The Veteran Who Shouldn't Want Me

Alina alone at the booking desk, one finger running down the schedule.

I sat down and ran my finger down the sheet.

Four o'clock. Six names. Deposit paid, life jackets counted, weather checked.

All of it mine now, and none of it his.

The Veteran Who Shouldn't Want Me

Chapter 3 of 21

ChaptersChapter 3Synopsis
Text mode
Report a problem

Chapters

Chapter 1 free · 20 published · 1 to comeReading chapter 3
Restart chapter

Synopsis

I have a plan. Keep the boatyard running. Keep my hands steady. Keep Drew looking at me like I'm the best thing in his life. His family treats me like I belong, and I need that more than I say. Drew is warm. He forgets things. He says sorry with a kiss, then leaves me alone when his friends laugh. I tell myself his family's kindness is enough. Then his older brother comes home from the Navy. Callum is cold, quiet, and hard to look at. He acts like I'm a stain on the family dock. I want to hate him. I don't trust her. I don't want to notice her. But I do. He watches me when Drew doesn't. When I'm at my lowest, his contempt cracks, and I see something that scares me. I think he wants me too. I can't want him back.