Chapter Eight
Rhett
“Where exactly are we going?”
Still holding AJ’s hand in my own, I lead her up the stairway in the back corner of the barn. “I wanna show you something.” My place above the barn was coming along faster than I had anticipated.
Stepping onto the platform above, I moved to the side and allowed her to join me.
“What is this place?” AJ asked as she scanned her eyes over the open space that showed remnants of walls going up and wiring and plumbing being put into place.
I looked around, unable to contain my smile. It was a large area with one big opening at the opposite end which would later provide the perfect view of the sunset each morning.
“This is going to be my place.”
I chuckled when she whipped around and peered up at me like I’d lost my mind.
“What?”
It didn’t look like much at that point, but I knew when me, Dad, Uncle Gavin, and Uncle Colton got done with it, it’d be amazing. Ben had already offered his help, and with all of us working together it wouldn’t take any time at all to make this place a home. “This barn used to be the place where Reed and his friends hung out. They’d work on cars down below, hang out and drink, whatever. It hasn’t been used in so long, other than for me to park my truck below.”
“This is where you’re gonna live?” she asked again, still sounding unconvinced.
She was so fucking adorable with that confused look on her face—her nose crinkled, her forehead creased.
“It won’t look like this when we’re done.” I let go of her hand and moved toward the open area. “It’ll have a kitchen, bathroom, and over here,” I pointed toward the large opening at the opposite end, “my uncle said something about floor-to-ceiling windows to make it all seem more open, maybe a sliding door onto a patio. Look at this view I’ll have.”
Hesitantly, she moved to my side, and I saw the moment wash over her face when she took in the view. “Wow, that’s so beautiful, peaceful even.”
The lake that I grew up fishing on was way off in the distance, and just off the east bank was a tree house dad had built for me when I was just a toddler. We’d camped in that tree many times; it held so many memories for me and Grace.
I pulled an old blanket off the rafter and laid it out before us, motioning for her to have a seat. “What’s this?” she asked as she eyed me suspiciously.
“This is me finding us a quiet place to talk.” I watched her face closely and registered the moment my intentions became obvious. “The other night, you pulled away, and though you said it was nothing, I know it was something.”
AJ began to bite at her lip nervously as she crossed her arms over her chest.
I sat down, tapping the empty space next to me. “Let’s talk.”
“It was nothing,” she assured me, “really.”
I tapped the space again and chose to say nothing until she sat on the blanket next to me.
After a few seconds passed, I could almost see the defeat wash over her and the inner battle she’d been fighting fade. She looked as if she gave up as her shoulders sagged and she moved closer to take a seat next to me.
I didn’t miss the way she attempted to hide her face with her hair as it fell around her. Reaching out, I hooked the strands with my finger and tucked it behind her ear, which caused her to look over at me. “Can you just be honest with me, please?” I couldn’t stand this feeling, one of panic that was inflicted by the idea of her withdrawing from me, backing away from us and what I felt we were creating.
AJ took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Do you know that I’ve watched you for longer than I care to admit? I’ve watched you pining after a girl that I’m still not sure you’re over.”
My stomach instantly tensed as I reached out for her hand with my own.
“Now here we are, and I want to believe that I’m not here to serve as a fill-in for what she was to you, but—”
I didn’t give her a chance to finish her sentence before hooking her around the back of her neck and pulling her in close, her lips pressing to mine.
“You’re not a fill-in, AJ,” I whispered, my lips still gently pressed against hers. “I promise you that. There’s something here between us, something that I know you feel too. I’ve grown to love the times we have together, each one of them. Whether it’s with a group or alone, I feel like with you is exactly where I am supposed to be.”
I wasn’t just saying that; I meant it. Every moment I spent with AJ, I realized what I was holding on to in the past was the idea of being with someone and not really Harley herself. I knew that Harley would always hold a place in my heart; she was the first of many things for me. I also knew that our time was over, what we had was gone, and I was okay with that now. I wanted to let go of it and move on with my life. I wanted these times with AJ.
“I just don’t know if I could take you deciding one day that everything we’re creating was nothing special.”
I remained close, with my forehead to hers and my hand firmly holding the back of her neck. My eyes closed, I gave it
