Page 95 of Tempted Hearts
“Yeah. It’s about Jules.” I sat on one of the flat rocks, and Beck didn’t hesitate to sit beside me.
I looked at him, and for the second time in as many days, I voluntarily opened up—told someone what I was thinking. The world really was turning upside down.
“I don’t know how to describe it. Obviously she’s a beautiful woman, but there’s something about her. I can’t look away. I can’t stay away. We’ve been together two nights and… I don’t know, man. I don’t know what to do.”
Beck looked toward the sun as it climbed higher. The only signs of yesterday’s storm were a few muddy patches along the trail.
“I know you don’t have much experience with actual relationships, but they’re pretty simple. You like someone. You spend time together. You figure out if you’re compatible.”
“Simple? When you live in two different places? When you’re pretty certain there’ll come a point where you pull away and hurt the other person?”
I didn’t say the rest. That it wasn’t a hypothetical. I knew exactly how that moment would go, because I’d lived it before.
It started with intensity, connection, the kind of pull you don’t question. And it ended with me stepping back just late enough to do damage. Jules deserved better than that. Which was precisely why wanting her felt dangerous.
Beck ran his fingers through that dirty-blond mop of his and pushed it to the side.
“She knows what she’s signing up for. I’m sure you gave her a heads-up?”
“Of course I did. I told her point-blank that I’ve had very few relationships. And I told her why.”
Beck’s eyes widened. “Did you really?”
I didn’t answer.
“Oh shit. This is worse than I thought. Yeah, I can see why you’re concerned.”
Not the advice I’d been hoping for.
“Do you think I should walk away now? Go back to New York? Spare her?”
“I think you need to figure out what the hell you want first. And why you’re so hesitant to dive into something with a woman you clearly like a lot.”
I liked her more than a lot, but that could stay between me, myself, and I for now.
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Cole, this isn’t about the distance. You could figure that out. And if you’re worried about pissing off fathers, I’ve got plenty of experience there.”
He wasn’t wrong. Neither of us had great relationships with our fathers. Mine would go ballistic if I ever turned down tenure. Not that I gave a shit—but he’d take it out on my mother. Not physically, but emotionally. I’d tried to talk to them before. It was useless.
“I don’t care what he thinks.”
Liar.
I amended it. “Despite what he thinks, I’d do it. I don’t give a shit about titles or positions.” I waved toward the view below. “This. This is what I want. Cedar Falls is my home.”
“Good. Half the equation’s solved.”
He said it like it was that easy.
“And Jules? She’s probably expecting a text from me. I want to send it. I just don’t want to be a dick about this—despite what Mason and Parker think.”
“The fact that you’re sitting here talking about this tells me you’re not a dickhead. Personally, I think you’re overthinking it. Jules is pretty awesome. Never saw the two of you together, but if it works… it works.”
Oh, it worked. Too well.
“Maybe I’ll text her.”
