Page 19 of When Sky Breaks

I’m here for the unforeseeable future, or at the very least, a year. We’re bound to run into each other. My insides quake and my muscles tense.

“Sky, we never meant for any of it to happen,” Trek says.

My eyes dart to his. “I don’t know if I can talk about that right now. I—I know we have to, and we will, but...”

His shoulders droop, and on instinct, I reach out and squeeze one. It’s like my body doesn’t care what my brain thinks and acts on its own accord to comfort someone. “I promise. It’s just, it’s a lot right now. With Dad and seeing August and you, I’m just overwhelmed.”

He nods. “I get it. I’m just glad you’re here. Dad’s happy too. He hasn’t smiled that big since I moved back.”

I shoot him a wry look, and it’s almost like everything is right in the world. We’re transported to when we were teens and always ribbing on each other.

“Fine, maybe he didn’t smile that big because his grocery bill just increased but for real. I’m glad you’re home.”

It’s yet to be determined if I’m happy to be home.

I open my mouth to ask more burning questions, but the doorbell rings. “Are you expecting someone?” I turn toward his open door.

“Nope. Maybe it’s the mail. Dad’s been doing some online shopping, buying stuff for the house.”

“I wondered. He’s really been updating the heck out of things. Like the bathroom vanity, it has so much room now.”

But the doorbell rings again before Trek can respond. Foster’s asleep, so I dart from the room to answer before it wakes him.

My socks skid on the floor as I quickly reach the door and flip the lock.

“I’m coming,” I say to ward off any more ringing and open the door.

Shock flashes across my face as I stare at the man on my doorstep before blurting out, “What are you doing here?”

CHAPTER NINE

sky

Johnny frowns momentarily before gracing me with one of his charming smiles. “Should’ve known surprising you would’ve gone one of two ways. Your slack-jaw tells me I was right.”

Still shocked, I step outside and close the door behind me.

He peers down from behind those Ray-Bans he loves before shoving them atop his glossy hair. His warm brown eyes search mine for a second before he pulls me in for a hug. “Traffic sucked, and all those cornfields grew tiring to look at after a while, but I missed you.”

He smells like cologne and mint, and for a second, I lean into him, reminding myself that different is good. That sprung surprises are okay and that seeing Johnny in my hometown right after seeing my ex is no big deal at all.

“Are you okay? I know I should’ve probably called, but it took a minute to get everything worked out.”

Realizing I haven’t uttered a word, I clear my throat. “Of course, I’m okay, just shocked to see you on my porch. How did you even know where I lived?”

He cocks his head like a golden retriever and furrows his brows. “Lenore assisted me.”

A wave of anger rises, but I tamp it down. It’s easy to fall under the spell of Johnny Hawk, and Lenore is no different from any of the other women who seek his attention. Given she works in registration, it’s not difficult to search anyone’s information. But I hid this part of my life for a reason. I didn’t plan on coming back.

“Well, welcome to Maizeville, Indiana. Foster is napping right now, or I’d invite you in.”

Johnny nods and shoves his hands into the pockets of his dress pants, his corded forearms on display under his button-up short-sleeve shirt. It’s rare to see him in anything but dress clothes or scrubs. Makes me feel self-conscious about the leggings and T-shirt I threw on once we got home from getting ice cream.

“It’s all right. I have to check into my hotel room soon, anyway. Early morning.”

My heart rate speeds up. “For what?”

If he isn’t just in town to see me, why else would he be here?

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