COLE

I followed Max out of MSP airport toward the parking deck of terminal one. I would have to kill my aunt. Yup. My last living family member had to go. If walking to his truck was this awkward, how could I bear a ninety-minute journey sitting next to him, especially when he was trying too hard, opening my doors and shit?

The urge to call him out on his bullshit was strong, but to do so was to dredge up the past, which I refused to do. He didn’t need to know I worked as hard as I did to ensure I never had to return to Rosewood Pines ever again.

Settled in Max’s truck, I buckled my seat belt and pressed my hands to my knees to keep them from bouncing around. Then he would know I was anxious, and the only thing I needed him to see was the cool, confident, and successful man I’d turned out to be.

“It’s quite a long drive.” Max drove out of the parking deck. “We can stop to grab a bite.”

“I’ve been on four flights in the past forty-eight hours. I’m exhausted. Just home will do, thanks.”

No, not home. Home was back in Atlanta. I was not even back fifteen minutes, and I already associated the word with this place.

I found the science fiction audiobook I'd been listening to on the plane, resumed it, and closed my eyes. The book I’d been taking pleasure in no longer held the same appeal. It was high school all over again. Putting my studies off to the last minute, canceling the debate meeting to sneak off and be with Max.

Why did he still affect me like he did ten years ago?

I’d hated him with every fiber of my being after the day he betrayed me. That hadn’t even been the worst of it—just the beginning. When I refused to meet him again after that incident, he’d made it his duty to torment me so I would never forget him.

What did he mean he offered to pick me up?

Nope, not going to let him suck me back into his little twisted world.

I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, Max was shaking me awake. Standing way too close with his gorgeous face covered with stubble right in front of mine.

“I’m awake,” I said. “Back up, will you?”

“Sorry.”

I unclicked my seat belt and hopped out of the truck. A lump formed in my throat. The house seemed much smaller than I remembered. Two large trees stood on either side of the driveway. The lawn would need mowing in a couple of weeks, but the house had a fresh coat of paint, and the porch looked as if it had been repaired recently.

A flood of memories unleashed of the sad child who’d entered this house at eleven and had been shown all the love in the world. But then I’d left as unhappy as the day I’d started living here. Because of the man at my side.

The front door opened, and Gladys walked out onto the tiny porch, reminding me why I was here. For her and not anyone else.

“Finally, you’ve come home.” She held her arms wide.

I rushed up the steps and enveloped her in a warm hug, the scent of apple mixed with cinnamon tickling my nostrils. She’d been baking. Her familiarity erased the resentment I’d felt coming back here. She was the most important person in the world.

“Gladys, you look great.” I stepped back and beamed a smile. “Not a day over forty.”

“Always the sweet talker.” She pinched my cheek. “Look at you, all grown up and handsome. Isn’t he handsome, Max?”

“Gladys,” I said with a warning growl.

“What? It’s the twenty-first century. Men can call other men handsome now. Ain’t that right, Max?”

What was it with her always roping Max in the conversation?

“That’s right, ma’am.” He came up behind me and placed my suitcase on the porch. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” I made a show of pulling out my wallet. “How much do I owe you?”

“Owe me?” He furrowed his eyebrows.

“For your pickup service.”

“Cole.” Gladys circled my wrist. “Max doesn’t expect to be paid. He offered to get you when he found out about my knees.”

“Oh, my bad. I just thought this was business.”

“No worries. I was happy to help. Hope your stay goes well.”

Max walked off to his truck.

“But I—”

“Come on, Gladys.” I took her by the elbow and grabbed my suitcase with the other hand. “Have you forgotten your knees? You shouldn’t be standing.”

Behind me, the engine of a truck came to life. It took everything out of me to open the door and walk Gladys inside without looking over my shoulder, but I did it.