Page 45 of Take Me Home

“They’re good. A little homesick, still, but they’re enjoying themselves. They’re sad to miss today, though. It’s always the best day,” I said.

“Whyarethey in Italy?” Jake asked, genuinely curious. The table went quiet. The rest of my family didn’t approve of my mom and dad leaving. I struggled to find a diplomatic way to explain it to Jake in front of everyone. I fixed on a smile and looked at Jake.

“It’s always been their dream. I didn’t live here anymore when they decided to leave. Kinda gave up on me getting married or having kids at that point,” I explained. Jake’s brows knit, some mix of confusion and sympathy crossing his face. Aunt Sally pursed her lips. Aunt Rosie gave out a short “hmph.”

“Well, they’re missing out today,” Uncle Bill said.

“Christmas in July,” Jake said, eager to lighten the mood.

Aunt Rosie smiled at him. “It really is, isn’t it? Does your family do anything special for the Fourth, Jacob?”

I stifled a laugh at her calling him ‘Jacob.’ For all I knew that wasn’t even his full name. Jake didn’t seem to care.

“Usually someone in my family throws a barbecue, but it’s not as elaborate as this. Sometimes we’d just go over to a neighbor’s house. If we were lucky, we’d get invited to go to somebody’s pool,” he said, resting his chin on his hand and looking at Aunt Rosie. “What y’all have is real special.”

I bit my lip to hold back the grin that threatened to split my face in half. It was the second time I’d ever heard Jake say ‘y’all.’ It was like he was code-switching for my family.

Aunt Rosie patted his hand. “Thank you, honey. You’re welcome with us anytime. If Darcy doesn’t invite you, just come on anyway.”

Jake smiled bittersweetly, pressing his lips together. He had a touch of sadness about him suddenly, something I didn’t see much in him.

“Well, I suppose we should go pick some more,” Uncle Bill announced. “Them peaches won’t last forever.”

“We?” I asked. “You’re staying right here in the cool at the house. You need to have a good surgery this week.”

Uncle Bill gave an exasperated cry. “She really is running things around here, isn’t she?”

15

JAKE

Iwas killing it with Darcy’s family.

Everyone was super nice and welcoming, despite Darcy’s embarrassment that her aunts grilled me about having a girlfriend. I knew what they were getting at. They wanted to know if Darcy and I were an item.

Not yet, aunties, but just you wait.

I thought the house was already busting at the seams around lunchtime, but even more family showed up in the later afternoon. I busied myself with picking peaches so Darcy was free to do her hosting best. I didn’t want her to feel like she had to babysit me.

I heard her voice in the orchard after I was good and sweaty, the afternoon heat blazing. I moved a row closer so I could hear what she and her cousins were talking about. She broke beers out of a cooler for her cousins with kids, taking the kids from them to give the parents a break. Seeing her hold a baby did funny things to me. I was in no huge rush to be a dad, but it was good to see that she was comfortable with little kids.

And it’s not like she was dating me or anything. It pains me to admit how thrilled I was at our oopsie-her-lips-crossed-with-mine-during-a-cheek-kiss kiss, but it’s true. I’m an experienced guy, but every little bit of contact with her was as exciting to me as doing the actual deed with some of my past conquests. I got high off Darcy. She turned me back into a teenager again: flutters in my stomach, thinking about every gaze and touch, and unfortunately, even awkward boners that I had to hide.

But I wasn’t sure she was ready for me. After what happened to her in college, I didn’t want to push her boundaries unless I was absolutely sure she wanted me. And I almost felt like she told me that story as a polite way to tell me to back off, or at least slow down.

Still, I was a fucking simp for her. And I didn’t even care. I loved it. I needed it. I needed more of her.

So when I heard her say to the kids, “I can’t carry both of you,” I was more than happy to step in. I’m a bit of a pied piper with kids. Everyone in my family is. We’re kid people, probably because my mom is a kindergarten teacher.

“Anything I can help with?” I offered. Darcy’s eyes lit up, and so did her cousin’s. I waved.

“Chelsea, this is Jake. He’s working here this summer. He’s not from around here, so I invited him today. He coaches Little League, so he’s real good with kids. He could probably handle Leo,” she said, shifting the little girl on her hip.

“It’s cool if I’m too much of a stranger,” I said, kneeling down to the little boy in question. “How strong is your high five, buddy?”

The boy slapped my hand with fury. I pretended to be hurt.

“Whoa! That is one strong man!” I said, shaking out my hand.

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