Page 22 of The Other Side

When he backs away, my gaze drags over his face. “You’re just as handsome as I remember,” I whisper.

He gulps thickly, barely shaking his head as he stares at me. “I’ve always found you to be the most beautiful girl in the room.” The crook of his mouth gently tips up, and he hoods his stare. “That’s what I should’ve told you that night we were sittin’ across the way from The 1984 Barn. I think about that night a lot, you know,” he adds. “I had a hunch at the time, but I wasn’t sure if I’d meet a girl or woman who could top your beauty. I didn’t think it was likely, but it wasn’t impossible. And I was never one to lie to you. That’s why I never told you that.”

String lights and western boots revolve in my mind. Spinning like a carousel until Brant and I emerge into focus.

Our sixteen-year-old selves.

Like clockwork, our heads rotate toward each other. My eyes volley between his for a few beats, eventually trailing down to his lips. The air shifts an inch. Our playful grins gradually dissipate, curiosity demanding our attention.

We’re friends.

Friends don’t kiss.

I swallow thickly. I pinch my gaze, my eyes scanning the delicate features of his face. “Do you think I’m pretty?” I ask.

Apparently, I’m a loaded gun of questions tonight.

He softly chuckles, his perfect teeth shining against the honeyed lighting in the distance. “What’s with all the questions?”

“I’ve seen countless women over the past ten years, and it’s one of my greatest regrets on that side,” he admits. “I know everything I need to as I look at you now. They’ll always be without as long as you exist.”

It’s funny, really.

I always thought that when I had these flashbacks of Willowhart, they’d be followed by tears and anger. But right now, there’s a smile creeping onto my lips from the delight swirling through my heart.

“Better late than never,” I say warmly.

All of my focus glues to him, and there’s a playful tick in the crook of his mouth. “Yeah,” he replies.

My hand lifts to tuck my hair behind my ear, and then I’m flicking my attention to my Range Rover. “I …I guess we’ll be seeing more of each other.”

“Just for business purposes?”

There’s dread that accompanies his question.

I shake my head, a worried smile blossoming from my lips before I look at him. “Oh, I don’t know, Brant. I’m not sure Jesse would like that very much.”

He pivots his head to the side. Gaze pinched and nostrils flaring. “Would you?”

There’s an ache etched in every crevice of his face, and I feel helpless.

Useless.

“I’m engaged,” I continue. “Jesse doesn’t even know the truth about you. It wouldn’t be a nice thing to just spend time with each other behind his back.” I sigh as I chuck my attention around, maneuvering my hand at the scenery. “Hell, this is even out of line.” The heels of my palms meet my forehead, hair whisking as I shake my head in shame. “I don’t even know what I’m doing right now. I shouldn’t have come here, I’m sor⁠—”

“I can respect your boundaries, Callie.”

His tone is stern when I land my gaze on his. His Adam’s apple bobs, and he mildly wags his head. Like he’s in disbelief. “Of all people, I thought you would understand that. Don’t insult me so much.”

My eyes swell with impending tears. They race back and forth between his, and the steel bars around my heart bolt into place.

I realize that it has nowhere left to go.

The buck stops here with Brant.

As it should.

All I can offer is a timid nod. “I should leave,” I sigh out.