Page 50 of No Place Like Home
“Thank God.” Darlene hurried forward. “Something to do.”
“Yeah, let us help you,” Kaye answered as she took the containers from Lance’s arms. “I’m sure y’all have more in the truck.”
Darlene, and Kaye hurried into the house with their arms full, and Diane and Ruth rushed after them.
Bryson and Lance said nothing, but got more food containers from the truck as Rowan watched me. I avoided his gaze and followed the women inside.
Once everything was unloaded, the book club got to work with the food, and I had a chance to sneak away. I needed air and space.
I walked out of the house and followed the gravel path down to the bank of the river. As soon as I got there, I picked up some rocksand hurled them into the water. The light splash they made was not satisfying. I needed something to make a sound. A loud crash would be much better. I threw a rock against a nearby tree. There. Better.
What was I doing? Why did I let Tonya’s words get to me? She wasn’t being mean, just posing the obvious. Then Ruth. What she said hit me in the gut. Did everyone think the same thing in this god-forsaken town?
Hell. It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought it. I mean, sure Rowan said he’d always had feelings for me, but if that was true why had he always dated girls so different than me? Girly girls, cheerleaders, bubbly annoying bitches who I couldn’t stand and were no more like me than that squirrel climbing the tree across the river.
“You okay?”
Rowan. My shoulders slumped. Of course he followed me. He could always tell when I was irritated, and could never leave me alone with my thoughts. My irritation deflated a bit at the sound of his voice, just as much as my stomach fluttered. “I’m good,” I said as I let another rock fly through the air. I felt immense satisfaction when it, again, smacked against a trunk of a tree.
“What did we walk in on back there?” His voice was soft and laced with concern.
I let out a chuckle. “Nothing. Nothing that matters, anyway, not as long as you and I don’t talk.”
Splash.A rock hit the water.
I could feel Rowan’s presence, but he didn’t say anything. I needed to apologize or we would never be able to move on. I sighed and turned toward him. My eyes raked over his body. Every bit of him handsome and perfect. I finally met his eyes, and my heart cracked. I was selfish and immature. I let out a light sigh and said, “I’m sorry,Rowan. I’ve messed this up.” I gestured between us. “I shouldn’t have forced you out a window.” The realization of what I did hit me. “What the hell was I thinking? Fuck.”
I spun back toward the river.Splash.Another rock
He grabbed my arm as I was ready to let another one fly and turned me around.
I stared at him and chewed on my bottom lip. His brown eyes were wide and questioning.
My vision blurred.
I blinked rapidly and looked away from him and his perfect features—his sweet, handsome face. He could have anyone. So why was he choosing me? Why now? What if I wasn’t enough? “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’ve been acting so stupid. Immature. Irrational.”
His gaze softened as he lowered his head, and a smile crept up the corners of his mouth. Damn he was handsome.
His grip on my arm became tender and he pulled me toward him slightly. His voice gentle. “You have been a bit of all those things, but I would expect nothing less.” He lifted my face until my eyes met his. “I accept your apology,” he said as he closed the space between us. “But promise me one thing.”
I raised my brow. “Anything.”
“No more windows.”
I released my breath and laughed gently. “Of course. I promise.” I gently licked my lips, as his lips closed on mine. The kiss was soft and so sweet, and I got lost in it. I forgot where we were and what I had been thinking. I placed my hand on his cheek as our tongues met.
Maybe this was real. Maybe we could be good for each other. Maybe I had to trust that everything would work out. That I was enough.
“Hey, y’all—” Kai’s voice stopped mid-sentence, and I broke the kiss.
Rowan whispered. “Really, Kai?”
Chapter 22
Rowan
After Kai interrupted us, the rest of Saturday was a blur of activity. Kai and I won a cornhole tournament, with Bryson and Lance giving us tight competition, while the women opened the gifts. It amazed me how much more stuff Kora and Kai received. Who knew you needed all that crap when you got married.
