Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
After Keaton left, Layne unpacked the one suitcase she had brought.
Besides her workout clothes, she had brought a dress for the eventual funeral, as well as two pairs of jeans and a few shirts.
When she had left Dallas for her flight to Corpus, she had left Jeremy’s things in boxes on the front porch.
The last thing she had done was to stop at her next door neighbor’s.
Jenny had a key to Layne’s house for emergencies, as well as the alarm code.
Conveniently, Jenny’s husband was a locksmith.
Layne had asked Jenny to have her husband change the locks on the house immediately, explaining that Jeremy Riggs was no longer welcome on the property.
With sympathy in her eyes, Jenny had assured her it would be taken care of immediately.
Even though Keaton had encouraged her not to make any big decisions regarding her future, Layne already had.
Dallas was dead to her. Even though it was a large city with incredible business opportunities, she had a feeling if she remained that she would constantly run into Jeremy.
She wanted to cut ties with him and get a fresh start.
Whether that was in Driftwood Bay or somewhere else, it meant selling her house.
She showered and got dressed for the day, humming as she did so.
Layne took that as a good sign. She’d always enjoyed singing in the shower or car, and she often hummed.
Or she had until Jeremy told her it bothered him and she had curtailed the habit.
Now, she belted out Defying Gravity as she made the bed, stopping to pick up the pillow and inhale the masculine scent left behind by Keaton.
Clutching the pillow to her, she wondered at how out of character she had behaved with him, even blushing as she recalled the out of this world orgasm he had given her.
It would be wrong to pursue a relationship with him, especially coming out of a long-term one with Jeremy.
Yet the handsome artist was the most appealing man Layne had ever met.
She didn’t think he would put any demands on her or try to put a label on what was going on between them.
She told herself to take things one day at a time.
Emotionally, she was as raw as she’d ever been.
If the spark between them flamed into something, she would deal with it when that occurred.
Glancing at her watch, she decided she should call Piper, knowing her friend had no performances today or tomorrow because of it being Christmas. Layne went downstairs and settled into a favorite chair as she touched the screen to FaceTime with her friend.
Piper appeared, her face flushed. “Hey. I just finished a workout.” She frowned.
“Where are you? That looks like your parents’ place.
Wait. Don’t tell me. You came home for Christmas!
Oh, they are going to be so happy, Layne.
You haven’t been home for Christmas in ages. ” She paused. “But is Jeremy with you?”
Obviously, Piper’s parents hadn’t told their daughter what had happened. It would be up to Layne to break the awful news to her friend. She decided to start with the immediate question first.
“Jeremy is no longer a concern of mine.”
“Hallelujah! He never was good enough for you, Layne. Oh, it’s so nice to hear you’ve dumped him.
I guess I can tell you now that Mila and I call him The Leech.
He is more than a bloodsucker, honey. He took advantage of your generosity.
I’m glad we’ve seen the last of his ass.
” Sympathy filled Piper’s blue eyes. “How are you holding up? I know it’s gotta be hard. You were together a long time.”
“The Jeremy part stings. On top of everything, he was cheating on me. But I have more to tell you.”
Briefly, Layne explained how she was out of a job and had received a generous exit package from the company which had bought out hers.
“That’s terrific,” Piper said brightly. “You poured heart and soul into that company. I’m glad to hear you received such a nice financial reward.”
“There’s more,” she said quietly, her eyes welling with tears. “This is the hard part.”
Layne took a deep breath, and the words came out in a torrent. How her mom had an inoperable brain tumor. How she suspected her dad was also ill. That they had decided to go out together, on their own terms.
Tears ran down Piper’s face. “I am so, so sorry, Layne.”
“Your dad flew up to Dallas to tell me. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me.”
“He did? He didn’t tell me.”
“I’m sure he thought it was best that you heard the news from me.”
“Oh, this makes me even more homesick than I am,” her friend wailed, brushing tears away as they fell down her cheeks. “It’s Christmas. I miss my family. I miss my friends. Dang it, I even miss the Bay.”
Surprise filled her. “But I thought you enjoyed touring and performing. You’ve always talked about how exciting life on the road is. New cities, new adventures.”
“I know. I still feel that way, and that’s why I’m so torn.
But do realize how long I’ve lived out of a suitcase?
Almost a decade. I didn’t finish college like you and Mila did.
I let the lure of musical theater and the chance to perform and make money turn my head.
I still love getting out on that stage, but Mila getting married and me not being there just about killed me. ”
“What are you saying, Piper?” Layne pressed.
“That I’m thinking about coming back home.
I don’t have anything worked out yet. I’m just toying with the idea.
But hearing how your parents are gone and you’ll never see them again makes me miss my parents so much.
I’ve been this vagabond for years now, but honestly?
I’m jealous of Mila. For coming back to the Bay and taking a job she loves.
For finding a great guy like Carson and becoming a mom to Lily.
And I know she’ll turn up pregnant soon.
I don’t want to miss out on being an auntie. ”
Piper paused. “What are your plans, Layne? And what about the Bay Breeze?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. Before I learned about Mom and Dad, I’d decided I was going to take some time off before I began my job search.
Maybe travel a little before I decide what my next chapter will be.
I can tell you that Dallas is in my rear view mirror.
I don’t want to live or work there again.
I’m not sure where I want to be or what I want to do.
I also have the B&B to deal with. It’s a mess, Piper.
Remember how we read The Picture of Dorian Gray in high school?
How his portrait kept fading? Well, that’s what the Bay Breeze looks like to me.
Old. Tired. Faded. It is crying to be updated. ”
“You’ll need to decide whether it’s worth your time to remodel and refresh it or sell it as it is.” Piper paused. “Or you could stay in the Bay and run it.”
“Me? Run the Bay Breeze?”
That hadn’t occurred to her. She had thought either to sell it or hire someone to run it for her.
What would it be like to do that?
“You’ve got time to decide, especially with your sweet deal,” her friend pointed out. “You aren’t hurting for money anytime soon. That’s a luxury, Layne. Be glad you don’t have to rush and make a decision you might regret.”
“That’s what Keaton says. He’s advised me to take my time.”
“Who?” Piper asked, looking intrigued. “Wait, I’ve heard that name before. Mila’s mentioned it.”
“Keaton Maxwell. He lives across the street from Mila and Carson. He’s an artist who moved to the Bay about six months ago. Runs an art gallery.”
Piper leaned toward the screen, scrutinizing Layne.
“So, what’s this Keaton Maxwell doing giving you advice? There’s a story here.”
“It’s hard to explain. He’s … been a friend. Helped me out.”
Piper studied her. “He’s more than a friend. You like this guy.”
“I do,” she admitted. “And that’s the absolutely last thing I need on my plate. Piper, I just broke up with Jeremy. We were together five years!”
Her friend smiled smugly. “And I’m betting Keaton is everything Jeremy wasn’t. Am I right?”
Grudgingly, Layne nodded. “You are. He’s different from any man I’ve ever known. He’s introspective. Kind. Smart.” She hesitated. “I’ve never been so attracted to anyone in my life. It’s almost frightening.”
“Is he a good kisser?”
She sucked in a quick breath. “How do you know we’ve kissed?”
“There. What you said just tells me you already have. Layne, this is great.”
“No, it’s freaking confusing. That’s what it is. Yes, we’ve kissed. His kisses are mind-blowing. I’m already addicted.”
“So, you’re staying in the Bay?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know! Keaton says not to make any big decisions just yet. That I need time to grieve. To process things.”
“I already like him a thousand, million, quadrillion times more than Jeremy. Whether you have a future with this guy or not, he’s good for you now. Don’t push him away. Promise me.”
“I promise,” she said begrudgingly. “Enough of me. What do you have going on?”
Piper explained how a few of her fellow actors were going to a Christmas luncheon buffet tomorrow at a fancy hotel. That she had another nine weeks of touring with this production before the tour ended at the beginning of March.
“That gives me a couple of months to figure out what I want to do. By then, you’ll probably know where you’re going to be.” Piper paused. “If you stay in the Bay with Mila, then that’ll make me want to come home even more.”
“Don’t let what I’m doing affect your own choice,” Layne warned. “You need to do what’s best for you.”
“I know. I’ll tell you, though, that I’m leaning heavily on coming home. For good.” Piper grinned. “But don’t let my decision influence yours.”
“You are evil, Piper Roberts,” she declared.
“And you love me for it.”
They said their goodbyes, with Layne promising to call back tomorrow night, along with Mila.
After the conversation ended, she felt good having shared everything with her friend.
It surprised her how homesick Piper was.
She had lived for performing, and Layne had thought Piper would tour until she dropped dead decades from now.
Yet it was easy to understand how life on the road could be lonely and monotonous.
Piper had always been nurturing. Layne could picture her friend coming home and settling down, having a more normal life.
She could also see Piper with babies. Lots of babies.
Life on the road wasn’t conducive to marriage or children.
Whatever Piper decided, Layne would have to make her own decision regarding where her future home would be, but with Mila already in the Bay and Piper also strongly considering a return home, Layne couldn’t help but be influenced by that.
As she was an only child, these two women were family to her, the three of them forming a sisterhood which had stood the test of time.
And whether she would admit it to herself or not, Keaton Maxwell would also factor into whatever decision she made.
Her phone rang, and she saw it was Laura Perry calling.
“Hi, Mrs. Perry.”
“Hello, Layne, darling. I won’t ask how you are because I know you’re hurting. Bill and I are here for you. You’re welcome to come stay with us instead of rattling around the Bay Breeze by yourself.”
“Thank you for the invitation. I’m all right for now.”
“Well, we’re having people over for Christmas dinner, and you better agree to come. Two o’clock, as usual.”
Her parents had spent many Christmas Days with the Perrys, and Layne knew that while it would be difficult being around others, she needed to go.
“You can count me in, Mrs. Perry. What can I bring?”
Laura Perry laughed. “I don’t suppose you’ve learned to cook by some miracle?”
“No,” she admitted. “I’m happy to pick up something, though.”
“We’ll have plenty. Just bring yourself, dear.”
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks again for thinking of me.”
“You’re family, Layne. We’re here for whatever you need.”
“I appreciate that.”
Layne hung up, already feeling good about the decision to spend the holiday at the Perrys’ house.
Then her cell rang again, and she saw it was Keaton calling.
“Hey. Get your groceries?” she asked.
“Yes, but it was a madhouse. I think everyone in the Bay decided to wait until today to do their shopping. How are you?”
“I called Piper. We had a good chat.”
“Good. I’m glad you touched base with her.”
“She’s feeling a bit lonely, being on the road and away from the Bay and her parents. Laura Perry also called and invited me to lunch tomorrow.”
“Good to hear. I’ll pick you up.”
“I can drive myself, Keaton.”
“Can I see you before then?” he asked. “I know you’re in limbo, waiting for the autopsies to be completed.”
“I’d like you to come over. I’m going to warn you that if you do, I’ll put you to work, though.”
“Hmm, doing what?”
“The Bay Breeze is sorely in need of a makeover. You said you worked in construction for years. Would you be willing to walk through it with me and let me know everything that needs to be done in order to restore it to what it was before? I don’t know if I’ll keep it or sell it, but I figure any improvements I make will need to be done, regardless. ”
“I can do that,” he said easily, and she could picture his smile.
“I’ll pay you for your time,” she told him.
“No payment necessary. Just one friend helping out another. Can I come now?”
“Now is good for me.”
“See you soon.”
Layne ended the call, and for the first time in days, she felt hopeful. About her future.
And whatever role Keaton Maxwell might play in it.