Page 52 of Coming Home to You
Beck gives me a sideways glance, his eyes begging for me to save him and I shake my head.He’s on his own with this one.I giggle as I slowly push the cart away from the two of them.
I quickly load up my cart with what I need to make dinner tonight, including all the stuff to make that gross bread pudding Pop likes.I still haven’t mentioned to Beck why Finn texted me, or why we’re at the supermarket in the first place.
Ever since Beck left, I started having dinner with Pop and Finn once a week.Me making dinner, and us chatting about life; just being a family and it became the norm.I love it and with Beck’s return, I missed the last few weeks with them.
It’s not so much that I’m intentionally keeping it from Beck; I’m just not exactly sure how he’ll react.
Beck finds me in the bread aisle and lets out an exasperated huff as he stops in front of the cart, putting his hands on it and keeping me from going any further.
“Thanks a fucking lot, Kels,” he says, but his tone is still playful.
I smirk at him before answering back, “You deserved that.”
“Touché,” he says, walking around the cart and smacking me on the ass.
After finding everything I need, Beck looks in the cart and asks what I’m making.
“Guinness stew and bread pudding, the one with apples and raisins,” I answer, but my voice is quieter than I expect.
“My dad loves that shit,” he says, casually, looking at a magazine in the check out line.
“I know.We’re having dinner with your dad and Finn tonight.”
“Okay,” he says, shrugging his shoulders and returning to the magazine.I let it go for now.
I don’t think now is the time to unload on him that I spend once a week with his family, sometimes more depending on our schedules.I don’t think he expected that my life would go on, that I would grow close with his family, and that Finn and I would become friends, but that’s exactly what happened when he left.I attached myself to his family in an attempt to hold on to him, but in the end I gained so much more than just memories of Beck.
When we walk up to Pop’s house, Beck still hasn’t asked anything about dinner.At this point, I think he just assumes I’ve set him up to bond with his dad and his brother.
Not bothering with a knock, I walk right in and Pop and Finn are on the couch watching the Red Sox game, while they have a few beers.It’s the way it always is and it makes me smile.
“Hey, baby girl,” Pop says, standing and greeting me with a hug.
Seconds later, Finn stalks over and pulls me into a big hug, lifting me off the ground and making me giggle.“Missed you,” he says as he kisses my cheek.
“I know, me too.Kinda sucked not seeing you guys.”Even though I’ve been with Finn practically every day since all this has been happening with Jason, it’s not the same.We haven’t had a chance to catch up and I miss just talking with him.
Beck is still standing in the doorway, an indignant look on his face as I tell him to take the food into the kitchen.He complies, but not without muttering some nonsense about Finn’s idle hands.
I warm everything up, thinking how great it was to be able to cook in the kitchen at the inn today.I then pour drinks for everyone and we all sit down around the table.It feels weird to have Beck here and I can tell that he’s uncomfortable.As I take a seat next to him, he leans over and whispers, “You could have told me I wasn’t welcome.”His tone is severe, but behind it I hear his hurt.
“It’s not that,” I say, just as Pop asks about the hole I had repaired in the hull of the charter boat.
“I fixed it.”Beck answers for me, but it comes out harshly.
“Yes, he did,” I respond, sliding my hand up his thigh, trying to calm him.“It’s been great having Beck back.He’s helped me out so much at the inn.Fixing things and cleaning.”
Both Pop and Finn nod and an uncomfortable silence takes over.I swallow hard and take a bite of the stew, as I think of what to say next.But nothing comes and luckily I’m saved by Finn.
“Kels, did you hear that Carrie and Joe had their baby?”A girl, named her Audrey.”
“No, I didn’t.That’s awesome.Have you seen the baby?”I ask and I can feel Beck’s eyes on me.
“I did.Went by there a couple of days ago after I stopped by to check on Mr.Cunningham.That crazy old man still thinks he works on the police force, so I indulge him every once in a while.”Finn smiles at me.
“You’re a good boy, Finn,” I respond, teasing him and I hear Beck inhale sharply next to me.“So, anything ever come of that girl you met a few weeks ago at the pub?”
“Nah, she was nice enough, but nothing serious.”
