Page 6 of No Place Like Home
I didn’t feel any of the love in his hug I had from everyone else’s. Worse, I didn’t feel much at all. I’m sure he noticed the same thing. It was ridiculous. We were brothers and grown adults. We should be ready to bury the hatchet and keep the past in the past. “They will be once they find out,” I said.
He stepped away and gave me a good look-over. “You seriously didn’t tell them? But you talk to Jamison every week.”
I shrugged. “It was last-minute.”
“Well, they’ll know soon enough. This is Orlinda Valley. News travels fast. Anyway, I guess I need to watch how I act this time around. You’re quite a bit bulkier than last time you were home. Not sure I could take you anymore.”
Seriously? We hadn’t seen each other in five years, and that was the first thing he wanted to say to me? “I missed you too, brother.” I stepped away from him, feeling my anger already rising to the surface.
Luckily, Kai distracted us. “Come on, let’s go grab a table on the patio. There will be plenty of room for all of us.”
Everyone grabbed their drinks and followed, but I stayed behind and took a seat at the bar.
“Hey,” Summer pushed her shoulder into mine. “You’re not going to leave me with them, are you? Since you’re home, I need you by my side. They may not pick on me much with you around.”
I pursed my lips. Suddenly I didn’t feel like being with a crowd. “You go ahead. I’m going to hang here with Trevor for a bit. Catch up.”
“Yeah,” Trevor agreed. “You aren’t the only one who hasn’t seen this guy in a while. At least you talk with him more than me.”
“The phone works both ways, dipshit,” Summer said as she sat on the stool next to me. “Maybe you should get away from this bar or your cows and learn how to socialize.”
I chuckled. Summer never could stand Trevor. He was too country for her, but their banter always made for some good entertainment.
“Trust me, Summer, I socialize just fine. Just because I’m not pissed off at the world and don’t wear a permanent scowl on my face means nothing.”
She narrowed her eyes and took a sip of her margarita. “Good drink, Trevor. At least you havesomethingyou’re good at.”
“Yep, you’ve never complained about my ability to make a drink.”
“Damn straight.”
I chuckled at them and said, “It looks like you two finally found some common ground. Guess Ihavebeen gone a long time.”
Chapter 4
Summer
Inever understood what Rowan saw in Trevor. They were total opposites. Rowan was good-looking, athletic, outgoing. Trevor was country through and through. He ran his family’s cattle farm, listened only to country music, and had a strong Southern twang that irritated me straight to my soul. Of course, Kora had a thing for him also. They started dating junior year and broke up when Kora left for college, so Trevor has always been around.
I listened to the conversation between Trevor and Rowan. Trevor was updating him on some people we graduated with, but there was something off in Rowan’s manner. I thought something was bothering him when he was sitting on the couch at the house, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Now he seemed really off, and it couldn’t have just been seeing Bryson again.
I finished my margarita. “Trevor, I’ll take another. Frozen this time.” If I was going to sit with Rowan at the bar, I figured I might as well have Trevor refill my drink, since Kora took the pitcher with her.
Trevor worked his magic on my drink and placed another beer in front of Rowan. “Maybe you should slow down,” he said. “You don’t want to face Bryson with too much alcohol in your system.”
Rowan’s gaze was blank—empty. “Thanks for the warning,” he said.
Trevor held my gaze for a long beat, shrugged, shook his head, and walked away after saying, “I’m glad you’re home, buddy.”
I studied Rowan as we sat in silence. It had been a bit since I’d seen him without a phone screen between us, but I don’t remember him ever looking quite like this. “Rowan,” I said and placed my hand lightly on his arm. “What’s going on? What’s bothering you?”
He turned and his large brown eyes searched mine. His were slightly blood-shot, but I wasn’t sure if it was due to the drinks or emotions.
His gaze bore into mine, then traveled over my face. I could feel him studying me intently, and my heart stuttered when his eyes stalled at my lips for a brief second before meeting my eyes again. He brushed his hand lightly against my cheek, and across my chin.
My breath hitched in my chest. What was going on? This wasn’t the first time he’d ever touched me like this, yet I’d never had these reactions before. I had to remind myself that he was my best friend. The one I could always count on, especially after my parents’ divorce.
His hand rested on mine. “It’s so good to see you, Summer. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
