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“Why does there have to be something going on?”
“Ma, you made my favorite dinner, with homemade rolls, and I’ll put money on the fact that there’s a peach cobbler.”
“I wasn’t busy this afternoon after we went to visit Charlotte and Mason, and I decided to make your favorite dinner. You’ve been so busy that we haven’t spent much time together—”
“We need to just tell her.” My father places his hand over my mother’s, their eyes locking on one another while having a silent conversation.
I wait there patiently for one of them to talk when my mother sighs loudly. “Ma, you’re making me nervous.” My voice shakes slightly as my heart tries to beat out of my chest. “Lay it on me.”
“Campbell has moved back into town.”
I gasp in shock, not being able to make sense of what my mother is telling me. Sure, he’s come back for holidays and special occasions over the last few years, but his mom always gave mine a heads-up, giving me more than enough opportunity to steer clear of anywhere he might be.
“How did you find this out?”
“Charlotte and I saw Peggy this afternoon in town. She was so excited to tell both of us that her baby was coming home for good with her favorite grandbaby.”
“He’s her only grandbaby, darling.”
“Yes, I know, but I wanted to give her all the information.” Ma pats Dad’s hand before turning her attention back to me. “She also went on and on about how Emmeline cheated on him, leaving him to raise that little boy all on his own.”
My shoulders instantly sag at the mention of my ex-boyfriend. Campbell and I were together almost all the way through high school. The couple that everyone wanted to be like. It’s only natural that I’d have some feelings about him being back in town. But right now, I don’t know what those are.
I haven’t heard from Campbell or seen him since graduation, and apparently, now he’s back in town for good. I can’t avoid him or make sure that I’m on shift the weekend he’s in town. I’m going to have to find some way to deal with him being around, but today isn’t that day. Right now, I want to stuff my head in the sand and pretend none of this is happening.
“According to Peggy, Campbell is back in town, trying to create a good life for himself and his son. Right now, he needs the support of his family and friends, and so does his son.”
“Mm-hmm,” I respond, barely paying attention to what she’s saying.
This is not what I was expecting them to tell me. Maybe a declaration that Sutton was pregnant, or they were moving to Tahiti because of the warmer climates. Not that my ex was back in town. Maybe moving to the city isn’t such a bad idea after all.
“Apparently, that hussy disappeared with her Pilates instructor almost a year ago and left Campbell and that poor, sweet boy all alone. Campbell tried to make a go of it in the city, but with his son starting school this year, he needed some help. Being a single parent is hard enough. He’s going to need his family now.”
My mom pauses for a few moments before digging back into her dinner. “Well, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s enjoy the rest of our dinner.”
Both of my parents continue their meal as if the bomb they dropped on me didn’t change the direction of my life forever. Maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but now I have to figure out a way to avoid Campbell while also maintaining my stance of keeping Finn at arm’s length. Yeah, nothing too hard at all.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
MARISSA
Dinner continued with no more surprises. My mom made enough to feed an army, which means I will have more than enough food to eat for the foreseeable future.
“Maybe you and Campbell will run into each other around town. I’m sure he could use a friend right now.” My mom eyes me over the top of the tote bag she’s packing with all the leftovers.
“I’m probably the last person Campbell wants to see right now, Ma,” I grumble, wondering what exactly she’s thinking. “Heck, I’m not even sure I want to see him.”
“Why’s that? I know he hurt you deeply when you broke up, but you two were also close friends before you started dating. And right now, I have a feeling friends is what he needs.”
“We’ll see,” I answer noncommittally.
If I’m being honest, I don’t know if I’m ready to see Campbell, let alone be his friend, but my momma has a point. We were friends before we started dating. There’s nothing saying we can’t be friends again at some point in the future.
“That is, unless you’re worried Finn is going to get jealous about the two of you being close.” It seems like my mom is more fixated on what’s going on with Finn and me than I would’ve liked. It’s more than obvious that she’s up to no good.
“I know what you’re trying to do, but there’s nothing going on with Finn and me.” I smile at her as I push back from the table, heading directly for my dad.
“Yet,” she whispers as I plant a kiss on the top of my dad’s head. “You never know how things are going to turn out.”
