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“I didn’t mean it like that,” he answers, running his hand through his hair. “It’s not you ... it’s just that things are complicated, and my manager—”
“Complicated?” I repeat, cutting him off again.
“Yeah, Callie. I just ... I planned to keep this a secret. I didn’t want my manager to find out because he’ll exploit it. He’s the one who came up with the whole fake fiancée idea in the first place. I never wanted this. But when I saw you...” his voice trails off and then continues. “Callie, I only ever meant for this to be between us and my family. I didn’t want the whole world to be involved in our lie.”
“Our lie...” I repeat glumly.
“No, no, that’s not what I meant!” he backtracks.
“I need some air.” I huff, unable to think clearly at the moment.
“Okay, that’s fine, let’s step outside.” Wade opens the cabin door for me.
I step through the door, feeling more overwhelmed than ever. “Wade, I think I just need some time away from you to think about this. Everything that’s happened between us has been such a whirlwind—there’s really no real point to me being here. I don’t need your money, and I don’t really care to be a part of this charade anymore.”
“Callie, it’s not like that anymore,” he says, following me as I jump down to the grass from the front porch.
I turn around to look up at him. “Wade, please. I’m just asking for a little space to figure out how I feel about all of this—that’s it. Besides, you should be focusing on your family, anyway.”
He goes silent and I head straight for the little sorrel mare that I was riding, mounting up. Wade is still standing on the front porch of the cabin, looking down at his boots.
I urge my horse forward, taking off at a gallop toward the house. As I crest the hill, I see Ava and Emma, not far off, playing fetch with Bear. They both notice me, giving a big wave. I force myself to wave back, but don’t stop. The last thing I want to do is have to explain myself—while trying to keep a lie going.
I don’t even know why I agreed to do it—I hate lying.
And I still don’t understand why Wade was so desperate to prove that he had a fiancée when his family appears to love him more than mine ever will. At least they care about his well-being.
My parents don’t even care that my sister and I exist. My sister is all that I have.
I would do anything to be a part of a family like his.
I brush it off as I reach the barn, sliding off and leading the horse inside. While pulling the saddle off, I try to just focus on my options.
Stay here for the full two weeks.
Or go home.
It seems like the answer should be easy—but for some reason I can’t stand the thought of leaving Wade, even though I’m feeling confused and angry.
But what if Wade’s family finds out this isn’t real?
What if someone digs into who I am, finds out we’ve only known each other for a week, and blows our cover somehow?
I don’t want to anger Wade’s family, they’re all so kind...
“Did you leave Wade out there?” a voice says from behind me, startling me so bad, I bump into the horse.
I spin around, seeing Hunter standing there, a weird look on his face. “Are you okay, Callie? You look upset.”
“I’m fine—I just need a minute,” I say quickly, going back to unbridling and putting the tack away where I saw Emma get it from earlier this morning. “It’s really not a big deal.”
“Did my brother do somethin’ dumb? If he did, I can talk to him about it,” he says, walking up beside me and handing me a brush. “I know he can be a real difficult guy sometimes ... but he’s just a little different.”
I pause, suddenly growing a little defensive of Wade. “He didn’t do anything wrong.” I grunt, not really wanting to talk about him right now.
“He really cares about you, Callie,” Hunter’s voice grows serious. “It’s written all over his face when he looks atcha—and I don’t want you to give up on him cause he’s bein’ a brat about somethin’.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “A brat? He’s never been a brat to me.”
