Returning to Rockport: A Brother's Best Friend Romance

by Kelsey Clayton

  In perfect timing, a ringing in my ex’s pocket breaks through the silence. He pulls out the device and glances at it to see who’s calling.

  “I’m sorry. I have to take this.” Walking backwards toward the hallway, his eyes look me up and down once more. “It was great seeing you.”

  He’s gone just as fast as he came, and like usual, I’m left a flustered mess by the brief encounter. Tatum’s gaze is on me in a wordless question of asking if I’m okay. I plaster the best fake smile I can manage on my face and focus back on Maverick.

  “I see you two are still close.”

  His phone falls onto his lap and a small crease appears in his forehead. “Who, me and Colton?” I nod. “Yeah, of course.”

  “Does he always show up unannounced?” I need to figure out if being at my brother’s house is a safe place, or somewhere I need to avoid.

  A small chuckle bubbles out. “Well, being as he lives here…”

  “He’s what?!” I screech. My brother’s face is enough to tell me I need to get my emotions in check. “Sorry, that just surprises me. Why is he living with you?”

  “He wanted to get out of the city, and his house is being built. He didn’t want to buy a place just to sell it a year later.”

  I didn’t know he lived in the city in the first place, but then again, I’ve been avoiding knowing about him at all. It would make sense given his career. Since graduating college, he’s thrived at his job - becoming very well recognized and in high demand. The only reason I found that out was because my mom boasted for weeks about a magazine article he was in about people to look out for in the business world.

  “I’m guessing he designed it himself?” I glance over at Parker. “Colton’s an architect.”

  “An architect god.” Maverick corrects me. “He helped Tatum and I design this place.”

  Looking around, I should’ve known. He’s always had a knack for beautiful creations. His taste mixed with his ability to be creative yet realistic, he was meant for the job he’s in. His specialty is houses but he’s also been hired by large companies to draw up renovations to make their buildings more modernized and appealing.

  “The place he’s having built is probably incredible.” I breathe, once again taking in all the intricate details of Maverick’s home.

  Tatum snorts. “We wouldn’t know. He won’t let anyone see it.”

  “Seriously?” That’s unlike him. Colton has always been one to get other people’s opinions and bounce ideas off them. It’s one of the things that makes him so talented.

  “Yeah. We’ve tried for months. He won’t even show us the blueprints.”

  Maverick and Parker stray off into a conversation about business while my mind is still stuck on my ex. I thought he was exactly the same, but clearly, I was wrong. Something is different about him, and even though I shouldn’t care what it is – I can’t let it go.

  Since the two men are distracted, I excuse myself and go into the kitchen, watching the door swing closed behind me. I lean forward and grip the edge of the edge of the sink. The cool ceramic feels good against my skin.

  “Breathe, McKenna. Just breathe.” I whisper softly.

  “Still talking to yourself, I see.”

  My body jolts upright and spins around to see Colton standing in the doorway that leads to the dining room. I place my hand over my chest and mentally beg for my heartbeat to slow.

  “Christ. You scared me.”

  He grins apologetically, leaning his back against the fridge and messing with something on his thumb nail. It should be awkward and uncomfortable, being as neither of us are saying anything, but it’s not. It feels just as natural as it always has and I hate that.

  Just when I’m about to walk out the door, he opens his mouth once again.

  “You didn’t tell him about me.”

  I stop dead in my tracks. I hadn’t expected him to bring up anything about our past. After all, he was the one who wanted to end it and I was left to deal with the aftermath. Memories of the times we shared together start to play through my head.

  “What are you doing?!” I ask as he sneaks into my bedroom. “Maverick is going to wonder where you went.”

  He chuckles. “He’s out cold. If he wakes up at all before 10 AM, I’ll be shocked.”

  I’m about to argue it further but he doesn’t give me a chance. Before I can say another word, his mouth is on mine – wiping every thought on my mind clean so the only thing I can focus on is the soft feel of his lips.

  “I missed you.” He places his forehead against mine.

  There they are again, the butterflies that come anytime he acts like what we have is more than a secret love affair; something that doesn’t only exist in our own little world. I melt in his arms and allow myself to believe every word he says.

  “I missed you, too. How was the party?”

  “It was like any other party. There was drinking and loud music. Your brother got wasted and I had to call a taxi to bring us home.”

  “Did you hook up with anyone?” The words slip out before I even have a chance to stop them. I know I’ve made a mistake the second I feel his body tense.

  He sighs and takes a step back. “You know what, I’m actually really tired. I think I’m just going to crash.”

  “Colton, wait. I shouldn’t have asked that. I’m sorry.”

  Unfortunately, my words do nothing. He gives me a sad smile and places one last kiss to the top of my head. “Goodnight, McKenna.”

  Like so many times before, he slips out the door and down the hallway – and like every other time, I beat myself up for thinking this will ever be anything but a good time to him.

  Looking at him now, he’s a little less confident than I remember, but he’s still the same Colton. He’s still the guy I spilt more tears over than I’d like to admit; the one who would get my hopes up only to make them come crashing back down. It would do me a lot of good to remember that.

  “There was nothing to tell.” I lie, leaving before I can see his reaction to my words.

  3

  The pavement rushes by beneath my feet as I try to control my labored breathing. Crisp morning air blows softly against my skin. While I was at NYU, running was essentially limited to treadmills. In a city that’s crowded with people, it’s difficult to keep a good pace without trampling over someone. Here, however, it’s perfect. The breeze that’s coming off the shore does just enough to keep me from becoming overheated, and the sight of the sun glistening on the water is striking.

  I come to a stop right in front of the docks. It’s a place I remember well. My dad used to have a boat in one of these slips, which meant every night of the summer was spent down here. I can still picture Maverick and I pulling up the crab traps we left. We never caught much but that didn’t dull our excitement to check them every time we arrived.

  My phone vibrating in my hand pulls me from my nostalgia. The number that flashes across the screen is local, yet not one I recognize. Curiously, I swipe to answer and put it to my ear.

  “Hello?”

  “So, you are avoiding me.” My best friend accuses.

  Groaning, I find the nearest bench and sit down. I should have expected Ivy to call me from another number after dodging her for a few days.

  “If I am, do you really think tricking me into answering the phone is the way to fix that?”

  She sighs. “Well, that depends. I don’t know what you’re mad about.”

  “Oh? And why’s that?”

  “Because you haven’t told me and I can’t think of anything I’ve done wrong.”

  A dry laugh leaves my mouth. “Nothing?”

  “Not a thing.”

  “So, you didn’t let me go to Maverick’s without giving me a heads up about Colton living there?”

  I can picture the way she cringes at the realization. “Oh, that.”

  “Yeah, that.”

  It’s quiet for another second before she exhales. “I’m sorry. I know I should’
ve told you, but then you wouldn’t have gone.”

  “You’re right. I wouldn’t have.”

  “And then what? Spend the rest of your life avoiding him? It’s a small town. You were bound to run into each other sooner or later.”

  “Maybe, but that doesn’t matter. You should’ve given me the heads up.” I run my hand over my face. “My reaction to finding out he’s my brother’s roommate almost spilled everything I’ve worked so hard to hide.”

  “Shit. I didn’t think about that.”

  As much as I want to be mad at her, I know she meant no harm. She may not make the best choices all the time but she’s been my best friend since we were eight. If she made a conscious effort not to tell me, it’s because she thought it was in my best interest - wrong, but innocent all the same.

  “I know you didn’t.” I cave. “But next time, warn a girl. Jeez.”

  She chuckles in relief. “Noted. So, was it a total disaster?”

  I give her a rundown of Saturday and by the time I’m done, my head is spinning. A part of me wishes I’d never have to see Colton again, but another part longs for the next time we’re in the same room.

  “Ugh. Why does he still have this effect on me?! I’m engaged!”

  “Probably because you spent your entire adolescence in love with him.”

  Her brutal honesty almost knocks the wind out of me. It’s not like she’s wrong. This thing I’ve had for Colton has existed for as long as I can remember. I hoped that four years at college would rid me of my feelings for him, but apparently they hadn’t. However, none of it matters. The reality is I’m getting married in four months to an incredible guy. I’d be stupid to risk messing that up.

  TATUM OPENS THE DOOR looking nowhere near as ready as I expected her to. Her hair isn’t done and she’s sporting a pair of sweatpants with one of Maverick’s old t-shirts. If I had to guess, I’d say she just woke up.

  “You okay?” I ask carefully, not wanting to seem judgmental.

  She squints at me before pulling out her phone. When she notices the time, her eyes widen.

  “Shit. I must have fallen back asleep and lost track of time.” Running her fingers through her hair, she turns and heads for the stairs. “Give me five minutes and we can go.”

  I let myself in and close the door behind me. The house seems empty enough but the two-car garage makes it so I can’t be sure of who’s home. I shake my head and rid my mind of everything Colton. Using the extra couple minutes to my advantage, I make my way into the kitchen to get something to drink.

  The second I reach the doorway, all the air in my lungs comes rushing out. Colton is standing in front of the coffee maker. His torso is complete bare and the way his sweatpants hang low on his hips, it leaves very little to the imagination. As if he can feel me staring at him, he turns his head and our eyes meet.

  “Oh, hey.” He greets me as if the sight of him right now isn’t making me nearly combust. “What are you doing here?”

  “I h-have plans with T-Tatum.” Smooth, McKenna. Way to play it cool.

  He nods but I don’t miss the way his eyes sweep over my body. While I hadn’t planned on seeing him today, I’m glad I picked one of my favorite outfits. The black skinny jeans rest perfectly on my hips and the white crop-top hangs low enough to still be tasteful. When he looks back up at my face, he smirks.

  “What?”

  Something familiar flashes in his eyes but it’s so short that I wonder if I imagined it. He raises his eyebrows and shakes his head.

  “Nothing.”

  I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”

  Deciding to get what I was looking for and get out of here, I march towards the coffee maker and grab two of the disposable travel cups next to it. As I go to grab the handle of the pot, Colton’s voice startles me.

  “Careful, it’s hot.”

  I hear his warning but it’s a second too late. My hand meets the scorching metal and I release it with a hiss. In my haste to pull away, I stumble backwards until I land against the firm feeling of Colton’s chest. His hands instinctively grip my sides to stabilize me. As soon as his skin meets mine, the spark that I once fed off of like a drug shoots my mind into four years ago.

  The long day at the beach was exactly what I needed. However, I won’t deny that this outdoor shower is what truly feels like heaven. The mixture of sunscreen and salt washes clean from my body. The fresh water is cold but contrasts nicely against the humid air.

  “Do you know how hard today was?” His voice echos in the small space as he steps behind me and places his hands on my hips. “To have to look at you in that bikini and not be able to touch you? It was absolute torture.”

  I spin in his arms, pressing myself to the front of him and allowing my hands to skate over his impeccably sculpted abs. “No one said you couldn’t touch me.”

  “Right.” He lets out a bellowing laugh - my favorite of many. “Because I’m sure your brother wouldn’t kick my ass for laying a finger on you.”

  To be honest, whenever he brings up reasons why we’re not together, it sparks a bit of anger inside of me. If he wasn’t such a coward, he would go to Maverick and tell him about us. Nothing would stop him if he really wanted to be with me the way that I want to be with him. But that’s the thing, isn’t it? He doesn’t want to be with me at all; at least not when we’re in public.

  He gently grazes his knuckles down my cheek and I’m right back under his spell.

  “Colton.” I breathe, lulling my head back against him.

  His grip on my waist tightens and I don’t miss the way he gasps just slightly. After everything we’ve been through and all the pain he’s caused me, he still has the ability to light my nerve endings like wildfire. My subconscious is screaming at me to move but I can’t. I’m frozen in place, milking this moment for everything it’s worth. It’s been four years without his touch - four very long years.

  “I-”

  “Mac?” Tatum’s voice echoes through the house. “Are you ready to go?”

  Whatever he was going to say is effectively cut off by the sound of my brother’s girlfriend. Within seconds, his touch is gone and he’s at least three steps away. I don’t get a moment to question anything before Tatum is standing in the doorway, looking at us like a judgmental parent.

  “Everything okay in here?” She asks suspiciously.

  I’m stunned into silence but Colton handles everything with a practiced ease. “Yup. We’re all good.”

  He makes his way out of the room and pats her on the shoulder as he passes by. However, just before he’s out of sight, he spares one last glance at me. The way the corner of his mouth raises in an involuntary motion has my stomach doing backflips. Fuck. This isn’t good.

  “What was that?”

  “What was what?” I play dumb. If I’m being completely honest, I really don’t know the answer.

  She looks like she wants to question it, but instead shakes her head. “Ready to go?”

  I nod and follow her out of the house, hoping to leave Colton and the moment we just had completely behind me.

  I SHOULD BE EXCITED to look at wedding venues. The only thing that should be on my mind is my fiancé and the fact that I’m planning the most important day of my life. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case at all. Every place we’ve looked at has been gorgeous but I can’t get my brain to focus.

  The feeling of Colton’s touch lingers, staying there like he permanently branded me. No matter how many ballrooms I walk through and the amount of times people congratulate me on my engagement, nothing can wipe the memory from the very front and center place in my mind.

  “I personally like option two. The chandelier in the ballroom is gorgeous.” Tatum voices her opinion.

  “Yeah, gorgeous.”

  Her eyes narrow from across the table, but I’m not really paying attention enough to notice. “And the bright purple walls really made the room pop don’t you think?”

  “Definitely. Great color.”
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  The next thing I know, a flying mozzarella stick hits me smack in the forehead. It shakes me from of my dazed state and I find Tatum giving me a knowing look with her eyebrows raised.

  “What was what for?!” I balk.

  “There wasn’t a single place we went today with purple walls, Mac.” I open and close my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I’m busted. “You’ve been out of it all day. What’s up with you?”

  “Nothing. It’s nothing. I’m just in my own head.”

  “Does this have anything to do with me finding you and Colton in the kitchen this morning?”

  “No.”

  “McKenna.” She says my name like a warning.

  “Okay, yes.” I groan, rubbing my hands over my face.

  “I knew it! Spill.”

  Taking a sip of water, I try to figure out how to even put this morning into words. “I went to grab the coffee pot and didn’t realize it was basically on fire. Why the hell does your coffee pot get so damn hot?!”

  “It’s broken.” She waves me off dismissively. “Not the point. What happened with Colton?”

  “Well, I almost burned my hand and in the process of pulling away, I slipped and ended up in his arms.” I stop to take a breath but I can tell she’s waiting for me to continue. “Neither of us moved for a couple minutes and I started to remember how things used to be between us. I can’t explain it and I sure as hell can’t get it out of my head.”

  Letting out a long sigh, she runs her fingers through her hair. “Do you need me to tell you all the reasons this is a horrible idea?”

  “I don’t know what idea you’re referring to.”

  “Don’t play coy with me. It’s not cute.” I pout but she doesn’t let me say anything before she’s speaking again. “You and Colton ended horribly. Do you remember that? Because I remember you showing up at my door at one in the morning. You were a mess - sobbing so hard I thought you were going to have brain damage from lack of oxygen.”