Coming Home

by Kimberly McKay

  Chad raised an eyebrow. “I really haven’t been paying attention to those since Texas. Once we arrived here, I wanted to give this process a chance without any bias. I think I’ve learned enough about the women by now to figure things out on my own. I saw through Tina.”

  “True.”

  “Enough about the others. I want to know about you.”

  Chad truly thought she seemed like a great girl. In fact, she seemed like someone he would have been friends with back home.

  “Well, you already know that I used to be a dancer.”

  She laughed, taking another sip of her drink.

  “You still are. You did great.” His face lit up.

  “Thanks.” Kamryn grinned. “Um, well … what else. I’ve got a big family. My dad is African American and my mom is from Viet Nam. They met during the war.”

  “I wondered what your background was. And, you’re awfully young to have a dad who served in Viet Nam.”

  “I am. He was young, and I came very late in their life. Let’s just say I was a surprise. I have two older brothers, Keegan and Kyle.”

  “Your family a fan of names starting with the letter K?”

  “Something like that.” She beamed with pride at the thought of her family. “Thanks for the compliment. I never know how guys will feel about my bi-racial heritage.”

  “I think it’s great. I don’t think it should be an issue with anyone. We’re all the same on the inside.”

  Kamryn stared into his thoughtful eyes and could see he meant every word.

  “Thanks.”

  “So, why did you come on the show?”

  “I guess to find something that was missing in my life. Why did any of us try for this show? We all want to find love.” Kamryn took a sip and continued, “I had a past before I became a Christian. I made a lot of wrong choices.”

  Kamryn stopped, not wanting to divulge too much, but added enough to give him an overview.

  “But, now that I’m on the right path again, I have peace. Since there’s no special someone in my life to share that with, I thought this show sounded fun. It’s totally outside my comfort zone, but I felt I should try.”

  Chad grabbed for her hand and squeezed it. He appreciated her honesty and had the utmost respect for her.

  “Thank you for sharing that.”

  For the rest of the night, their conversation came easy. They found out that they had many things in common, like that fact that they both loved baseball. Chad felt like Kamryn could have easily fit in with his buddies back home, as they reveled over the history of Giants baseball.

  “I can’t believe you’ve never been to a game in San Francisco.”

  “I know it was on my bucket list. I’m hoping to at least get some stadium seats before the close the park.” Kamryn grimaced.

  Chad looked at her and grinned. “You’re alright, Kamryn.”

  “Thanks. You, too.” She grinned, thinking he was someone that she could see taking to a game and having a dog with, in the stands. But since they’d yet to kiss – she had no idea about their chemistry.

  There was no denying that Chad was attractive, but so far she felt like she was talking with one of her brothers. She wondered if it was because they’d not had their moment yet, or if it was because they were destined to stay in the friend’s zone.

  Chad sensed a lull, and leaned in to lightly brush his lips across her mouth for a sweet and simple kiss. Kamryn closed her eyes, expecting to see fireworks. She thought she’d feel that special something when kissed by someone of Chad’s stature, but the truth was – she didn’t. She cautiously pulled back and looked up with curious eyes.

  “Feel anything?” She grimaced.

  Chad felt too attached to her to lie. He clamped his lips together and said nothing.

  “Don’t worry.” Kamryn looked up and touched her lips. “Me neither.”

  “You didn’t,” Chad, said with relief.

  “No!” She laughed at his face. “But you don’t have to be so relieved!”

  He laughed and pulled her in for a hug.

  “No, it’s not that. I just didn’t want to hurt your feelings. It was a nice kiss, but I think you’re more like a sister than a date.”

  “I was just thinking how fun it would be to watch a game with you at home, like I do with my brothers.”

  “Ha! That’s hilarious. So was I.”

  Kamryn pulled back, thinking of Anne. “You know when I left on the helicopter on our first date?”

  “Yeah. I was worried about your ankle.”

  “Well, I faked it.”

  “What? You did? Why would you do that?”

  “Because it was easy to see how you looked at Anne. You two had an immediate connection. And I thought if I were to find out if we had anything, it would have to be solo. I knew she was too much competition … so I faked a sprain to give her time with you.”

  “That blows me away.” Chad sat, shell-shocked. “You’re amazing Kamryn. And, I’m sorry this didn’t work out between us.”

  “Are you kidding me? I just kissed my new best friend.” She giggled. “I’d say it worked out. You have a friend for life.”

  Chad’s heart surged with pride. He drew her in, and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

  “Okay.” She dragged out. “Take me home, so I can get packed.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to go, but I’m sure we’ll keep in touch.”

  “For sure.” Kamryn stood. “I need to get out of this swimsuit and put my clothes on.” She turned back to give him one last word of wisdom. “Hey, look at me.”

  Chad stood and gave her his full attention.

  “Don’t let her get away. She’s pretty special.”

  “Her?”

  “You know who I’m talking about.” Her eyes gleamed.

  Chad nodded, not being able to say anything on camera, but he couldn’t agree more.

  Chapter 27

  “You think they’ll have a connection? After all, this is their first date.”

  Chantal sat on the overstuffed couch with the other eight women, who were contemplating Chad and Kamryn’s date.

  “I don’t know. I don’t see it.” Denise sucked on her popsicle, frowning. “She’s a nice girl, but I think too nice.”

  Anne wasn’t sure if there was chemistry there or not, but didn’t put her two cents in. Her mind kept wandering to her conversation with Chad, in which he told her she was it for him. To be honest she didn’t care whom the other girls thought had chemistry or not. She was still reeling from her own date.

  “You’re awfully quiet, Anne. Out of anyone here, you’re probably closest to Kamryn. What do you think?” Brandi leaned in, waiting to hear her response.

  Anne shrugged her shoulders. “I guess I hadn’t given it much thought. To be honest, I keep thinking of how Chad looked in his Polynesian dance outfit.”

  “Oh yeah.” Most of the girls echoed.

  They all sat nodding their head in remembrance, when the front door burst open downstairs.

  Most expected it to be Kamryn and rushed to the banister, to look below.

  “Is it her?” Brooklyn whispered, and joined the group.

  “No.” Chantal frowned down at their newest guest, who stood in the foyer. “I have no idea who it is, but she’s bringing in a big suitcase, like she plans on staying.”

  “What?” Anne said, gently nudging herself between Chantal and Treana. As she peered downstairs, her heart dropped. “Oh, no. It’s her.”

  “Her, who,” Treana asked, anxiety ridden.

  “Timberly Monet … Chad’s actress friend,” she whispered with dread.

  Timberly dragged her Loius Vittan bag up the large curving stairwell, only to find eight anxious set of eyes staring her down. She smiled, in triumph, when most of their gazes turned from curious wonder to unsettled recognition.

  “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you who I am.” She gleamed and brought her bag up over the last
stair.

  “What are you doing here?” Anne was the first to step up, staking her claim to the arena that was theirs.

  Timberly rolled her eyes at Anne and turned to unpack in the first bedroom she could find. The girls filed in around her as she unzipped her suitcase and began pulling her clothes out on the bed.

  “Why are you here?” Anne wasn’t going to let her get away with ignoring her.

  “The question is how long will any of you still be here after Chad sees me?” She laughed to herself, pulling out one of her little black dresses. She spun around and held it up to herself in the mirror. “I’m here to win him, and send you all home.”

  “That’s not going to happen.” Brandi stepped up behind Anne, sending Timberly a warning stare.

  “Isn’t it?” She snorted, dropping her dress back to the bed. “I mean. I’ve known him longer. I have history with him. You girls are only a phase, and I’m here to stay.”

  Anne’s gut twisted and knew the other girls felt the same thing. It was written all over their faces.

  “Who does she think she is? Just because she’s some big actress and is a friend of his, doesn’t mean she can come in here and act like that,” Brooklyn, who stood at the back of the group, growled.

  The acoustics were such that every sound bounced off the walls, and anything within earshot was heard.

  “I can do whatever I please.” Timberly spun around to face the group. “Besides, Ned cleared me to come. So, obviously he feels I have a shot.” She flicked her hair, and hung up her black dress in an empty closet.

  Anne considered herself a very patient person, but in that moment she snapped. Her first thought was to wring Ned’s neck but thought she’d start with Timberly first.

  “Hey - Chad told me that you’re just his friend, and I believe him.” She casually walked to the end of Timberly’s bed, and pushed her clothes to the floor.

  Timberly slowly turned, and viscously glared at Anne. How dare she challenge her and disrespect her belongings?

  “Oh, aren’t you that nobody we saw in L.A.?” She let out a noise and rolled her eyes. “What are you still doing here? If I’d known you were with Ned to talk about the show …”

  “What? What would you have done?” Anne took a step forward.

  All the girls looked in shock toward Anne, partly with newfound respect for challenging Timberly but also because of the news that she’d already met Chad.

  “You met Chad before the show? Is this all a set up?” Staci asked what every other girl wanted to know.

  Anne swung her head from Timberly’s glare, and vigorously shook her head.

  “No, it was a chance meeting. I was out to lunch with Ned because I wasn’t even really sure about doing this. I was nominated to come.”

  Thanks Guy… I bet you’re loving this.

  Anne could picture his smug face, and felt like pummeling it, but put that on hold so she could defend herself further.

  “I didn’t even know the bachelor was Chad. I thought he and Timberly were dating at that time,” she said, waving an arm in Timberly’s direction.

  Timberly narrowed her eyes. “See you proved my point. He and I are meant to be. Friendship trumps wannabe’s, like you, any day.”

  “You can’t come in here, and disrespect all of us. You don’t know me, and you don’t have a right to speak to any of us that way!” Anne refrained from walking over and smacking the cruel smile from her face.

  As Chad walked Kamryn in from their date, they heard the commotion from the foyer.

  “What’s going on?” He asked Kamryn, who shrugged her shoulders and started toward the stairs.

  They quickly bounded up the large staircase to catch the tail end Timberly’s tirade and Anne’s comeback. Chad couldn’t believe his ears and couldn’t wait to put a stop to Timberly’s inflated ego. He burst into the room ready for a fight. After the last seven weeks, he felt more protective over these girls than he ever did Timberly.

  In that moment, he realized that he had mistaken his humble beginnings with her, as a friendship. To him, their history meant something – but it was suddenly very clear that the same couldn’t be said for her.

  “Timberly!” Chad interrupted.

  All the women jumped at his voice, unaware of his presence. Anne had never seen him so mad, and couldn’t tell whether Timberly was oblivious to his anger, or just was too self-centered to care.

  “Chad!” She leapt to give him a hug, which he formally returned with no sentiment.

  “Come with me,” he said, firmly taking her by the hand, and dragging her from the room.

  As they left, Timberly threw a snide look over shoulder and waved with her free hand.

  “See ya,”she sang with triumph.

  “See ya,”Brianna mimicked, with an equal look of disrespect, which caused the girls to burst out in giggles.

  “Chad didn’t look too happy to see her.” Anne raised her eyebrows, and quickly bolted across to the open balcony doors.

  They rest crept up behind her, taking in the full view of both he and Timberly, as he pulled her outside below them. He was walking so fast – that it looked like he was going to pull her over.

  “What got under your skin?” She yanked her hand free, before taking a few steps away from him. She wasn’t that oblivious that she didn’t know when she was in hot water. She just couldn’t understand why.

  From above, they could hear everything as clear as a bell. Anne turned to her roommates and gave them a mischievous grin, before tuning back in to what was happening below.

  “Under my skin?” Chad yelled, and began pacing by the pool. “What’s gotten into you?”

  “I came here to show you how much I cared.”

  Chad rolled his eyes, as she flashed a brilliant grin, playing it up for the cameras.

  “No,” he sighed. “You came here for this.” He waved an arm toward the camera crew. “You didn’t come for me. You came to prove a point – that you’re in demand … the one and only, Timberly Monet, who can get anything she wants … or anyone.”

  He sighed in despair, and turned back to face a very upset Timberly, who stood with her hands on her hips, like she was ready for battle.

  “Come on. Stop this.” She wagged her finger in his direction and sent him her most charming smile, as she closed the gap. “You know we’re good together.”

  The girls watched as Timberly ran her hands up his shirt, testing the waters. She lifted to her toes and leaned in for kiss.

  Aggravated, he took a step back, pushing her hands away from him. Shocked, her flew open and he saw the vulnerability he knew was buried deep down, with the girl he used to know, until they narrowed and filled with the heat of rejection.

  “We’re friends,” he said, sadly. “I’ve always made that clear, but after seeing how you treated the girls upstairs … I wonder if we can ever salvage that. You need to pack up and go home now.”

  “What?” Her voice quivered in horror. She was officially embarrassed on national television.

  “And when I get home … don’t call me. I’ll need some time to figure out if our friendship was ever anything real. And, I’ll need time to focus on my relationship with …” He stopped himself from saying Anne’s name. “With whomever is left standing at the end of this thing, if she’ll still have me.”

  Chad ran his hands through his tuffed hair, and finished his speech. “Go home. You don’t belong here.”

  The group watched as he turned his back and left her standing outside alone. All nine women ran from the balcony, in hopes they weren’t busted. They sat poised on the beds inside, waiting for his return.

  Chad, followed by a quiet Timberly, came back upstairs and was relieved to see the girls and their smiling faces. He knew they probably heard everything, but was okay with that – especially if it helped Anne understand his friendship with Timberly was over.

  “You guys ready to go swimming,” he asked, arms wide.

  “That depends. Is she coming
?” Brooklyn asked, already knowing the answer. She just wanted to rub it in.

  “Nope. Just us.” He smiled and dropped his arm to offer the girls a passage out the door.

  Timberly was fuming. She ducked her head and made her way through the circle of women, who stared at her with open animosity. She grabbed her suitcase and started throwing her clothes inside.

  As the girls left one by one, Chad waited for Anne to meet him in the hall. When he grabbed her hand, she looked over her shoulder to Timberly, wrinkled her nose and waved.

  “Bye, Timberly. Have a safe flight back.” Anne’s eyes twinkled.

  Chad squeezed her hand and laughed. He had found the right girl.

  As Anne followed him to the stairwell, she paused wondering why Kamryn was standing alone in the hallway, looking forlorn.

  “I’ll give you guys a minute.” He dropped her hand and gave Kamryn a hug, before going downstairs to join the other women at the pool.

  Anne’s face was filled with concern. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s time for me to leave.” She pulled Anne into a firm hug.

  Anne pulled back, surprised. “What? Didn’t your date go well?”

  “It went great.” Kamryn beamed. “But neither one of us feel like it’s anything more than a really good friendship.”

  “Aw, I’m so sorry.” Anne wanted to mean those words, but it was just more validation that Chad’s words to her, on the beach, were sincere.

  “No, you’re not.” Her eyes twinkled, as she teased her friend.

  “I’m so sorry to see you go. I’m going to miss you.”

  “Okay, I believe you this time.”

  “You better.” It was Anne’s turn to pull Kamryn into a hug. “Have you packed?”

  “Not yet. I just got home in time for the drama.”

  Both girls jumped out of the way as a very angry Timberly shoved her way past them, and flew down the stairs, slamming the front door behind her. They busted out laughing, watching her dramatic exit.

  “Come on. I’ll help you get your things together.” She put her arms around Kamryn’s shoulders, and led the way.

  “But you’ve got a pool party to go to - with Chad.” Kamryn sang his name.