Hope Falls_Off-Limits Love

by Elisabeth Grace

  Everett’s stomach churned as every detail of that night came back to him with startling clarity—from the rain-slicked roads to the nausea that had overwhelmed him when he’d first seen Jake’s terrified gaze fix on him. He clenched his fists at his sides, but Georgia took one of his hands in hers.

  “You must have been so scared,” she said with deep empathy.

  He shook his head. “Not then. Not yet, anyway. Once he was on our stretcher, I went into work mode, determined to do everything I could to save him. And I did,” he said, his voice hoarse and choking on emotion. “I did everything I could, but it didn’t matter. He died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.” He shuddered, remembering the vacant, empty expression on Jake’s face when he had succumbed to his injuries.

  Georgia’s gasp brought him back to the present.

  “It wasn’t your fault.” She wrapped him in her arms and hugged him.

  Though they were chest to naked chest, there was nothing sexual about it. He allowed himself a moment of her comfort before placing his hands on her shoulders and pushing her back.

  “I’m sure you did everything you could.”

  He nodded, staring off at nothing. “I did. And, in the end, it didn’t matter. My closest friend, a guy I’d known my entire life died in front of me, on a steel slab, in pain and terrified.”

  “I still don’t understand who Dawn is…”

  “Dawn was engaged to Jake, and she was pregnant at the time of the accident. Carrie is her daughter.”

  Unshed tears shone in her eyes. “That’s so sad. I’m sorry.”

  “Since then, I’ve felt a level of responsibility for the two of them. I failed Jake, but I swore to myself I wouldn’t fail them.”

  Georgia gripped his face. “You didn’t fail Jake. You did what you could, but sometimes, these things are out of our control.”

  She was right. Logically, he knew that what she’d said was true, but guilt had always prevented him from fully accepting it.

  He shrugged it off. “I keep in touch, make sure they have everything they need.”

  “How is she doing?” Georgia asked.

  “Good. She’s met someone. They aren’t married, but things sound serious.” A small smile formed on his face. “I’m glad she’s been able to find happiness and move on with her life.”

  “Don’t you think you deserve the same?” she asked as she stroked his face.

  Everett’s gaze snapped to her steady one, and he found himself at a loss for words. “Why do you say that?”

  She rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the reason you’ve been a vagabond is because you’re running from the memories of what happened.”

  Wow. It wasn’t like his family wasn’t wise to what had been going on with him, but no one had found the balls to state it so plainly to him. He wasn’t sure how to respond. They sat in silence until Georgia rested her forehead against his.

  “You can’t run forever,” she whispered, but it hit him like a punch to the gut, expelling all the air from his lungs.

  He couldn’t do this. He’d already shared way more than he’d ever planned to with her.

  “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

  “Are you sure you—”

  “I’m done talking about it,” he clipped. Then, the guilt set in. That familiar feeling weighing him down like he wore body armor made of lead. She’d only been trying to help. He tried to lighten the mood. “You know, I’d much prefer to pick up where we left off before my phone rang.” He brought his hand down between her thighs and spread the wetness he found there with his fingers.

  Georgia’s eyes heated, and her eyelids drooped.

  “Everett?” she asked in that breathy voice he loved hearing because it meant she was turned on.

  “Yeah,” he answered.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you...” she trailed off and her cheeks grew pink. “Why did you call me peaches the other day?”

  He chuckled then laved at her breast. “Because that’s what you tasted like that day when I was between your thighs. Like a juicy Georgia peach.”

  That was another reason he liked Georgia so much—she knew when it was time to talk and when actions spoke louder than words.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Georgia drove into the parking lot outside Sue Ann’s Café practically bouncing in her seat with nervous anticipation. She’d been offered the job at City Hall—and she’d accepted. Sure, she was excited about the job, but a big part of her hoped that moving there would allow her and Everett to further explore what was between them. That would mean coming clean to Deanna, but it would be worth it.

  Her time with Everett had been magical. It sounded so cheesy and girly, but that made it no less true. Yes, he had his hang-ups because of his past, and rightfully so, but even he couldn’t deny their connection. They’d spent time together every chance they could, and besides the off-the-charts chemistry, they talked, they laughed, and they challenged each other. Georgia had never felt so quickly what she felt for Everett, and she believed the same to be true for him.

  She rushed in through the doors of Sue Ann’s Café and walked around a pair of elderly ladies chatting with the namesake of the café at the entrance. She waved briefly, scanned the room to find the right table, and headed over to where Deanna, Lucky, Eli, and Everett were sitting.

  Coming to a stop at the end of the table, she grinned at everyone, barely able to contain her excitement. “I just got a call. I got the job!” Like a three-year-old, she bounced up and down, clapping her hands.

  Deanna sprang up from the table and enveloped her in a giant hug. “Oh my God! I’m so happy for you! And for me!”

  She squeezed her friend back, excited that she’d be there when Georgia began this new chapter in her life.

  The rest of the men at the table all gave their congratulations as the two women took their seats, but Everett steadily avoided eye contact with her. That should’ve been her first clue. Silly her had figured he was trying not to tip everyone else at the table off about their connection.

  “When do you start?” Lucky asked as he opened the menu.

  “Two weeks. Can you believe that? I’m going to have to hand my notice in at work right away and start packing.” Georgia drummed her fingers on the table and stared off at nothing as it dawned on her how much she needed to accomplish in such a short amount of time. “I have so much to do.”

  Deanna squeezed her hand. “You know you’re welcome to stay with us until you find a place. Right, Lucky?”

  He nodded. “Absolutely. Since you’ve been in town, I haven’t been forced to watch those Real Housewife shows. I owe you one.”

  The entire table laughed, and Deanna playfully swatted him from across the table.

  “I can’t believe you watch that crap, Lucky. We should revoke your man card,” Eli said.

  “You talk a good game, but let’s see if your tune changes once you have a regular girl in your life.”

  “Not happening,” Eli responded with finality.

  Ignoring the guys’ banter, Deanna turned to her. “Now that you’re coming back, we’ll be able to do all the stuff together we didn’t have a chance to. We have to go to King’s Pond. I know you’ve been already, but it’s so pretty this time of year.”

  Georgia grinned as the image of Everett struggling on the ice played in her mind. “Only if Everett agrees to join us. You should all see him on ice.” Her and Eli laughed.

  “I heard you didn’t do so well, man. Maybe skating just isn’t your thing,” Lucky said.

  Georgia might not have filled Deanna in on all the details of that day, but she’d told them enough.

  Everett shifted in his seat, his gaze darting from one person at the table to another, then took a deep breath. “Actually, I’ll be gone by then.”

  Georgia’s stomach plummeted, and nausea rose up in her throat. “Gone?” she managed to squeak out, doing her best to appear unaffected.

>   “Where you going to, bro?” Eli asked.

  “A friend of mine is looking for someone to do first aid training at his consulting company. He used to be a paramedic with me back in Sacramento but moved to Washington State a couple of years back.”

  “How long have you known about this?” Deanna asked—thankfully, because Georgia was wondering too but couldn’t ask.

  Everett shrugged. “He called a few days ago. I told him I had to think about it, but I let him know this morning that I’d take the position.”

  “I’ll be sad to see you go, bro. It’s been nice having you here, but I know what you’re like. Didn’t expect you to stick around forever.” Eli clamped his brother on the shoulder in a show of affection.

  “Too bad, man,” Lucky said. “I was really hoping to see you on the ice.”

  Everyone else at the table broke out in laughter while unshed tears burned in the backs of Georgia’s eyes. She pushed her chair out from the table, her eyes downcast.

  “Excuse me for a sec,” she said. “I’m going to go to the restroom.”

  She spun on her heel and raced to the ladies’ room in the back. She stared at her reflection in the mirror.

  She would not cry. She would not cry.

  God, why did it hurt so much?

  It was her own damn fault that, as soon as she’d gotten the job, she’d fantasied about what that might mean for her and Everett. They’d been clear from the beginning that they were off-limits to each other and it was only supposed to be a fling. But she’d felt...more. And she’d thought he did as well.

  Georgia hadn’t been in there for more than a minute when the door opened behind her and Everett stepped in.

  “Georgia,” he said, his hands out in front of him as he stepped toward her.

  “What is it with you?” she snapped. “You shouldn’t be in here.”

  He gripped her shoulders. “I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”

  She shrugged, doing her best to act as if it didn’t matter to her. “You don’t owe me any explanation.” The only thing worse than being the girl who’d fallen for the guy who didn’t want her again would be admitting it to said guy.

  His lips pressed together into a thin line.

  “I get it. We were just a fling and were never meant to be anything more. Don’t worry about it, Everett.” She pried herself from his grasp and tried to slip by him, unsure whether she could keep the tears at bay much longer, but he shifted to stand in front of her, blocking her path.

  He traced the curve of her jaw with his thumb. “I think we both know that’s not true,” he said in a soft yet serious voice.

  His admission only intensified the pain. The burning knife that’d been plunged into her chest heated further, as she tried her best to hold it all inside. When she was alone, she could break down, but not before.

  “Maybe that was how things started,” he said, “but somewhere along the way…somehow…that changed.”

  Georgia stepped back from his touch and swung her hands up into the air. In an instant her pain had been replaced with ire. “Wonderful. So what you’re saying, then, is that it didn’t mean enough for you to want to stick around. Or, at the very least, have a conversation with me about it prior to deciding. Thanks, Everett. Now that that’s cleared up, I feel a whole lot better.”

  “Georgia—” He took a step toward her again.

  She raised her hand up to block his path. “No. Stay there. I don’t want you touching me.”

  Everett’s shoulders sank, and he exhaled audibly. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I do care for you. It’s just… Argh! I don’t know!” He shoved his hands through his dark hair as his face crumpled. “I want to be the kind of man you need in your life. I do. But I’m not there yet.”

  She shook her head. “Oh, so this is all for my benefit, then?” She gave a caustic laugh. “You know, when we first met, you seemed like the kind of guy who wasn’t scared of anything. And, if you were, you wouldn’t let fear stand in your way. But that’s not you at all. You haven’t moved beyond what happened. At all.”

  Everett’s fists flexed at his sides. “Is that what I’m supposed to do? Just get over it? You think it’s that easy?”

  “Of course not! I know it’s not easy, and I’m not trying to disregard everything you’ve been through, but you are supposed to live your life. Make connections. Care about something—someone. Risk losing!”

  He narrowed his dark eyes. “What do you know? You can’t judge me. You have no idea what it’s like.”

  She threw her hands up again, fat tears leaking from her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. “I’m not saying this because I’m judging you. It’s because I care. Don’t you see that?”

  He squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath. “I won’t ever be what you need, Georgia. That’s the way it is, and there’s nothing I can do to change it. What you’re looking for…I can’t give it to you.”

  “Newsflash! The guy I’ve spent a couple of weeks getting to know? That’s the kind of guy I wanted in my life, but apparently, he’s too stuck in the past and frozen in fear to do anything about it. Thanks for the horizontal time, Everett. The orgasms were great. Have a nice life. I hope for your own sake you actually start living it at some point instead of running from it.”

  She blew past him—out of the restroom and out of his life for good.

  Deanna squeezed Georgia for a long time before releasing her from the embrace. “I’m so glad you’re feeling better. I’d feel terrible if I had passed the flu on to you and you had to fly cross country.”

  Georgia had faked not feeling well the night before and left the diner prior to Everett returned to the table. She wouldn’t have been able to sit across from him and pretend like she wasn’t falling apart inside.

  More than anything, she’d wanted to confide in her friend about her broken heart, but she couldn’t put that on her. She knew from experience that the dynamic of their friendship would change. The situation she found herself in was the exact reason she hadn’t wanted to get involved with Everett in the first place.

  She should’ve listened to her head, not her libido and her heart.

  There’d be plenty of time to cry at the airport, on the flight, as she packed up her entire existence in Saltwater Springs…

  With a deep breath, she composed herself before looking her friend in the eye. “Thank you so much for having me. Be sure to pass on my thanks to Lucky when he gets home too.”

  “Of course. And don’t look so sad. You’ll be back here in two weeks, and we’ll be roomies again until you find a place.”

  She gave a small smile. Deanna always could read her well.

  “Can’t wait,” Georgia said. “Okay, I’d better be off before I miss my flight.”

  “Safe travels. Text me when you arrive at the airport.”

  “Will do.” With one last hug, she left the house and made the lonely trek to her rental car.

  A small part of her had hoped Everett would’ve texted her or shown up at the house before she left. But, as she pulled the car out of the driveway, the finality that their argument in Sue Ann’s restroom had been their final goodbye settled in.

  She blinked several times to clear her eyes of the tears building up in them. There’d been no promises as far as she and Everett were concerned, but she never would’ve guessed that it would have ended this way.

  He’d let her go. Just like her ex before him had. That was what stung the most.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  It’d been a miserable two weeks back in Saltwater Springs. Saying goodbye to the town she’d grown up in and all the friends and memories it held was even more difficult when it was punctuated by the loss of the man Georgia loved.

  Yes, she’d come to the realization that she’d fallen in love—as crazy as that was—with yet another man who, in the end, had rejected her.

  Unrequited love was a bitch.

  On her period.

  With horrible cramps and no chocolate
in sight.

  Apparently, the amount of time that passed wasn’t always conducive to how much she could care about someone. That might have been handy to know before she had started a fling with Everett.

  Even so, Georgia was looking forward to a new start in Hope Falls. She’d not only fallen in love with Everett, but the town as well. It’d be a long time before she’d take the leap of faith love required again, but she was determined to make the best of it. She’d throw herself into her new job and everything else the small town had to offer.

  She waited with her luggage outside the airport in Sacramento, searching for Deanna’s car. Her friend had insisted on picking her up because Georgia had decided to leave her car back in Saltwater Springs for her parents to sell. She’d purchase a new vehicle once she was settled.

  Concern gnawed at her gut when Deanna still hadn’t shown up after ten minutes. Her friend was always on time. She’d never known her to be late. Georgia’s shoulders relaxed when she spotted the car pull up to the curb some ways down from where she stood. Smiling, she dragged her luggage down the sidewalk, surprised when Lucky exited the vehicle.

  The frown lines between his eyes were her first clue that something was up.

  “I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said with false happiness to her voice, hoping she was wrong.

  He hurried over to her and reached for her bags, taking them to the trunk. “Yeah, sorry. The past day has been crazy. Deanna got called into work unexpectedly. There’s not much I can do to help at the moment, so I offered to come pick you up.” Lucky slammed the trunk down and rushed over to the driver’s side.

  Georgia followed suit, racing to get back into the car and buckling her seat belt. “Help? What’s going on?”

  He checked behind them before merging the car back into the driving lane and speeding away from the airport. “A pair of hikers were reported missing in the mountains.”