Page 47 of No Place Like Home
“Just a Coke,” I said as I dipped a pretzel in the cheese.
He raised an eyebrow at me. “You look like you just survived a war.”
“Close enough,” I muttered.
“What happened? Summer finally kill you with her sarcasm, or did your mom start digging through your embarrassing childhood stories again?”
I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I came here because I need to be distracted with some mindless conversation which isn’t at a bitch-decibel.”
Trevor chuckled. “Welcome to the sanctuary of the fed-up and exhausted. Stay as long as you want. A bar is a great place to let your negative feelings out.”
For the first time all day, I relaxed. Maybe I could survive Summer and my mother driving me batshit crazy after all—at least for now.
“She’s impossible, and I’m done. There’s a week until the wedding, and I don’t know if I’m going to be able to make it.”
“I take it things you’re talking about Summer, and things between y’all aren’t going well? Does that surprise you? Isn’t that why you never told her how you felt, and part of why you ran away and into the military?”
I narrowed my eyes. “I didn’t run away.”
He raised his brow and leaned against the counter; his arms crossed over his chest. “Really? That’s how it looked from where I stood.”
Fuck. He was right. I did run away but hoped no one would ever figure it out. I had been over trying to make my life happen here in small-town USA. I needed to get away—away from Bryson and his all-knowing attitude, and away from Summer and her need to stayindependent when I wanted to be with her. Instead of talking with her, I ran.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m home now. Do you know of anywhere I can rent a place until I decide what to build on my property? Hell, maybe I’ll keep things simple and offer to buy Kora’s. Then I’ll already have a house and be able to kick Summer out on her ass.”
Trevor chuckled. “Like that would ever happen.”
I shrugged. “It could.”
Trevor shook his head. “Not likely, but I’ll ask around.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Now I need to get a job, then I’ll be set. You’re going to the party Saturday, aren’t you?” Since Kora and Kai had been living together for a while, the book club ladies decided to have more of a housewarming for them than a wedding shower, and everyone was invited.
“Possibly, but I’m not sure yet.”
“Well, make sure to have someone cover the bar. I need you there to have my back. Oh, do you mind if I crash at your place tonight—again?”
“As long as you don’t mind the couch—again.”
“Nope. Grab me the key. I want to go now.”
“What, you’re not going to be here tonight?”
“Nope. It’s been a long and busy week, ending with this shitty day. I want to veg in front of the television and relax.”
Chapter 21
Summer
On Saturday, I parked in Kora and Kai’s driveway next to Darlene’s Nissan. We were helping to prepare for their housewarming party that evening.
“Hey, Summer,” Darlene greeted me as I walked into the backyard.
“Hey, Dar,” I hugged her and looked around. “I thought Kora asked us to get here at noon to help set up. It looks like you’re about finished.” The yard and patio were lined with lights and torches. The trees, which bordered the back of the yard and hid the Red River, were decorated also.
“You know how Kora is. She and Kai did a lot of this last night. I’m just touching things up. Help me get the tables and chairs around.”
“Where’s the happy couple, anyway?” I asked. It wasn’t like Kora to not be bossing us around, making sure we did exactly as she expected.
