That made me chuckle. One thing about knowing someone as long and as well as we did, they always knew about the skeletons in your closet. And between us, we had a few. “Come on. You need to drink some water, and I need some pants,” I told her, offering my hand.
I held my breath while Kellie stared at my outstretched palm like it would bite her. If she wasn’t sick, this was the moment I’d scoop her up, toss her over my shoulder, and march inside. But after watching her throw up all over her shoes, having my shoulder digging into her stomach didn’t seem like the best idea. It didn’t mean I wouldn’t do it, just that it would be my last resort.
“And a shirt,” Kellie muttered before striding past me toward the house.
“And a shirt,” I agreed, unable to wipe the grin from my face.
Holding open the door, I watched, intrigued as Kellie stepped inside and froze. I didn’t blame her. Coming home had been like stepping into a time warp. Everything was still the same. Our prom picture sat on the mantel. The same couch we’d spent hours making out on was still in the same spot in the living room. And the kitchen table where we’d… I shook my head at that memory. Seeing Kellie like this made me wonder if I’d blown my chance or if she had it in her heart to forgive me and there was a chance, no matter how minute, that we could make more memories just like them, then there were no limits.
“Kellie. It’s been forever since I’ve seen you,” Mom gushed, coming toward her, arms outstretched before wrapping them around Kellie who went stiff as a board.
“I know,” Kellie offered, patting Mom’s back gently, almost like it was an obligation, and I felt like shit.
Kellie and Mom had been close. She’d been the daughter Mom never had. They spent hours baking together in the kitchen or sitting on the porch gossiping over whichever bullshit reality show they were engrossed in that week. I don’t know how much they saw each other after I left, but destroying their relationship had never been my intention.
“Oh, sweetheart, you smell like a brewery.”
“Oh. Yeah. Sorry. I… uh…”
“Don’t worry. I understand. We’ve all been there. Why don’t you run upstairs and have a quick shower while I make you something to eat to soak it all up,” Mom offered motherly, shooting me a look filled with hope.
“I couldn’t… I should…”
“Jake will find you a clean towel. Go on. I’ll start the hashbrowns,” Mom instructed, and I didn’t have it in me to argue. I didn’t want to. The longer I could keep Kellie here, the better as far as I was concerned. I might’ve been dodging seeing her, avoiding going into town and making the first move, but now she was here, I was pretty sure there was nothing she could do or say that would make me ever want to let her go.
“Come on,” I reached for her hand again, surprised when she didn’t fight it.
Kellie might’ve changed. She might have lived a million lives since the last time I saw her, but some things never changed. And the way her hand felt in mine and how my heartbeat sped up at the sight of her was one of them.
Leading her up the stairs, I stopped to grab her a towel before steering her down the hall. When we passed my bedroom, the same one I had as a teenager, Kellie paused, and I bumped straight into her.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, embarrassed by what she saw.
Some things may have changed, but my messy bedroom floor wasn’t one of them.
“I… I…”
“What is it, Kel?” I asked nervously.
She shook her head before focusing on the floor. “Nothing,” she murmured, reaching for the towel in my hands. “I shouldn’t be here,” she added before slipping into the bathroom, the deafening sound of the lock clicking into place echoed down the hall.
When I heard the shower start, I ducked into my room, pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants and a T-shirt before tidying up. It was wishful thinking that she’d even want to step foot in here, but I needed to stop living like a slob. After shoving the dirty laundry into the overflowing hamper in the corner, I straightened the bed covers and threw open the window, the breeze ruffling the heavy block-out blinds. Digging through my drawers, I pulled out one of my old fire department T-shirts and grinned like a loon. Too many lonely nights I’d imagined coming home to find Kellie wearing my shirt and nothing else.
Shaking my head, I knew I was getting ahead of myself. I had a long way to go and a lot of groveling to do if Kellie was ever going to forgive me, let alone convince her to let me back into her heart.
When I heard Mom call my name, I hurried out of my bedroom and moved toward the bathroom door. I could hear crying on the other side, and it ripped me in half. It physically hurt me to know Kellie was in pain. I considered kicking in the door and going to her, but given the shower was running, I didn’t think she’d appreciate my invasion of her privacy. Instead, I stayed where I was, pushing down all the uncertainty and focused on the woman on the other side and what she needed.
“Kel?” I called out gently.
Sniffing, Kellie replied, “Just a second. I’m getting out.”
“Take your time. I’ve just left a clean shirt outside the door in case you wanted it.”
Setting my T-shirt down on the floor, I forced myself to walk away, adjusting my aching cock as I did.
Making my way down the stairs, I prepared myself for the onslaught that was my mother. Rounding the corner, I entered the kitchen and was overwhelmed by the scent of bacon and greasy food.
“Smells good,” I offered, and Mom spun around, wooden spoon in hand.
