I swallow his words. Everything is in jest, but they don’t need to know my insides are knotted. Except Brandon. He’s watching me closely. He smooths over his hipster ‘stache. His eyes tell me he can sense my inner turmoil. The jerk.
I shrug off Cameron’s arm as I toss the menus on the table. They’re all clunky as they clamber in. They’re no longer boys, but foolish men. My lip twitches, seeing what they’ve become. I think I’m proud, but it might still be up for debate.
Cameron speaks up. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Huh?” I ask, scrambling for a pen from my apron pocket.
Brandon laughs. “She’s freaking out just like Caiden freaked out.”
Tyler nods as he fights his laughter. “Figures. Five years is a long time. Does she—?”
Brandon cuts him off with a string of coughs before saying, “Do we know what we’re ordering?”
Brandon peeks at me from the corner of his eye. I won’t be fragile about this. Nope. “So, Caiden didn’t come with you guys because I’m here? How would he have known?”
Cameron snorts. “You’ve got Miss Town Gossip as your head honcho, duh.”
I roll my eyes and swivel around to find CeeCee already trying to hide behind the register.
Yup. Some things never change.
None of them need the menus. Apparently, they order the same thing every day.
When I’m done scribbling, Brandon is still watching me. Not that I know this for sure, because for some reason, I can’t look him in the eye. He’ll see through me if I do, but I can feel his penetrating gaze scoping out my weakness.
“I’m not a wilting flower, guys. So, Caiden just skipped out, then?” I lift my head with a smile, attempting to prove my point. It becomes obvious I’m prying, and I wish I could take the abrupt question back, but I own it. I square my shoulders and release a breathy laugh—like an idiot.
Cameron laughs and is the one to reply, completely oblivious to my need to keep some sense of control and dignity with this topic. But he’s a guy. He doesn’t care or see the signs. Must be nice being a guy. “Yeah, the idiot just called it a day. Headed straight home. What a pussy.”
I grin and use the levity as my way off the topic. “Well, I’m happy to see you guys! We need to catch up. What have you been up to?”
Brandon finally jumps in, “Ya know, saving lives. Ms. Peterson called 911 the other day because she found a possum under her couch. Life or death in PineCrest, right?” He wiggles his brows. “All in a day’s work.”
I laugh, shaking my head, and the rounding hums in appreciation from the table have my laughter trailing off as I watch them inquisitively. “What is it?”
Brandon smiles, lifting a surprisingly gentle-giant hand to my elbow. “Your laugh. It’s just the way we remember it. Nice to hear, ya know? Considering…”
He doesn’t finish his sentence, and I realize that these people care far more about me than I ever realized. They’re worried about me, and it doesn’t matter how much time has passed.
In this exact moment, I decide I will be better. For them and for myself. Like I said before, I’m no wilting flower, and these boys have never known me to be one. It’s time I start being me, regardless of the agony or heartbreak. Plus, I’ve never been in the business of worrying anybody.
My heart swells joyfully because maybe they can be jerks on occasion, but right now, they’re wonderful. I’m only two days in, and I feel ten times better than when I arrived.
“I could totally go for a group hug right now, but ya know, it’s not my style.” I spin my pen in my hand, trying to exaggerate my coolness… of which I have none.
Tyler elbows Brandon. “Hailey’s all grown up now, boys. She’s too good for us; big city girl and all.”
I reveal a full-toothed grin, and before I can mock them, Brandon grabs for my arm and yanks me over their laps.
Cameron rises from his seat to join us on that side of the booth. “I will NOT be left out of this group hug!” He wraps his arms around my waist, barreling his way into the bear hug, and I can’t stop my hysterical laughter.
“I’m working!” I squeal, wiggling my way out of their hold. “Let me go! A group hug could’ve waited… or at least could’ve been more organized!”
They all laugh as my ass slides out of the booth, hitting the linoleum. I try to ignore the patrons in the diner sharing in some of the laughs.
Cameron is decent enough to scoot back out and help me up. Our laughter twists around each other as he plants me firmly back on my feet, and that starting point of home feels like I just traveled a few more miles. I’m that much closer to normal. Trying to regain control over my face and stupid smile, I busy myself with smoothing out my apron.
“Ridiculous!” I gasp, biting my bottom lip to restrain my smirk. “Regardless of what just happened, I’m hoping I get to spend some quality time with you guys soon. I’m guessing I’ll be seeing you all at the fair.”
They nod. Brandon adds, “We look forward to it. We’re all going to come together to celebrate your mama, too.”
Cheers erupt from the table in gratitude and memory of my mom. Even though she’s gone, it becomes bearable to deal with knowing she was so loved.
“Awesome. Let me go put all of your orders in now.”
I give them a sweet smile and roll my eyes at Brandon, who wears smug like a badge of honor.
However, I don’t make it a few steps without overhearing Cameron whisper, “I don’t know what Caiden’s worried about. She’s the exact same, if not better.”
Chapter Four
I plop onto my couch, equipped with a blanket and pillow I pulled from the downstairs closet, ready for sleep. Working at the diner has definitely been a good idea, but CeeCee refused to let me stay full days into the evenings. She tried to bring up something about labor laws, blah-blah. I reminded her that I own the place while in a caffeinated stupor, but I wasn’t fooling her. She barked that I needed to find another distraction. She knows me too well.
PineCrest could never be considered an escape when every inhabitant knows you better than you know yourself. I’m not trying to distract myself so much, but more trying to solve the mystery of my missing sanity. Which will remain unsolved until I can lay eyes on the one person I shouldn’t.
I’ve worked the morning shift two days in a row, and by lunchtime each day, I had hoped to see him, but alas, Brandon and the crew appeared sans Caiden. He clearly didn’t want to see me. Surely a blessing in disguise, but I couldn’t ignore the little ache in my heart.
Okay, I’m lying. It hurts a lot more than a little.
Honk-honk. Honk.
My chest nearly explodes—I peer down at my shorts and oversized shirt, not knowing what’s appropriate and who’s honking. I rise, opening the front door to see CeeCee already trotting up the steps toward me decked out in a short pale blue dress and legs for days, a feature I’ve been jealous of since high school.
“You’re pathetic, you know that?”
“Excuse me?” I swing the screen door open, and a breeze wafts in with her. I love that summer nights are brisk.