Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Gavin
I ’m not in any rush to get to Mike’s office, not with everything hanging over me. But I leave early anyway because I can’t stand being alone in that house a second longer.
It’s not like I can get any work done. The service out there is like being stuck in the age of dial-up internet.
I know I told Jayla I would try to stick around, but it’s not possible. I can’t stand to be in this house with the memories, either.
I send a quick text to the airstrip, asking them to prepare a flight plan for me to go home today. I’ll finish this with Mike and then take off as soon as possible. It’s better if I call Jayla to say bye, too. I can’t say no to her face. She’s too good at getting to my heart.
I’ll stop by the diner along the way. A part of me craves a return to routine—the diner, the coffee, the familiarity of something that hasn’t been marred by the past or the weight of what I was here to do. The diner was filled with good memories of growing up, not the fights, the anger, and the words that can never be taken back like the house was.
Besides, I’ll have too much time to think if I stay in that empty house a moment longer. And right now, all I can think about is Lena and how her mouth felt on mine.
I don’t know if I was caught up in all of the emotions of being back home or if it was just being in the vicinity of her and remembering all the ways she made me feel seen and heard.
Kissing her was wrong. But damn if it didn’t set all of me on fire.
Every second that I’m alone in the silence of that house, I think about her mouth on mine, and then I flash back to all of the times we spent naked together in my old apartment in the city.
As I park in front of the diner, I can already feel the eyes on me. Hicks Creek may be small, but its gossip travels fast. I enjoy the anonymity of the city, the hustle and bustle, and the fact that very few people know my name.
“Is that Gavin Wells?” someone asks.
“Sure is, such a shame it takes his father’s death for him to return,” someone else comments.
“Thinks he’s better than the rest of us in that fancy car,” a male voice chimes in.
“He does a lot of good work in the city,” an older woman interjects. “You all are just jealous that he has a life outside of here.”
“I don’t care about someone having a life. You should always remember where you came from.”
Typical Hicks Creek. Everyone has something to say about things they know nothing about.
I smile. At one point in my life, I would have yelled or tried to argue my case and make everyone see the truth, but I’ve learned it’s pointless.
I roll my eyes. Some things will never change, and that’s okay.
The bell above the door jingles as I walk into the diner, and the smell of bacon and coffee hits me like a wave of nostalgia. The diner hasn’t changed a bit. It has the same booths, the same cracked linoleum floor, and the same worn-down counter where Aaron and I sat with our parents on Sunday mornings.
My eyes drift to the corner booth, where I can almost see a younger version of myself, stuffing my face with pancakes while Mom and Dad rattle on about the farm or whatever small-town drama had caught their attention that week.
“Gavin?”
I turn to see Becky Miller, an old classmate, standing behind the counter, staring at me like I’m some ghost from the past.
I guess I am to her.
She’s aged, but not in a bad way, just the way people do when they stay in one place for too long.
“Becky.” I nod, forcing a smile.
She leans against the counter, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Well, well, look what the cat dragged in. I heard you were back in town. Didn’t believe it until now.”
“I’m here,” I reply, my voice flat. I’m not in the mood for small talk, but there is no avoiding it. Not here.
“You staying long?” she asks, already pouring me a cup of coffee. “Heard you’ve been doing pretty well for yourself in the big city.”
“We’ll see.”
She places the coffee in front of me and raises an eyebrow. “People are talking, you know. Everyone’s curious. Rich guy like you, all successful and whatnot, coming back to little ole Hicks Creek. Must’ve been quite the surprise when they saw you pull up in that fancy car of yours.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Of course, they were talking. They probably already dissected every detail of my life by now, from my divorce to my bank account. Must be a boring life to have to discuss someone else’s.
“Yeah, well, small towns don’t change, do they?”
Becky laughs, shaking her head. “No, they don’t.”
“Oh, Gavin,” a woman’s voice breathes as she walks out of the kitchen.
“Miss Betty.” I smile as the woman engulfs me in a hug. “Nice to see you still running the place.”
“Becky runs it; she just lets me play in the kitchen from time to time,” she beams. “It’s so good to see you back in town. I’m so sorry about Henry and Aaron. Both were such fine men, just like you. Henry was always so proud of you two boys.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Everyone says the same thing. He is such a good man and was so proud of you.
My father was neither of those things.
“Thanks, Miss Betty. Some of my best memories are here in the diner.”
“I’d like to think it’s why you’re so successful now. You know, I was one of the people who instilled a good work ethic in you.”
“Absolutely.” I chuckle.
As I sip my coffee, I scan the room. A couple of older men sit at the counter, casting sidelong glances at me every now and then, probably trying to piece together who I was and why I’d come back.
The door opens again, and I glance up just in time to see the postman, old Mr. Jenkins, walking in with his usual swagger. His eyes land on me immediately, and he pauses, a slow grin spreading across his face.
How is this man still working? He was old when I was a teenager, and I look as though I’ve aged more than him.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Gavin Wells back in town.” His voice is loud, too loud. Everyone in the diner turns to look. “Heard you got rich out there in the city. Don’t suppose you’ve come back to buy up the whole town, have ya?”
I give a tight smile, trying to keep my annoyance in check. “Not quite.”
“Good, good. I wouldn’t want to see the place change too much. That sister-in-law of yours wouldn’t let it happen anyway. Man, I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of her bite.” He laughs, winking before shuffling off to a table.
If that ain’t the truth.
I chuckle and nod in agreement. She’s always been fiercely loyal to this town and the people she loves. Her dreams were always here in Hicks Creek. It was just one of the many reasons she was better off with my brother.
I finish my coffee quickly, realizing I won’t find any peace here. As I stand to leave, Becky calls after me, “You take care, Gavin. And don’t be a stranger, alright?”
I nod, already halfway out the door.
This was better than staying in that house alone with thoughts of Lena running rampant.
By the time I arrive at Mike’s office, the small parking lot is already filled with cars. My stomach twists as I walk up the steps, my mind racing. This isn’t just any meeting. This is the reading of the will, and if I know one thing for certain, it’s that my dad had a way of making things complicated.
I push open the door and step inside. Mike’s large office is well-furnished, sophisticated even, not something you’d expect in a small town. He sits behind his desk, looking up as I enter, giving me a tired smile.
“Gavin,” he greets, standing to shake my hand. “Surprised to see you.”
Motherfu…it’s going to be like this, is it?
“I’m not any more thrilled to be here than you, Mike. There’s no need for the passive-aggressive bullshit. We’re grown-ass men,” I reply irritably, sitting in one of the worn leather chairs.
It’s quiet between us as he looks through a file in front of him and occasionally types on his keyboard. I drum my fingers on the armrest, my knee bouncing gently as I look down at my phone.
Ah, I get a little better service here. I can answer some emails rather than engage in small talk with Mike.
A few minutes later, Lena arrives. I glance up, watching her confidently sashay in, wearing a floral print dress that makes her eyes stand out. She doesn’t even look at me as she walks in, her face set in a neutral expression.
“I’m not sure why I needed to be here, Mike.” Lena sighs.
“You know why.” He clears his throat, shuffling through the papers on his desk. “Alright, let’s get to it. As you both know, this is the reading of Henry Wells’s Last Will and Testament. I’ll keep it short and to the point.”
I nod, my jaw clenched, bracing myself for whatever curveball Dad has left for me.
Mike begins to read, his voice droning on about various details: the distribution of assets, the farm, and some smaller items with sentimental value. But then, he pauses, glancing up at me, then at Lena.
Nothing to me.
Not that I expected anything less. Even though I don’t need any of it, it still hurts.
My fingers dig into the armrest as I silently pray for this to be over soon. The sooner I get out of Hicks Creek and forget about this, the better. I’m so on edge, so tense from being here that I’ll have to get a good run and a workout in when I get home.
“There’s… one final stipulation,” Mike says, clearing his throat. “Henry wanted to ensure that the farm stays in the family, specifically with Jayla and Lena.”
I take a deep breath, fighting the urge to roll my eyes.
Not even going to let me have my childhood home, I see. Thanks for the final fuck you, Dad.
“I’m not surprised that he left me nothing. I am wondering why the hell I needed to be here in person for you to reiterate that my father hated me,” I practically growl as I lean forward.
Lena shifts in her seat, her eyes narrowing as she glances at me.
“Henry put in a condition. Gavin, in order for Lena and Jayla to inherit the farm, you are required to remain in Hicks Creek for the next year. You must live here and contribute to the upkeep of the farm.”
Excuse me?
“What?” I snap. “He wants me to stay here for a year? Are you serious?”
“I’m afraid so. It was his final wish.”
I glance at Lena, expecting her to look just as surprised, but instead, I see the storm brewing in her eyes.
Did she know?
I’m livid. It’s taking everything in me to curb my anger. He never respected me or the life that I busted my ass to build for myself. It all still boils down to Henry Wells getting the last laugh to make sure I come back to the Podunk bullshit town.
“This is ridiculous,” I mutter, standing from my chair. “He can’t force me to stay here. I have a life, a job, back in the city.”
“Gavin,” Lena hisses. “Sit down.”
I turn to face her with my hands clenched into fists at my sides. “Why? So you can tell me how I should just throw everything away and stay in this town that I left behind? You know I can’t do that.”
My anger is at a tipping point. I know I need to stop and take a few breaths, but I can’t. I’m so mad at the idea of being trapped in this place for a year.
I can’t leave my job, my home, my friends, and the life I’ve built. People there rely on me.
She stands, her eyes locking onto mine. “Why is it so horrible for you to stay? You can do everything remotely now. The farm isn’t just some property, Gavin. It’s your family’s legacy. It’s Jayla’s legacy.”
“I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t ask to come back here and get pulled into all of this. I don’t want to be a farmer. I’m a day trader. I have a life on Wall Street. I have a penthouse in the city. VIP access to the best clubs and restaurants. I made something out of my life, and just because he never understood it or cared doesn’t mean he can force me to give all that up. I have kids, man…I have kids at the youth center who rely on me, who need my guidance. I…” I let out a low growl as I shake my head. “What, is there a clause in there that I have to become the fucking sheriff, too?” I hiss.
I run my hands over my face as I turn around and try to calm down.
How dare that asshole do this to me? He knew that I wouldn’t turn my back on Jayla and Lena.
Collin…he’s one of the kids I mentor in the city. I don’t know how he’ll handle me not being there anymore. Both his parents abandoned him, and now my dad is forcing me to do the same thing.
Lena’s voice cracks as she speaks, her frustration bubbling over. “No one is disputing that you made an amazing life for yourself, and Henry wasn’t forcing you to give that life up either. Jesus, Gavin, he was damn proud of you, but… you’re acting like this town, this farm, this life…like it’s some burden you can’t wait to shake off. You used to love the farm.”
My jaw tightens, and I can’t find the words.I’m too angry to speak.
So much for all these assholes telling me that Dad was proud of me. Actions speak louder than words, right?
“I’m going to give you two time alone,” Michael offers quickly as he stands and leaves the room.
“I didn’t… I didn’t know how to stay,” I finally admit angrily.
I raise my arm to point at the door, and Lena flinches and ducks as her face turns white. My stomach drops immediately. Did she think I was going to hit her? Why would she think that?
“I don’t even know what that means,”she snaps.
She turns away, crossing her arms over her chest. I can see the tension in her shoulders and how she struggles to hold everything in.
All of the rage I’m feeling at my dad dissipates when I realize my outburst scared her. I instantly feel bad, my stomach clenching at the thought.
“I didn’t mean to scare you. I definitely didn’t mean to hurt you back then,” I say softly, taking a step toward her. “But I couldn’t stay here. My dad never saw me, never. I was a disappointment to him. And...he didn’t want me here. He told me…”
That if I didn’t stay away from you, I wasn’t welcome at home.
“Are you kidding me?” she hisses as she spins around.
“No, he told me to leave.”
She stares back at me for a full minute before she clears her throat.
“Well, he’s not here anymore to tell you to leave. Any more excuses? Are you going to run again? Or are you going to stay and face the consequences of your choices?”
Damn, Lena, don’t hold back.
I don’t have an answer for that, not one that would satisfy her or even myself. The truth is, I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t even really know what the hell I’m doing here. I thought I would float into town, pay for the funeral, say my last goodbye, put closure to my tumultuous relationship with my father, and then never look back.
I should have known better.
All I can think about now is how pissed I am at my dad. And also, how much I want to pull Lena into my arms and kiss her stupid.
He told me to stay away from Lena, and I did that. It was the biggest mistake of my life, and I buried myself in my work to forget about it. And now, he wants to take that from me, too.
I don’t want to give up my life in the city, but I won’t allow the farm to be sold out of the family.
My mother would be heartbroken. And so would Jayla.
Dammit if I wouldn’t stay in Hicks Creek forever if Lena told me she wanted me to stay for her.