“We need to meet with a construction company. I want to break ground soon.”
“Really? I thought you’d want to wait.”
I roll down the window to our new company truck we got earlier today and put my arm out the window. “Nope, I’m ready.” Ready to move on, ready to grow, ready to make my dreams come true. I use my other hand and dig in my pocket for my phone. I need to tell Everly.
Scrolling down, I tap where her name is supposed to be and pause. I don’t have her number. Right. I always forget that I deleted it a long time ago because every time I got excited and wanted to celebrate my successes, I wanted to tell her. She’s always the first person I want to tell, and I have a feeling that will never change.
The only person I can really share it with is sitting right next to me. And that just isn’t the same as telling the person that is your soulmate—was. Was my soulmate.
With a lump in my throat, I tuck my phone back in my pocket. Gray pulls the truck up to the black, gothic style gate of my dad’s house, and they open inward, revealing a long, familiar path. Douglas Firs line each side, looming like standing skyscrapers casting shadows along the driveway. When the huge house comes into view, we make our way around the circle.
In the circle, there’s a huge fountain with sirens on each side. Usually, they are spewing water, and the garden beneath them is in full bloom, but not during winter.
“Whoa, is that… Everly?” Gray asks, narrowing his eyes at a woman leaning against her car, talking to… Philip Ladson? Seriously? What is that prick doing here at my house?
I hate that guy. He always had his eyes on Everly like she was a damn snack. Wait a minute, is this her date? Oh, no. That isn’t happening.
“Who’s the guy?” Gray asks, turning the engine of the truck off.
I clench my fingers in a tight fist. “No one important.”
“With how she’s smiling, I don’t know if I’d say that.”
The muscle in my cheek twitches when I see he is right. Her smile is genuine. While it doesn’t look like the one she used to give me, it’s close.
“And holy shit, dude. Her hair is amazing. It’s short.”
“What?” I lean forward and press my hand against the dash as I stare out the windshield. Oh my god, she cut it. She really did it. Her long, beautiful, hair is gone. But it looks good, so fucking good. She reminds me of a little pixie. She has it styled in her natural waves, which she doesn’t do much because it is a lot of work when her hair is long.
“It looks hot. I’m not going to lie, that girl is fucking beautiful.”
Deep breaths, Rowan. You have no right to get mad. She isn’t yours.
Isn’t she?
“Let’s go,” I growl through clenched teeth. I’ve been doing that more than I’ve been wanting to lately. If I keep it up, I’ll crack a tooth.
Gray chuckles, knowing that what he said got under my skin.
I slam the door a little harder than necessary to grab her attention, but it’s locked on Phillip. Why do I care? I shouldn’t. It means nothing. She means nothing to me.
Yeah, that’s not true.
“Hey, Everly!” Gray waves, and I’ve never wanted to punch him in the face so hard before. “Your hair is so great! Looks good.”
“Thanks, Gray!” she shouts, completely ignoring me to slide her attention back to Phillip. Okay, that’s not going to work for me.
I might not want her attention right now, but that doesn’t mean someone else gets to have it while she’s right in front of me. Yeah, I know how it sounds, but it’s just how it is. I turn course, and instead of going in the direction to the front door, I walk over to her car.
“What are you doing?” Gray hisses, trying to grab my arm to stop me, but I yank it away. “Stop it. Don’t make an ass out of yourself,” he whispers right before I make my way up to the duo.
I toss my arm around Phillip and stare at Everly, who has a look on her face that can only be described as fear. “Hi, buddy. Long time no see.”
“Rowan,” Gray warns, but I ignore him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask Everly’s new friend.
He points to Everly. “She had a flat tire outside the salon, and I helped change it. I followed her back to make sure she got home safe.”
My heart drops, and my stomach plummets to know she counted on another man to help her. “Why didn’t you call me?” I ask, feeling a little offended.
She wraps her arms around her midsection but doesn’t take her eyes away from mine. “Come on, Rowan. You know why I didn’t. Phillip was just being nice.”
“Yeah, and whose fault is that?” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
Phillip moves to stand in front of Everly, protecting her. Like I would ever hurt her. He has got to be kidding. “Hey, man. There’s no need for that.”
Everly’s hand grabs his arm and steps to his side. “It’s fine, Phillip.”
“Let’s go,” Gray says.
I yank my arm out of his hand again, trying to walk away, and be a better person, but the anger, so much fucking anger is coursing through my veins right now.
“So, I was wondering if you’d like to get a cup of coffee tomorrow? Just to catch up? I’d love to know what you’ve been up to,” Phillip asks Everly.
My Everly.
I turn back around and laugh, “You know, I wouldn’t recommend going on a date with her. She’ll just make you fall in love with her and leave the next day. Isn’t that right, Everly?”
“Stop it,” Everly sobs.
“What? It’s true.
