Savior Complex: A Small Town Love Triangle Romance

I think about Brayden now and then. Sometimes I’m sad, but mostly I’m fine. I realize that wasn’t the life for us. I couldn’t take him away from the ranch, and I was a fool to think I could, or even should. Just like he couldn’t take me away from the city. I’m already looking at real estate ads, thinking of buying a New York loft when I’m ready to come back. It’s time to make my life my own, and I’m so ready for it.

I think about Nina too, maybe because we’ve started texting again. Nothing earth shattering. It started when she sent me photos from family dinners she now has with my parents and hers. It’s weird to see them all together, but their smiles look genuine, which makes me happy. She’s also sent me photos of her new house on the ranch, the one she and Brayden moved into.

This one stings a little, especially since I was never allowed to live there, even though I’d expressed interest. It’s all history, but I can’t help hoping the house burns down. Maybe just a little fire, nothing dangerous or anything.

I send her photos of me living my best life eating all the foods, and she tells me how jealous she is. That makes me happy.

Right now, in this perfect little café moment, I shoot a video of the bustling street in front of me, with the bell like voice of the little girl as the background sound. I move the camera to my gelato, then lift a spoonful to my mouth, closing my eyes with the camera trained on my face. I smile for the camera, then I send it to her, adding the following message:

Jordy: Glad you’re not here.

Three little dots appear below my text, followed by a laughing emoji. Three more dots, and then her message pops through.

Nina: Italy looks good on you, cousin.

I smile at the text, almost like she’s right here with me, and in this moment, I miss her terribly. Beyond the whole Brayden thing and all the lies and misunderstandings, I miss the times when it was just the two of us at Nanna Dot’s house, cuddled under our blanket while we watched Practical Magic.

I make the bold move, touching her name and then hold my phone against my ear.

“Ciao, Bella,” she says in awful Italian.

“Nanna Dot would cringe at your accent,” I say. “È bello sentire la tua voce,” I say in perfect Italian, one of the few phrases I remember from those Italian lessons I took years ago.

“I have no idea what you said,” Nina laughs.

“I said, it’s good to hear your voice.” I smile, closing my eyes. “And it is.”

“Oh Jordy, it’s good to hear yours too. How’s Italy today?”

“Delicious,” I say, then spoon another bite of melting gelato into my mouth. “I just called to say hello, and tell you I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” she says. “When are you coming home?”

“In another month,” I say. “France is next, and I think I’ll come back to the States after that. But you’ll have to fly to New York to see me.”

“I’ll even fly to France, if you want me to,” she laughs. I laugh too. It’s tempting, but no. This trip is mine, and I’ll finish it that way. “I love you, cousin,” she says.

I breath in sigh, realizing how far we’ve come, knowing we still have a ways to go. But I see us getting there.

“I love you too,” I tell her.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Brayden

One year later.

The orchestra has already started up, seated under the largest oak tree on the ranch. Facing them are about a dozen rows of chairs, each filled by our family and friends, and I am in the back, taking it all in before I walk down the covered path that leads to my future.

“Are you ready for this?” Jake asks beside me. He’s wearing a cowboy hat, just like I am, just like all the groomsmen are. He’s also wearing a grey suit, the most dressed up I’ve ever seen him look. I give him a thumbs up. I’ve never been more ready.

I haven’t seen Nina yet. She stayed at her parents’ house last night, our first night apart since we moved into our modest cabin, which we lovingly refer to as the Winters Suite. I missed her in my bed last night, and I can’t wait to unwrap her tonight before we leave for our honeymoon tomorrow.

She insisted on Italy, and plans to eat her way through the country.

Along with her parents, Nina spent the evening with her maid of honor—her cousin. It’s funny to think that Jordy will be in my wedding after all, just not in the way we originally planned. She’s living in New York now, but she and Nina have talked almost every day since she came back from her travels. I even talk to her sometimes. It’s interesting to get to know her as a friend. She’s told me on numerous occasions that if I hurt Nina, she’ll hunt me down and cut off my balls. I believe her. But I’d die before hurting Nina.

Forrest and River skirt around us, each holding the arm of a beautiful woman—my mom and Nina’s mom. My mother pauses next to me and kisses me on the cheek.