Page 4 of No Place Like Home (Orlinda Valley #3)

Summer

I never understood what Rowan saw in Trevor.

They were total opposites. Rowan was good-looking, athletic, outgoing.

Trevor was country through and through. He ran his family’s cattle farm, listened only to country music, and had a strong Southern twang that irritated me straight to my soul.

Of course, Kora had a thing for him also.

They started dating junior year and broke up when Kora left for college, so Trevor has always been around.

I listened to the conversation between Trevor and Rowan.

Trevor was updating him on some people we graduated with, but there was something off in Rowan’s manner.

I thought something was bothering him when he was sitting on the couch at the house, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Now he seemed really off, and it couldn’t have just been seeing Bryson again.

I finished my margarita. “Trevor, I’ll take another. Frozen this time.” If I was going to sit with Rowan at the bar, I figured I might as well have Trevor refill my drink, since Kora took the pitcher with her .

Trevor worked his magic on my drink and placed another beer in front of Rowan. “Maybe you should slow down,” he said. “You don’t want to face Bryson with too much alcohol in your system.”

Rowan’s gaze was blank—empty. “Thanks for the warning,” he said.

Trevor held my gaze for a long beat, shrugged, shook his head, and walked away after saying, “I’m glad you’re home, buddy.”

I studied Rowan as we sat in silence. It had been a bit since I’d seen him without a phone screen between us, but I don’t remember him ever looking quite like this. “Rowan,” I said and placed my hand lightly on his arm. “What’s going on? What’s bothering you?”

He turned and his large brown eyes searched mine. His were slightly blood-shot, but I wasn’t sure if it was due to the drinks or emotions.

His gaze bore into mine, then traveled over my face. I could feel him studying me intently, and my heart stuttered when his eyes stalled at my lips for a brief second before meeting my eyes again. He brushed his hand lightly against my cheek, and across my chin.

My breath hitched in my chest. What was going on? This wasn’t the first time he’d ever touched me like this, yet I’d never had these reactions before. I had to remind myself that he was my best friend. The one I could always count on, especially after my parents’ divorce.

His hand rested on mine. “It’s so good to see you, Summer. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

His voice was thick and masculine. Much more serious than I’d ever heard him, except for when his father passed away .

Just then, a voice boomed over the country music coming from the speakers. “No way. Is that my little brother? Kai said there was a surprise here, but Rowan?”

I jumped out of the way as Rowan leaped from his stool and beelined for Jamison, the oldest McKendry brother.

The whoop they let out as they wrapped each other in a pounding hug was so loud I was sure all of Orlinda Valley heard it.

Laughter and hard man-slaps echoed throughout the pub.

The melancholy, intense expression had been wiped clean from Rowan’s face at the sight of Jamison, and his light, carefree attitude had returned.

“Rowan, what the hell are you doing here?” Jamison said as he pulled away from Rowan. “You’re two weeks early.”

“What, want me to go back to Texas?” Rowan joked.

“Hell, no.” Jamison put his arm over Rowan’s shoulders. “You’re here and that’s all that matters.” He squeezed him in a side hug and put him in a headlock, which Rowan easily wrestled his way out of with laughter and chiding.

“Hey, Lilly,” Rowan said as he pushed Jamison away and brushed his hands through his hair to fix it.

“Hey, Rowan,” she answered, giving him a hug, then stepping back toward Jamison, who automatically wrapped his arm around her waist. “This is an amazing surprise.”

Rowan’s gaze went back and forth between them, and his grin grew even more. “No, this is an amazing surprise.” He gestured between the two of them. “It’s good to see you, Lilly, and you two look happier in person than on the phone.”

Jamison pulled Lilly closer, and she gazed up at him. “Yep, all’s going crazy-well,” Lilly said. Jamison brushed his lips against hers in a quick kiss .

I felt like gagging at the intense sweetness that oozed from Lilly and Jamison.

“Yeah, that’s wonderful and all,” I said, “but now that you’re here, Jamison, and Rowan’s out of the funk that Bryson caused, why don’t we go join everyone else on the patio?

I’m sure you can rein in the bullshit that is Bryson.

” I picked up my margarita and grabbed Rowan’s hand.

Being with Kora and Jamison would keep him in this much happier mood.

“Trevor,” Rowan said, “is there anyone who can take over for you so you can welcome your best friend back home?”

“Shannon will be here in a bit. Once she’s clocked in, I’ll come over. You good?” He gestured to Rowan’s almost empty beer.

“Yep. I’m good for now.” He finished off his bottle, placed it on the bar, and followed me to the patio.

We found seats around the crowded table near Kora and Kai. Keeping Rowan as far from Bryson as possible was a necessity. I was not in the mood to play referee.

“So, Row, what got you home earlier than expected?” Kora asked.

Rowan shook his head. “Just had a chance to leave early and took it. Thought I’d surprise everyone.”

“Well, it worked, and I’m glad you’re here,” Kora said.

“Me too,” Trevor agreed as he placed a tray of shots in the middle of the table. “It’s gonna be great having you home even for a little bit.” He put an arm around Rowan’s shoulders. “Everyone grab a shot. Girls, there’s tequila and lemons with sugar for y’all.”

Kora, Lilly, and I grabbed tequila and dipped a lemon slice in the sugar. A lemon drop had always been our drink of choice—well, other than a margarita. And Darlene held up her water and a sugared lemon. Being about four months pregnant kept her from indulging .

Trevor passed shots around the table and waited with his arm in the air. “Here’s to amazing friends, love, and everyone being together. Welcome home, Rowan!”

I smiled wide and echoed him. “Welcome home, Rowan.” I clicked my glass to Trevor’s and Rowan’s, and everyone did the same.

I watched Rowan. He seemed happy, but I couldn’t miss that his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Eventually, the guys went to play cornhole, and we women were left at the table.

“I haven’t seen Rowan in forever,” Lilly said. “I guess the last time was at Carl’s funeral, and before that . . . Well, it’s been a while.”

Kora took a sip of her margarita and added, “Yeah, that’s the last time we all saw him. He was never one to come home.”

“And before you say a word, Summer,” Darlene pointed her finger at me, “I know Bryson’s part of the reason he left and one of the main reasons he stayed away, but it’s time they both grew up. The past is in the past.”

I tried to glare at her, but my heart wasn’t in it. I knew she was right. They needed to move on. “I couldn’t agree more, Dar.”

“So, what exactly happened between Rowan and Bryson?” Lilly asked. “I know they never got along as kids, but what was so awful that he left home and hardly came back?”

Darlene and I held each other’s gaze. Either of us explaining things would result in a very one-sided account.

Luckily, Kora jumped in. “We had just graduated high school, and Bryson had come home from college. We were all at the river, and Darlene and Bryson just hit it off. They started seeing each other and, to make a long story short, it came out through a lot of yelling and fist-throwing that Rowan liked Darlene, and then he started acting like a baby . . .”

I narrowed my eyes.

“What, Summer? You know it’s true.”

I hated this story. The thought of Rowan liking Darlene always made bile rise in my gut out of jealousy, even after all this time. Move on, Summer. I shook my head and said, “Yeah, you’re right. But Bryson didn’t have to be a complete dick every chance he got.”

“Maybe,” Kora added, “but it was just a way Bryson could irritate Rowan, and it worked.”

I pointed at her. She totally hit the nail on the head. “Exactly! He was an asshole then and continues to treat Rowan like shit and has never apologized.”

“Maybe he should have apologized for how he acted, but apologies were never one of his strengths,” Kora agreed. “And apologizing isn’t something either one of them ever did. Add that to their disdain of each other and—”

“Okay!” Darlene put her hand up. “Please stop talking about my husband. Yes, he may push Rowan’s buttons too much, but he never wronged him in any way.”

“I know,” I agreed. How could I not? Rowan and Darlene had never been an item, and it was obvious from the very beginning that Bryson and Darlene were perfect together and disgustingly in love.

Our talking about it wasn’t going to fix it.

“You’re right. Now, let’s hope they grow up, and let’s get drunk.

” I passed shots around and Darlene filled her water glass.

“It’s weird, you not drinking with us,” I said.

“Soon Kora will be baking a baby also, and I’ll have to drink by myself. ”

“‘Baking a baby’? Seriously, Summer?” Darlene said.

I nodded. “Fuck yeah, I’m serious. Everyone’s moving on and leaving me out here by myself.” I picked up my shot.

“Hey, you got me,” Lilly said.

“Bullshit. You’re attached at the hip to Jamison.”

“There’s no ring on this finger,” she said wiggling her hand in the air.

“Yeah, not yet. Give it time,” I grumbled.

Kora smirked at me. “You won’t be alone. Rowan’s home now.”

“Yep,” Darlene agreed. “And he’s looking pretty good. Who knows what could happen.”

I eyed them both. “Take your shots and shut the hell up,” I said as I downed the clear liquid and glared at Kora and Lilly until they did the same, both with stupid grins on their faces.

“What’s wrong, Summer?” Kora asked. “Do you have your eyes on someone and been keeping it a secret?”

“That’s what I was wondering,” Darlene said, sharing a look with Kora as they both giggled.

“Or maybe she’s irritated because she’s going to give in to the angst between her and Rowan and finally do something about it,” Kora said.

“God, that would be awesome,” Darlene agreed. “Summer getting laid, having a few orgasms. Yeah, she needs that. It would help her relax a little, and she could use some relaxing.”

“Who could use some relaxing?” Rowan asked as he and the guys joined us back at the table.

I eyed Darlene through narrowed eyes, sending a silent threat that she’d better not answer that question.

She raised her brows and hid her giggle by taking a drink of water .

But it was Lilly I should have been worried about. “Kora and Darlene were just letting Summer know she needed to relax, and getting laid would help.”

I slammed my hands on the table and jerked my gaze toward Lilly. “Are you fucking serious?” I bellowed. “Damn, I expect that type of shit from them,” I jabbed my finger toward Kora and Darlene, “but you, Lilly, are supposed to be the nice one.”

Everyone got a hearty laugh, and I glanced at Rowan. He smiled, lifted his brow, and took a gulp of his beer. At least he didn’t seem to know they were talking about him. I rolled my eyes and waved to Barb, our server.

“Yes, darlin’,” she said in her thick southern drawl.

“More tequila shots, please,” I said.

“One for everyone?” she asked me.

“I don’t give a shit about any of them. Just get me a couple and keep them coming.” I grabbed Rowan’s beer to wet my dried throat while I waited. “And another beer for him.” I held up the bottle.

“You got it, sugar,” Barb said as she walked away.

“A few more shots and you’ll be nice and relaxed Summer,” Bryson said.

I held up my middle finger, and he howled with laughter.

“God, you’re a dick, Bryson,” I said, and nudged him away from me. Why was I friends with these people, again?