drove with me to the rental agency to return the car, and then we headed to a local dealership where I picked out a used SUV that would be perfect for all the weather and was not obnoxious. I learned a lot about myself in that hotel room with Mia. I hated the man who I’d become in New York, but I had to forgive myself and try to move on in a way that made me happy.
I dressed in my favorite jeans and a flannel shirt on Friday as I looked in the mirror. I might need another haircut, but I thought that might work out pretty well once this night was over. I grabbed an old cowboy hat from high school and fit it over my head with a grin, thinking of Preston. He supported my plan wholeheartedly. He was one of the few that told me he was proud of me.
Later that night when I knocked on Rebecca’s door, I knew she’d be home. Kim would have told her she was running a little late for dinner together. That was part of my plan.
I’d packed my briefcase with everything I needed the night before and checked it several times to make sure that everything was there. I walked out into the living room to see Mom cooking dinner in the kitchen and Dad watching a game. He gave me a knowing smile.
“Austin, honey, aren’t you staying for dinner?” Mom called out to me as I set the briefcase down.
“I have to take care of something, Mom. I’ll be back later.”
She looked closer at me, and a smile crossed her face. “Now that looks like the Texas boy I remember. It’s a good look on you.”
I smiled and tipped my hat toward her. She giggled and kept cooking as she shook her head.
“See you later,” I told Dad.
He gave me a loving look. “Go get your girl, Austin.” He smiled, and I nodded.
“That’s the plan.” I grabbed the briefcase and the keys to my car, walking out into the driveway as I looked over the blue Chevy Tahoe. It certainly wasn’t my Escalade in New York, but this was a great car for Texas. I thought it was a perfect mix between the Austin from the city and the guy that grew up in North Reed. I hoped that Rebecca would like it as well since I saw a nice red one of the same year that I wanted to buy for her.
I slipped inside and started the engine as I pictured her face. I hated that my most recent memory was of her throwing me out of her house, but I was going to fix everything tonight. I pulled out of the driveway and made the short drive to her house, noting the lights on in the house as I parked on the curb.
I looked in the mirror. This was my biggest deal yet, and I needed to score this one. I got out of the car and pocketed my keys and phone before I grabbed my briefcase.
I stepp
ed up to the door and knocked. She answered the door. Her face quickly hardened, and she began to close the door in my face.
I stopped it with my hand. “You have to hear me out, Rebecca,” I told her in a gentle voice. She paused and stared at me with narrowed eyes. “This is the last time that I will ever bother you, but I deserve a chance to prove myself to you.”
“I don’t know what you think you need to prove, but come in. I’m waiting for Kim.” I stepped inside and noticed that Rebecca looked beautiful in a pair of worn jeans and a soft blue sweater. “I’ll give you until her arrival, Austin.”