3. Willow
Willow
Beck’s house looks exactly how I remember it.
It’s small but charming with a large front porch, two rocking chairs, and a small garden out front.
I always used to think it was so cute that he took the time to plant a garden and take care of it.
He also made sure the house looked nice with its white siding, light blue shutters, and matching door.
From memory, I know the inside has three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. I know the living room opens up to the kitchen with a big wooden table off to the side.
I know that he tried so hard to decorate the inside to make it feel homey so that his daughter wouldn’t feel like she was staying at a bachelor pad.
I remember all of these things because I used to have a teeny tiny, very minuscule crush on him.
Not a crush in the way that I felt my heart would be broken forever if he didn’t notice me, but a smaller one.
One that was more like “Hey, my brother’s best friend is cute and really sweet, and I kinda like him.
” I never minded when Sawyer had Beck hang out with me until he was off work because I was always comfortable around him.
But as I got older, I realized that Beck acted like he was another big brother to me.
It was hard being a teenager, trying to do regular teenage things, with the two of them always watching out for me.
But seeing Beck now in worn-in blue jeans, a T-shirt that pulled across his broad chest, and a backward ball cap, my teeny tiny crush on him slowly fluttered back to the forefront of my mind.
His skin is tan from being in the sun all day, and I can just barely see his dark hair curling from underneath his hat.
When he smiles at Jade, little lines appear by his eyes.
Eyes that indicate he’s older, but also that he’s happy and smiling all the time. Jade is likely the reason for that.
I remember being sad when Sawyer told me Beck and his girlfriend at the time were going to have a baby. But as soon as I held Jade for the first time, all that sadness was gone. She was perfect. Probably because she was half of Beck.
Beck looks in my direction, and his face falls.
It sends a sinking feeling to the pit of my stomach.
Was he not expecting me? Sawyer said he knew we were stopping by to talk about the job.
Maybe he doesn’t like my outfit? I didn’t think about changing after Sawyer and I spent most of the day unpacking my things, but maybe I should have.
Maybe my shorts and tank top aren’t appropriate for this job interview.
I swallow down my worry and walk toward Beck, thinking maybe he’s just uncomfortable around me since he hasn’t seen me in a few years.
Once we get reacquainted, everything will go back to normal.
I smile at him as I wrap my arms around his torso, bringing him into a hug.
He’s just as big and muscly as I remember, and he still smells the same.
A touch of citrus mixed with wood and leather. I always liked that.
He’s rigid for a moment before he finally returns my hug.
“Hey, Wills. It’s good to see you,” he says.
“You too, Beck.”
Even though I don’t want to, I pull away and turn toward Jade, who’s walking over now that Sawyer has put her down.
“Hi, Jade. You’ve gotten so big,” I say, crouching down to her. “You probably don’t remember me, but I knew you when you were just a baby. I’m Willow, Sawyer’s little sister.”
“You’re pretty,” she says in greeting.
I chuckle. “Not as pretty as you!” This makes her smile.
“Are you gonna be my babysitter this summer?” she asks.
“I’d like to be, but I’ve got to talk to your dad about it first.”
She nods before she walks to Beck and takes his hand.
“Y’all come on in,” Beck says, waving us in. Sawyer and I follow them into the house. It looks exactly how I remember it, except for a few more toys and some homemade art that I’m sure came from Jade.
“Do you want anything to drink? Water, sweet tea, Coke?” Beck asks us once the three of us have gathered around his kitchen island. Jade ran off to the living room to play with her dolls.
Sawyer chuckles. “Since when do you offer refreshments? I always just help myself.”
Beck sighs and shakes his head. “I’m trying to be welcoming. It’s been awhile since Willow was here.”
I smile at him even though I’ve noticed he won’t look directly at me, which is strange. I wonder if I’ve somehow upset him. “I’m good right now. Thanks, though.”
He nods. “Yep.”
There’s a beat of awkward silence before Sawyer chimes in. “Well, I’ll let y’all talk. I’m gonna go play with my favorite girl.”
“I thought I was your favorite girl,” I say.
“Sorry, Wills. You’re still in the top five if that makes you feel better.”
“It doesn’t, but thanks.”
Sawyer laughs as he goes to sit down on the floor, picking up one of the dolls who desperately needs her hair brushed.
“So, you’re, uh, home for the summer?” Beck asks.
He sounds… off. Like he’s uncomfortable or something, and I can’t figure out why.
I’ve seen this man do the most idiotic things, from doing a keg stand on school property to streaking down Main Street when he lost a bet.
There’s no reason for him to feel uncomfortable around me.
“Yeah, I’ll be here until the beginning of August.” More silence. “Are you alright? You’re acting a little strange.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just…” He takes his hat off and rubs his hair before putting his hat on the counter. “Just a stressful weekend, I guess.”
I nod. That makes sense. “Sawyer said Gemma didn’t give much notice before she left?”
He blows out a breath. “No, she didn’t. But it’s fine. I love to have more time with Jade. Just wasn’t expecting it, is all.”
“Well, I’m happy to help. How often do you think you’ll need me?
” I ask. Job hunting in town yesterday was abysmal.
Nobody was hiring. And any place that might have needed extra help for the summer hired seniors from Blue Haven High School before the semester even ended.
My plan seriously backfired. When Sawyer told me Beck might need help, I jumped on it.
Not only is it the extra money I need, but I’ll get to hang out with a little kid and play all summer. Yeah, sign me up.
It’s a plus that Beck lives at Moonlight Ranch.
It was one of the only places I really liked about Blue Haven.
Not only is it beautiful here, but there’s so much to do.
Hiking, riding horses. Plus, they have a huge swimming pool and several lakes where you can canoe. It’s the best during the summer.
Beck clears his throat. “Well, my schedule changes week to week. So, it won’t be anything set. But if there are ever any days you can’t make it, Brooks said he’d be able to help out.”
“Ok, well, I don’t really have any plans for the summer other than making extra money, so I should be available whenever you need me. I’m at your mercy.”
Beck’s eyes go wide, and then he chokes on… air?
“You ok?” I seriously don’t know what is going on with him today.
“Yeah. A tickle in my throat, I guess. Anyway, it’ll be at least five days a week. I’ll provide food and money for any activities you want to do with her or anything like that. She’s a pretty easygoing kid. She does have a lot of energy, though, so fair warning now.”
I laugh. “I can handle it.”
He nods and gives me a few more details about the pay and his typical hours.
Truly, it seems like the perfect summer job.
Jade is super cute, and I think we’ll have a lot of fun together.
Beck did so much for Sawyer and me when I was growing up that I wish I could pay him back by watching Jade for free, but unfortunately, I really need the money.
“So, what do you think?” he asks me once he’s done going over everything.
“I think it sounds perfect. When do I start?”
“Tomorrow, if you can.”
Sooner than I was expecting, but why the hell not? Might as well get started. “Absolutely. What time should I be here?”
“Is six a.m. good?”
I try to keep my surprise in check, but I’m not sure if it works because Beck chuckles softly.
“That’s early,” I admit. “But yeah, I can be here.” I can’t remember the last time I got up that early, but I mentally remind myself that I’m doing this for Italy.
“If it’s too early, I can take her to the stables and you can get her from there.”
I shake my head. It’s time for me to be a grown-up. Responsibilities and all that. “Nope. I’m good. I will be here at six.” It hurts just to say it out loud.
“I’ll make sure there’s a fresh pot of coffee for you.”
“Thanks.”
“Thank you, Willow. I really do appreciate you doing this.” He finally looks me in the eye for the first time since I got here.
And he called me Willow. He’s never called me Willow.
It’s always Wills or William or Willow Tree.
Never just Willow. I like the way it sounds coming from his lips a little too much.
I glance down at his mouth. Oh god, why am I staring at his lips?
I quickly look away, hoping that he didn’t notice.
“Yeah, it’s no problem really. It’s gonna be fun.” Before I can do any more stupid things, I turn to find Jade and Sawyer in the living room. Sawyer’s doll now looks like an absolute psychopath, but Jade is laughing her head off, so she must like it.
“Alright, Jade. I will see you bright and early in the morning, ok? We’re going to have the best summer ever!” I tell her.
“Yay!” She stands and gives me a hug before jumping on Sawyer and giving him a hug.
He faux whispers in her ear, “Make sure you keep an eye on Willow. She can get a little crazy.”
Jade laughs.
“Hey! I heard that,” I say.
“Oh, sorry.” The two of them giggle before Sawyer puts her down.
Once we’re on our way home, Sawyer asks, “So, you think it’ll be good?”
“Besides the six o’clock start time, yeah, I think it’s perfect,” I tell him.
“Good. So what’s with the sudden need for extra money?”
I haven’t told Sawyer about the study abroad yet.
I know he’d do everything he could to try to get me the money, but he’s already done so much.
I want to do this on my own. So I tell a little white lie.
“Just want some extra money. Only one more year of school and everything, so I need to start saving.”
“That’s a good mindset to have, Wills. Proud of you.”
“Thanks.” I feel bad about lying to him, but this is for me. I want to do this on my own.
“Jade’s a good kid. You’re gonna have fun.”
“I hope so. I’ll look up some fun kid activities tonight while I’m trying to fall asleep. How is Beck doing? He seemed different today.”
Like he wouldn’t look at me, he didn’t tell a single joke, and he looked tense, which is not something I’m used to from him. Beck has always been the laid-back, good-time guy.
“Really? I didn’t notice anything. He’s probably just stressed about this whole thing. Can’t believe Gemma just sprang that on him last minute.”
“Yeah. Maybe that’s it.”
But even as I say it, I don’t think I believe it.