Carry Me Home (The Home Series: Book Three) (18 page)

Chapter Twenty-
Four

I couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it got strange between Evan and me, but I felt a tension and I knew it stemmed from our conversation the night before.  It was obvious now that Evan didn’t like it when Jesse was around and I didn’t think anything I said would make him feel any better about it. 

I’d gone back to his hotel room after the yard was back in order, but we didn’t talk much.  I was tired and after changing out of the yellow dress I’d worn for the wedding and into a pair of lounge pants and a t-shirt, I’d curled up on the bed with Evan where we watched a movie until we both fell asleep.

He woke up early the next morning and after we had a quick breakfast, it was time to say good-bye. 

“Thanks for making the trip down here,” I said to him once he’d pulled up in front of my house.

“No need to thank me.  I wanted to be here.”

“And now that everything’s settled, we can start focusing on our wedding.”

“I’m kinda surprised to hear you say that,” he said, concern washing over his face.

“
What does that mean?” I asked, but I already knew his implication.

“You just haven’t seemed that into it.”

I was quiet as I thought how to respond, but I knew nothing would be the right thing to say. 

“I’m sorry
, but please believe me when I say I
am
excited.  It’s just been kind of a weird summer. I still can’t believe you proposed to me.”

“Why do you find it so hard to believe?” he asked, finally showing that kind smile I was waiting for.

“I don’t know.  I guess I find it hard to believe anyone would want to be stuck with me for the rest of their life.” I looked away shyly as I laughed quietly.

“I can’t wait to be stuck with you for the rest of my life.”  I turned back to him and the tension I’d been feeling didn’t seem as thick. 

“We’ll see each other soon, right?” I said, praying the answer would be yes.  I knew nothing good could come of a long absence.

“A few weeks at most and I’ll be back.  But, if you get too lonely before then, remember the interstate runs both ways.” He was smiling, but I knew he was serious.

“I know,” I said and then he pulled me to him, kissing me softly before letting go.

“I love you, Riley.”

“I love you too,” I said, opening the door, and stepping out into the summer air, which was surprisingly cool for a June morning.  I closed the door and Evan smiled at me once more, before heading back to his life in Kansas City.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Mandy had proven good on her word and had arranged a time when Holly and Laura were both free to come home to Carver so we could talk about my wedding.  I wasn’t sure how much planning would actually get done since it would be the first time we’d all been together since Brandon’s going away party almost four years before.  I was excited to have everyone together again, especially because I never thought we’d all be in the same place again.  I wasn’t thrilled about having the get together at Jesse’s, even though it had always been our go-to place, but Mandy had insisted on it.  I finally agreed, but I still thought it would be weird discussing wedding plans at my ex-boyfriend’s house. 

I was anxious as I got ready to go to Jesse’s.  Since my mom and Jack left on their honeymoon, the house was too quiet and I got lonely for company.  Hanging out with friends and looking through bridal magazines would be a welcome repri
eve from my nights of solitude. 

I was surprised to see I was the first one there.  Jesse’s pick-up sat alone in front of the blue house and I pulled in beside it, waiting
a few moments before turning the car off.  I stepped out, walking nervously to the front door.  Lights were on throughout the house and I could see Jesse’s silhouette through the curtains in the kitchen window.  I hadn’t spoken much to him since my mom’s wedding…an intentional move on my part.  Our past few encounters told me it probably wasn’t a good idea to be around him more than was necessary, which meant basically never. 

“Come in,” he said, once I’d knocked.

When I walked into the kitchen, Jesse was busy getting the burgers ready to grill.

“You don’t have to knock
ya know,” he said, looking up at me with a smile. 

“Yeah, I do,” I said and then walked over to the sink, washing my hands so I could help him. “It’s like Groundhog’s Day…every time we come here. 
Grilling up burgers, sitting around the fire, riding quads.”  I dried my hands and stood beside him, reaching into the bowl of ground beef and forming it into a patty.

“Do you not like our r
outine?”

“I’ve actually really mis
sed our little routine,” I replied and knew instantly I shouldn’t have said it.

“I haven’t heard much from you since the wedding,” he said as we continued to work.

“I’ve been busy with work and stuff,” I lied, not wanting to tell him my lack of communication had been intentional and mostly by the unspoken request of my fiancé. 

“How’s your mom and Jack’s honeymoon going?”

“They’re having a blast.  She called me from some little town called Ketchikan a couple of days ago.  They’ll be home soon.  I’m actually excited for them to get back.  It’s been pretty lonely in the house by myself every night.”

“If you were lonely, you could’ve called me,” he said and I froze, the ground beef still in my hand, when I heard his words.  I wasn’t sure what he’d meant by what he said, but I was overly aware of the images it conjured in my mind and they were images I knew shouldn’t be there and feelings I knew I shouldn’t be reminded of. 
I remembered the way his arms wrapped around me as his eyes traveled over my body, making me feel like we were the only two people in the world.  The weight of him on top of me, never wanting him to let me go and recalling a time I thought he never would.

The front door opened then and I felt myself exhale, unaware I’d been holding my breath during my daydream.  I was relieved to see Brandon and Mandy walk-in, a heavy looking stack of magazines in hand.  Holly followed behind them a moment later and I couldn’t recall a time I’d been so happy to see other people. 

“Hey!” Mandy said cheerfully. “Are you ready to start planning?” she said, setting the magazines on the table with a loud thud. 

“I swear she bought every bridal magazine at Wal-Mart,” Brandon groaned as he sat down.

“Don’t complain.  I didn’t ask you to buy them or carry them, so what’s the big deal?” she said, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend and then looked over to me with a wide smile.  “Isn’t this exciting?  I’ve already started going through the magazines.  I’ve put some sticky notes on some of the things I think you might like, but I mean…obviously it’s up to you.”

“Who’s getting married here? 
You or Riley?” Holly chimed in.

“I’m excited,” Mandy said,
throwing a quick glare to Holly. “Shoot me.”

“Thanks for bringing everything,” I said, looking over to Mandy to let her know I appreciated her enthusiasm, even if Holly and Brandon were giving her a hard time.

“At least someone appreciates what I do for people,” Mandy said, heading to the fridge, but was snagged by Brandon, who was still seated at the table.  He grabbed her by the waist and then pulled her face to his and kissed her.

“We all appreciate you, Mandy,” he said sweetly and I watched them from the corner of my eye.  They were so cute together and looking at them now, I still wondered why it had taken them so long to realiz
e how perfect they were for each other.

“Where’s Laura?” I asked a moment later. “She’s still coming, right?”

“She’ll be here in a few minutes.

“How long
is she in town for?” Jesse asked, finishing the last hamburger patty as he left my side to wash his hands. 

“I’m not sure.  I don’t think long though,” Mandy replied as she forgot her trip to the fridge, instead taking a seat on Brandon’s lap. 

“It’ll be kinda weird seeing her.  It’s been a long time,” I said, but then smiled. “I’m excited…to have us all together though.” I walked over to the sink, next to Jesse, and our eyes met before I washed my hands.  He looked away a moment later and picked up the plate of hamburgers.

“I’m gonna get these started.  You guys
wanna grab everything else and meet me outside?” he asked before heading out the door.

Brandon and Mandy continued sitting, seemingly lost in each other to the point I could tell it was making both Holly and I uncomfortable.  We quickly grabbed the condiments and walked outside.

“I still can’t get used to them as a couple,” Holly whispered once we were out of the house. 

“I’ve had time to adjust, but I think they’re great together.  It just makes sense,” I said and I could tell she was thinking.

“I think you’re right and with everything Brandon’s been through, he deserves someone who cares about him the way Mandy does.  How are you by the way?” she said, turning to me with a grin on her face. “I can’t believe you’re engaged.  That’s just crazy!”

“It is crazy,” I said and not with sarcasm like her and she stopped, still yards away from Jesse.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“You seem…” she said, pausing, and I could tell she was thinking again. “I guess the word I’m looking for is glum or melancholy or something.”

“I just have a lot on my mind
.  I’m still getting used to the idea of actually being engaged.”

“And to havi
ng Jesse around?” she added.

“No,” I said quickly. “Jesse has nothing to do with it.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Holly said, picking up her pace, effectively ending our conversation and not giving me the chance to refute what she said.  I stood in place for a moment watching as Holly approached Jesse before joining them. 

Jesse was already cooking the burgers as Holly and I set up the condiments on the table.  Brandon and Mandy joined us a moment later and soon we’d settled into casual
conversation as we waited for Laura.  We didn’t have to wait long and we all looked up when we heard a car pull up the driveway.  I assumed it was Laura and it was confirmed when she stepped out of the passenger side door.  A girl with pretty red hair I didn’t recognize, emerged from the driver’s side and they started walking towards us.  It felt like forever since I’d seen Laura.  Her dark curly hair hung to the middle of her back and she wore a cute pair of shorts and a tank top.  She smiled when she saw us and her pace quickened, the girl trying to keep up behind her. 

“Hey!” she called as she approached us and she went to Jesse first, hugging him tightly before rushing over to Brandon.  Just like the rest of us, she was emotional when she saw him, wrapping her arms around him, her eyes watery when she finally pulled back.

“I can’t tell you how good it is to see you,” she said, wiping her eyes and hugging him again. “This is incredible to have us all back together.”

She made her way over to Holly
, then Mandy and finally me.

“And you, Riley, holy crap!  I can’t
believe you’re getting married!  I can’t wait to meet this Evan guy.”

“Hopefully it’s soon,” I said as she leaned in, hugging me and when I pulled back, I was consumed with a sense of home as the best friends I’d ever had were finally all back together. 

Laura turned and took the arm of the girl that had come with her and pulled her over to us.

“Everyone, this is my cousin, Becky.  She drove me up from Tulsa,” Laura said
, introducing all of us.

“It’s good to meet y’all,” she said in a thick Oklahoma accent.

We all said hi and then Laura and Becky sat down at the table across from Brandon and Mandy who were openly holding hands.

“Okay, when the heck did this happen?” Laura said, her eyes focusing on the
ir interlocked hands.

“Wait,” I chimed in. “You mean you didn’t tell Laura?” I looked over at Mandy in disbelief.  She had never been one to hold anything in.  Just as she said I should be shouting my engagement from the rooftops, I figured she’d be doing just that with her relationship with Brandon.

“No, I didn’t tell her,” Mandy said in a quiet voice that wasn’t typical of her.

“Why not?”
Holly asked, obviously as surprised as I was.

“Yeah.
  Why not?” Laura added and I thought she was actually offended.

“Because I didn’t want any grief from you, Laura.”

“Grief?  What kind of grief would I give you?” she scoffed.

“You would’ve had something smart to say or you would’ve found a way to tease me.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you, Mandy?” Laura said and I watched the way she eyed our friend.  Mandy didn’t say anything though. “Hey…I’m really sorry if you thought I’d tease you.” Laura’s voice was steady and apologetic. “I think it’s great,” she added as her eyes darted between Mandy and Brandon. “Really, I do.”

Mandy looked up at Laura with nervous eyes and then I saw Mandy relax.  I could understand Mandy’s point of view.  I loved Laura.  She was a great friend, but she’d always been the one who was hardest on Mandy.  We all knew she was an airhead, but Laura showed her annoyance more than any of us and was definitely the most vocal. 

“Thank you,” Brandon spoke up, an awkwardness settling over us, but then Jesse interrupted.

“Burgers are ready,” he said and our focus moved away from the tension. 

“So, Laura,” I began once we all had our food, trying to get the conversation back on track. “How’s life in Tulsa been?”

“It’s alright,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders. “I’m just busy going to classes and working. Nothing exciting, b
ut at least I’m not in Carver.  And what about you, Riley?” Laura said, turning the conversation to me. “This whole engagement blew me away.”

“Me too,” I laughed. “I wasn’t expecting it at all.”

“Well, I, for one, am so excited to start planning,” Mandy finally chimed in and it was obvious she’d already forgotten about the earlier conversation with Laura.

“I think Mandy’s more excited than Riley,” Holly laughed and I just grinned at her
.

“Since we’re finally on the subject of why we’re here, I’m gonna go get the magazines I brought and we’ll get started.” Mandy got up, trotting excitedly into the house, returning a few moments later and practically slamming the stack on the table.  We spent the next hour going through the magazines, looking at dress styles, flowers and cakes and I had to admit, talking and laughing with my girlfriends started to boost my enthusiasm and I smiled to myself, thinking of walking down the aisle on my dad’s arm and meeting Evan at the end. 

We decided to take a break and I realized we’d bored Jesse and Brandon enough that they’d left the group.  The shed light was on and I could hear pool balls clanking from the back room.  We all got up and headed in.  Brandon and Jesse were
in the middle of a serious game and Brandon sunk the final ball just as we walked in.

“Are you hens done clucking?” B
randon teased.

“We’re taking a break,” Mandy said, sidling up beside him and sliding her arm around his waist.

“Did you find the perfect dress, Riley?  What are your colors gonna be?” Brandon said in his best Mandy impression.

“Your sarcasm is noted, Brandon
, and I don’t think your girlfriend appreciates it,” I grinned, and we both looked over at Mandy who was glaring at him.  He just kissed her on the top of the head and her glare quickly transformed into a smile.

“Are you guys done playing?” Laura asked and Brandon smirked over at Jesse.