Home > Unwritten(2)

Unwritten(2)
Author: Alex Rosa

My heart releases its vise grip on my ribs. Only one person would ever call me Baby Bird, and that’s Brandon Watkins.

There are only a few faces I wouldn’t fear at this juncture, and he’s is one of them.

I sprint out the front door and then try to take the porch steps more calmly, but my foot slips on the worn wood, and I stumble. I’m caught before I face-plant into the gravel.

The warm, woody laughter that barrels into my ears is nothing of what I remember of squirrelly Brandon Watkins, who’d pick a fight with just about anyone if they looked at him wrong just to prove that he could.

My eyes don’t have enough time to catch up as they collide with a man I feel like I don’t know. His arms come around my shoulders, standing me up straight with ease. If it weren’t for his peculiar bluish-brown eyes, or the nickname, I’d have no idea who this is.

“Holy shit, Brandon!” slips through my lips. No matter how weirdly grown-up he looks, I’m comforted by the memory of him being one of only two boys who ever allowed me to be my tomboy-ish self.

I jab both of my fists playfully into his chest, encountering muscle. Wide-eyed, I do it again to confirm the firmness, taking the rest of him in. His shaggy reddish-brown hair is slicked back, and the short, fashionable mustache and chin scruff throw me for a loop, too.

“Brandon Watkins, are you in there?” I squint. Tattoos peek out from the long sleeves of his gray Henley. “You’re all grown up! I barely recognize you!” When did he get so tall and… manly? This is weird. I try to hide a giggle.

“You still punch like a girl, Hailey.” He looks me over, letting out a whistle. “And holy shit, yourself. Wait until—” He stops, as if quickly remembering tact. “—wait until CeeCee sees you.”

My jaw locks in annoyance. I know what he was going to say. More like who he was going to say. “CeeCee, ay?”

The grin that spreads across his face melts the bit of protective ice encasing my heart. “Yeah, CeeCee. She can’t believe you’re back in town. None of us can. She works at the diner now.”

My brows shoot up. “She does?” How did my mother not tell me this during our bi-weekly calls? Oh yeah, I never let us talk about home.

“She’s the manager there, actually.”

I release a long exhale. “Is it weird that home feels like the twilight zone?”

“Nah, it’s all the mountain fog,” he tries to joke before stuffing his hands in his pockets, sympathy washing over his face. “I’m sorry about your mom, by the way. I’m glad you’re here, but I wish it wasn’t under such shitty circumstances.”

My shoulders slump, and he doesn’t second-guess his next move, throwing his arms around me in a tight hug. He’s been here five minutes, and everything already feels a tiny bit better. “I missed you, Brandon.”

“I’d tell you that I’ve had a phone all this time, but I’ll save the guilt trip you deserve for later. I’m just glad to see you here. Your mom was loved by this town, and even if you were gone, you were always the talk of it. Your mom wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

I squeeze him tighter. “Are you sure nobody hates me?”

He releases me and sets me back on my feet. “CeeCee might throw a fit at first, but don’t let her fool you. She misses you like hell.”

I tug at a wavy strand of my hair, twirling it around my fingertip. “We’d kept in touch for a while, but things died off between us. If I remember correctly, it was also because …” My stare collides with Brandon’s wide-eyed recognition.

“Oh, uh. Me and CeeCee didn’t work out. We are… friendly with one another, now.”

I shake my head. “I figured you two would make it since you couldn’t keep your hands off each other since middle school.”

He laughs, rubbing at his chin. “Who knew you’d get me to blush. If you must know, she dumped me, but it’s for the best. I get in trouble when it comes to the women of this town.”

I roll my eyes, throwing another goading jab at his arm. “I bet you do.”

“Shut up.” He jabs me back. “Maybe I’m here to tell you the real version of life in PineCrest before you get to face everyone. Save you from the gossip and horror.”

I release a loud laugh, and it feels instantly good. I decide in that exact moment that laughter will be my goal when it comes to everything here.

“So, Baby Bird. What’s your plan?”

“Plan? I wish I had a plan.”

“Well for starters, there’s the county fair. The memorial for your mom.”

“What?” I gasp, rubbing my temples. I hate that my stress levels spike so easily.

“You didn’t know?”

“I just arrived.” I choke back a breath. “Sorry, I guess I didn’t realize how hard it would be, coming home.”

He nods. “It’s weird for all of us, but know everyone can’t wait to see you.”

I try to keep cool as my heartbeat picks up speed. “Who’s everyone?”

He squints curiously. “Are you just going to come out with it and ask about Caiden?”

My heart jolts from hearing his name. “Forget I asked.”

“Bullshit.” He laughs. “You both kill me.”

What does he mean by that? I chew my lip, desperate to ask more questions, but I know they would give me away.

He laughs again, louder than before. “He’s doing good, by the way—”

I raise my hands, halting his words. “Spare me, Brandon. I don’t want to hear about Caiden.”

“It’s all over your face that you want to know.”

“Let’s change topics.”

He looks like he has more to say as he bobs on the heels of his thick black boots. The squirrelly look in his eye makes me think he’s teasing me.

“Fine, have it your way. We have more important catching up to do. I mean, let’s not forget you’re famous now.”

“I’m not famous.”

“Oh, yes you are. You’re the talk of the town, as always. Big author. Movie deal. You’re the most famous person to ever come out of PineCrest.”

My face heat as I ask the dreaded question I’ve been wanting to ask. “You wouldn’t happen to have read the book, have you?”

He pinks slightly, and it doesn’t suit his burly build at all. “Uh. I mean, I love ya and all, Hail, but—”

“No-no, it’s fine. I’m glad. It’s better that way.”

“You’re not offended?”

I shake my head. “The fewer people who’ve read it in this town, the better.”

His eyes tick with a sense of recognition I don’t understand.

“What’s that look for?”

He smiles, and I like the fact that his smile is still the dopey one I remember from our youth. He may be a man now, but he’s still Brandon underneath it all, and it’s a relief. “Don’t worry about it. So, back to your plan…”

I look back at the house and huff. “Going back in there isn’t exactly appealing at the moment.”

“How about you treat me to a cup of coffee and a piece of your mom’s famous apple pie?”

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