Page 37 of Homesick

Every time I tried to convince myself our kiss meant nothing, I would get a strange tingling feeling all over my body that seemed to settle in very unladylike places. I knew I was still attracted to Blake Fisher, but I didn’t know one little kiss would send me spiraling. I’m just praying tonight’s hangout with my sister-in-law and Chris will help me create some new and non-Blake-related memories at one of my favorite childhood spots.

Once I hit the clearing, I see Chris’ truck nestled beside the small firepit we constructed back in high school. A mangled mess of weeds and grass have taken over most of the area we had cleared out down here. It seems like a distant memory now without the ratty rope swing that was usually tied around the large oak that ominously hung above the narrow stream of water.

I park next to Chris and am instantly greeted by the smoky smell of summer hot dogs when I step out of my car. Little goosebumps begin to prickle the surface of my skin at the fond memories of making haphazard meals at the creek. Most summers all we ate were hot dogs and whatever scraps our parents were willing to loan out. We would spend hours down here without a care in the world.

The sound of Ashley’s voice pulls me out of my nostalgia, and I make my way over to the small fire they’ve built. “Wren! You actually came,” she says before throwing her arms around me.

“I was invited, wasn’t I?” I ask as soon as she lets me out of her death grip.

“Yeah, but I was worried . . .”

Before Ashley can finish her sentence, I hear the rumble of a familiar truck pulling down the dirt path. I don’t have to look to know who it is.

“I’m going to kill your brother,” Ashley says when she realizes I didn’t know Blake was coming. “He was supposed to tell you.”

“It’s fine, Ash. Blake and I are cool.”

The words must not be as convincing as I need them to be because her face scrunches up with worry and disbelief. Before I can continue my case, she spots Chris trying to chop wood with his injured leg and I’m saved by the bell.

Still keeping my back to the cars, my entire body straightens when I hear Blake’s truck door slam shut. I take a deep breath and try to push any thoughts about his stupid perfect lips to the back of my mind.

“Hey,” he says casually before joining me beside the fire.

My eyes haven’t met his yet, but the feeling of his stare makes my skin hot. “Hi,” I croak out before turning to face him.

I swear my breath hitches when I see his face against the glow of the fire. The sun is still up, barely cresting over the tree line, but there’s enough contrast to make his eyes shine. In the right lighting, the green and gold swirl perfectly together to create an almost earthy sage color. I shudder at how close I was to those eyes last night.

He’s wearing a tight black t-shirt that hugs his biceps but flows effortless down the rest of his body. I desperately want to slide my hands up the hem of his t-shirt and explore the space of toned stomach that I know is there.

“Everything okay, Wren?”

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth as I debate his question. No, everything is not okay. I want to jump his bones and that thought alone utterly destroys me inside.

“Yup. Sorry, it’s weird being here after all these years.”

I tear my eyes from his and settle on Chris and Ashley arguing over the pile of wood he’s attempting to split.

“I know what you mean. I think the last time I was down here was with you.”

That confession pulls me back to him like whiplash. “Really?”

“Yeah. The only reason I ever came down here was to be alone with you,” he says with a husky tone.

My hand balls into a fist when the memories of our rendezvous pop up in head. “You know we’re technically breaking a rule, right?”

“Oh right. No hanging out outside of the farm,” Blake says before crossing his arms. “I can leave if you want.”

I could ask him to leave. I could ask him to make up some lame excuse about how there’s a vet emergency somewhere. I could tell Blake anything I wanted, and he’d do it. The only issue is, I’m not sure I want him to leave.

“It’s fine. It’s just hot dogs and s’mores. Perfectly harmless.”

It’s quick, but I swear I see the corner of his lips tilt up slightly. “I’m going to go help Chris chop wood.”

I’m an idiot, I think to myself as I watch him walk away. A complete and utter idiot.

CHAPTER 14

“Boy am I glad to see you,” Sheila says as I clock in for my shift. I’m exhausted from the weekend, and I want nothing more than to distract myself with mindless work.

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