Page 22 of Redeem My Heart

I wince. “It was amazing. Like something straight out of a romance novel.”

“Well, then you’re one up on me. I lost mine in the back seat of a Toyota in the high school parking lot on prom night.”

“But you didn’t go to prom.”

“Exactly.”

The week that follows sucks. Word has spread quickly through town that Dane and I are no longer an item. This morning I ran into Miranda Dillard at The Coffee Cup, and the look she gave me was almost full of actual sympathy instead of the overblown mock sympathy she normally bestows upon the rest of us. Thank God she caught herself in time. I don’t know what either of us would have done if she’d exhibited real, human emotion in public.

Thankfully work has been busy. The new small animal vet who just moved to town got started, and I’ve been working with him some. There was never that much in the way of animal work that I could help Lily with. For the most part, the ranchers do a lot of that anyways after she shows them how.

Since I don’t have to be at work early today, I settle into a booth with my e-reader to get over the shock of Miranda almost being nice to me. I’m still there a half hour later when Daphne slides into the booth opposite me.

I close my e-reader because I’m not actually reading anything, though I keep trying. But my mind won’t focus.

“Okay, so my brother is an idiot,” Daphne says as she settles in across from me.

“This is unnecessary, Daphne. He didn’t break any promises to me.”

“No, but he broke your heart; that much is clear.” She looks at me.

I know I look a mess. My eyes are permanently red-rimmed it seems from all the tears. “I’ll get over it.”

“If it makes you feel any better, he broke his own heart too.”

“No, that does not make me feel better.”

“He’s miserable,” she says. “Which I know is not your concern and not exactly why I sought you out. I’m not making excuses for him; I just wanted you to know that he’s afraid. I’m not even sure if he knows that yet. But you got too close, and he panicked. It’s what he does. It’s why he joined the military. After our mom died, Dane got into all kinds of trouble. Got caught with pot at school. Skipped classes. Drank too much. My dad had to give him an ultimatum.”

I should be annoyed that his sister is here doing his dirty work. But I know him well enough to know that he didn’t send Daphne to tell me any of this. This is her meddling again.

“He was spiraling out of control because he didn’t know how to handle his grief. I truly believe that he loves you and when he realizes that, he’ll be on his knees begging for another chance.”

I snort because I’m not so sure.

“I’m serious.”

“I know you are, and I know your heart is the right place. But I can guarantee that Dane is not in love with me.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Did he say that?”

“He didn’t use those words specifically, but that was their meaning. After he told me how special I was and that he cared about me. I hate to tell you this, Daphne, but your bother is a fuck boy.” I stand and march out of the coffee shop without another word.

Do I really think that’s what he is? No. But right now being angry with him is easier than dealing with how much I miss him.

chapter

thirteen

Dane

It’s been two weeks since Shelby walked out of my life. I think it’s safe to say I’m losing my fucking mind. Thankfully the dogs keep me busy. I got three new ones just today.

I keep hearing those words she said to me about how doing what I’m doing with the dog sanctuary is not the actions of a man who is unable to commit. The same could be said about my time in the service. I had intended to be there until I died. Instead, my whole team got injured and sent home. Medical discharge.

Gravel crunches beneath the wheels of a car. No doubt one of my siblings. They’ve been all up my ass since the big “breakup.” I’ve tried to explain it wasn’t really a breakup because we weren’t really a couple, but that sounds like a lie even to my ears.

My dad steps into the house. He’s still an imposing guy, tall and barrel chested like Grady and me.