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FUNNY HOW LIFE WORKS

APRIL 2023 – PRESENT DAY

There’s no question, Faye is talented. Not even an hour into meeting with the Cuthill’s, and Faye painted a vision of what could be that had not only Mrs. Cuthill salivating, but Mr. Cuthill signing costly contracts. Their project is now set to begin in three weeks’ time.

Watching her work—watching the passion that hadn’t been there in our youth—it was something to see.

I recall Faye struggling with her purpose when she was mine. Foolishly, I told myself it didn’t matter because I’d be successful enough for both of us. Now, I realize how much of an asshole I was for thinking like that.

The thought crosses my mind that maybe that’s why she left me. Because I never encouraged her to find her spark. I just thought she’d be happy to share mine.

It’s not that I didn’t want her to have a spark, a passion. I just figured she was one of those people who maybe never found theirs. I thought—I hoped—delusionally I see now, that she was happy just being mine.

Her phone chimes and she digs into her purse. There’s a moment where something hot and angry splits open inside me, because I wonder if it might be Tanner texting her.

I knew when I saw dark jealousy in his pretty-boy blue eyes this morning when he caught me standing a little too close to Faye, that my reason for coming here wasn’t just to help Dad like I liked to tell myself. In fact, it had a whole lot more to do with the fact Tanner was sniffing around Faye—Dad’s words, not mine. Still, obviously true, considering the asshole asked her out in front of me.

I’m a man, so I know his play. When it comes down to it, men are animals like all the rest. Our instincts are basic. Primal.

He wants her and he made a point of pissing on the territory he’s obviously trying to claim this morning. Too bad for him, I have very little respect for the rules of the games men play. Because in my mind, until she’s sleeping in his bed and wearing his ring, she’s fair fucking game.

Faye makes a noise of exhausted distress. Now, I’m grinning that it could be Tanner.

“That your boyfriend?”

Her eyes snap to mine. Hell, but they’re just as pretty and warm now as they were a lifetime ago.

“I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Didn’t look that way to me this morning.”

Her head falls back against the seat as she drops her hands into her lap. Her phone chimes again.

She flips it to read the text. “It’s Owen.”

There’s a rattle in her voice that has all thoughts of Tanner vanishing. Worry for her—for my nephew—barrel into the forefront of my mind.

“What’s going on?”

I know I’m onto something when she bites down on her lip to stop the quiver before casting her gaze out the passenger window of my truck.

“I wanted him to stay home today, but he said he’d be fine.”

Tension coils in my gut. My hands tighten around the steering wheel. “Why would you want him to stay home?”

Why wouldn’t he be fine?

“They’re, uh—” She slaps her phone gently against her palm. “Remember how we used to go on that nature walk every year?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s—well—it’s not far from where…”

“Fuck.” I wince as soon as it registers.

She nods stiltedly. “Yeah.”