Page 19 of Saltwater Cowboy

“We rented out the apartment. We can’t stay,” I argued, grasping at anything that might hold weight.

“I’ll call the leasing company and tell them we’ve changed our minds. We’ll stay.”

My heart sunk; tears pricked at my eyes. “But I don’t want to stay.”

“You know you’re better off here.” Thad stated plainly.

“You’re just going to let me go alone?” My pulse drummed in my ears. I gripped my purse strap for dear life.

“No, I came down here with you to talk you out of it. We have such a good life here. What more could you want?”

What more could I want? I want a life where I don’t live in an apartment. I want space. I want a life where I’m near my best friend and her family that I adore. I want to find my passions.

A life I love.

“Living here is suffocating, Thad.” I drew in a sharp breath. “You don’t understand how much shit I’ve gone through in my life. All of the things that were on track to go right that went catastrophically wrong.”

I could tell I struck a nerve—the softness in his face vanished, replaced by something sharper, harder. His expression darkened, anger flickering behind his eyes like a lit match.

“You mean getting fired for running your mouth to your manager?” He shot back. I don’t know what got into him, but he has never talked to me like this before.

“Thad, you know he was out to get everyone. He fired me because I took an extra five minutes for lunch.”

“Whatever you say.”

“This city has nothing to offer me anymore. It’s time to start fresh.” I replied honestly, quietly.

“Is that why you’re moving to a podunk town in Georgia, where you already know people? That doesn’t sound like starting over to me. That sounds like you’re trying to piggyback off your best friend’s life—which is pathetic.”

His words had bite. We’ve been talking about this move for the last year and he’s been onboard the whole time. I don’t know what changed.

“It’s not as small as you think. There are ten thousand people that live there. Over one million people visit every year.”

He tossed me jazz hands. “Big whoop.”

“What has gotten into you?”

“My life here is better than it could be anywhere else. I have a great job. I’m near my family.” He put his hands on my shoulders. “I’m a Chairman, Rose, at thirty-three. I’ve got it fucking amazing here. I’m staying put.” He paused. “And I want you to as well.”

“We’ve made plans. We have found an apartment to rent. Blythe and Charlie are excited for us to be close to them. Wren—” I couldn’t even finish the thought without the tears falling.

“She’s a kid. She’ll get over it.”

“Thad, she’s my niece. I love her like she’s my own.” My fists balled at my sides.

“But she’s not. She’s not even Blythe’s. Charlie had that kid out of wedlock.”

A flush of red bloomed in my cheeks, warmth creeping up my neck before I could stop it.

“You cannot talk about her like that.” I said through gritted teeth.

He scoffed. “So overprotective.”

“I’m overprotective about people I love.” I rolled my shoulders back, squaring my shoulders.

“I know and I love that about you.” His eyes softened and lowered to mine. “I really think you should stay. You could go back to school if you don’t want to get back into accounting. You can get a real job again.”

Confusion crossed my face. “You told me I should pursue teaching yoga instead of going back into Corporate America. Why are you flip flopping on everything now?”