The Veteran Who Shouldn't Want Me

A tall dark-haired man in a navy sweatshirt stands apart from the fire, watching.

Callum stood on the far side of the fire with a beer he wasn't drinking.

He watched me the way he always did, flat and steady, like he was waiting for me to prove him right.

Drew

Ignore him. He's been like that since he got home.

The Veteran Who Shouldn't Want Me

Chapter 7 of 21

ChaptersChapter 7Synopsis
Text mode
Report a problem

Chapters

Chapter 1 free · 20 published · 1 to comeReading chapter 7
1234567891011121314151617181920
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.