Page 25 of The Bridges I've Burned

“Is that—” the older woman’s gaze sharpened as she stared me down from behind the counter. “No, it couldn’t be. Zander Green?”

Shit. Could I pretend I was someone else?

I merely smiled as sweat trickled down my back.

“Oh my goodness! It is you! My, how you’ve grown!” She threw her hands up in the air like I was her long-lost grandchild and beckoned me forward. I had no fucking clue who she was. “Come here!” she crooned. “Come here and give me a big old hug!”

Somehow, I managed not to roll my eyes.

God, I miss LA.

It took me a good ten minutes of mind-numbing chitchat before I was able to place an order.

“Where do you live?”

“What do you do?”

“Are you married? Kids?”

I answered as vaguely as I could because even though I hadn’t lived here in over a decade, I still remembered how this place worked. News spread like wildfire, and if I didn’t get my ass to Macon’s ASAP, the whole fucking town would be at his doorstep, announcing my arrival before I even had the chance to drive the five minutes to his house.

By the time I had my latte and breakfast sandwich in hand, I felt like I’d run a marathon, under water, while carrying lead weights. I slumped back in my rental car and breathed out a long breath.

“One more day,” I reminded myself.

By this time tomorrow, I’d be on my way back to the airport, and soon, I’d be rid of this place.

Once and for all.

I smiled, though it didn’t reach my eyes.

I ate my sandwich in record time and pulled out of the parking lot, driving down the main street toward Macon’s. I hadn’t planned on going to his house this early, but the crazy lady in the coffee shop kind of forced my hand, and it wasn’t like I had anything else to do.

Might as well go drop a big old bomb on my brother’s happy day.

It took less than five minutes to get to the address given on the invitation. I parked along the curb, my eyes sweeping over the manicured lawn and the bright yellow door. It was a far cry from the house we’d grown up in, and I guessed that made me feel…something.

I could leave here, knowing he was happy and doing well.

It was more than both of us could have ever hoped for.

I stepped out of the car and shoved my keys in my pocket, my coffee in my other hand. I’d changed in the car before I left the beach, so although I didn’t have the luxury of showering, I at least had fresh, sand-free clothes on.

Sleeping on the beach is not fun anymore.

Walking up to the driveway, I felt my belly flutter in anticipation.

What did I say when he pulled that door open?

Oh, hey, Macon. Long time no see?

Just came to say good-bye. For good.

God, this was gonna suck.

I stepped up to the door, swallowing down the heavy lump in my throat. I should have left my coffee in the car. Now, I looked like a total jackass, standing here in front of my brother’s front door, holding a damn latte like it was just another Tuesday.

Fuck.

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