Page 93 of A Cup of Autumn
Callie had warned him.
He’d promised.
But he’d failed, and Raine was paying the price even though he’d told her he wasn’t staying. He thought she understood. And she had.
Until she hadn’t.
The worst part?
She hadn’t asked him to change his mind and stay. And when he had to make travel arrangements and plans for living arrangements in Boston and pack, which meant he hadn’t seen her since the Boo Bash, she didn’t get upset. She told him she understood.
The funny thing?
He wasn’t sure if he understood.
Callie and Garrett had called him out for hurting Raine. And Keaton had. A text notification sounded.
He’d given up thinking Raine would reply to any of the messages he’d sent. Still, he glanced at the screen.
Garrett:Be ready in 10.
Garrett:And don’t try to get out of this. You’re going.
Me:Don’t worry. I’m not canceling.
Keaton wanted to blame his brother for telling Raine about the new job, but he should have told her himself. There’d been no reason for him to hold back. He’d used the Boo Bash to justify his actions when all he wanted was to delay the inevitable.
He closed his eyes.
Raine’s face appeared—her hurt palpable.
He enjoyed spending time with her. Their kisses were scorching, but his attraction went beyond the physical. She made him laugh. Her support made him think it was only a matter of time before he sold his fantasy novel. Her gratitude for his help on the Boo Bash had made him feel like one of the gods of ancient Norway.
Keaton hadn’t wanted to lose that. Nor see the disappointment on Raine’s face. But he had.
In a much worse way than had he been open and honest.
A knock sounded on his door.
“It’s open,” he called out.
Margot peeked her head inside his room. “Brandt and Garrett are downstairs. They said you’re going out.”
Keaton adjusted the collar of his shirt. “To celebrate my new job in Boston.”
Her face fell. “You took the position?”
He nodded. “I accepted yesterday. The job is everything I’ve ever wanted. It’s temporary, but you’ve got to start somewhere.”
And not take good fortune for granted the way he’d done with his last position. He could see what he’d done now.
Margot clutched the door handle. “What about Raine?”
His heart skipped a beat. Maybe two. Okay, not really, but his chest hurt. “Raine wants me to take the job.”
“Because she cares about you.”
“She wants me to pursue my dream. I hate to leave her in the lurch.”
