Page 23 of Force of Nature

Chapter Eight

“So, I ran into Brylantoday,” I tell my mom at the dinner table, various conversations floating about.

“I heard he was coming back for the summer. How was it?”

“He was surprisingly really nice,” I say, shoveling a bite of mashed potatoes into my mouth.

“Of course he was. That boy was crazy about you. Those feelings don’t go away because you went your separate ways.”

“The last time I saw him he was anything but crazy about me.”

“That’s because he was hurt.”

“I guess.” I let out a slow sigh, not sure how I feel about any of this.

Running into Brylan. Being home.Thad. It’s all making me feel a bit off centered.

With that thought, my eyes shift to the man sitting across the table from me. I’m surprised to find his gaze locked on me–clearly listening to our conversation.

“So are you going to his party next weekend then?” My mom pulls my attention back to her.

“How did you know he was having a party?”

“Ben mentioned something about it. He’s quite fond of Brylan’s sister,” she tells me in a hushed voice.

“Really?” I raise my eyebrows, surprised by this news.

The two are close in age and run in a lot of the same circles, but I never pinned Beth as Ben’s type. She’s a bit high maintenance. Or at least when I knew her she was. Whereas my brother prefers the simpler things in life.

Whispering, she says, “Don’t tell him I told you. I think the two are keeping it quiet for now.” She winks and clears her throat, no longer whispering, “You should go to the party. Might be good to see some of your old friends.”

“Maybe. Although I’m not sure any of them will want to see me.”

“Of course they’ll want to see you.” Her tone comes across like it’s the most absurd thing she’s ever heard.

God love my mother, but I think she gives people way too much credit.

“I told Brylan I’d think about it.”

“Well I hope you do.” She reaches over and pats the back of my hand. “You two were always so good together.”

“It’s not happening, Mom.”

“What?” she asks innocently like I don’t know full well what she’s hinting at.

“I’m going back to Los Angeles as soon as I find work. I’m not interested in starting anything with anyone. Especially my ex-boyfriend,” I bite, feeling Thad’s gaze hot on the side of my face.

“Is being here really that awful?” my mom snips, clearly offended by my outburst.

“Of course it isn’t. But I don’t belong here. My life is in L.A.”

“Your life used to be here.”

“Because I didn’t have a choice back then. Now I do. I love California. No, it hasn’t been as easy as I expected and clearly I’ve hit some major bumps, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to give up.”

“My god you are your father’s daughter. Stubborn as they come.” She hits my dad with a pointed look across the table even though he’s too busy talking to Brad to notice.

That’s what happens when you get eight adults, two teenagers, and a one year old all in the same room. There are too many conversations going on for anyone to know what the others are talking about.

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