Chapter 5
Five
Peter
No matter what I do, I keep saying the wrong thing. At least that’s what it feels like. I don’t remember her being quite so cynical when we were younger. What in the hell happened to her?
“Where should I put this?” I lift the boxes slightly higher.
Alexandra turns to see what I have, and shifts her head from side to side. “Um, the table?”
I glance over at the table, but don’t see any empty spaces. “Pull out a couple of chairs.”
She does it and takes a step back. “I don’t know why I didn’t think about putting them in the chairs. There isn’t a ton of available space in here.”
“Yeah, that was always an issue when Beau lived here. Though he left as soon as he could.”
“Oh, you knew the people who owned this house?” She taps the top of her head as if that was a dumb question. “Of course you did. This is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone.”
“Hey, don’t knock the community. You never know when you might need help from someone in town.
” I set the boxes down and turn toward her.
“But yeah, I knew the family. Well, know, them. Beau is dating my sister. But his parents were crappy so we didn’t come over here all that much when we were kids.
He spent most of his time at our house.”
She makes a face at me and scoffs. “So, your sister is dating someone she’s known practically her whole life? That’s weird.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Yes, they’ve been best friends for a really long time. There were sparks from day one, but both of them were too stubborn to do anything about it until recently.”
“Still weird.” She shakes her and leaves the kitchen.
“You’ll have to forgive her rudeness.” Callie comes into the kitchen and stands as far away from me as possible. Do I smell or something? Considering she was by mine and Miles’s side our entire childhood, this distance feels odd. “She seems to have forgotten how she was raised.”
“Teens will be teens…I guess.” Not that I would know. I’m really not around that many teenagers unless one of my siblings finds a way to drag me to one their friends’ get togethers.
“Yeah, it’s definitely been an adjustment. Most days I don’t know which version of Lexi I’m going to get.” A small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. “Thank you for helping today.”
“It’s not a problem. If I didn’t come here, I probably would have found something to do at the winery. It’s gotten busy since Piper has taken over all social media for us. Plus, she’s putting together these events with Paula.”
Dear God, I’m rambling. So, I say the wrong thing, give unsolicited advice, or talk for long periods of time when I’m around her. What is wrong with me?
“It’s good to hear that. I’m sure your grandparents are proud.”
“They, uh, passed away a few years ago.”
“Shit. I’m sorry.” Her eyes move to floor. “I didn’t realize. Guess I’ve done a shitty job of keeping up with everyone here.”
The way she says it makes my heart hurt. Like she’s beating herself up for not knowing what’s going on in my life. “It’s okay. It’s not like you’ve been around. You had a life you were living.”
She snorts at the comment. “If you want to call it that.”
Nope. I’m not going to open that can of worms. This is the year I’m focusing on myself. I can’t jump into the problems of a pretty woman I once knew. I’m not sure how long she’s been divorced, but it sounds like the wounds are still fresh.
Though, I figured Miles would have mentioned it at some point. Unless they have those super tight secrets most siblings have. There are things about some of my brothers I wish I never knew.
“Is whatever happened why you moved back?” So much for not sticking my nose where it belongs.
“In part, but I don’t really want to talk about it.”
The relief that floods through me probably doesn’t speak well of me as a person, but I don’t like heavy topics.
I’m the person who gets things done and does what people tell me.
Which is one of the things Piper wants me to work on.
This would be a great opportunity for it, but I don’t have the energy for it.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. “It looks like Eric is almost here. I’ll meet him outside so he doesn’t snoop too much.”
“It’s fine. Your idea about bringing his kids around is a good one. I might as well meet him with you.”
She heads toward the entryway ahead of me and I follow her. She doesn’t grab a jacket or anything despite the cold. Little does she know, Eric is a yapper. I shrug out of my jacket and carry it with me as I follow her out of the house.
Eric is pulling into the driveway as we meet the end of the sidewalk. Before Callie has a chance to argue, I slide my jacket over her shoulders.
“I don’t really need this. We aren’t going to be out here that long…are we?”
“You never really know with Eric. I guess it depends how badly they need him at the bar.”
“Why would that matter?”
“He’s the head bartender.”
“Oh. What happened to Angie?”
Wow, she really needs someone to bring her up to speed with everything that’s gone on in Asheville since she left all those years ago. “She owns it now. I’ll fill in the gaps while we eat lunch. I’m surprised Miles hasn’t done it.”
“We didn’t talk much about Asheville when he called or visited.”
That’s…odd. It’s not something I’ll get to the bottom of in one day. The urge to know what made her run off and not look back is a battle I won’t win for long. So much for not caring.
Eric parks in front of the house and we move to meet him at his car. It’s best not to give him a chance to come inside. Not today at least.
“Hey, man.” He wraps me in a hug. “I saw you left early last night. Do we not throw a good enough party for you?”
I disentangle myself from him. He knows I’m not a hugger and he does it to get under my skin. It’s like he finds out what annoys you and does it anyway.
“You know damn well big parties aren’t my thing.” I take a step back. “Besides, I told my sister I was leaving and I had her blessing.”
Eric waves away my confession. I swear he takes it as a personal affront if I leave a function earlier than he wishes. He’s not even the one who was throwing the party it was the bar as a whole.
“So, who is the newest addition to the good town of Asheville?” He glances over at Callie and holds his hand out, waiting for her to do the same.
“She’s not actually new. It’s more of like a return to home.” I offer so he doesn’t make an ass of himself. Not that he would care. Honestly, I’m not sure how people go through life like that. No caring what people think, or expect, of you. Maybe he should be the one helping me reinvent myself.
“Oh, even better.” Eric laughs. “I’m Eric. I’m head bartender at Out of the Ashes.”
“Callie.” She shakes his hand and gives him a small smile. “I’m Miles’s sister and basically doing the walk of shame for having to come back home.”
“There’s nothing wrong about coming back to family.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. So maybe I’m a little upset she abandoned us all those years ago. As frustrating as it was hauling her around everywhere when we were teens, the silence was worst.
“I never said that.” Callie bites back. “You have no idea how grateful I am to Miles for helping me out when I needed it most.”
Eric’s eyes widen as he removes his hand from Callie’s. I—is that a smirk? This jerk is getting enjoyment out of it. As long as he doesn’t try to do his whole match-making thing I keep hearing about. That’s the last freaking thing I need.
“I’m just gonna get your food.” He moves toward his car with a quickness I’ve never seen before. Any other time he’s itching to stick around.
I wonder what has him scurrying away. Then I see Callie’s face. Her scowl is one I remember seeing from our childhood. Nothing good ever followed it.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” The need to diffuse the situation is more important than ever. The last thing I need is for Eric to see her full temper, especially when it’s directed at me. I’m pretty sure I’m his least favorite Summers kid aside from Pierce.
“How else am I supposed to take it?” She crosses her arms over chest. I know she’s trying to be intimidating but it’s actually adorable.
“All I’m saying is you left town and never looked back. It’s like you dropped off the face of the earth and our little town didn’t mean shit to you anymore.”
Instead of arguing with me like I expect her to, she starts laughing. “Geez, Peter, I didn’t know you cared so much.”
“I don’t.”
This time it’s Eric chuckling. “I’m gonna head out, we’re sure to hit the normal rush now that everyone is waking up from their hangovers. Here’s your food.” He hands me two bags and Callie one.
“Wouldn’t a bar be the last place you want to go after a hangover?” Callie tilts her head to the side.
“Hair of the dog,” Eric grins. “You should come by and see us once you’re settled.”
“Yeah, sure.”
The tone of her voice means she’s not going to.
I can’t help but wonder when she last went out and enjoyed herself.
Not that I can judge. My idea of a good time is hanging out at home playing video games or working at the winery.
Very rarely do I venture outside of that routine.
Except…last night. Maybe I should be glad I went out.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known Callie moved in practically next door until Miles deemed it important enough to mention. Not that it matters.
“Thanks, Eric.” I give him a small wave. “I’ll come by for lunch this week.”
“I’m holding you to that.” He lifts his hand as he turns to his car. Within seconds he’s backing out and on his way.
“He’s not as scary as you made him seem.” Callie frowns at me and carries her bag inside.
That’s not even what I said. He’s nosy, not scary. I honestly don’t know if he has a mean bone in his body. He’s more like a golden retriever that likes to know everyone’s business. Maybe that’s how I should have described him to her.
“Just wait until he gets all in your business.” I mutter under my breath.
“Which is why I don’t plan on going to the bar. Not for a long while.”
What the hell? I could barely hear myself.
“How did you know what I said?”
She taps her finger against the side of her head. “Mom ears. We hear everything.”
Huh, I always thought that was a myth. It must be some superpower people get when they have kids. “You realize that’s creepy, right?”
“Alexandra thinks the same thing.” She shrugs and motions for me to put the bags on the coffee table in the living room. “I’ll grab the other two if you want to start pulling things out of the bags.”
“Sure.” I watch her leave the room and do as she requested. She already has to parent one person, I don’t need to give her another one.
Callie being back is odd. We’ve gone so many years without her here and now she shows up. Based on our interactions so far, we’re going back to the same relationship we had when we were kids. This whole thing is about to get interesting.