No Place Like Homecoming

by Dallen, Maggie

  I just barely held back a sigh. I had my work cut out for me with this one. The girl didn’t understand playing hard to get. Not that hard to get was always the best strategy, but from what I’d heard about Roman?

  She definitely shouldn’t sound so eager, not even behind his back. Guys seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to desperation.

  I should know. I winced. I’d been filled with desperation when I’d seen Flynn the other night, and look where that had gotten me. He’d been even more standoffish than usual at school, barely even saying thanks when I gave him back his book with a flirty comment about how we should study together for the next quiz.

  It was basically an open invitation to hook up and...nothing. Nada. I might as well have offered him a flat soda for all the interest I got in return.

  But I would not be distracted from my mission. He had a ride, and I had places to be.

  “There’s Flynn now,” Willow said as she glanced out the window. “He’s just pulling up.”

  My belly did a somersault. That was unexpected. And uncalled for. I wasn’t nervous. I didn’t even like the guy. But that didn’t stop my heart from slamming against my ribcage as he walked in looking hot.

  There was no other way to put it.

  He’d been hot since day one, it wasn’t like this was news. But try telling that to my pulse, which was tripping along like we were in the midst of a track meet rather than hanging out, casually, at a group hang that only losers in this small town would consider a party.

  Be cool. Play it cool. Don’t freak out.

  No amount of inner pep talks helped. As soon as Flynn arrived, my insides started rocketing between elation and nerves and then, inexplicably—terror.

  I took a deep breath as I watched him follow Willow into the kitchen where they chatted about the party they’d just come from as they grabbed some drinks.

  “Is Roman coming?” Callie asked when they rejoined the rest of us in the living room.

  Flynn gave her a wince of regret. “No, sorry. He had to go to another party.”

  “Oh. Okay. No problem.” Callie’s disappointment was so obvious that Willow loudly pronounced it was time for ice cream, which was apparently as crazy as this girl got. This had Callie hurrying after her into the kitchen and with one quick glance at me and Flynn, Savannah followed suit.

  Flynn looked over at me too, and there was wariness written all over his features. “Hey, you ready for the Garners’ party tomorrow?”

  I shrugged. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess. I mean, is anyone ever really ready to dress up and sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in front of a bunch of strangers?”

  His lips hitched up on one side, and I caught a flicker of a dimple. “Good point.”

  “But,” I continued, “I know the lines to that cheesy script, and I memorized the song, so I’m good.”

  Awkward silence fell. Where was my cool? It was nowhere to be found. My heart was still racing like I was twelve and talking to a boy I liked for the first time.

  I tried to remind myself that I had Logan. Sorta. Kinda.

  Well, he would be as good as mine by homecoming.

  Yeah, that did nothing to help my sweaty palm situation over here. It was almost like my body didn’t care at all that the guy I really liked wasn’t even here.

  I perched on the edge of the couch, my brain scrambling to think of something to say. How on earth did I flirt again? Taylor used to joke that I’d been born to flirt, but right now my mouth was dry and the most flirtatious line I could think of was, “Do you want to sit?”

  His brows hitched up a little. Not surprisingly, he seemed confused by my weirdness.

  Nope. Nothing awkward to see here. Just sitting on the edge of the couch with my hands on my knees like it’s my first time at a party—lame little small-town get together or otherwise.

  “So,” I said.

  “So,” he repeated, drawing the word out as if to exaggerate how awkward this was.

  I drew in a deep breath and forced a big smile. “Have you been catering for long?”

  He nodded slowly. “I’ve been working for the restaurant since I was thirteen. First doing dishes and clean-up, and then some serving and catering.”

  “Oh really? That’s...interesting.”

  His smirk made my heart leap. “Is it?”

  “No, not really,” I admitted on a sigh.

  That at least earned me a laugh. A low, rueful chuckle as he looked down and took a sip of his drink.

  “I heard you’re driving out east in a little while,” I said.

  Yup. Way to ease into that one, Isla.

  His gaze darted up to meet mine. “Yeah?”

  I nodded. “To see your family?”

  “Yeah.”

  That was it. I drew in a deep breath. I was officially pulling teeth over here. This was ridiculous. He was a guy.

  Guys liked me.

  If I could get a guy like Logan to choose me over every other chick at our school, I should certainly be able to get this guy to sit up and take notice.

  “Hi,” I tried again, resting closer to Flynn and edging sideways so I was basically in his face.

  “Uh, hello,” he said.

  I couldn’t tell if it was amusement or annoyance making his eyes dance. But I caught the way his gaze dipped down to my lips, resting there for a full second and stealing my breath from my lungs before looking back up at me.

  “So, what do you guys really do for fun around here?” I asked, channeling all the sexy breathiness I could into that question.

  “You’re looking at it,” he said.

  I pouted. “I think I can do better.”

  His expression was a cross between intrigued and annoyed. “What did you have in mind?”

  I heard the girls in the kitchen laughing over something. Any minute now they’d be back in the living room and my chance would be ruined.

  “Come outside and let me show you,” I said.

  His brows pulled together, forming a little crease over his nose. “Isla, I don’t know what you’re up to, but—”

  I put a hand on his knee and he forgot what he was saying. At least, I assumed that was what happened when his jaw went slack and his eyes glazed over.

  “I want to hear more about this road trip of yours,” I said. And how I can tag along.

  My phone dinged in my pocket and I pulled it out to see a frowny face emoji text from Taylor. My stomach plummeted, but I pulled it out and opened the messages to see the photo she’d sent with that eloquent text.

  A picture of Logan and my frenemy Meredith locking lips. They were on a couch and it looked like a party was going on and…

  I tried to swallow and failed.

  “Hey, you okay?” Flynn asked.

  “What’s with the new girl?” Savannah asked, her voice so loud as she entered the room it made me flinch.

  I couldn’t seem to stop staring at the photo though. It was like my entire world had come down to this.

  “Her name is Isla,” Callie shot back. It seemed to be on autopilot though because a second later she was by my side. “Seriously, though, are you okay? You look a little sick.”

  “I’m fine.” I said it quickly, glancing up to see Flynn and all three girls staring at me. “Totally fine.”

  “You don’t look fine,” Flynn said.

  I frowned. “That’s what every girl wants to hear from the guy she’s hitting on. Thanks ever so much.”

  “You were hitting on Flynn?” Callie asked. She sounded way too happy and clearly missed the point.

  I stood up. “I was trying, but he’s not exactly a willing participant.”

  Flynn made a sound beside me, and I looked over to see him either choking or laughing, and then he was coughing.

  “You know what?” I announced louder than necessary. “I need some air.” I headed toward a door leading to the back patio and turned to glance over my shoulder. “Flynn, are you coming?”

  He exchanged a quick look of s
urprise with the other girls before getting to his feet. “Uh, yeah. I guess I am.”

  I led the way and drew in a long, steadying breath.

  I wasn’t sure what was going on with me, but that picture just brought me back to reality with a shove. I wasn’t upset.

  I mean, I was a little thrown by the sight of Logan with another girl. But I wasn’t heartbroken. If anything, I was sort of expecting this. Okay, I was totally expecting it. This was why I had to get back there.

  Or was I too late?

  I gave my head a shake. No, I couldn’t be too late. I was just out of sight, that was all. Once I came back, I’d resume my place in life and forget all about this town and these people.

  “So you were hitting on me, huh?” Flynn’s voice was so smug, and I sincerely wished that wasn’t so hot.

  I turned to him with a smile. “Guilty as charged.”

  He tipped his head to the side to study me. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me. What’s with the change of heart?”

  “Not a change of heart,” I said. “It’s not like I’m looking for a commitment with you or something, I just thought we could have some fun together.”

  “Uh huh.” He didn’t look convinced.

  Maybe he was smarter than I’d given him credit.

  “I guess I’m just trying to figure out what changed between ‘let’s stay out of each other’s way’ and...this,” he said, waving a hand in my general direction.

  “I’m allowed to change my mind, aren’t I?”

  He studied me for a long moment. “I guess.”

  I took that as my sign that I could move forward with Operation Temptation and I took a step toward him, letting a hand fall on his chest. “I get that you’re all work, no play, but would it really be the end of the world to enjoy a little time with me tonight?”

  His gaze lingered on my lips. “I can’t get a read on you, Isla. One minute I think you’re crazy selfish, the next just crazy, and then there’s a moment like this one when…”

  I swallowed hard, hating how much I wanted to hear what came next.

  Hating how much I dreaded it too.

  “I just can’t read you,” he finished.

  I was pretty sure we both knew that wasn’t what he’d meant to say.

  “Yeah, well,” I turned my hand, catching some of the material of his T-shirt in my grip and tugging him closer. “You don’t have to read me,” I said. “You just have to kiss me.”

  He hesitated for a heartbeat, and I found myself hesitating too. What was I doing? Why was I doing it?

  Did it matter? Desperation and that sick sense of betrayal over seeing Logan with another girl…with those factors combined I felt like I was reeling. I wasn’t sure what I was doing out here with Flynn. This plan was insane. Flynn didn’t even like me, and a kiss wouldn’t change that.

  But I looked up and met his dark gaze and...I didn’t care. With him looking at me like this, like I was the center of his world, and like I was the only girl on the planet...I stopped thinking. Who cared why I was doing this or if it would work? What mattered was...

  I wanted this. I wanted to lose myself in this moment, and I couldn’t do that with him trying to strip away every defense I had. And that’s what he would do if we kept talking. If he kept looking at me like this. My breath came out on a shaky exhale. “Just kiss me already,” I whispered.

  He leaned down with a low growl, and when his lips claimed mine it felt as much like punishment as triumph.

  Hot and searing, his kiss felt like a brand. The earth seemed to shift around us with a sharp jerk. The planets realigned and the world fell into place.

  His lips were hot and demanding, and I forgot everything but this moment. This kiss. This guy.

  And then I was kissing him back with the same force, the same need, the same overwhelming hunger. My fingers were clenched in his shirt and his hands were tangled in my hair.

  I needed this. I needed this kiss like I needed air to breathe. He was solid and strong and...real.

  He was so freakin’ real.

  He didn’t kiss me like I was just another girl at a random party. He didn’t kiss me like he’d forget me the moment I walked away.

  He kissed me like I was everything.

  Like he knew every part of me and liked it.

  Which wasn’t true, of course. No one liked me that much.

  Not even me.

  Nine

  Flynn

  I pulled back with a gasp.

  What was that?

  A fire ripped through me, and it took everything in me not to kiss her again when I looked down at her parted lips, her dark and dazed eyes.

  So much about this girl was fake, but that kiss? That was real. What I felt was real. The way she kissed me back? That was real.

  And all of me wanted more. I wanted deeper, I wanted to know what else about her was real. I wanted to get to the heart of this girl more than I could remember wanting anything in my life.

  And that was freakin’ terrifying.

  I took a step back from her and felt her hands drop from my chest. Her breath was coming in short gasps, and mine was no less uneven.

  We stared at each other for a long moment, and I had no idea what she was thinking, but I saw my own shock and fear staring right back at me.

  Panic rippled through me because...this could not happen.

  Nope. This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t be having feelings for this girl.

  But there it was. The truth staring right back at me as my heart did a flip at the sight of those green eyes fixed on me. As my head tried to figure out why she was hurting, as my heart begged me to fix it. This girl had made me feel things I’d never felt before. Heck, she'd been doing that since day one, but right now, there was no denying that what she made me feel was...want.

  Need.

  Maybe something bigger than either of those words.

  She made me feel a connection, and a connection was exactly what I couldn’t afford to forge right now. Not when my family was waiting for me. Relying on me.

  Not when I was weeks away from leaving this place for good.

  I took another step back and watched her blink her way back to life. “Whoa,” she whispered.

  I swallowed a laugh as I ran a hand through my hair. Whoa was one word for it. “I, uh…” I was backpedaling. I needed space. I needed air—preferably air that she was not sharing. I needed to think this through. “I need another drink. You want one?”

  “Oh, um, yeah. That would be great.”

  I bolted into the house and nearly collided with Callie. “What are you two up to out there?” Her eyes narrowed teasingly. “Better not be any funny business because our girl’s already taken.”

  She handed me a bottle of water but she might as well have tossed it over my head. “She’s...taken?”

  “Yeah, she’s been pining over some guy back home,” Callie continued. Almost like she didn’t know she was reaching into my guts and squeezing my insides.

  “Really,” I muttered.

  Savannah came into the kitchen and grabbed a bag of chips. “Did she hit you up for a ride yet?”

  I blinked. “A ride?”

  Willow followed Savannah and now all three of my princess friends could witness my humiliation.

  Sweet.

  Embarrassment filled my veins and had my racing heart slowing to a dull thud of anger. “So she’s looking for a ride, huh?”

  Callie frowned. “She didn’t ask? I figured that was why she wanted to talk to you alone.”

  I nodded. Right. Of course. That was why. Not because she actually wanted to talk to me. Not because she wanted to get to know me.

  Nope. That girl was just hoping to get something from me. “I’ll be right back,” I said, already turning away.

  “Uh oh, maybe we shouldn’t have said anything,” I heard Callie whisper behind me.

  My heart was pounding when I got back outside.

  Isla’s smile was s
o beautiful it hurt.

  So phony it made my skin crawl.

  I’d known something was up. It wasn’t like I hadn’t suspected she was up to something but…

  But yeah, I guess I was an idiot because for a little while there I’d thought maybe there was something real behind the flirting. Something genuine beneath all the bravado.

  And there was something real there. She’d had an agenda. She’d wanted something from me and rather than just ask, she’d tried to trick me into liking her.

  Man, I was such an idiot.

  Her smile faltered a bit in the face of my silence, and I thrust a hand through my hair as I let out a long exhale. “You know, Isla, if you wanted to hitch a ride back home, you could have just asked.”

  Her smile faded and I muttered a curse at the hurt that flickered in her eyes. Oh no. No way. She wasn’t allowed to be the victim here. Not today.

  “I got the spoiled brat vibe from you that very first day we met,” I said. “I knew you were trouble the moment you opened your mouth—”

  “Wait, Flynn, I—”

  “But for some reason, I thought…” I trailed off with a loud exhale.

  “What did you think?” Her voice was so raw and shaky it made my heart hurt.

  Which was ridiculous. It was all a lie with her. She was nothing but smoke and mirrors. “I thought there was more to you than that.” I shrugged. “I thought there was something real beneath all your snark and your bravado, but I was wrong. Clearly.”

  She started to protest again, but I tuned her out. I skipped the scene I knew would be waiting for me inside the house and walked around the side of the house to get to my car instead.

  What an idiot. But at least now there was no danger of wanting to stay, right?

  Even as I thought it, my mind went back to Callie, Willow, and Savannah. I’d gone so long telling myself I had no friends here, and it was like everyone was out to prove me wrong. Even Roman had invited me to his band’s next gig, like we were actually friends or something.

  It was like the world was testing me. I told my mom I’d happily leave. That nothing was holding me here, and now that was the way it had to be.

  I gripped the steering wheel tighter, telling myself over and over that this was for the best. I was glad it turned out Isla was using me. I was grateful none of that was real.