by Claire Adams
“It made me worry when you’d drive home at night,” he mumbled. A faint smile crossed my face. “I know you think I’m a different person than the guy that left town eleven years ago, Rebecca.”
“Of course, you are. You’re a billionaire now, Austin. You don’t know what it’s like to live a normal life anymore.”
He shook his head in the dim light from the little hint of sun that peeked through the clouds. I glanced around to see if I could find a rainbow, but the sun was setting and too dark.
Austin looked like any other man, hunched over, cussing at my tire in the wet weather. He looked like the Austin that I was once in love with.
I pushed the thought from my mind and stepped forward to try and shield him from the rain. It came down in sheets now. Austin glanced up, and I reached out for the flashlight that he had under one arm. “Can I help at all?”
Austin jammed the flashlight towards me, and I took it, aiming it at the lug nuts that he tried to tighten. I sensed the tension in the air as he worked, feeling his anger in waves. I could always sense Austin’s emotions before and that hadn’t changed. I suspected he put on a cool front for people but still had the endless thoughts working away at him deep inside. He jerked the tool, and he stood up. Austin put everything back in the trunk, including the dead tire, before turning towards me with a dark look in his eyes.
Austin wiped his hands on the gray slacks he wore and jerked the umbrella out of my hands, holding it above me. We were both protected, but I was cold and scared of whatever he was feeling inside.
“I grew up here the same as you, Rebecca. I had single income parents who struggled to put a fucking meal on our table for me and a roof over my head. I know how you lived and are still living. Stop treating me like I don’t.”
“You’re rich now. You walked away from this town and your own parents.” I stopped myself, worried about what I would say next. I didn’t want to say it.
“I followed through with my dreams because of them, Rebecca. I’m the man I am today because Dad showed me how much hard work pays off. I did everything for them, and I’d pay them back if they’d fucking let me. I fell in love with New York, and if they weren’t so stubborn, they’d live in a mansion there near me. Mom wouldn’t have to lift a finger. But they won’t leave, Rebecca. They won’t let me pay them back.” I heard the disappointment in his voice, and he dropped his clenched fists to his sides. “I grew up struggling because they worked hard to let me focus on my goals. I am not ashamed that I made something of myself and got out of here. I’m fucking proud of my hard work, and I know that I am blessed every single day. I just wish they were there to see it, too.”
“Your mama’s life is here. Her friends and family are here. She’s not going to leave. And your dad meets his friends every morning for coffee. He has for years. Why would they leave?” He dropped his head forward and closed his eyes. “Do you remember anything about this town? Do you remember the good times with your friends? Do you ever think about summers in the creeks and getting ice cream from Ginny? Do you care about anyone in this town other than your parents? Because everyone here was your family at one point in your life. They’re all proud of you, and you haven’t been back to see anyone since you left.”
“Things change, Rebecca. People change, and they’re not always meant to stay where they were born. I’d love for my family to join me and see more of them. I really would. I won’t apologize for my wealth, though. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I worked for every penny, and I still am, unlike some of the people that I’ve met.”
My initial anger turned to sadness as I watched him. He was only here to please his parents and nothing more. Austin made it clear that he’d move them out of town if they agreed, but since they didn’t, he’d made a life for himself elsewhere.
A part of me wanted to ask if he missed me at all. I longed to know if Austin ever thought about me. I remained silent, though, since there was no reason to ask him any of this.
I knew about the beautiful women he dated there in New York, particularly the latest one. They were all over the magazines during the months they were together and even after. There was a lot of speculation if they were going to get back together, or if she could forgive him for the things that Austin supposedly did while they were together. I knew Austin. I had been his girlfriend, too, and he was a good man. He didn’t always see reality properly, but he’d always been kind. He would never hurt a woman.
I started to wonder how many of them wanted his money and not Austin. I never cared about what he was going to make once we both went to college. I just wanted to be with him.
“I have to go, Rebecca. My mom is expecting me for dinner.” Austin turned to walk away with the umbrella, closing it and sliding it into his car. He got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. He pulled away from the shoulder and flew down the road.
I closed my eyes. The rain had stopped, but I was soaked now. I looked around to make sure that I didn’t need to pick anything up, feeling drained as I trudged to my car.
I turned the key and cranked my engine, flipping on the heater. There were so many other ways that I would have preferred that conversation to go. I wiped my hands on the dry towel that was in the car and sent my sister a text. I needed to talk to someone, and even though I knew what she’d tell me, it was always Kim I went running to.
She told me she had a fire going and dry clothes. I drove down the now-empty road feeling a void inside of me. I shivered. “Thank you,” I whispered as if Austin was here to hear me. I never said that and instead, gave him a lot of crap for leaving North Reed. Why did he bring that out in me?
I made it to Kim’s and changed. I nestled in on her couch, and she handed me a glass of wine. Then, she sat beside me. I was in dry flannel pajamas with a blanket wrapped around me. I smiled at her gratefully.
“Feeling better?” she asked.
“I think so. He was just so angry.” I lifted the glass to my lips.
“Men are strange when it comes to their pride. You remember how Dad got sometimes with Mom.” She gave me a look, and I nodded.
“I do. I guess I just want to understand Austin. I don’t know what he’s holding in, and today gave me fewer answers than I had before. But he helped me, like I knew he would. Austin made sure my car was safe before he drove away.” I shrugged. “There is that.”
“He did,” Kim agreed as she dropped her head back against the comfortable cushion. “Terry is going to kill you. When are you going down there?”
“Tomorrow,” I replied. “That spare is tiny.”
She turned on one of our favorite shows. “He’s going to be so mad.”
Terry was a good friend of Dad’s and took on the job of watching over us when my parents moved. I daydreamed for a moment of living somewhere else, in some other city. Would Kim come with me, or would I have to go alone?
I thought for a moment about how Austin felt when he left. Was he scared or relieved? I suppose now I’d never know the truth about that because we ended our conversation, if you could call it that, so badly. He wasn’t here forever, and I didn’t think he’d want to see me again anytime soon.
“I think I want to go just to watch and then be around when Dad calls you, since you know Terry will let him know.”
I sighed heavily. “You’re so right, sis.” I rested my head against her shoulder. “I love you.”
“I love you, Rebecca.”
Chapter Seven
Austin
I watched a football game with Dad on television a couple of days after my run in with Rebecca. Mom was making pulled pork sandwiches for lunch.
My meeting with Rebecca still bothered me. I fidgeted with my soda and thought about seeing her there on the side of the road. That girl always made me worry, and seeing her there in the dark, alone and cold on the road, reminded me of when we used to be together.
“Everything is ready,” Mom said from the dining room. “Come on in.” Dad stretched an
d stood up. He hadn’t said much to me while we watched the game, but I could feel his eyes on me several times over the last couple of hours. The way I’d acted the first time we ate dinner together cast a cloud over things. Dad was probably worried this would end up in another argument, but Mom didn’t let that stop us from doing everything as planned.
“Coming, Austin?” Dad asked.
I blinked at him for a moment. Fuck, but I was distracted today. This wasn’t good. “Yeah. I spaced out for a second there. Just tired, I guess.”
I stood and followed him into the formal dining room. Mom had all but gotten rid of their small table in the kitchen, and we only ate here now. It was nice, but I liked looking over the hills from the kitchen a little better.
As soon as I sat down, my phone chimed. It was Preston. I glanced up to see Mom’s dark stare and held up my phone. “It’s Preston, Mom. I have to take this. Don’t worry. I’ll tell him you say ‘hi.’”
She narrowed her eyes at me in mock offense. I shot her a grin and got up from the table. I walked out the front door, breathing in the cool air as I answered the call. “What’s up?”
“There’s a bit of a cock up with the deal. It’s all red tape and government nonsense. I have the team back home on it. I just wanted to let you know in case it requires some face time from you. They’re asking for that.” Preston was clear with what was going on as always.
“Not a problem. Hell, I’ll fly to them if need be. I want this deal, Preston.” I pinched my nose, hating the near daily headaches I got from being here. “Thanks for all of your hard work. You’ll be getting a generous holiday bonus, my friend.”
“You already pay me enough, boss. I’m just doing my job. I am going to be on this today and keep you posted with anything that comes up.” Preston was locked away in his hotel room doing this while I spent time with my family. It didn’t seem fair, but he’d seen some of the town, and had some meals with the three of us, as well. Preston loved Texas and was slowly collecting every team shirt that he could, as well as a new pair of black cowboy boots. Next time I saw him, he’d probably come riding up on a horse.
I hung up and slipped the phone into my pocket. Looking over the forest across from the house, I couldn’t help but remember the times I’d spent with Rebecca here. Even though I never talked about it, I’d never forget the day we broke up. That hadn’t been the plan for me at all.
I’d taken her to dinner at her favorite place. We both knew that I was going to college in New York at that point, but I wanted to suggest another part of my plan. It was something I’d practiced at home in my room. I looked into her beautiful face across the table, tapping my foot nervously.
“What’s going on, Austin?” She was always direct with me, and I remembered not knowing what to say. There had been some tears since my acceptance, and I knew she was worried.
“I asked you here because I wanted to talk to you about something,” I started. She frowned at me. “Rebecca, this isn’t over for me. We’re not over.”
“You’re moving to New York, Austin. Are you suggesting that we try to attempt a long-distance relationship? You know how well those work out.” She sounded sad, and I shook my head.
“No, I’m not. I want you to come with me.”
Rebecca’s eyes widened. “To New York? I’m a small-town girl, Austin. I wouldn’t know what to do there.”
I reached out for her hands. “You want to go to school for hair and cosmetology. They have those there, and with your passion and talent, you could land an amazing job. I’ll get a job so we can have a little apartment, but I am going to make it there. I’ll give you the world, baby. You’ll live like a queen, and I’ll take care of you.” I knew going in that Rebecca loved North Reed, but I hoped that she loved me more.
“You can go to school here. You can do everything here, Austin. Why does it have to be there in New York, away from everything that we know?” Her eyes looked sad.
I opened my mouth to speak but closed it when I realized I didn’t know what to say.
I’d dreamed about going to New York my whole life. When I knew that I was good with numbers and planned to invest, there was no other choice for me. Wall Street was the place to be, and I was going to live that life. Rebecca knew all of that, and I didn’t understand why she didn’t want to come with me. I wanted her by my side.
Even now, standing out in front of my parents’ house, I wasn’t sure why she didn’t come with me. Her rejection still hurt. She was the reason I always asked my parents to come to New York for Christmas, even though I used the excuse of work. I had fallen in love with the city, but the girl who had my heart was here in Texas. She always had been.
I dated some of the most beautiful women in the world. They were models and actresses, women that any man would want on his arm. I took them to some of the best parties, filled with celebrities, and to dinner at the best restaurants. I took them to bed and tried to fuck Rebecca out of my system for the past eleven years, but it never worked.
“Austin, is everything okay out here?” Mom asked as she stepped out on the porch. The rain a few days ago had turned into snow, and it was beautiful outside. She shivered and looked closely at me. “Come inside. Lunch is getting cold, and so will you, standing out here.”
I followed her inside, still thinking about Rebecca. I thought that not seeing her ever again might do the trick. I thought that I might be able to forget about her and just move on with my life, but all of that came crashing down now.
Mom heated up my plate, and I sat down at the table, feeling a new resolve. I needed to work Rebecca out of my system for the last time or else she would continue to haunt me. I had a fantastic life at home, and I wanted to return to it, free and clear of anything here. I worked too hard to mope about this place. I worked too hard not to be able to move on.
I forced myself back to the present and started to eat. I talked to my parents about the phone call, telling them about the deal I was chasing. After that, I asked them about people in town. I never asked questions about North Reed. Leaving it behind meant leaving Rebecca behind, although I didn’t tell anyone the real reason we’d broken up. I blamed it on college and living apart, which was the same thing happening to high school graduates around the nation.
I never admitted that I asked her to move there with me, not even to Mom.
Dad perked up when I asked him about his friends. I acted like I didn’t know about their morning coffee and urged him to tell me about it. Dad worked hard for his dream, like I did, and he deserved the smile that was on his face. He was indeed happy here, and I’d never ask him to leave again.
I asked Mom about her book group and friends. She seemed surprised but told me all about their activities.
After lunch, I helped her wash dishes while Dad took an afternoon nap. “Is everything okay, honey?” she asked. “You’re acting odd after that phone call.”
I shrugged with a small smile. It was, and it wasn’t, but tomorrow I was going to clear the air with Rebecca. I would go home to New York with a clean slate.
I took Mom shopping for groceries in town, making my first real appearance since my haircut. There had been a few dinners at friends’ houses, but I hadn’t been to any of the shops in town. I’d avoided them for some reason, but it all made sense now. Every inch of this town had memories of Rebecca associated with them, and I wanted to forget all of them. But I never would. I never could.
We ran into plenty of people from the past at the grocery store. It wasn’t surprising. I knew everyone in town, and everyone knew me. I caught up with some of my old friends’ parents, which was nice. I even made dinner plans at the home of my former best friend, Seth.
At one point, a group of my mother’s friends surrounded us. I hugged them and listened to them tell me how much my parents missed me and always talked about me. It was a nicer day than I ever thought it could be.
The shopping trip took longer than expected. I surprised Mom by telling her I’d grab somethin
g for dinner on the way home. We stopped in at a BBQ place I used to love and got chicken and ribs with all the fixings. Neither of my parents could resist food, and this a little way of thanking them for everything they did for me. I would do it in words as well, but I was going to spoil them while I was here.
They might not be the only people who I planned to spoil. I was getting up early tomorrow to take care of something so I could enjoy the rest of my vacation.
They went to bed early after the feast. There were plenty of leftovers in the fridge. I could tell that my folks were happy about my change in attitude. Mom hugged me tightly before she went down the hall with Dad. I planted myself in my old bed and turned on the television to watch some of the late-night shows, taking a moment to relax.
I hadn’t heard from Preston about the investment, but I also didn’t think too much about it. I felt content just being here and catching up on a little bit of pop culture. It helped that my belly was full of some of the best food money could buy. That was saying a lot considering some of the food I’d enjoyed in New York at all hours of the night. You just couldn’t beat authentic Texas barbecue.
Mom was right. There really was something special about this place.
I checked in with my assistant. The situation hadn’t changed. He was still buried in communications with lawyers and staff alike. I told him to get some rest and tackle it in the morning. This investment wouldn’t make or break me. I had plenty of money to get by. Perhaps it wasn’t money that I wanted at all. Maybe I was just trying to fill a void that I never wanted to acknowledge before.
Preston asked me if I was feeling all right, knowing my habit of working through the night to acquire what I wanted. Admittedly, I had been relentless when I wanted something in past, but Preston sounded exhausted. He’d been killing himself while I’d been eating and laughing with my family. Maybe I’d offer to cut him loose early so he could go see his own family back home.
“I’m good,” I said. “You just sound beat, and with the time difference and everything going on, it’s time for a break. Get some sleep. It’s practically Christmas, Preston.”