Awakened in September

by Kelsey Clayton

  “Almost. Finishing up this last box, but the rest are done.”

  “These?” He gestures toward the stack at the end of my bed. Once I nod, he grabs one off the top and flashes us one of his dazzling smiles. “Okay. I’ll bring them down to the truck while you say goodbye to our dearest Jules.”

  As soon as he leaves, I stick my bottom lip out at my roommate. “He’s right. You could come with us.”

  She groans and throws herself onto my bed. “I wish. Are you sure he doesn’t have a brother?”

  “If he did, I think Ivy would have snatched him up by now.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  Julia was with me when I met Parker nearly two years ago. She had pulled me out to a party neither of us had any business being at. It was across town at Columbia University. I tried to talk her into going elsewhere, but she wasn’t having it. She won by getting me to go and I won by drinking my body weight in alcohol. By the time that I ended up next to the blue-eyed beauty, I was drunk enough to make fun of his pretentious looking outfit; just before I spilled my drink all down the front of him. It was an encounter that should have been caught on film, but I’m more than glad it wasn’t. I sputtered hundreds of apologies while he just gazed at me like I placed the stars in the sky.

  Having only the fact that I was wearing an NYU sweatshirt to go off of, he spent weeks trying to find me in the overly populated city. It wasn’t until he ran into Julia at another party that he managed to get my phone number. After numerous attempts at asking me out and a long lecture from my best friend, Ivy, about the importance of giving someone else a chance, I finally agreed to a date – my first in almost two years at that point.

  To say things have been smooth sailing from there would be a lie. With my trust issues and tendency to push people away for the sake of self-preservation, he’s had to do more than his fair share to make our relationship work, but he’s never faltered. At this point, I’m not sure anything could scare him away, and he proved as much when he got down on one knee after graduation. He had this look in his eyes that provided a sense of security when I needed it the most. That, paired with his promise to love me for the rest of our lives, had me saying yes without giving it any more consideration. After all, that’s what I’ve been longing for isn’t it – someone to love me with everything they have?

  “I’m still shocked he convinced you into moving back home.” Julia remarks, propped up on her elbow.

  I place the box on the floor and sit beside her. “Well, what was I supposed to say? No, we can’t because I’ve been avoiding my ex for close to half a decade?”

  “No, but you could have suggested getting a place in Boston.”

  My head shakes rapidly. “I’ve lived in a city for far too long. I’m over it. I could use some small town living back in my life. Besides, his time is going to be consumed by med school. It’ll be nice having friends and family around.”

  “And if you see C-”

  “I don’t want to think about it.”

  “McKenna.” She says my name as a warning. “The likelihood of you running into him is almost a guarantee. You need to be prepared for it.”

  “I know and I am, sort of. I’m just going to wing it. It’s been years and I’m engaged now. What’s the worst that could happen?”

  She gives me a look that tells me everything she wants to say, but thankfully keeps her comments to herself.

  After saying goodbye to the people I’ve grown to depend on, Julia being the hardest to handle, I follow my fiancé down to the truck. The back is loaded up with boxes of our belongings and the gas tank is filled in preparation for the five and a half hour drive we have ahead of us. Tears build in my eyes as we pull away from the building. I try to quickly wipe them way but Parker notices. He reaches over and places a comforting hand on my thigh. It’s just the right amount to show me he’s here if I need him, but gives me the space to make that decision on my own.

  THE RIDE IS SPENT listening to music, making jokes about passing cars, and just enjoying our time together. One thing I’ve always admired about him is his ability to make me laugh, even if it takes making an utter fool of himself to do so. I’m leaning back with my feet on the dashboard when a familiar sign catches my eye.

  Welcome to Rockport

  A Seacoast Village on Cape Ann

  My heart starts to race as I realized I’m back in my hometown for the first time in four years. Everything looks just like I remember it – the ice cream store I’ve walked to with my closest friends, the boats that fill the docks, the buildings that could almost be considered historic landmarks by now. I find comfort in the way everything hasn’t been torn down and rebuilt to become something fancier. This is the town I’ve loved since I was young.

  Pulling into my parents’ driveway, I watch as my mother stands from seat on the porch. Her eyes light up as we park the truck and climb out. I barely have a moment to admire the house I grew up in before she’s tugging me into her arms.

  “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Mom.” I chuckle. “You just saw me last week.”

  “Nonsense. You’re my baby girl. Any time away from you is too much.” She releases me from her tight hold, only to say hello to my fiancé. “Parker, it’s nice to see you again.”

  “You as well, Mrs. Taylor.”

  “Please, we’ve gone over this. Call me Marissa.”

  “Right. My apologies.”

  He must be able to sense my hesitation because he takes my hand in his as we follow my mother inside. The house looks exactly the same, with the exception of the new couch that occupies the living room. Pictures of my older brother and I hang all over the walls, making it obvious that a family lives here to anyone that enters. I must admit, I’ve missed the feeling of being home.

  “Hello Sweetheart.” My father greets me as he walks down the hallway.

  “Hi Dad.”

  A small frown graces my mom’s face before she masks it with a smile. Instead of acknowledging the elephant in the room, I ask for a glass of her homemade iced tea and excuse myself to my room. Parker follows me up the stairs and through the familiar door. Everything is just as I left it. Even the hairbrush I forgot to pack lies perfectly in the middle of my dresser. Not a single thing has been moved.

  “So, this is your childhood bedroom.”

  Crooked posters remain taped to the light gray walls. Photo booth strips of Ivy and I are still tucked into the sides of the mirror. The pale pink duvet still covers my queen size bed. Even the clothes I left behind are right where I left them, hanging in the closet.

  “This is it.”

  He grins and pulls me toward him. “I like it. It’s very, you.” A feeling of warmth spreads through me as he kisses my cheek. “I’m going to go ask your dad where I can put the boxes.”

  With one last embrace, he disappears down the stairs. My eyes drift to the picture on my nightstand. I pick it up and use my sleeve to wipe the dust off. It was taken at the beach. I’m standing in the middle of two familiar guys; my brother and him. Both their arms are around me as we all smile brightly. My hair was a lighter brown than usual, the summer sun lightening it as it does every year. The jade in my eyes seemed to be especially bright that day. The dull ache in my chest builds as my eyes focus on the right side of the photo. His wet hair looks like he just ran his fingers through it to keep it out of his eyes - the oceanic pools that glisten in the sunlight. It’s something I was glad got captured in the picture. I glide my finger over his hair and down the side of his face, remembering how the feeling of him all too well.

  “He asks about you all the time, you know.”

  At the sound of my mother’s voice, I startle and drop the picture. It falls to the floor and the glass instantly cracks into pieces. Sighing in frustration, I pick up the damaged frame and put it back in its place.

  “Don’t.” It’s meant to sound strong but it comes out as more like a plea.

  She gives me a sad smile and hands me
the drink I requested. “Okay, okay. I won’t mention him again. I just hope one day you’ll tell me what happened between the two of you.”

  Despite our close relationship, the idea of telling my mom the events that lead to my heart being shattered triggers a flight instinct in my brain. I do my best not to let it show and return to looking around the room.

  “I can’t believe you kept everything the way I left it.”

  “Why wouldn’t we? As far as I’m concerned, this is your bedroom.”

  I give her a knowing look. “Is Maverick’s still the same, too?”

  “That’s different.” She waves dismissively. “His only became a guest room when he moved all of his stuff out and into his own house. You should see the place. He’s really done well for himself.”

  The thought of my brother makes me smile. Being three years older than me, he was always my protector growing up. We fought like siblings usually do but loved each other all the same. I’ve missed him a lot. Only getting to see him over Christmas break is not nearly enough time.

  “Yeah, I’m meeting with Tatum tomorrow.” Referring to his long-term girlfriend. “I spoke to Parker about hiring her to plan the wedding and he’s completely onboard.”

  “That’s great, honey. I’m sure she’s thrilled.” After the room goes silent, my mom exhales. “Could you do me a favor and go a little easier on your dad? I hate to see how distant you two have become.”

  “Mom.” I whine. “I don’t know if I can. Every time I look at him, I see that woman. He hurt you. I don’t think I could ever forgive him for that.”

  “But I chose to stay with him. Don’t let yourself believe I let him get away with it without repercussions. He’s done a lot of work to earn my trust back. We’re finally in a good place again.”

  “And I’m happy for you, I am.” When I don’t say anything else, she gives me a look that causes me to groan. “I’ll try, but I make no promises.”

  “That’s all I ask.” She stands from my bed and walks to the door. “I’ll be in the kitchen when you’re ready to come down.”

  As soon as she’s gone, I throw myself backwards onto my bed. The memory of the last time I slept here is in the front of my mind but I do my best to ignore it. I was eighteen and a completely different person. I’m stronger now.

  THE VOICE OF ONE of my favorite people booms into the house. My smile lights up when Ivy comes into the room, looking just as gorgeous as ever. Her blonde hair cascades over her shoulders and down just a few inches. The amount of poise that she possesses has always been something I admire. That girl can own a room like nothing I’ve ever seen.

  “Missed me?” She smirks.

  I jump out of my chair, running over and barreling into her. Her arms wrap around me as she chuckles softly. Every part of me that has been on edge since I got here calms in an instant. I can’t remember a time where she wasn’t able to pull me from the verge of a mental break down. She’s my better half and I’m so thankful for her.

  “Hardly.” I joke.

  “I can tell.”

  My mother gets up from her seat and gives my best friend a hug. “Did you give your mother the cookies we baked last week?”

  “I did. She loved them, as always.”

  My eyes narrow in slight confusion. “You bake cookies with my mom?”

  Ivy grins widely and nods. “Every Saturday.”

  The look on my face must be enough to say it all because my mom starts to laugh. “Don’t look so surprised, dear. You’d know all about it if you happened to come home during any of your school breaks.”

  I should have known this topic would come up eventually. My tendency to stay away wasn’t because I didn’t want to come home. There has never been a time where I didn’t love this place. I just couldn’t handle seeing him. So instead, I spent my spring breaks in various places with Julia and my summer vacations abroad with volunteer organizations. Thankfully, we spend Christmas every year at my grandmothers in Vermont – a safe zone for me in some sense. Only seeing my family one week a year was never easy to deal with, but it was what I needed.

  “Yeah Mac, don’t look so surprised.” My best friend playfully nudges me before focusing her attention on my fiancé. “Hey Parker. How are you?”

  “I’m great, and you?”

  “Still swooning over your British accent. When are you going to hook me up with one of your friends?”

  “When you come to England with me.”

  She purses her lips and nods. “I really need to get on that.”

  The four of us sit around the kitchen table, talking about anything and everything - just enjoying each other’s company. However, I can tell there is something on Ivy’s mind. When my mom asks for Parker’s help with something and they walk away, I raise my eyebrows at her.

  “So, you going to tell me what’s up or are you staying tight lipped?”

  Her shoulders shrug and she gives me one of her caring smiles. “I’m just wondering how you’re doing, being back here and all.”

  This is one of those things that makes her my best friend. No matter how convincing of an act I put on, she can always see right through it. It’s almost as if we’re linked – whatever I feel, she does too.

  “I’m okay. I’ve actually missed it here, believe it or not.”

  “Have you seen him yet?”

  I don’t need to ask to know who she’s referring to, but just as I’m about to answer, Parker comes back into the room. His eyebrows furrow slightly.

  “Seen who?”

  “My brother.” I lie, watching Ivy muffle a laugh at how quickly I covered that one.

  “Ah. We’re going there tomorrow, right?”

  I nod. “Yeah, we have to discuss wedding plans with Tatum.”

  The look on Ivy’s face tells me she wants to say something, but ultimately, she decides against it and masks her frown with a smile. I don’t have time to question it before my mother comes in with stacks of embarrassing photo albums in her arms.

  Whatever it is, it’ll have to wait.

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  Returning to Rockport will be released!

  Sleepless November

  Endless December

  Seamless Forever

  Awakened in September

  Coming Soon - Returning to Rockport

  Table of Contents

  Preface

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Author Note