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Slowly climbing out of bed, I tiptoe quietly out, padding towards the stairs just in time to see my mom at the bottom with a suitcase in hand. “Mom?”
She looks up at me quickly, her eyes widening as tears brim her eyes. “Sweetie, go back to bed.”
“Where are you going? What’s going on?”
I make my way down the stairs towards her. She sighs, setting the suitcase down before she turns to me, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, sweetie. But this life isn’t enough for me. I want more.”
She doesn’t give me a chance to say anything as she kisses me on the cheek, then picks up her suitcase and heads towards the door. It closes behind her, leaving me staring at the vacant space where she once stood.
What does she mean?
I run to the front window, and I watch just in time as she gets into the driver’s seat and closes the door. Her red tail lights quickly fade as she goes down the road.
I didn’t even get to say goodbye.
I wake up with a curse, scrubbing a hand across my jaw. Why do I have to keep having this dream…no, this memory? That was the last time I ever saw Mom. She gave no warnings, said no goodbyes, just up and left without a backward glance.
Scowling, I go into the bathroom and splash water on my face. I look haunted in the mirror’s reflection, pissing me off more.
I’m a grown man and I learned a valuable lesson from Mom when I was just seven years old. Always keep reaching for more, because if you don’t, no one will ever stay. And more importantly, I’ll never get attached. There is no risk of getting hurt if you keep emotions out of the equation. How many times do I have to keep reminding myself of that lesson?
Now, more than ever, I’m determined to close the deal with Sean Moore. I need to get far away from Willowcreek and all the memories that come with it.
Chapter Fourteen
KYLIE
Nothing like taking the red eye, ugh. At least I saved money doing it. By the time I make it back to Willowcreek, it’s nearly 3 a.m. and I’m so exhausted my eyes hurt and my vision is a bit blurry. My muscles don’t seem to want to work, either. My whole body just feels depleted of energy.
Oh well. Nothing a little sleep won’t fix.
But, as I lie in bed an hour later, that sleep I need so badly eludes me. Why does Dante want to talk to me? Does it have something to do with what happened between us?
Not knowing is driving me nuts and I so badly want to call him to find out. I don’t, though. Maybe if it was just a couple hours later I might try, but no need to poke the bear. Dante’s personality is already grumpy, I don’t want to make his mood even worse by waking him up before the sun even shows itself.
I fall into a restless sleep and two hours later, I wake up and take a shower. I’m still tired, but those couple of hours of sleep did help to rejuvenate my energy. I leave my hair down so it can air dry, swipe on a bit of mascara, then get ready to head over to my makeshift studio. My mind drifts to the delicious taste of coffee from Madi’s mom’s bakery.
A stop that I will have to make.
The moment that I pull up outside the bakery, I notice that Madi’s car isn’t in the parking lot. Which is probably for the best, otherwise I’ll be here for hours instead of a five-minute stop. Climbing out of the car, I head for the front door. As soon as I enter, I’m greeted by the smell of freshly baked goods and the deep aroma of freshly made coffee.
I love coming to this place. Even if it is currently packed.
It only takes a moment and I’m able to order. Madi’s mom looks up at me from behind the register and smiles. “Kylie, it’s so nice to see you again. Madi’s not here, I’m afraid.”
“That’s okay,” I reply with a smile of my own. “I’m only stopping for a moment. I desperately need coffee this morning.”
“Oh, are you working in the clubhouse today? Madi said you were painting the murals. It’s so nice to have you back in town. To see you girls together again warms my heart.”
There’s a soft look in her eyes as she turns and makes me a coffee. Then she grabs a blueberry muffin from the front glass case. “Here sweetie, it’s on the house.”
“Oh, but I don’t mind?—”
“No, no,” she says, cutting me off with a wave of her hand. “I insist. I’m so glad that you guys are all working together again to bring back life to this town. That youth center is going to be an amazing asset… and to think, it all started because of the treehouse.”
I never really thought about it that way. After a quick hug, I take the coffee and muffin and hurry out of the bakery. As much as the thought of sticking around to talk to her is nice, I have too much to do in the clubhouse.
But it does make me feel good to hear how much what we’re doing means to someone.
