Kaitlyn didn’t get home from work until after ten. Her feet hurt, but her heart ached more. Had she really walked away from Axel like that. And why? Because Mason’s parents’ friends and neighbor saw her with Axel? She just didn’t want what she was developing with Axel to be cheapened and misunderstood, or to get back to Mason and his family like this. She needed to be brave enough to tell Mason it was over and to explain to his family too.

She avoided her mom and hurried up to her room. Being home this summer had been great, but it would be such a relief to go back to her apartment and pursue a relationship with Axel without the entire town watching over her shoulder. She groaned. This wasn’t the town’s fault, but their expectation that she should be with Mason sat heavily on her shoulders. People changed and Axel was amazing. Echo Ridge would just have to understand that.

Pulling out her phone, she saw a text from Axel. She took a deep breath and clicked on it.

Not sure what happened today. But I do know I love you. Call me?

Kaitlyn’s heart swelled. She wanted to push the call back button so badly, but she didn’t know what to tell him. He’d only be here a few more days. Then he’d move on to another town, another camp, and she wouldn’t see him again until she was back at school. She hated the thought of not seeing him, but she just couldn’t shake the feeling that the timing wasn’t right for them. Until she resolved things with Mason and his family, she couldn’t truly be free to pursue Axel.

I need some more time, but I love you too. She typed the message with trembling fingers before quickly turning off the ringer and setting the phone face-down on the dresser. Kneeling by the side of her bed, she begged for help and understanding. She’d fallen for Axel so quickly. What she’d had with Mason had taken years to develop. Did she really know Axel? Was he the man she thought he was? Yet even if things didn’t work out with Axel like she hoped, she couldn’t keep leading Mason on. They weren’t right for each other. No matter how much that hurt her, him, his family, and this entire town that thought they had some fairy tale relationship. She needed to make things right with him.

She stood and paced the room for a few minutes, her gaze straying to the phone every other second. Finally, she could take it no longer and grabbed her phone. The reply from Axel was at the top.

I’ll give you anything you need.

Oh, Axel. She hugged the phone to her chest then opened his text and quickly replied, Thank you. She wanted to say so much more but even one more word would open up conversations that she wasn’t ready to deal with. Not until she officially broke things off with Mason. She scrolled down to Mason’s name and texted him quickly. When are you going to be home again?

The text came a few seconds later. About a week and a half. Isn’t that Homecoming? We can reminisce about high school.

Kaitlyn cringed. She wanted to move on from high school. This was going to be hard. Okay. I’ll see you then.

He sent back a thumbs up.

Kaitlyn set her phone down and pulled her arms behind her back, stretching her chest muscles and breathing deeply. Mason was one of the best guys she knew, but they weren’t right for each other. Axel was incredible. Period. She had to figure out how to get through the next week and a half without throwing herself at Axel. Mason deserved to hear what she needed to say in person.