9. Chapter 9
The “For Sale” sign goes up on my front lawn. I watch from my living room window, my eyes tearing up. After another missed payment and more notices from the mortgage company, we made the decision to sell. Knowing this is our best option, doesn’t ease my sense of failure.
I look over at my mom sitting on the couch and know shes feeling the same. Neither of us wanted this to be the outcome, but after talking it out, we knew this was our next step. Mrs. Thorne knocks on the door, and I let her in. She gives us both hugs.
What did the Realtor say? she asks.
He thinks it will sell quickly; the market for lower-priced houses is high. It shouldn’t have a problem selling for the asking price. The bones are solid, even if it needs updates,” Mom answers.
Sounds good. Do you know where youre going to move to? she asks me.
Mom will be moving in with Stacy because it makes the most sense. With her consistent nine-to-five work schedule, she can be there more for my mom than I can. That leaves me scrambling to find somewhere for me to stay. The third bedroom in Stacy’s house isn’t an option, with all of Cole’s stuff still occupying it. Finding a place with rent that I can afford feels impossible.
I’ve looked at a few studio apartments that are closer to the city. The neighborhoods aren’t the best, but theyre affordable.
Im sure the perfect thing will come along, Mom encourages.
I wish I could have her positivity. I’ll likely have to find another job by winter to keep up with my expenses.
If you get desperate, you and your mom can double up in the bedroom. Id let you take Coles room, but he will need it soon.
Coles NHL team in New York went out in the first round of the playoffs, swept in only four games. Talks about renewing his contract with them broke down. His professional career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows over four seasons. His rookie season was spectacular, but this last season was not good.
Its okay. I’ll figure it out, I assure her.
I know there’s somewhere I can go, but I’m unsure how comfortable that living arrangement would be. Talon and I have been talking almost daily since his visit last week. He’ll be coming home from LA tomorrow. He has a rental house lined up and is more than willing to have me occupy one of his spare rooms there rent-free. It’s a tough offer to turn down, but I refuse to be a freeloader.
Aside from the financials, living with Talon might end up a disaster. He wants to rekindle our relationship, but I’m hesitant to want anything more than casual with him. Living together might make this a total nightmare, but it’s the best choice I have right now. He says the house is enormous with lots of room, which would be easy to avoid if needed. How bad could it be?
I place my grocery bags in the trunk of my car when I feel someone walk up behind me. I check to ensure my purse is secure and turn around to meet smiling brown eyes.
“Hey Foster, what are you doing here?”
He gives me a deadpan look, “Grocery shopping.”
I roll my eyes, “Obviously. I meant being in Springbrook. I thought your parents moved away a few years back.”
“They did. I have some business to take care of.”
“Business?” I can’t imagine what business he’d have to handle here.
“Yep, nosey. Something that might keep me in town more often, but I can’t talk about it yet. Would you like to have lunch with me?”
“I need to get these home, but lunch afterward would be great. I need to leave the house anyway because we have a showing this afternoon.”
“Great. I need to grab a couple of things from the store. How about we meet at Buster’s for burgers in twenty?”
I nod, “I’ll be there.”
It takes me almost all of that time to run home, put all of my groceries away, and haul my ass to the small hole-in-the-wall grill that Foster picked. I walk into the dimly lit place and see him sitting in a booth to the left. I slide onto the seat in front of him and grab the menu waiting for me. I don’t really need it. Buster’s burgers are legendary around here. I know I want mine with onion rings. The waitress comes over quickly, and we place our order.
“I can’t wait. I’ve missed this place so much,” Foster says when she leaves.
“Your job is all about training and healthy eating. This doesn’t seem like your kind of place. ”
“So, you’ve looked me up, huh?”
I eye him over my glass of coke, “I’ve kept tabs on you from time to time.”
“Good to know. Healthy eating is great, but sometimes a greasy burger is needed to hit the spot. Indulging occasionally keeps me sane.”
“So, are you moving back into town? Is that why youre here?” I ask him.
He smiles at me, “Looks like it. I can do most of my work from anywhere. This place feels right.”
“I’ve heard that a lot lately. There must be something in the water. Isn’t your family in Florida? Why aren’t you moving there with them?”
“All that humidity makes you feel like you’re living in an armpit. They love it, but it’s not for me.”
“Are you moving back because of Cole? I hear he’s moving back too.”
“Where did you hear that?” he asks.
“His mom.”
“I forgot your parents were close. I’ve already quit with the Demons, and I’m ready to move on to something different. Cole has a few options that are up in the air, but coming back to Michigan is his favorite.”
Our waitress delivers our food to the table, and we both go silent while we scarf down the deliciousness. I don’t eat here that often because my mom doesn’t enjoy eating out. This isn’t the sort of place I frequent with Emma since it’s not family-friendly. I’ve never considered eating anywhere alone.
“It’s really weird,” I say once I’ve gotten down more than half my burger.
“What’s weird?” Foster asks, taking a breather too.
“After so much time away, all of you are moving back within weeks of each other. It’s a bit suspect if you ask me.”
“There’s no conspiracy. I’ve only been back a couple of times since moving away, and Talon visited even less. Cole is the only one who came back semi-regularly, but I think we all felt a pull to be here this time. Something was missing, and maybe we found it.”
I shrug, “There’s nothing here to miss. It’s been mostly the same since you’ve been gone.”
He looks me in the face with complete seriousness. “There’s something I’ve missed.” He pops a fry in his mouth and then changes the direction of the conversation. “Talon told me that you guys have to sell your house. I’m sorry you’re going through all that.”
“It sucks, but it’s probably overdue. Who still wants to live in their childhood home at twenty-four anyway.”
“True, but the circumstances could be better.”
“You’re right. As long as my mom’s taken care of, everything is good. It’s weird to me that you and Talon are friends.”
“Something about our four-way relationship bonded us all in some fucked up way. We’ve each gone through some shit.”
“I’m glad you’ve had each other. Even if I was the common ground you found.”
“You were the best common ground. Anyway, I think you should move into Talon’s house for what its worth. I understand you’ve done so much to care for yourself and your mom, but there’s nothing wrong with letting someone else shoulder some of that responsibility with you.”
“And why do you get a vote in where I live?”
He holds up his hands in surrender, “I don’t. I just thought I’d throw in my opinion for some sway if you were leaning one way or another. Talon wants to be able to help you out.”
“Thanks. I am leaning in that direction. It would make things easier until I can get back on my feet. But don’t tell him that.”
He flashes a smile at me, “My lips are sealed, but it’s a smart move.”
We finish our meals and talk for another hour in the restaurant. Foster has always been one of my favorite people to chat with, and that hasn’t changed. At the end of our lunch, he walks me to my car
“Thank you for lunch,” I tell him.
“My pleasure,” he says, boxing me in against my driver’s door. I look up into his dark eyes. He looks down at my mouth, and his head lowers. I know that if I don’t protest, he will kiss me. I consider resisting but instead pull him in closer by his shirt. His lips on mine are gentle. The kiss is sweet but not without heat.
“Until next time, pretty girl,” he says and walks away, leaving me leaning on my car with weak knees.