Page 7 of Forgotten Pieces

“Well, aren’t you just the spitting image of a southern gentleman?” I ask with a smirk.

He buries his hand beneath the clothes and pulls out two beers. “Spot on.”

I grab a beer, open it, and slam half of it. “I knew I liked you, Mac.”

“I know that ain’t a mimosa, but you better be bringin’ me one,” Laney mumbles from under the pillow.

I pull my clothes and Laney’s out of the basket. “Well, I better make sure she’s okay.”

Mac nods and mouths a thank you at me. I know they have a weird relationship. I know Laney is head over heels for him. But Raelynn has told me that the feeling isn’t reciprocated. I feel bad for them both. Poor Laney trying to get Mac to commit when it won’t ever happen. And Mac dealing with whatever is broken inside of him that he can’t commit to someone who would give him the world.

Mac starts to walk down the hall but stops. “In case you haven’t checked your phone this morning, your sister told us to meet her at Summer’s house for breakfast.”

I give him a thumb’s up and shut the door and go nurse my friend back to health.

* * *

I float around in the pool at Laney’s sister’s house. Summer and her husband bought this place nearly three years ago and have turned it into a beautiful wedding venue and a profitable farm. It’s a beautiful piece of property. An old plantation style farmhouse with magnolia trees, a pond, an amazing deck, and the fabulous pool I am lounging in right now. I spent a week here last summer when my sister turned twenty-one. It was easy to get used to this place. And I am not one to spend the rest of my days relaxing on a farm, but this place is special. It feels like home. A home that I could see myself growing old in.

“If you didn’t drink like a fish last night, you might be useful today.”

I turn my head to see Raelynn standing on the edge of the pool.

“I’m on vacation.”

She props her hands on her hips. “Really? I heard you are the newest bartender at Sawyer’s. Meanin’ you didn’t just come home for Easton’s wedding.”

How does news get around so fast in this town?I know I grew up here and gossip was just as important as the Friday night high school football games, but it’s been less than twenty-four hours and I haven’t even worked a shift. “And how did you come across this information?”

She turns around and grabs something off the sun lounger behind her then turns and sits on the edge of the pool, two margaritas in hand. “Before I made breakfast for you and Laney this morning, I had to run to town to drop some things off at the diner. Ivy told me. When were you gonna tell me you were movin’ back here?”

I swim over and go to grab the margarita from her but she holds it away from me. “I was gonna tell you. Today actually when I was supposed to come over here to help with wedding stuff.”

“Where are you stayin’?”

“At Easton’s.”

She sighs and hands me the margarita. “Our stupid brother didn’t even tell me.”

I take a sip of the sweet hangover nectar she made for me. “He didn’t know until I showed up at home yesterday with all my shit in tow.”

“What’s wrong?” Rae asks me, her brow creasing.

I let out a laugh. It’s ridiculous to be on this end of the scale. Last year it was me trying to help Rae, despite my own issues. But now it seems the tables have turned. My younger sister dealt with emotional turmoil, drug abuse, and domestic violence for three years. Now she is happily married and free from the demons that were holding her back. She looks different too. She is glowing. She is finally on the path she always wanted for herself. And her husband, Brooks, is the most supportive and caring man for her. He is head over heels. The way they look at each other creates a longing in my chest for something I haven’t felt I needed in years.

I shake the thoughts from my head. “Nothing is wrong. I was just sick of the city. I told you last year it was getting to me.”

She sips her margarita. “I know. But I thought it was a phase. It’s hard to picture you back here. Tacoma Calloway was never meant to be a small-town girl.”

I laugh at that. She is right. My whole life I wanted to escape this small town. Find myself in the big city. I had stupid dreams of being a Broadway singer. It didn’t take me long to realize when I moved to New York that it was a pipe dream that would never happen. “Well, things change. But don’t get me wrong. I don’t plan on staying long.”

She frowns and I know it hurts her that I am not around.

“Hey,” I say and nudge her knee with my shoulder. “I am happy I get to spend more time with you. I’ll be here a few months at least, until I figure out what I want to do.”

“I just wish I had my sister around more.”

“You said it yourself, I was never a small-town girl. You on the other hand are the epitome of small town. With your farmer husband and your bakery. How is dear old Brooks by the way?”

---