“Real nice, Reeve.” I toss a bundle of shirts toward my hamper before pinning him with a glare. “Would this conversation be happening if I weren’t leaving in June?”
He hovers over the threshold between my room and the hallway, not committing to coming or going—go figure. He scrubs at the back of his neck. “Maybe? I’m not much for predicting unrealistic futures.”
“That’s mature,” I mutter. “I’m being serious.”
Reeve doesn’t deviate from his bored persona. “It would be nice for everyone in Bam if you’d stick around.”
My eyes narrow to thin slits, the better to unsee this clusterfuck with. “I’m sure they’d welcome me without hesitation, seeing as this town is all about building an accepting community.”
“That’s one of our greatest charms, not that you’d notice since we lack everything else that’s important.”
My jaw drops. “Wow, you’re capable of being a real asshole.”
“Told you.” He spreads his arms wide. “I don’t need to hear more about the precious city, your real home where you want to be. I can’t listen to you already leaving while still standing in front of me.”
All of the oxygen flees my system with a gasp. “Excuse me?”
“It’s understandable why you never wanted to move here. Bam wasn’t your first choice. Hell, it probably wasn’t your tenth. And you’re stuck here for a year. I’m sure you feel trapped and can’t wait to escape. Don’t let me stop you.” The statement rolls off his tongue like an indisputable law.
“I never planned to leave Minneapolis to begin with, so this was all a big change. You know that. But I’ve fallen in love… with Bampton Valley.” I dodge the confession like a wimp. My heart already aches enough without another rejection.
“We’re a stepping-stone in your career. I get it.” Defeat colors his tone.
Pressure builds at the base of my skull. “That’s not a very nice term.”
“Do you have a better one?” He rips the rug out from under me with that harsh tone.
I cross my arms, sliding on a thick layer of armor. “Not sure I need to defend my choices.”
“You don’t, least of all to me. But I’ve seen it plenty of times. This isn’t our first rodeo, city girl. You all waltz into town for the advantages, only to disappear when a better opportunity comes along.”
Jesus, he’s being brutal. I almost stagger from the nonstop punches to my character. “That’s not fair, Reeve. The job market is out of my control. I just followed the open position.”
“Yeah, and here you are.” He makes a swooping gesture at me.
“Not for long, apparently.” My tone is all snark. “I’d be choosing between strangers and my family, who are hours away.”
He nods. “Right, we hold no true value in comparison. That’s never been up for debate. I can see why you’ve gotta go.”
I want to stomp my foot and shout at him to fight for me, for us. But we’re obviously not on the same level. I need to accept that. With a huff, I resume wrenching clothes from my bag. I shouldn’t bait him, not with the boiling temper brewing in my chest. It seems that whatever we shared has already unraveled beyond repair. But if I don’t, this will haunt me worse than any ghost.
“Are you going to give me a reason to stay?” Vulnerability rattles my cage.
“I thought about it, but why bother trying to battle against the inevitable? You’re going to leave regardless of what I do.”
This isn’t some spontaneous decision. He must’ve been weighing the options in my absence. Who am I to stop him now? This is what I asked for. That doesn’t mean I’ll toss up my hands and surrender without trying to compromise at the very least.
Cracking my knuckles, I plunge forward. “You’re not even giving me a chance to think this through.”
“Fine,” he relents. “Would you consider staying under different circumstances?”
I tilt my head at his blatant concession. “Such as?”
“Your lease gets extended, and the school has a position for you,” Reeve tosses into the bitter wind.
Nothing about him wanting me bad enough to stick around. He’s a coward, hiding behind excuses. A resounding crack splits me in half. Why can’t he see what’s missing? All I need is some slight reassurance—a half-baked commitment or guarantee. “It’s not enough.”
“Of course not,” he sneers. He’s steamrolling over me without pause. Fresh outlook, my ass.
Another crash of raging anguish vibrates my bones. “You really don’t get it? Try putting yourself out there, and see what happens, Reeve.”
“Why should I? Tell me I’m wrong, Audria. Can you honestly plant lasting roots in an insignificant speck on the map? Will living in Bampton Valley forever satisfy your ambitions?” The tiniest fissure breaks in his voice, and I grasp onto that quake. He’s not completely unaffected.
But this is so sudden—too abrupt for me to process clearly. I didn’t expect to return and face an unrecognizable version of Reeve. “That’s not fair. You’re springing this on me.”
Reeve’s chuckle is dark, almost mean. “I can hardly think of anything else other than convincing you to stay, selfish as that might be. I guess that tells me where I stand.”
“I’m not prepared to make such a huge decision this instant. Can’t you be reasonable and talk this through with me?”
He’s already shaking his head. “After everything, you’re still going to go. Nothing I do or offer will be a good enough reason for you. I see that now. No matter what, you’re leaving.”
“You already said that. Are you going to let me decide for myself?”
“What will that change, Audria? This isn’t going anywhere. We might as well cut our losses.” He combs through his dark hair and drops his gaze.
I drag in a shuddering breath, clutching my throat. Embarrassment flares under my skin, spreading agonizing blisters with that scalding touch. I’ve been such a fool. “You’re railroading me. This is a freaking blindside crash, Reeve.”
His posture droops. “I can’t do this anymore, okay? That’s the truth. I’m developing real feelings for you, and
