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I’ve worn the heart-shaped necklace almost every day since he gave it to me on my sixteenth birthday. Not even the latest strain in our relationship could make me stop wearing it. The locket was empty when he first gave it to me, but I’d quickly filled it with a photo of us from when we were kids. I haven’t replaced it, not even after everything went down.
Maybe I should? Switching out the photograph could be cathartic—a way to move past everything that’s happened. I already agreed to go on a date with Austin. This could be another step to officially help me move past my history with Derek Lawson.
I hug my parents goodbye before they slip into their SUV, promising them that I’ll come home for dinner together soon. As they drive away, I feel a set of eyes on me. I look up and intuitively look at the second window on the top floor—the window to Derek’s childhood bedroom. Though the light behind him hides his features, I know the figure standing in the window is Derek.
I lift a hand in farewell before averting my gaze and getting into my car. I won’t allow myself to read into the fact Derek is watching me—or imagine what he must be thinking. Presumptions about his feelings nearly destroyed me all those months ago, and I won’t be so foolish to make that mistake again.
CHAPTER 6
Derek
“I’m serious,Mom. I’ve got it handled. Enjoy your trip.”
Mom stands in the doorway with her carry-on bag, shuffling her feet. Dad is already out by the car, loading their suitcases into the trunk. “Are you sure, honey? This wasn’t the reason you came home. You’re meant to relax. I feel like we’re inconveniencing you by asking you to look after your grandmom.”
“This is exactly why I came home,” I remind her. “And it’s not a problem, Mom. I promise.” I’ve been back in Michigan for a week, and it’s finally time for my parents to leave for their trip, but Mom is second-guessing if they should go.
My parents are two of the hardest working people I know. It’s where I get my work ethic from. I can’t remember the last time they took a trip just the two of them. They deserve this break. Unfortunately, Grandmom is in poor health, but she lives at a nursing home in town so at least it’s easy for my parents to check on her regularly. And I don’t mind stepping up to take their place while they’re gone. Honestly, I should’ve visited her more often these past couple of years. It’ll be nice to spend time with her.
Grandmom was always good to me growing up. Dad’s mom left my wealthy grandfather, Senator Victor Lawson, shortly after my sisters were born, so I never met the man, but Grandmom was always around. She attended every dance recital for my sisters, the three games of youth baseball I endured before convincing my parents I wasn’t into the classic sport, and every important life event she could manage. The least I can do is stop by to say hello to her while I’m in town. Giving my parents a much-deserved break is just a bonus.
“Well, if you’re sure.” Mom chews her bottom lip.
“Relax, Julia.” Dad walks back in through the front door. He throws an arm over his wife’s shoulders and plants a kiss on her temple before taking the bag from her hands. “We can hop on a return flight if anything goes wrong.”
“Or you can get the Morenos to lend you one of their private planes,” I remind them with a chuckle. My parents will be visiting Adam’s Spanish relatives for a few days to start their vacation. I only met them briefly at the wedding, but his wealthy grandparents seem more than generous about such things.
She sighs and wraps an arm around Dad’s back, leaning into his embrace. “You’re right. I just worry.”
“And that heart of yours is why I love you so much.”
I watch their affectionate display with a rueful smile. In addition to their work ethic, my parents have given me a glimpse of the kind of relationship I’ve always wanted for myself. One filled with laughter, consideration, and genuine affection. It’s the kind of relationship I thought I could have with a particular brunette I happened to grow up with… before I realized Olivia didn’t see me as anything other than her childhood friend.
The only reason anything ever happened between us was because of alcohol… a fact I’m still ashamed of, but I haven’t let myself dwell on it too much since Avery’s wedding. Not until she walked into my parents’ house and knocked me off my feet.
Olivia’s always been pretty, but the years have contoured her soft features, turning her into a beautiful woman. Seeing her at the bottom of the stairs last week, I felt my heart beat in my chest for what felt like the first time in months. Probably since the last time I saw her.
But I fucked up with her again. That seems to be all I do with her.
After two more minutes of convincing Mom I have everything under control, my parents finally leave for the airport. I close the door behind them then go upstairs to get my wallet and the keys to Dad’s Ford. The truck is nearly as old as I am. I haven’t driven the vehicle since high school. I’d forgotten how badly the gearshift sticks until I’m behind the wheel.
I nearly stall twice, but I make it to the grocery store without incident. The shopping center is crowded with people going to one of the many stores or one of the four restaurants for happy hour, forcing me to park far away from Robertson’s entrance.
I grab my mom’s reusable bags from the back and then shut the truck’s heavy metal door. The truck may be on its way to becoming a rust bucket, but there’s something to be said about the durability of old cars compared to the ones on the market today.
I take my time wandering through the food aisles. I can’t remember the last time I shopped for myself. Work keeps me so busy that my housekeeper, Janice, usually does the shopping. Or, if I do it myself, I order through the online app and have an in-store shopper pick up and deliver the items directly to my house in Malibu. The last thing I want to do after a long day working in the city is run errands, especially after that commute.
I turn the wobbly metal cart down the cereal aisle, wondering if I should say screw it to my carefully-curated diet and indulge on the sugary marshmallow brand when I hear, “Derek? Derek Lawson?”
I look up from the selection of diabetes-inducing cereal and see a girl with tiger-stripe blonde highlights and a complexion that’s prematurely wrinkling from excessive UV exposure. I recognize her immediately.
“Courtney,” I greet the former head cheerleader with a bland tone. Courtney Brinks was one of the popular kids in my grade. She rarely spoke to me. When she did, it was to ask after my older sisters. Avery and Heather were members of the same social circle, and I, their studious, nerdy younger brother, was only acknowledged to get in their good graces. I can’t tell you the number of times a jock tried to befriend me in order to get closer to one of my twin sisters. I always rejected their self-serving attempts. I was more than content with my small social triangle including me, Kyle, and Olivia.
A pang of hurt pierces my chest, but I manage to shove away the intrusive thoughts that always attempt to follow thinking about my male best friend.
“Oh my god, it’s really you.” Courtney’s heavily lined eyes trail over me. “You look fantastic. What are you doing in town?”
“Visiting family.”
