It’s Not Home Without You: A Homecoming Novel #1

by C. Lymari

  “You made me a burger?” I shakily grabbed the bag from her. It wasn’t often that people did things for me, and when they did, I appreciated it more than most. When you had nothing, you learned to value everything. Jana smiled at me, and for the first time, I felt okay that she was the woman Rusty picked. I could learn to love her as well.

  “Do you mind if I tell Emma I made her a burger? After last night, I’m scared she’s never going to want to hang out with me again.” Both Jana and Rusty laughed, and since they were here already, I asked them for a ride to town. Might as well face Emma and apologize for last night.

  “Why are you walking funny?” Rusty asked before I could get in the truck.

  “You try walking in the woods with six-inch heels, then tell me if you’re not walking like you have a pipe up your ass.” I ate the burger on my way, and it was the best burger I had ever tasted.

  My hangover was gone.

  First thing I did when I walked into the coffee shop was read the blackboard. If you have crazy friends, you have everything. Aw, I was touched. I was the crazy friend. Right?

  “Emma, I made you food,” I sang. She came out from the back with flour on her cheeks, her eyes still red, and her arms scratched. Oh God, maybe I should have stayed home today.

  “Freya, how could you!” she hushed so that the customers wouldn’t hear. I guess now was not the time to tell her what the chief did.

  “I’m sorry. I was drunk,” I replied as I got her burger ready.

  “Do you know how freaked out I was when I woke up in bed with Dex? I punched him in the nose! He’s going to hate me.”

  Okay, so telling Dex to take her to his house didn’t work as I had hoped. In my defense, I was drunk. I knew she liked him, she confessed as much last night, and we both didn’t fit in my little bed.

  “You said you didn’t want to wake your parents. Honestly, I thought he’d sleep on the couch or something. It’s not like I could have predicted he was going to get all cuddly.” Emma gave me a droll look. Got to hand it to the detective, he probably figured if he spooned her, she’d melt for him like butter. Now I wanted to see his nose.

  “This burger is so good,” she moaned.

  “I know right.”

  “You can’t cook.” She stared me down until I confessed that Jana had brought them over. She said she was glad we were getting along, that it was important for mine and Rusty’s relationship. How much different would things have turned out if Jana and I had become friends seven years ago?

  “So, tell me, how was it waking up in Dex arms? Anything I should know?” I wiggled my eyebrows, mostly to tease Emma.

  “No!” Emma’s cheek turned pink, which made me intrigued, but you could only push a girl for so much info. Besides, we had more important things to talk about.

  “A werewolf, Emma, seriously?”

  “I panicked,” she whined. I smiled at her; she was adorable. Good thing we weren’t in high school anymore. I didn’t want her mother after me, telling me I corrupted her daughter. Being friends with Rusty since I was little, no one ever thought he corrupted me. Nope, I was corrupted long before.

  The afternoon dragged. I had forgotten how big of a deal homecoming week was. Everyone, and I did mean everyone, was at the powder puff game.

  The only business we got was from people on their way to the game to get their coffee fix. It was going to be a long night. The only other day where the town was empty like this was Founder’s Day. Well, everyone just celebrated outside by the kiosk. As if she were reading my mind, Emma brought it up.

  “Founder’s Day is in a few weeks. Will you be able to help out? That way I can give Jess the day off since Q has to have it.” Quincy was the quarterback of the Stallions. Therefore, his presence was needed at the parade. I wasn’t planning on going, but it did feel wrong to make Jess work. I thought Jess reminded Emma of herself in high school, just a darker version. I knew I was going to regret agreeing to it. A whole day dedicated to town festivities.

  Barf.

  “It tends to be pretty dead when there’s a game. I’m going to catch up on some work in the office if you want to go get food or something that’s cool. I’ll hear the bell chime in case someone comes in,” Emma told me before she disappeared to the back.

  Grabbing a few cups, I started filling them with coffee. With two sets of cup holders and some cookies that I paid for, I made my way to the police department. I’ll admit I was doing a public service and giving them good coffee. But mostly it was me being nosey and trying to get a look at Dex’s nose. Hopefully, he was there and not with everyone else at the game.

  When I passed Max’s office, I was relieved everything was dark. After what happened yesterday, I didn’t think I could face him today. I cried it all out, I drank myself stupid, and according to Emma, I was chased by a werewolf. How much drama could a girl handle?

  Like I had predicted, the precinct wasn’t busy. The building was old, but the city had added new editions with time. I tried to ignore the heebie-jeebies I got from being in a police station. Instead, I made my way to the counter, thanking my lucky stars I didn't spill any coffee. That would have been a shame, for both spilling the coffee and my outfit.

  “Shit,” I groaned when I got a look at who was behind the counter. Cops and Freya was not a good combination. Ever.

  “Freya Pratt, can’t say I’m surprised to see you here. You and Rusty made sure the boys never got too bored.” Clark wiggled his eyebrows at me. Well, this was a plus. At least he wasn’t yelling at me about his car anymore.

  “You’re a cop?” Not to sound like a total bitch, but Clark was somewhat of a dipshit.

  “Girl, you look good. You always were a pretty little thing, weren’t ya? Kinda bummed I didn’t go for the call yesterday. Heard you was all wet.”

  I thought I puked a little in my mouth.

  “You’re disgusting.”

  “Yeah well, you’re still a stuck-up bitch.”

  “What’s going on here?” Chief Timmy walked out of the back and stopped when he saw me. I was glad Dex had dragged Emma and me away before the chief could talk to me.

  Immediately, I pointed at Clark. “He started it.” The chief looked at me, and his shoulders sagged in defeat.

  “Clark, get to work. Pratt, did you lose something?”

  “It was pretty empty at Emma’s, so I brought some coffee. Figured you wanted something tasty and good.”

  The good chief looked at me and shook his head. “Come to my office.”

  Glaring at Clark, I grabbed two coffees and followed Tim. My skin started tingling as I wondered what the hell I had done to warrant this little chat. Did Ashton…? No he wouldn’t. He owed me that much. When I walked in, I offered Tim one cup while I sat and sipped on mine.

  He went to one of his filling cabinets, searching through the folders. Was he looking for an arrest warrant? Tim seemed to find what he was looking for, and my body eased when he took out of a small, thin rectangle. Not an arrest warrant. He set the golden rectangle in front of me. Suddenly the coffee was not enough. I needed water. I was parched, my throat dry like a desert. The plaque was lovingly engraved with my name.

  “I think you’re mistaken,” the words were nothing but a whisper.

  “Really, you’re going to give me that horse crap? Freya Pratt, you may have been a lot of things, but a liar was never one of them.”

  “How?”

  Chief Timmy grabbed the drink and sat back, sipping it without breaking eye contact with me. “Not too proud to admit I was hired to look for you, kid. No one in the town cared you left. Your grandfather never came and filed a report. Max, he pestered me day in and day out. Was going through some financial troubles, he found out, and he offered to pay me so I could find your whereabouts.”

  My stomach dropped, a big knot forming in the middle. I felt like I had gotten sucker punched. Max looked for me? He tried to find me? I knew it didn’t change anything, but at the same time, it felt like everything change
d. Not once did I let myself believe he would try and find me.

  “The boy was desperate. Got to hand it to you, kid, you made sure to cover your tracks. After six months, he gave up and said to stop the search. Anyway, when Frankie had to replace the roof from the gas leak explosion, he said he got a check from California. I didn't think much of it. Then just three years ago when we were fundraising for the new squad car, we received an anonymous donation from California. I followed the leads. I asked around town, and I know you have given more to this community than they could possibly know.”

  “It was nothing.” I was gripping the cup so tightly I was scared I was going to rip it.

  “It wasn’t nothing. I did the math. Nearly five grand you’ve given to the town—a town where people looked down on you. I wanted you to see the plaque in your name before I put it outside for everyone to see. You make me proud, Freya. You’ve become the woman I always knew you would be. Rusty too, but I reckon Jana is to thank for that, but you, girl, you did it all on your own. I’m proud of you.”

  Great, I was going to look like a raccoon. That was what I got for not wearing waterproof mascara. No one other than my grandpa had said they were proud of me. It meant so much more than Tim could know. I knew I was a headache when I was a teenager, so the compliment he just gave me was better than the swanky condo I once lived in.

  “Thanks,” I managed to say, despite the knot on my throat. I still remembered the talk Tim had with me after he caught me spray painting the water tower. “Aren’t you tired of this, Freya? When is it going to be enough? Pretty soon you won't be a careless teenager. What happens when one of your pranks goes wrong and you get tried as an adult?” At the time, I was still riding the high from running and getting caught. Max told me he loved me for the first time, and so I didn’t care about his warning. But I did think about it afterward, when I was alone and scared on a bus out of town. I wondered if I wasn’t so reckless and I cared more about how I projected myself if it would have made a difference.

  “Is Dex here?” I asked once I was calm enough.

  “His office… Oh and, Freya, next time you want to go gallivanting through the woods, don’t.”

  I busted out laughing.

  I walked into Dex’s office, not letting myself think about what Tim said, but it was there in the back of my mind, taunting me. Max tried. He tried, but he stopped. Was the love that we shared not strong enough?

  “Dude, what happened to your face,” I mocked Dex, who didn’t seem amused. His nose was swollen but not broken. That was a good thing; Emma wouldn’t feel too bad.

  “Aren’t you hilarious.” He stuck his tongue out at me, making me grin. I felt at ease when I was with Dex. There was a connection between the two of us. I thought it had to do with the fact that he was new in town and he couldn’t judge me based on my past.

  “Did you have fun blowing it? I give you the girl, I give her to you to watch over, and you think getting in bed with her was the right move? What kind of dumb-ass move was that? You could have woken up, made her breakfast, and forced her to have a conversation with you, but instead, you get a busted nose and a spooked girl.”

  “She had a nightmare,” he defended himself. “I tried waking her, but as soon as I touched her, she calmed down. I didn’t mean to fall asleep holding her.” He seemed sheepish at his confession.

  “Lucky for you, I have a plan to fix the mess you made.” Dex put what he was doing down and gave me his full attention. Ha! Whoever said guys didn’t need help with their game lied. No one was a better wingman to a man than a girl. We knew what other girls wanted.

  “What’s in it for you?” His skepticism didn’t take away from his curiosity.

  “I get to drive the car with the lights blaring all around town.”

  “No.”

  “It was worth a try. All I want is for Emma to be happy.

  She deserves it.” Love may not be in the cards for me, but it didn’t mean it couldn’t be for Emma.

  26

  Freya

  The next day, I had to manipulate Emma into having another girls’ night with me. Did I feel lousy I would ditch her? Nope, she needed a push, and I was the person for the job.

  There were five places to eat in Sunny Pines. Emma’s, Franny’s, The Convenient Store—our take on 7-Eleven, Rocco’s, and Moore’s. Moore’s was a bar slash grill. I had never been there, but I knew the place was the local watering hole.

  Emma and I were in my shed, aka my closet.

  “Emma, close your mouth,” I said as I rummaged through my clothes. I found the perfect emerald skater dress, black booties, and a black leather jacket. It was chic and cool. Emma’s only request was no heels. She was scared to end up in a neck brace.

  “Are you opening a small boutique?” she joked. That wouldn’t be a bad idea, except the town was too small for a boutique to thrive. Besides, I had already shared my closet with San Francisco’s slutties.

  “I’m giving you a makeover for tonight.” Once I grabbed my stuff, I dragged Emma to my little room. It was odd having her here, not just because my place was tiny, but because I never had another chick in my room.

  “Emma,” I said as I straightened her waves.

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m glad we’re friends.” I could see her grin reflected in the mirror, and it hit me deep in the feels.

  “I’m glad we’re friends too.”

  “You look beautiful.” I grabbed oils and put it on her hair so it wouldn’t frizz. Looking at herself in the mirror, Emma seemed to forget her worries. Quincy and Jess were holding the fort down tonight, and it made Emma nervous since she had never taken a night off, which was another reason I didn’t feel guilty about lying to her. To keep up appearances, I had to wear a dress.

  Not that I minded, I loved dressing up.

  Mine was also a skater dress, long sleeved, and black, with the difference that the whole back was open. I loved it. It made me feel sexy, and let’s face it, after the weeks I had, I needed to feel desired.

  Too bad there wasn’t anyone worth looking at. Dex didn’t count, Rusty was my brother, and he-who-shall-not-be-named most definitely didn’t count. My dress was awesome, and my silver stilettos rocked. Hopefully, Emma didn’t hate me after today.

  “Wow, Freya, no one has ever dolled me up like this.”

  Where I was dark and jaded, Emma was sunlight and innocence, and it sucked that she was also lonely.

  “Well, with me as your bestie, you can count on it,” I said. I didn’t expect to be overcome with emotion.

  Grandpa was in the living room as we made our way out.

  “Grandpa, this is Emma. Emma, this is my grandpa.”

  Emma waved at Grandpa. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

  “You seem like a smart girl. Why did you go on and yell werewolf?” Jesus Christ, my grandpa had to mention the wolf in the room, didn’t he? I pinned him with a glare, but it didn’t faze him. He just glared back at me.

  Emma didn’t get embarrassed; she was quick to reply. “I could barely handle hanging out with Freya for one night. How did you put up with her during her teenage years?”

  Grandpa chuckled. It made me smile, even if they were laughing at my expense.

  “Vodka and lots of fishing trips.”

  “Ha. Ha. Ha. Hate to cut into your bonding, but we gotta go. Love you, Grandpa. Be back later.”

  Emma didn’t suspect a thing; she even let me drive to the bar. I parked in the first spot I found. It wasn’t very far from the entrance. People were outside loitering. Emma fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, a sign she was nervous. Come to think of it, I never got nervous, not when I left town, not even when I had to start over in a city where I knew no one and only had a couple of dollars to my name. Not once in those years did I falter because I had nothing to lose. I was hollowed and didn’t have much room for useless emotions like fear. I had already lost my heart; nothing else mattered.

  I guess that was the one pro in getting my heart b
roken; it helped me be fearless without being reckless.

  When I met Ashton, he walked into the boutique looking for a gift for his mother. At least that’s what he told me. Now I wondered if it was a lie. Maybe I helped him pick out a dress for a chick he left for me. I took a chance on him because I was lonely and because I didn’t fear getting my heart broken.

  Not by him.

  “Emma.” I held her arm before she opened her door. “Don’t be afraid to take risks because you’re scared you’ll get hurt. Take it from someone who once had it all; nothing beats that feeling I had in my heart every time I saw him. Sure, it hurts now, but back then, every time our eyes locked, I felt the world fade. The way your heart races, the thoughts that flow through your head, and all those butterflies you get right before he kisses you. If I close my eyes, I can still picture it in my mind so perfectly clear, and those feelings come back, and they remind me how it felt to be in love. Nothing compares. Not a penthouse with a golden bridge view, not a closet filled with designer clothes. Don’t be scared to open your heart because you’re afraid of a little pain. You’ll end up regretting it.”

  As much as it hurt, those two years I spent with my boy are some of my most cherished memories.

  “Oookay.” Emma got out of the car thinking I was crazy. My words might not make sense now, but they would. Grabbing her hand, I led her in through the doors, ignoring the stares we were getting.

  “Freya, people are staring… I’ve changed my mind. We can go back to the woods. Hell, we can even vandalize Abigail’s car, just as long as you take the blame.”

  Keeping a firm hold on Emma’s arm, I dragged her toward the back were Dex said he would wait for us.

  Emma stiffened when she saw him. Her eyes widened with horror while Dex’s were filled with affection. The soft look he gave her eased my conscience, and I told myself it wasn’t a bitch move to leave my girl with him. All girls wanted love, even if we said otherwise. We just didn’t want to sound like pathetic little princesses.

  “Dex, fancy meeting you here.” My smile was wide and extra cheesy.