Page 90 of Puck Love

The click of the lock, the sound of gravel on the sidewalk, an engine starting and fading to nothing.

The ache in my chest traveled from my heart to my lungs. I couldn’t suck in a decent gulp of air, and it felt as if I were suffocating. Like I might actually pass out from a fucking broken heart. Was that even possible?

28

JAKE

Imissed my flight that afternoon. I honestly just didn’t feel like going anywhere. My bags were packed, and my cleaning service was scheduled to arrive the next morning. My dad said he’d pop by later to make sure the house was locked up securely since I’d be gone for a month or longer.

But I didn’t leave.

I huddled in a corner of the sofa under a blanket and watched oldFast and Furiousmovies. When the cleaning service arrived, I apologized profusely…for my bare chest and sweats ensemble and for neglecting to tell them I didn’t need them for a few more days.

I might have given a specific date, but don’t quote me. I didn’t feel like dealing in specifics. It was easier to float on a cloud of whatevers and whenevers. I was tired of being responsible and so damn reasonable. I needed a moment to regroup.

Sure, I’d had the whole summer, but I was nursing a broken heart so hey…give me a fucking break.

Fast Fivecredits rolled while I chomped on the dregs of my peanut butter sandwich. Plain peanut butter, no jelly. Masonwould have been scandalized.Fucking gross. Might as well eat shoe leather and paste, Milligan.

My lips twitched before a wave of loneliness socked me in the gut. I blinked back tears and reached for the remote, chiding myself for being such a baby. I had to pull myself together. A day or two of wallowing…okay, but that was it. I was going to have to leave my house eventually, get my ass to Boston, and?—

I froze at the sound of a key scraping a lock. The front door opened a moment later, and footsteps and voices spilled in from the foyer.

“He’s going to need his winter coat,” Mom said. “He brought it home last March and forgot about it. Remember, spring was unseasonably warm in Boston last year.”

“It’s August, Piper. He won’t need that coat for another few months,” Dad replied testily. “I could have picked it up for you. We both didn’t need to make the trip out here.”

My mom chuckled.

“It’s like old times. You’re Mr. Make-Sure-The-Door-Is-Locked, and I’m in charge of making sure no one is cold or—” Mom’s hand flew to her throat in a fright. “Jake!”

Dad moved around her, his sharp gaze taking in the littered mess of mugs and dirty dishes on the coffee table in the darkened great room. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

I swallowed the peanut butter sawdust in my mouth and shook my head. “Uh…no. What are you guys doing here?”

Mom let out a deep breath and marched to the sofa, setting a manicured and bejeweled hand on my forehead. “You don’t feel feverish, but you look like shit.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“We need sunlight.” She opened the blinds with the remote.

I blinked on cue, wincing at my father’s worried frown. “I’m fine. I just decided to stay a few more days. I forgot to tell you. Sorry.”

Dad sat on the armchair closest to my corner of the sofa while Mom bussed away the debris on the coffee table, mumbling about pigs and crumbs.

“What’s going on?” he asked, all business.

“Nothing, I?—”

“Jake. Please. It’s been a day already. I had an escrow fall through, the McGrady’s house didn’t pass inspection, Charlotte’s best friend is going to Pinecrest for second grade and she’s a wreck about it, my husband needs ricotta cheese for the recipe he’s making for dinner, and your mother is following me around pretending to need a coat so she can make sure I remember how to lock a damn door.”

“I can hear you!” Mom singsonged.

“Please.” Dad’s smile didn’t reach his eyes, but the trace of humor was unmistakable. I wished I were as graceful as he was under pressure. He could take slings and arrows like a champ and still come out swinging. Me…I sad-ate peanut butter and watched lousy action flicks in the dark.

“I’m…I’m…” I sighed and shook my head. “I wasn’t ready. That’s all.”

“Are you going to make me guess? I know you’ve been a little preoccupied, but I’m not sure why. Your contract is handled, your team is looking better than last year, you’re healthy as far as I can tell, so…”