by Brenna Ash
***
Iced tea in hand, Hayden sat poolside, soaking up the late afternoon sun. His mother's letter burned a hole in the pocket of his red swimming trunks. She was now in Vegas. Her boyfriend, Frank, one of a long string of past loves, worked at one of the casinos on the strip. They'd been dating for a few months but didn't live together, so she needed someplace to stay. She found a small apartment, but had spent all her money on rent when she first moved in and now she was facing eviction. And needed money.
Yep. There it was. He knew the request would be there someplace in the letter. It always was. There was no, hi, how are you? No miss you, son. She always talked about herself for a few sentences and then asked for money.
Ice clinked in his glass as it melted and settled. Condensation pooled on the table. Hayden ran his fingers down the tall glass, sluicing away the liquid. In the distance he could hear the roar of car engines as they made their way up the hill near the front of his estate. The occasional rev of a motorcycle as it sped down the hill, heading into the city.
DeeDee always signed the letters with words of affection, stating how much she loved him and couldn't wait for the time they could get together.
Yeah, that wasn't going to happen. Hayden didn't want to see her again. Ever.
A contact number was listed at the bottom so he could reach her. No address. DeeDee didn't want Hayden actually looking up the place and seeing if she was telling the truth or full of shit.
There wouldn't be a call back this time. It was time to put his foot down. A grown woman should be able to take care of herself. It was bad enough raising him took a backseat to the needs she thought were important. Leaving him to fend for himself most times. That's why so much time of his childhood was spent with the Burns. The family that lived next door, whether out of pity or necessity, showed no qualms about feeding Hayden supper or helping him with his homework.
The Burns had been so nice to Hayden and never asked for anything in return. Another reason he felt like such an ass for the way he'd abandoned Sunny. Their daughter deserved so much more.
Hayden was devastated when he'd learned of their deaths. He'd been on location out of the country when he got the news they'd been killed in a boating accident. He sent flowers to Sunny and a letter he'd written himself to let her know how sorry he was for her loss. Hayden wanted her to hear his own words from deep within his heart. Not something his publicist had written up that was all formal and impersonal. But as was the case with the emails he'd sent when he first left, the letter went unanswered. He couldn't blame her. She loved her parents dearly. It was a tragic time for her. The last thing she needed to do was take time to write an old ex that had left her when she needed him the most. He'd shirked his responsibility to Sunny instead of being the rock she could rely on.
But DeeDee was not Hayden's responsibility. Hayden had nothing to do with why his mother kept hooking up with different guys that satisfied her needs for a bit, or more truthfully, DeeDee gave the men what they wanted for a while and once they tired of her, they let her go, stopping the cash flow and causing DeeDee to reach out to Hayden.
Hayden received more of these letters than he cared to admit.
DeeDee was on her own on this one.
Hayden had enough problems without worrying about whatever situation DeeDee found herself caught up in.
Standing, Hayden stretched his arms to the sky and tried to rotate his head to release kinks. Grabbing the envelope, he tossed the letter in the trash bin near the door, thinking about how he could fix his own problems.
The temps were still high and the pool looked inviting. After another sip of iced tea, Hayden stepped onto the diving board and jumped into the warm water with hardly a splash. He broke the surface, strong arms slicing through the water as he swam lap after lap.
Heart rate up, breath coming in short gasps, Hayden finally stopped and sat on the tiled ledge built into the side of the pool.
The burst of adrenaline cleared Hayden's mind. Getting out of town for some time might be a good idea. Take a vacation. Get away from all the negativity. Filming with Ben was wrapping up. After that, maybe he'd take off and give everything a chance to chill for a while. He'd spend some time back home in Pebble Harbor.
Chapter 5
As Hayden drove down Main Street, he browsed the names of the shops along the sides. Pebble Harbor hadn't changed all that much in the years he'd been gone. Some of the stores and names were different, but overall, it was still the same small town and it felt as if he'd never left.
The feeling was both calming and suffocating all at once. The town was small enough that he was already known here so his presence shouldn't cause a stir with the locals. As long as the media stayed away, he should be fine.
Hayden didn't own any property in Pebble Harbor, so he'd rented Mrs. Wester's old house. She'd long ago moved into a newer build and used income from this one to supplement her retirement. He'd called her earlier to confirm that it was ready and he could pick up the keys. All was normal except for the bit of excitement he sensed in her voice. This may be where he grew up and the people may still be the same, but he'd made a name for himself outside of the town, so he would still attract some extra attention.
He pulled his rental, a black Audi6, into the gravel driveway of Mrs. Wester's new house, and she was out on the porch to greet him before he even emerged from the car.
“Hayden!” she said, bounding down the stairs with more vigor than a woman her age should have. “Welcome home!” He closed the distance and she enveloped him in a warm hug. Things were so different here compared to Hollywood. Everyone was so friendly and not out for blood. He missed it.
He planted a kiss on her powdered cheek and gave her a smile. “Mrs. Wester, you look beautiful as ever.”
She waved a hand in dismissal. “Still a charmer, I see. It's so good to have you back.”
He averted his eyes so she wouldn't see his distress. She'd worry over him like a mother hen and that was the last thing he wanted.
“Thanks for the house on such short notice.”
“No problem there. My last tenants broke their lease and I hadn't even put it up in the paper yet for rent. Your call came just in time. Anything you need, Hayden, you just let me know.” She put the keys in his hand and held on.
He bent and gave her another quick hug and headed toward his car. “Thanks again. I'll take good care of it.”
“I never had any doubt about that,” she called after him.
The rental was a five-minute drive from her main house, set far off from the road on a tree-filled lot with a gravel drive. The robin’s egg blue ranch wasn't overly large, but it held three bedrooms and two baths with a deck off the back that had a grill and a small table and chairs.
Hayden walked around, opening windows as he went. Not because the house smelled closed up or musty, but because he missed the tang of the air in his hometown. The salt of the ocean clung to the breeze. The sounds of nature came in along with it. Birds chirped and squirrels chattered to each other while they gave chase from branch to branch of the many mossy oak trees surrounding the house. He didn't get that back in L.A.
He checked out the kitchen and was grateful for the Keurig coffee maker he saw on the counter. He'd have to make a grocery store run and he'd seen that Edson's was still open when he drove into town, so he'd stop there.
Wandering through the house, he made mental notes of anything else that he'd need. New towels, sheets, blankets. The essentials to get him settled and then he could do more shopping if necessary. Hopefully he could get it done quick. He loathed shopping. A necessity but such a waste of time.
List in hand, Hayden drove to Edson's, the local one-stop grocery store. It was nice to see that Old Man Edson held onto the business and hadn't folded to the big chains that were so popular and swallowed up all the little stores. He knew Wal-mart and Super Target were just a short drive away, but they didn't appear to take away any busines
s. The store was bustling when he entered and grabbed a cart.
Not much had changed to the set up from when he was younger, the produce section in the back, the butcher towards the front, the deli to the left of the entrance, with everything else in the middle aisles.
He picked up salad fixings, fruit, chicken breasts and some sirloin steaks that were on special at the butcher counter. The kid working couldn't have been older than sixteen. Hayden gave a quick nod when the boy’s eyes rounded in recognition and thanked him for the help. Now he needed to find the coffee and spices. And beer. Not a usual purchase, but this was vacation. He could have a few and relax.
For such a small grocer, he was impressed with the selection of items offered. He found a good, strong coffee and headed round the corner.
And ran right smack into Sunny. Hayden didn't recognize her at first. She'd grown up. Filled out in all the right places. Her chestnut brown hair was piled high on her head in a messy bun. A few curly wisps escaped the tie and framed her face. Her toffee brown eyes widened and she took a step back.
Her surprised expression told him that she'd had no idea he was coming to town. She stuttered a bit, then clamped her mouth shut.
“Sunny.”
“Hay-Hayden.” She turned tail and power walked out of the store like an athlete going for the gold.
***
Hayden. Hayden? What the hell was he doing in town? With all the tabs she kept on the man, you'd think she'd have known he was coming.
She dashed to her car, sank into the driver's seat, and slammed the door. What the hell? He was here. Back home!
God, he looked good. Gorgeous. Those piercing blue eyes of his and that bit of scruff on his chin. His blond hair a little long. His skin tanned from the California sun. She blew out a lungful of air. She couldn't go there. Couldn't go back to that place.
There had to be a reason why he was back. Maybe studying for a new role or something. A completely plausible scenario. It had nothing to do with her, and if she knew what was good for her, she'd stay clear. She couldn't go through that heartache again. But just seeing him for those brief moments in the store made all those old emotions come rushing back, overwhelming her senses.
She'd never really let him go. No matter how many times she'd told herself that he meant nothing to her. Deep down, Sunny couldn't even believe her own lies.
Damn.
Sunny jumped at the knock on her window. The god bent down and him looking in at her made her breath hitch.
She drew a deep breath. Then another one. And another. She might need a paper bag.
He straightened. And waited.
Sunny tried to calm her racing nerves.
He leaned a denim-clad hip against the side panel of her door and she realized he wasn't going to go anywhere until she let him talk. She rolled down the window and waited.
“Sunny. Hi.” It was that same velvety voice she'd memorized so long ago and still heard in films and on TV.
“I-I didn't know you were in town. Are you here long?” She wanted to smack her forehead against the steering wheel. Small talk much?
He shrugged. “Don't know. Had to get away for a while. What better place to run to than here?”
She nodded. She didn't know what to say.
“Hey, you want to go grab a coffee or something? It's been a long day. I caught the red-eye into Orlando.”
“No, I can't, sorry.”
Sunny tried to roll up her window, but Hayden stopped it with his hand. “Come on. One cup. You can show me where the hot place to go is now.”
“Nothing much has changed. I'm sure you can find a place.” She refused to look him in the eye. If she did, she'd be lost.
“One cup, Sunny. I'm not asking for much.”
If only. That could be a really expensive cup.
Sunny sighed. She couldn't refuse him before. What made her think she could refuse him now?
“Fine. Get in.”
He smiled that killer smile that made her knees go weak and heat fill her core. “I've gotta pay for my groceries and get them home before they go bad. How about you leave your car here and I'll drive?”
***
Sunny couldn't believe she'd agreed to let Hayden drive. Now she was stuck in the passenger seat of his sporty car that she assumed was a rental since he caught a late flight. She cracked the window to let in some air.
“You hot? I can turn up the a/c.”
Now if that wasn't a loaded question. How could he still be so damn hot? He looked the same, but more...what was the word she was seeking? Chiseled. Filled out. And it should be illegal for him to wear those jeans so well.
“No, just want some air.”
He gave her a sideways glance, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth that dimple making a sexy appearance. She had to bite her tongue to refrain from groaning out loud.
“I'm glad we ran into each other. I didn't know you were still here.”
She clasped her hands together. “Yep. Still here. Guess I didn't have enough motivation to get myself out of town.” She smoothed her hands down her legs. Damn, her palms were sweaty.
He frowned at her statement and furrowed his blond brows. “There's nothing wrong with staying here. Pebble Harbor's beautiful. And your family was here.” Hayden wanted to kick himself. “I shouldn't have mentioned them. I apologize. I'm sure their loss is still hard for you.”
“Where are you staying?” She didn't want him focusing on her parents or the boating accident that took their lives five years before. She wished he wouldn't focus on her either. Or anything about her life. Sunny really should've turned down his offer.
“Over at Mrs. Wester's place. Remember it?”
“Um, yeah. I never left, remember?”
Hayden grinned and shrugged. “Sorry. Just trying to make conversation.”
The short drive seemed to take forever before they finally arrived and Hayden pulled into the drive. “I'll unload these and be right back.” He left the car running and opened the door.
“Do you want any help?”
“Nah, I got it. Thanks.”
Sunny watched Hayden's reflection in the side mirror as he hefted the bags out of the trunk. Arms loaded, biceps flexing, he ambled to the front porch. Sunny felt a bit guilty when he had to put the bags down to open the unlocked door. But he just glanced back at her and gave her that dazzling smile of his.
“Oh, shit. This is so not good.” As soon as this was over Sunny needed to call her best friend, Marlene, and talk about this mess that she'd gotten herself into. She dug around in her purse and found her phone. She sent off a quick text to her friend.
U won't believe who I'm going 2 coffee w/. Will call u l8r.
Sunny watched hungrily as Hayden walked out of the house and slid into the leather seat next to hers.
“Ready?”
Sunny nodded, avoiding gazing directly into his eyes. She didn't want him to see the effect he was having on her.
“So, where's there a cafe or someplace around here to get a coffee and sit and talk?”
Great, not only did he want to drink, he wanted to chat away with her as well? Duh! No, he was just going to buy her a coffee and take off with a wave and a 'see ya later!'. Boy, her brain was muddled.
“We got a Starbucks about five years ago. We can go there if you want, since it's something you're probably familiar with. Or there's a newer, local shop that opened near Main Street.”
“Which one would you prefer?”
“It doesn't matter to me. Your choice.”
He barked out a laugh. “Some things never change. Still a Libra through and through.” He put the car in reverse and headed toward Main. “What's the name of the new shop and what street is it on?”
“Cafe Blanca and it's on Freely.”
“Cool name.”
“Yeah, I think a young couple opened it up. I haven't been there yet, so I make no promises.”
; Hayden shot her a glance. He probably thought she was taking an easy shot at him and his broken promises of the past. That hadn't been her intention. She really had no idea how good the place was.
***
Was that a jab at him? At their past? Hayden couldn't blame her if it was, but he didn't think it was intentional. She blushed a little when she noticed his sidelong glance. Maybe he was being overly sensitive. How manly of him. Maybe they could go for mani/pedi's later.
Hayden kept his eyes on the road. He really just wanted to let them roam over Sunny and take her all in. It was as if the years they'd spent apart had melted away and no time had passed at all.
She was still beautiful. Even more so. Her features had sharpened, not harshly, just in the way that happens with aging. The puffiness of her teenage years had left and had been replaced with smooth skin over her high cheekbones. Her light brown eyes were like pools of fine milk chocolate. And her ass? Yeah, he hadn't missed watching it sway as she walked in front of him at Edson's.
Sunny had moved her car from one of the closer parking spaces to a further, out of the way spot. The gesture showed Hayden how Sunny was the same generous and considerate person she'd been when they were teens.
He saw Cafe Blanca and turned into the small parking lot. From the outside it emitted a cozy vibe. Several flower pots bursting with all different varieties of flowers flanked the concrete steps leading into the original oak door. The building was one of the town's oldest. He couldn't remember what business it was first built for, but over the years it had seen its fair share of small businesses move in and out.
He held the door open for Sunny, and followed her inside.
“What do you want? I'll order and you can find us a table.” He surveyed the medium-sized cafe. Only a couple of people occupied the maybe fifteen tables.
She gave him her order and then tried handing him a five. Hayden put his hands up, refusing to take the cash.
“I've got your coffee. Really.”
“I know you can get it,” she snapped. “You don't have to. I can pay for my own damn coffee.” She pushed around him and stepped up to the counter and placed her order.
