Page 191 of Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
Cole steps aside, letting me into his house. I walk right into the living room, where Storee is holding Florence while Evelyn rocks in her swing.
“How are you?” she asks, sympathy all over her expression. “You can’t imagine the number of text messages I’ve received.”
I take a seat on the couch and drag my hand over my eyes. “Oh, I’m sure it’s all everyone is talking about.”
“I tried texting Betty,” Storee says. “But I haven’t heard anything from her.”
“Yeah, she’s really upset. Upset with me, with you, with the whole town. She’s embarrassed, and I don’t blame her. Fuck, I can’t believe I messed this up so much. I was just over there, and she wants nothing to do with me. And do you know what I fear?” I ask. “I fear that she’s going to leave town, that she’s going to take off, and I’m not going to have a chance at winning her back.”
“Then why don’t you do something now?” Storee asks while Cole takes a seat as well.
“I tried,” I say. “I tried to do something?—”
“No, something bigger. You say she’s embarrassed and upset with everyone in the town, so then why don’t you do something to change that?”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “God, men are so obtuse.” She hands Florence over to Cole and sits on the edge of the couch. “The grand gesture, Atlas. You have to come up with a plan, something that will show just how sorry you are while getting the town involved. That way, she can see that not only are you sorry... but everyone still wants her here.”
I perk up from the thought. “That’s actually... that’s a good idea.”
“I know,” Storee says with a smile.
“But what kind of plan?” I ask. “Hell, she didn’t even want to look at me. She was fucking crying, Storee. Crying. How am I supposed to convince her to come into town and watch us apologize?”
“You won’t be able to, but Dwight might.”
I roll my eyes and lean back in my seat, defeat pushing through me. “Look, we have an extremely tentative truce due toBob’s intrusion.” Fuck, that was embarrassing. Being led away like a naughty schoolboy to the principal’s office. In front of the whole town. “We hashed some things out, and Dwight and I apologized to each other. I told him the truth about Betty, that I love her. He told me to wait for a while and let Betty think. But I’m not sure he’ll help me win her back.”
Storee shrugs. “Maybe, if you get your brother to apologize to him.”
I glance over at her, the idea taking root. Then again, it’s Ansel; he doesn’t necessarily care for apologizing.
Cole bounces Florence on his knee. “You need to talk to your brother.” When his gaze meets mine, I can see just how serious he is. “That relationship has been threadbare for as long as I’ve known it. This isn’t just about having Ansel apologize. This is so much more than that. Think about where all this paranoia stemmed from... trying to show your brothers that you could handle the farm. There are some deep-rooted issues there that you need to take care of.”
“Let me tell you, the moment you figure out those sibling issues, the better life will be. Take it from someone who struggled with her sister. There were some things we sat on and let stew for a long time, and now that she lives closer and we’ve been able to build a different bond, a stronger one, life just feels... easier. You’re going to want that bond with your brothers, especially when you take over the farm one day.”
I tug on my hair, thinking about that uncomfortable conversation. “So what you’re saying is that I need to fix things with my brother so I can fix things with Dwight so I can fix things with Betty?”
“Yup,” Cole says as he tosses Florence in the air and catches her. “Welcome to falling in love with someone.”
Betty
Storee:I’m so sorry, Betty. I’m sorry for my part in you getting hurt. I think you’re amazing, and I’ve honestly enjoyed getting to know you and consider you a dear friend. From the day we first met on the farm, I’ve wanted to be your friend. And I am deeply sorry that we’ve hurt you. You didn’t deserve that.
I stare at the text, feeling devastated, heartbroken, and embarrassed. Tears continue to fall down my cheeks, sorrow enveloping me.
Why did he have to come here?
Why did he have to beg me to forgive him?
Plead with me?
Because once again, I felt myself believing him. I felt him being genuine. I felt myself leaning into his hold and wanting to bury myself in his chest, where he’d protect me from what was happening, but then that’s when I remembered he was the one causing all the chaos.
He was the one causing the hurt.
I swipe at my cheeks and take a deep breath. I need to get out of here. I need to flee.
