Page 3 of Pick Me This Time

As I stared down at the snaking red line of brake lights and the twinkling neon signs above the storefronts, I debated not going home for the thousandth time, but in the end, I’d meant what I’d told my coworkers earlier.

I had an obligation to go back for the reunion and my dad and I seriously needed to get his affairs in order. I had enough on my plate. The last thing I needed was to keep worrying about what in the hell was really going on with the farm and the businesses back home.

I had stood there for some time lost in my thoughts when my phone buzzed in my hand. Forcing my gaze away from the city I’d grown to love, I glanced at my screen and saw that someone named Brandon had arrived to pick me up. Nodding to myself, I grabbed my bags and strode out of my empty apartment without so much as one last look back.

“Hey,” Brandon said as I opened my door. “You Sterling?”

“Yep.” I tossed the bags in ahead of me and climbed into the backseat, immediately turning to the window so he wouldn’t think I wanted to make conversation.

Thankfully, he caught the hint and turned up the volume on the radio a little, leaving me to my thoughts as he eased us into the traffic. Eventually, the city lights faded and I fell into my memories of the last time I’d gone home.

It had been five years ago. For my mom’s funeral. I hadn’t stayed long before jetting back here for work.

It was still surreal to me that I was going back to an Allisburg where she wouldn’t be waiting for me. Sleeping at our house on the farm without waking up to her cooking. My stomach churned at the thought of staying there with only my dad.

The funeral had happened. Mom was gone. I’d been there when they’d lowered her coffin into the ground. I’d been the one who’d patted down the dirt when it was over.

The memory of that day spun to the moment when I’d looked out across the small crowd who had gathered at my mom’s grave. I’d had the shovel in my hand and I’d been smoothing the dirt so it would look neat.

Mom would’ve appreciated it. She liked things tidy.

Most people had gone to meet us at the house for some refreshments, but Daphne LaSalle had lingered.

My best friend’s younger sister.

She’d stayed and lent me her silent support as I’d done that final thing for my mom.

It had been the first time I’d seen her in five years. The last time had been at a party just after my high school graduation. A party that might’ve changed my life if I hadn’t been leaving Allisburg the very next week.

I closed my eyes, picturing her that night as I’d walked her home after the party. Daphne’s chestnut brown hair had been pulled up into a long ponytail that had hung to the center of her back, her full curves encased in a simple yellow dress and her blue eyes bright but guarded.

My phone buzzed again and my eyes flew open, but I had to blink hard a few times to dispel the haze of the memories. When I finally managed to focus on the device, I found a text waiting for me from Eric.

Speak of the damn devil.

As if Daphne’s big brother had sensed me thinking about his sister from all the way across the state, he’d messaged me at exactly the right time to distract me from the memories of that night. He was supposed to pick me up from the airport, and I groaned when I realized that wouldn’t be happening.

Eric: Hey man. Just letting you know that there’s been a slight change of plan. Nothing to worry about. Have a safe flight!

I wasn’t even home yet and already Allisburg was fucking with me. I hit the dial button to find out what this mysterious change of plan was, but unsurprisingly, Eric didn’t pick up. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what that town has in store for me this time.