Page 73 of No Place Like Home
“James, don’t talk with your mouth full,” Darlene said. “It’s bad manners.” She fixed a cup of coffee and joined us at the table. “So, are you still leaving tonight? Couldn’t you wait until morning?”
“I’ve gotta go. It’s a twelve-hour drive, and my interview’s tomorrow at two, so I’m going to be pushing it. I’ll get in early in the morning and try to grab a little sleep.”
“Where are you staying?” she asked.
“With a buddy and his wife. After the interview I’ll figure something out.”
“Come on, Row. Stay until morning.”
I shook my head. “I’m packed and ready. As soon as Bryson gets home, I’ll say bye and head out.” I focused on dipping a cookie in milk and avoided Darlene’s gaze.
“James, honey, why don’t you take your backpack upstairs and go play until dinner.”
“Okay, Mommy. Say bye to me before you leave, Uncle Rowan.”
“Of course.” I gave him a high five as he ran from the kitchen. I watched after him, not wanting to be left alone with Darlene. She was going to try and talk me out of this, maybe even call Summer, but that was not going to happen.
I’d spent the past few days at Trevor’s, helping around his farm while he worked at the pub, which I avoided like the plague. I didn’t want to see Summer right now. She had ignored my texts and I was done trying. There was nothing Darlene could say to change that. If Summer wanted to talk, she could find me. Hell, she could text me.
“Are you coming back?” Darlene asked.
That threw me off. “Why wouldn’t I?”
She shrugged. “Just not sure. With Summer ghosting you, I didn’t know if you’d take a job somewhere else.”
It was my turn to shrug. “I don’t want to be anywhere else. I’ve missed so much already, but if the job at their office in Nashville doesn’t pan out and I’m offered a job in Texas . . .” I couldn’t finish that thought. I didn’t want to be in Texas anymore, but I didn’t want to be here without Summer.
“Rowan, James would miss you if you stayed in Texas. He’s just getting to know you, and you’re his favorite person.”
I rubbed my forehead and sighed. “I know, Darlene.” I was drained, and it bled into my voice. “But I don’t know if I could stand being here. Seeing her and not being with her? Maybein a year or so, yes. But now?” I laid my hands on the table and sat up straight. “I’ve spent most of my life loving her. I need to move on, and I wouldn’t be able to do that here.”
“You don’t have to live in Orlinda Valley. Settle somewhere else around Nashville. Your family’s here.”
“I know, and I could, but Tennessee is filled with memories, and Texas is new.”
Darlene nodded. “It makes sense, but does she know any of this?”
“Know what?”
“That you might not come back because of her.”
“Seriously?” Heat rose in my gut. “She hasn’t even answered my texts. The only time I heard from her was when she sent me a message asking me to clear my things from the house while she was at work.” I held my hands palms up. “I had to sneak over to the house to get the rest of my things. So, no. I haven’t told her.” My gut clenched and I raked my hands through my hair.
Darlene’s gaze held mine. Her eyes were filled with love and concern. “I’m sorry, Row.”
I swallowed hard and took a sip of the milk.
“What do you have to be sorry for?” Bryson entered the kitchen and glanced between us. “Shit’s serious in here.” He kissed Darlene and glanced at the full suitcase by the wall. “What’s going on?”
“A possible one-way trip,” Darlene said.
His brows shot up.
I sighed. “Only if they offer me a job in Texas, otherwise, I’ll be back,” I said.
“Did you even say bye to Mom, Jamison? Anyone?” Bryson asked. His voice rose in anger. Our eyes held and his narrowed. “Don’t run again, Rowan. You’ve got to learn that sometimes life is shit anddoesn’t work out the way you hoped. Running won’t do anything but keep you from those who love you. Your family and friends. It’s not always going to be about you.”
“I’m not running.” My voice rose to match his. Shit. What if he was right? It would be so much easier to leave and not face the possibility of living in Tennessee without Summer.
