Fuck. Maybe I should have stayed on tour. Being here already has me on edge. I’d definitely need to FaceTime with Lucy tonight to find out how to deal with all of this.
“I’ll try, T. For you, I’ll try.”
She smiled and swiped at her eyes to stop the tears from falling. “I know you will. You’re the best man I know. Just don’t tell Jake I said that. He’s a close second.”
She unbuckled and we both hopped out of her car.
We walked toward the diner I’d been coming to my entire life every week up until the day I left this town. I flipped off the camera guy when he jumped in front of me and snapped some photos. I tugged the door open, and my sister stepped in first and I followed.
Thankfully the photographers stayed outside. I saw my dad move to his feet from across the room. Mae Stone, Jett’s mom, came around the corner and her face lit up when she saw me. She’d worked here since we were kids. Jett and I used to hang out here all the time our senior year. A little tinge of nostalgia hit my chest seeing her here after all these years.
“Well, well, well, look who the cat dragged in. Ty Greene, say it isn’t so.” Mae wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight. “Wren is still talking about how you got us front row seats at your concert in Miami. And we got to come backstage and hang out with the famed country singer,” she teased.
I’d been thrilled to see Jett, Wren, and Mae. I knew that Addy didn’t come because it would have hurt Ivy. Those girls were thick as thieves, and I was happy to hear that their friendship was still going strong.
“That was really cool of you guys to take a trip down there to see me. Thank you.”
“I’m happy to see you finally came home. Everyone’s been buzzing about you coming back.”
“I’m happy to see you.” I couldn’t say I was happy to be home. I wasn’t. But I was happy to see the people that I love that still live here. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was most looking forward to my two o’clock meeting with the girl who still had my heart. The thought of seeing Ivy brought something out of me that had been dormant back to life.
“All right. Jett said he’ll bring you by to see us this weekend. Go spend some time with your dad. I’ll be over to take your orders in a little bit.”
“Thanks, Mae.”
My father was on his feet, standing there with his blond-tipped hair and his shirt unbuttoned far too low for a man his age.
What happened to you, man?
“Ty. My boy. It’s good to see you.” He pulled me in for a hug and my entire body tensed.
I stepped back and slid into the booth. I hadn’t spoken yet because I didn’t know what to say. I glanced over at my sister and saw the hope in her eyes, and it pulled at my heartstrings.
“Yeah, good to see you too.” There. That was the best I could do. It was a complete lie, but Talia was smiling so… mission accomplished.
“Your brother is looking forward to meeting you. Can you believe the kid has your posters all over his walls?”
“I’m looking forward to meeting him too.” This wasn’t a complete lie. Now that I was here, I did want to meet Sebastian. He was an innocent kid. I’d be a huge hypocrite if I punished him for my father’s crimes, as I’d resented how much I’d been punished for his actions.
“It’s crazy to think that you two are brothers and you haven’t met yet, am I right?” he said, as he studied me.
Was he trying to guilt me?
“Well, I think under the circumstances, it’s not so crazy. I mean, you knocked up a girl that was a year older than Talia, left our mother devastated, humiliated our name, and spent our college funds providing for your mistress. It doesn’t seem that strange to me,” I said, keeping my tone completely even.
“Ty,” Talia whispered before she elbowed me.
My father nodded. “I’ve made some big mistakes, son. But I want to move forward with you. Can we try to do that?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” I asked as Mae approached the table and winked at me. She took our orders and hurried back to the kitchen.
And I glanced down at my watch willing the time to pass quickly.
Chapter Three
Ivy
“When something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut.” Addy, 11th grade
“You have two hours to pull your shit together, Ive,” Coco said as we walked toward the Rusty Pelican for lunch.
“I can’t believe I have to see him today. Maybe I should tell Talia I have a fever?” I didn’t feel ready. I had mentally decided that I would probably never see Ty again. Well, I figured someday when Addy and Jett got married, Jett would want him there, as they were still friends. But I just hadn’t allowed myself to go there.
“I still think it’s good for you to see him. To get some closure after all these years. Maybe Ty’s the reason that you hate everyone you date?” Addy said, and I gasped as Coco’s head fell back in laughter.
“I do not hate everyone.” I huffed down the sidewalk.
“Please.” Coco laughed. “You barely made it through dinner with Tanner Brinker.”
“He’s lactose intolerant and took me to the only French restaurant in town. And he’s the one that ordered the brie cheese appetizer, not me. The guy was texting me from the shitter while I ate. And when he finally returned, he had a baseball game on his cell phone and popped a headset in his ear. I just haven’t found Mr. Right yet.”
Addy burst out in hysterical laughter.
“Girl, come on. You can’t even find Mr. I-Can-Tolerate-You-For-One-Minute yet.” Coco came to a stop a few feet from the diner. “What are all these camera guys doing here?”
“Oh my gosh. He’s here. It’s the paparazzi. Good. This is even better. I can face him with you two here for support. Let’s do this,” I said, shaking my arms at my side and blowing out a long breath like I was preparing for a race.
“Wait. We haven’t come up with the plan yet.” Addy looked nervously over her shoulder. “How do you want to handle this?”
“You’re going to play it cool. Like you aren’t fazed,” Coco said, studying me intently. “Can you do that?”
“Of course I can. Let’s do this.” Adrenaline pumped. I was ready. I had five years of hostility brewing in me just waiting to be released.
“Hold up, tiny dancer. Let’s practice.” Coco looked over at Addy and she nodded in agreement.
“What? You two have no faith in me,” I hissed.