“Then why did you come?” I hate that I sound like a spoiled child, but having him everywhere I go is bringing up feelings I thought were long gone. The anger, I expected. However, the feelings of disappointment and regret are overpowering everything else.
“Here at your mom’s house, or why did I come back to Brookhaven?”
“Both.” I was perfectly happy without him here. I had my friends. My job. My family. Sure, I’m not dating anyone, notbecause I’m still hung up on him, but because I’m too busy to date.
Okay, fine. I’m not dating anyone because no one lives up to the pedestal I’d put Jake on years ago. But I was fine.
And he’s here for what? To make my life miserable? And why a police officer of all things? The only job that would bring him closer to my world would be as my partner in the ambulance. He probably only became a police officer because he loves to tell people what to do. Loves to tell me what to do.
But I’m not his to boss around anymore.
His eyes meet mine and stay there. “I’m here in your mom’s house because I care about her. She’s like a second mother to me. And I’m back in Brookhaven because this is where I belong.”
I swallow over the dryness in my mouth. So, this isn’t some stopover before his next great adventure. At one point, this would’ve been the answer to my prayers. But not any longer.
Jake shifts his attention to my mom. “Is there anything you need me to do?”
“Yes.” She smiles and places her hand on his bicep as Kaleb gnaws off another bite of his sandwich. “I need you to distract me. I’m nervous about the surgery, and I could use some happy memories.”
She could’ve called him over any time. Why now? Is this punishment for the time I got purple slime on the living room carpet?
“Do you remember when you used to climb the trees in the backyard?” She grins at him. “You were always such a daredevil, and the girls loved it.”
“Emily, especially.” Kaleb smirks and waggles his eyebrows. “She always followed you around like a lovesick puppy. It was both funny and embarrassing.” He frowns as if another thought entered his mind. “And disgusting.”
“I did no such thing.” My hands ball into fists. “I tried to get you guys to let me play because I wanted to do something besides sit in my room and play with Barbies, and that’s it. It wasn’t because I was following Jake around.”
“Or was it Xavier?” My mom gives me a pointed look as Jake slides his hand over his short hair as if he’s expecting to find longer locks there. He looks like he’d rather be anywhere than here. At least, we have that in common.
“No, I wasn’t following Xavier around either.”
Kaleb shoves off the counter. “It wasn’t just here. You also followed us around at school.”
“You’re an asshole. It’s no wonder you don’t have a girlfriend. You have the personality of a wet mop.”
“Hey!” He raises his hands in the air. “I can get action.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes. “You couldn’t get action if the entire female population at the bar was wasted and desperate.”
“She’s got you there,” Jake laughs, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand. Holy fuck, when did he move next to me? He can’t do this. He can’t suddenly drop back into my life and laugh at something I say. It’s not acceptable. Not after everything that he did.
“You both have no idea how much action I’m getting.” Kaleb wraps his arm around my head, putting me into a headlock.
“Asshole.” I shove my elbow into his gut while twisting on my heel and knocking my brother off balance.
“Bony ass elbow,” he growls as he releases my head and rubs his stomach.
“Kids, calm down.” My mom acts like she’s mad, but there’s no denying the twinkle in her eyes or the smile on her lips. She loved when our friends were at the house. The snarky comments. The veiled threats. The barbed words and icy comebacks.
I smile and shake my head. At least her worrying about the surgery has abated. I must give Jake credit for that.
If he hadn’t shown up, we’d have packed her overnight bag, asked what temperature she wanted the thermostat set to while she was out, and I’d have jotted down tons of notes on when to feed the outside cat that’s not hers, what time she needs to be at the hospital, how much water the plants need, and on and on.
Shit. Where’s the notepad? We need to get ready.
Chapter Ten
Jake
