Page 1 of Coming Home to You
Prologue
10 years ago – Rockport
Beck
“Kels, baby… Please,” I say, practically begging her.“Why won’t you just come with me?”
I watch as she crosses her arms over her chest and pouts.This is what happens when she won’t budge on something.It’s the look she gives me when she wants me to cave and give in to her.I usually do, I’m powerless when it comes to saying no to this girl.Except for now, this time I just can’t give in.I need to leave this place and there’s nothing she can say or do to convince me otherwise.
“Why won’t you just stay?”she says, her eyes glistening with tears.
“You know why,” I say, stepping towards her.Her body stiffens as I do, so I stop, my heart pounding in my chest at what might really be happening here.
“I don’t, Beck,” she says, her arms tightening.“All I know, is you apparently don’t love me enough to stay.You don’t love me enough to want to stay here with me.”
“Fuck!”I say, my hands gripping my hair in frustration.“And maybe you don’t love me enough to leave?”
“You know I do,” she says, her voice quiet.
“But you still won’t come?”
Kelsey throws her arms up in frustration now.“You know I can’t, Beck,” she says.“I have to stay, for them, youknowthat!”
“And you know I have to go,” I say, taking a step backwards now before I give in and do what she wants.
“So I guess this is it then?”she asks, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I guess so,” I say, taking another step away from her, even as my body is screaming at me to do the opposite.
“Well thanks, Beck,” she spits out, bitterness in her voice that I’ve never heard before.“Thanks for fucking nothing.”
“Shit, Kels, come on,” I say, but it’s too late, because before I even finish my sentence, Kelsey turns and walks out the door and somehow I know this really is it.
Chapter One
Present Day – Rockport
Kelsey
The sky lights up with the first blazing firework as I stand on the saltwater-worn back deck of The Rockport Beach Inn.Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer and the beginning of tourist season.I never thought ten years later I would still be standing here.That I would be living in Rockport, running my parents’ inn; but after my dad died five years ago, I knew I couldn’t let it fail.It was their dream, their livelihood and the one thing I had left of both of them.
But it’s all bittersweet.This weekend, the inn, the worn out deck, the fireworks, all my memories come flooding back as that first tear stings my eye and runs down my cheek.
Beckham O’Loughlin
Even after ten years, I still miss him.But he made his choice and it didn’t include me.I choke back the tears and shake off the thoughts that have clouded my head.
“Damn it, Beck,” I mumble as a knot forms in my stomach.I don’t know if it’s regret or hurt or anger that continually brings him back to me, but whatever it is, I can’t seem to get past it.
I know I need to move on and I’ve tried.I realize he isn’t coming back, but moving on has been harder than I thought.
I run my hands through my hair and exhale a hard breath trying to rid him from my brain.
I take a step backwards and as I turn around, I find myself face to face with my nighttime desk attendant, Abby.A ditzy local girl with dreams of finding a handsome, rich tourist who will take her far away from this sleepy little town.
I was her once, but life has a funny way of uprooting your dreams and making your reality something you never thought it would be.
“Abby, geez, you scared me,” I say, hoping she can’t see the sadness that is written all over my face.I look away quickly, glancing back over my shoulder as the fireworks continue to erupt out over the water.
