Rewrite Our Story (Sutten Mountain, #1)

by Kat Singleton

I turn to him, my eyes burning with the tears of happiness that are threatening to spill over. “I didn’t know this spot existed,” I manage to get out. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Cade cocks his head, a lopsided smirk appearing on his face. “I could think of something even more beautiful.” My heart leaps in my chest at his words because Cade isn’t staring out at the scenery. He’s staring at me.

“I think this might be my favorite birthday night of yours.” "I think this might be my favorite night out of all the days I’ve lived—not just my birthdays.” He pulls me into him, like now that we’ve both addressed the shift in feelings between us he can’t handle losing any kind of contact between our bodies. “Mine too,” he says with a large exhale.

His side presses against mine. I like how adamant he’s being about keeping our bodies touching in some way. He sets his backpack in front of him, reaching in to grab something else from the sleek, black bag. He pulls out a few marigolds. They’re a little smashed, maybe from the contents of whatever else he has in the bag. It doesn’t take away from their beauty. If anything, that in combination with the sheepish smile on his face makes me prefer them the way they are right now. “I found these this morning before we left. I wanted to give them to you before we headed out, but you were with Pippa.” I take the marigolds from him delicately, not wanting to do anything to jeopardize the petals falling from the stems. His breath tickles the back of my neck as he leans over me. “They’re probably not the best birthday present now that they’re all messed up.” I clutch them to my chest, angling my head so I stare into his chestnut eyes. “I love them.” “So your birthday isn’t ruined?” he jokes. “I thought it was earlier when you were being a dick.”

“I’m not sorry for acting that way. Seeing you with Brendan made me…” His words trail off as he stares out at the pond in front of us. “Jealous?” His eyes find mine. “So fucking jealous, Goldie.” He traces my bottom lip with his thumb, watching my lips intently. “The thought of another man touching you, tasting you, is enough to drive me fucking mad.” “Even if they tried, I’d still be thinking of you.”

Atleast he admits it!

When he finally pulls away, both of us are breathless. “Don’t think I won’t act like that again,” he warns, his eyes traveling my face. “There’s nothing for you to worry about. For me, it’s always been you.” He seems to accept my answer. He leans back, pulling me along with him.

“Look at the stars with me, Goldie,” Cade whispers.

I don’t know what it’s going to look like seeing Cade. Will he finally acknowledge I’m here and actually forgive me? Unlikely. Will he pretend that he didn’t spend all night clutching me to his body like he was afraid I was going to disappear? Probably.

Pippa grabs her keys from the bowl on the island, focusing on her brother once again. “We’ll be at Wake and Bake if you need us.” “Goodbye Pip,” he says, taking another sip of his coffee. I’m shocked by him flat out ignoring me after us spending all night together, but I still follow closely behind Pippa. I’m barely out of earshot when I hear him say. “Bye, Marigold.” The use of my full name—and the icy tone in his voice—tells me two things. He isn’t going to flat out ignore me. He’s just going to act cold all over again. Having him look at me with something other than anger was nice while it lasted.

“Can’t we change the song?” Pippa begs from the passenger seat of my truck. “This music isn’t getting me in the mood. Right, Mare?” She turns in her seat to look at Mare in the backseat. Mare looks out the window, clearly lost in her thoughts and not as worried about getting in the mood to party like my sister. “I like the song,” she answers, shrugging. Of course she does. It’s a song we used to listen to all the time. I still use the same CDs she burnt for me when we were teenagers.

Truthfully, I didn’t want to go out tonight to begin with. It’s almost been a month since Mom passed. I don’t know how much time needs to pass before I’ll feel like hanging out at Slopes and drinking with the guys again. The only reason I’m here is because Pippa begged me to and I couldn’t say no. If she needs a night out after the month we’ve had, then that’s what I’ll give her.

I slept great the night of Mom’s funeral because I spent it with Mare. Since then, not so much. If she had showed up at my door, I would’ve let her in. I can’t say no when it comes to Mare. But she never showed up. Last week, I moved back to the cabin and out of the main house. Dad was doing better, and he was insistent that he spent enough time with me during the day, he was done with me hovering over him at night. I couldn’t help it. I needed to know he was okay.

You could have gone to her!

“You’re about to go to a country bar and this is what you listen to?” I sneak a glance over at Pip, giving her a look of disapproval. Pippa belts out the lyrics even louder, having no shame. “We’ll get all the country in the world when we show up to Slopes.” I laugh. Slopes is the tourist bar in town, but it’s Saturday and dance nights are something Pippa can’t resist. I’m more of a Bucky’s guy. It’s so dingy that tourists barely show up there. It’s perfect. Luckily, we’re in the off-season. Slopes will no doubt be busy with people who visit for the summer, but it’ll be nothing compared to what it’s like during ski season. “If only people knew you were jamming to this shit before going line dancing. You’d be kicked out of the place.” This elicits a small giggle from Mare in the backseat. I fight the urge to find her eyes through the rearview mirror.