The temperature’s plummeted. Snow is falling harder. If I’m going to go, today is the day to do it. Otherwise, I’ll risk being snowed in with a man who…
He doesn’t want you, Grace. You trapped him into this arrangement, and it wasn’t fair.
What a humbling experience this is turning out to be.
I came up here looking for solitude and then got pissed off when I got a taste of it last night.
I need more therapy.
Tears fall down my cheeks as I march up the hill towards the barn. There’s an old greenhouse and chicken coop on the other side that I didn’t even know were there. Dean has so many hidden treasures… many of which I’ll never discover because he wants me gone.
I can’t breathe. It’s too hot.
My boots pack the fallen snow, and I slip a little, climbing up the mountain like I have any clue where the hell I’m going. Sucking in deep breaths, I pull off my sweater and drop it on the ground without a care.
Keep going. Just keep walking.
White puffs of air punch out of my mouth. Every breath I take burns my lungs.
You might as well let your mother have her way and set you up with a man, Grace.
“No.”
Why not? It can’t be that bad. Your other friends have done it.
“No.”
Oh, that’s right. You have no friends. You just have Nicole, and she got her happy ending, which means more alone time for you because she’s got better things to do now.
“That’s not true.”
Now my mother’s voice takes the mic.“You’re not built to love. You’re a trophy. Sit pretty, keep your mouth shut, and do what you’re fucking told.”
“Stop it!”
I trip over a fallen branch and go down hard. Freezing cold air bursts in my lungs, cutting like knives. Crouched on all fours, my vision blurs from my tears. I scream for all I’m worth because if I don’t get this anger out of me somehow, I’ll combust. My throat hurts from how loud I scream. And I can’t fucking stop.
Dean just wanted to taste a rich girl. He’s done with you now.
I shake my head. “That’s not true.”
Remember that guy you banged in the dressing room at the mall a few years ago? This is the same thing. Hewanted to rail a rich bitch, you wanted someone to pay attention to you. Win-win.
“No.”
My mother’s voice chimes in again with,“Shame you spent the night deciphering between love and lust. The bags under your eyes are pathetic. You should have at least put on make-up this morning.You’re disgusting.”
“Go away.”
“He might have loved you if you were perfect. I told you to be perfect.”
“Stop it! Please stop it!”
Something hard winds around my body, pinning my arms down. I scream and try to tear away from it.
“I got you,” a deep voice says against my ear. “Grace, I’ve got you.”
Dean.
