Page 51 of Split You Open

That was one of the best fucking nights of my life.

Not only had Rhett been present with me in the moment, never once retreating into his head or pulling away, he said the words. Those words. The ones I’ve been waiting for so long. I lay in his arms now, wide awake despite the late night we all had.

I can feel Rhett’s heartbeat, slow and steady, against my back as he holds me.

I can’t believe it belongs to me.

A smile pulls at my lips as I poke at the mini bruises along my collarbone left by the man that loves me. The smile fades, however, as I my eyes land upon the empty side of the bed.

The only way last night could’ve possibly been better is if Blair had been with us.

I reach out to touch the empty spot. It should be full. She should be here tangled up with us. Where is she now? Did she go to bed alone? Instantly, I know that’s not the case. Wes has her, I just know it. Is he holding her now? Did he kiss her goodnight? How come he gets to be the first one to look into her eyes when she wakes up this morning?

An unwanted, selfish wave of jealousy rears its ugly head.

Quickly, I push it down so it can’t gain traction.

I can’t keep Blair to myself. If that’s not what she wants, I can’t force that on her. Quite frankly, she deserves all the fucking love she can get.

But… Wes got her all night. And probably most of this morning if they’re already awake. He’d made the call to close down Gnarly Pines for the next few days so if trouble had followed Rhett and Blair, we could take care of it without issue or interruption. Just because the logging company is closed doesn’t mean Wes slept in, though. Blair doesn’t strike me as one to sleep in either. They’re hanging out together, I just know it.

So, what are they up to?

I bite the inside of my cheek. My heart aches as I’m torn between staying right here—in the arms of the man I’ve loved since I first laid eyes on him—or slipping out to go hunt down the woman who’s flipped my entire world upside down. I told Blair the night of our first Hunt that when Rhett realized what he was missing out on, he’d have to accept that he would be getting a two for one deal.

I meant it when I said it.

It's just… my heart cracks at the thought of Rhett pulling away because he wouldn’t be down for such an arrangement. I don’t want to lose either of them.

“I can practically hear the gears in your head turning,” Rhett mutters, his voice thick with sleep. “What’s wrong?”

Oh no… Do I tell him? Will he be hurt? Angry? Will this set us back? I’ve missed him so fucking much.

But I’ve missed Blair too.

Shifting, I turn so that I’m facing him. Rhett lets out a soft sigh before cracking open one eye.

“Who says anything’s wrong?” I ask.

Before he can respond, I lean forward and kiss him. It’s just as much to show my affection for him as it is to give me a few more seconds to try and scramble for an excuse as to why I’m distracted. I’m still unsure how to reply when Rhett pulls back and opens both eyes.

“You’re worrying about Blair.”

I gape at him.

How the hell did he know this?

My face heats as shame washes over me. I look down at his bare chest and reach up to absentmindedly trace a scratch I left over his heart.

“I’m sorry. I swear I love it here with you,” I tell him, hoping he can hear the sincerity. “I just⁠—”

“You miss and love her,” Rhett finishes.

I nod, not ashamed to admit this, only worried how he’ll take it. To my surprise, Rhett chuckles. The sound is rough with sleep, making it sound extra sexy.

“You can relax, Santi.” His eyes close. “I’m not going to bite your head off about it.”

“Really?”