Page 5 of When We Were Us
I burst out laughing. “You’re the literal best,” I tell her as I zip up my now-empty suitcase and shove it under the bed.
“God, I miss you so much already,” she whines.
I stifle a yawn and flop myself down on the bed to stare up at the ceiling, suddenly feeling every cramped minute of my flight here.
“I miss you, too. Also, if I don’t get something to eat, I’m going to chew my arm off.”
“Ooooh, maybe you should go check out the town. Get you some food and see if you can run into some of thelocals,” shesing-songs the last word. “Just avoid the ones with stained tank tops and missing teeth. Probably named Darryl. He’ll do you dirty and leave you brokenhearted with lots of tiny mouths to feed.” I can totally imagine her wiggling her eyebrows up and down with a stupid smirk on her face.
“You’re ridiculous,” I say with a shake of my head.
Last night, we stayed up way too late and shared way too much wine. It's a wonder I was able to get to my flight on time. Somehow, with the adrenaline of coming back to Timber Forge, I hadn't felt the least bit hungover.
The next thing I knew, we were reminiscing about college and first loves. She’d gasped out loud and smacked me on the arm before covering her mouth with both hands and telling me I should look Hank up while I was in town.
I knew the conversation would eventually turn to him and if it was possible to run into him after all these years. To be honest, I had very few regrets in life, but walking away from him the summer I left for college definitely topped the list.
I would never regret leaving, but I will forever regret leaving him. Gaining the experience and confidence of going off to school was exactly what I’d wanted, but that didn’t mean walking away wasn’t the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. In the end, I’d spent one incredible summer with Hank Hayes, and I would cherish those memories forever.
I still thought about him every so often, and I’d talked with Ginger about our relationship over the years, especially in the beginning. But I was not back in Timber Forge to rekindle old flames. I was here to grieve my granddad and settle his estate. If I could figure out what to do with the rest of my life while I was here, so much the better.
Still, as I stood up from the bed and went to the window that overlooked the back side of the Hayes’s property, I couldn't help but wonder what had become of him. But no, I would most definitely not be looking him up while I was here.
Besides, he was probably married with five or six kids by now. He’d always wanted a big family and would have started as soon as possible once he found the right girl. And there was little doubt he had found her.
Hank had been Timber Forge’s golden boy. Football player in high school, straight-A student, and the pride of his parents. There wasn’t much Hank Hayes hadn't been good at. Always responsible. Polite, kind, smart, hardworking, and sweet. Always willing to help wherever he was needed. Not to mention gorgeous.Hank would have had no trouble finding a woman to love. He’d be the perfect husband to someone who wanted a life in this small town.
But I was not that woman then, and I wasn't now. No matter what Hank had wanted to believe at the time. I had never wanted to stick around Timber Forge. It always made me feel just a bit claustrophobic. Too much history with my parents’ poor choices and broken marriage. I wanted out, and that was exactly what I had done.
“Earth to Wrenley. You still there?”
“Shit, sorry,” I say, flipping the curtains closed and turning away from the window into my past.
“Hey, it's ok. I know this is a lot,” she says, her chipper disposition giving over to worry.
“It is, but I’m ok for now. Just starving. All I had on the plane were two bags of pretzels and a beef stick I paid four dollars for once I made it through security. There has to be a can of soup or something still in the cabinets downstairs.”
Besides, I’d have to see if I could get the old Chevy started, or I’d be hoofing it into town.
Ginger guffaws. “Better check the expiration date. You don’t need a repeat of Chili-geddon.”
“Shut up.” I laugh, but I definitely do not want a repeat of the time I ate a spoiled can of chili. I spent the entire weekendpuking my guts out and writhing around in pain on my bathroom floor.
I blow out a big breath and scrub my hands down my face. Exhaustion threatens to pull me under.
I glance at my watch. “I just need a hot shower and a good night's sleep. Thank you for checking on me, you big psycho,” I say with a chuckle.
“Of course.”
“Love you, Ginger.”
“Love you, too.”
I’m about to hang up when she speaks again. “Hey, Wren?” Her voice is thick with emotion.
“Yeah?”
“For what it's worth, I’m really proud of you.”
