You Were Always Home (Homecoming #3) Read online

  The place looked bustling, but no one was around when I parked. I sat waiting in my car, hoping someone came to me with some instructions. What was the norm for this situation?

  “Get out of the car, Dunnett.” I jumped not only from the voice of the person who was talking but the loud tap on my car. Jake stood on the other side of my door wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, and he was wiping his hands with a rag. Okay, that shouldn’t be attractive at all to me. Nope, I was conditioned to like white-collar men in suits, not… Jake.

  Even saying that made me sound like such a bitch. I didn’t mean it, because men like Jake have always been my type. Now, that was a lie; no one else in this town had made me feel like he once had. It was just Jake. He had been my type. Maybe it was the nature of not getting what I wanted that attracted me to him in the first place.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, rolling down my window.

  He didn’t smile at me, not that I expected him to. Since I’d said my piece at his hardware store, I’d kept away from him.

  “Came to do maintenance on my car.” He pointed at his truck that was now parked outside. Yeah, it wasn’t there when I got here.

  “I mean, what are you doing here?” With my casted hand, I pointed at him and my car.

  “People usually book weeks in advance to get work done.”

  My face paled. Shit. I was failing at this independence thing. My father was right: I had nothing to fall back on.

  “I’ll ask them to book me in for the—”

  “Shut up.”

  “What?” I was appalled he told me to shut up.

  My mouth opened, but I immediately closed it. He did not just tell me to shut my mouth. I got angry. Jake might have known me, but he didn’t know this new me. Nope, I’d stopped letting men treat me this way since I walked out of my pretty little mansion.

  “You can’t talk to me like that.” I’ll admit my voice came out haughty and entitled, but the bitch in me came out when I was angry or in defense mode.

  Jake looked me up and down. Whatever sort of warming up to me he had taken back at his store was now gone.

  “Listen, Ice Princess,” he said, and since I was still inside my car, he didn’t see me flinch. “Not everyone drops everything what they’re doing when you walk in the room.”

  That hurt, and it was the furthest thing from the truth. No one dropped what they were doing when I walked in the room. Instead of putting up a fight, I opened the door and let out one heeled foot out, then the other. Jake stood at the other side of the door looking at me with an intensity that could freeze water.

  “Don’t ever call me that again.” I seethed.

  Jake’s eyebrows shot up, and an amused look overtook his face. Then he turned around and went to the toolboxes. I turned back, about to walk out, but the garage door was already closed. Shit. I was trapped here with Jake unless I wanted to walk all the way across to the waiting area. Not happening.

  “Is someone going to come work on my car?”

  “I am,” he replied casually.

  “You don’t work here.”

  “No shit.”

  “Why? I mean, there’s plenty of men here to do that.”

  Jake was grabbing a tray and one of those funnel thingamajiggers along with a little board that looked like a skateboard.

  “What are you even doing back here?”

  “A real man takes care of his own business.”

  I stood there, not knowing what that meant. A real man?

  “Well, I’m a woman, and I’m a customer, so I don’t have to be a real anything.”

  Jake was about to crouch down, and that same amused look came back except this time his lip tipped just a bit.

  “I’m guessing your husband was not much of a real man. You got tired of playing house?” He said husband like it was something that left an awful taste in his mouth. To be honest, it did the same to mine.

  “That’s none of your business,” I snapped. “Look, Jake, I get it, you don’t like me. Fair enough. I apologized already—not much else I can do. You don’t have to work on my car; someone else can take care of me.”

  “No one else is taking care of you,” he said as I gaped at him.

  Did he mean that he wanted to be the one to attend to me? That couldn’t be true.

  Jake dropped to the floor before he went under the hood of my car and said, “Everyone is busy. Like it or not, I’m all you have.”

  Right.

  This was just him being nice-ish.

  The wait seemed eternal until Jake started to pull out. I hadn’t really moved from where I stood, and it was not a good vantage point. And by not good, I mean it was a terrific spot to watch Jake’s body. The muscles under his thermal were defined. My ex-husband was fit, but not muscular. Jake looked up at me for a second without saying anything. Without thinking, I stretched out my hand at him.

  He looked at me from my head to my toes, ignored my outstretched hand, and got up on his own.

  Ouch.

  “Okay, then,” I said, rolling my eyes. Sue me—I had changed, but I was still a bitch when I got pissed.

  Jake chuckled. “Didn’t want to get you dirty, Dunnett.”

  “Whatever. You don’t like me—got it. Now, who do I pay?” I started to walk away so I could get my card.

  “Juliet.” His voice halted my step, and it was the politeness ingrained in me that made me stop and listen to him.

  “I’m serious.” He lifted his hands, then grabbed a dirty rag from his back pocket.

  I huffed. I didn’t have it in me to be in his presence anymore. “It’s just some grease, no big deal.”

  Jake looked at me again, his eyes softening a bit. “You’ve changed.”

  I had. Life lessons and all, but I didn’t tell him that.

  “Who do I pay?”

  “It’s taken care of.” He turned around and walked away, leaving me standing there alone and confused.

  When the garage door opened again, I got in my car and drove away.

  4

  Juliet

  Sophomore Year

  Art quickly became my favorite class; it wasn’t hard to guess why either. I saw Jake outside of class, but we didn’t acknowledge each other. For one, he was almost three years older than me and a total player. Every time I took a peek at him, he was surrounded by girls. He would pass holding a different girl and not look my way, but in class, it was a different story. It was for the best, because if my brothers caught wind of it, they would freak. My father would freak. I was a Dunnett, and he was Jake Carson. A nobody in my father’s eyes… but in mine, he was quickly becoming somebody.

  I was already seated at my desk, and my end-of-the-year project was underneath the floral vase we were supposed to be painting for this week. I felt it the minute Jake walked in, his presence hitting me like summer rays.

  “Jake,” Tina’s needy voice rang out.

  I was wondering when she was going to have enough of Jake sitting with me and do something about it. Mrs. Boyd wasn’t huge on enforcing her no-switching-seats rule.

  “Why don’t you sit with me today?” Tina pouted.

  She wasn’t ugly, or as curvy as I was, but she was sexually active. I doubted Prescott would have her in his room for anything less. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. My nana said women shouldn’t have to beg for attention. Ever. If a man wanted you, he’d let you know.

  “I would, but I wouldn’t want to make Mrs. Boyd pissed,” Jake said.

  I rolled my eyes again as I started to work on my flowers. Tina knew Mrs. Boyd wouldn’t really care if we changed seats.

  “You can take my seat, and I’ll sit on your lap.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tina wink at him. I was going to throw up. Was it sad that I felt embarrassed for her? You’re jealous, a part me said. But me, jealous? No way.

  All of a sudden, Jake was right behind me. My hand wavered for a second, and the petal got messed up. Well, more messed up.

&n
bsp; “You know what, Dunnett?” he whispered in my ear.

  I didn’t say a word. He had something to say, so I let him get to the point—and while he was at it, I would enjoy his proximity.

  “I like the haughty face you make. It’s hot.”

  Did he just compliment my bitch face?

  I turned to him and arched a brow. “What are you talking about?”

  He grinned, his eyes going to my lips. “The ice, it’s starting to melt.”

  I glared at him. If he thought I was getting wet—if that was what he was getting at—then he was out of his ever-loving mind.

  “Shhhh, let me concentrate on my art,” I said, trying to stay calm and collected.

  Jake threw his head black and laughed. The roar made a few heads turn our way. Tina was glaring at me when I met her face head-on. I arched a brow, and she looked away. She might have been a senior with more experience, but I was Juliet Dunnett.

  “That’s a massacre, Dunnett.”

  I huffed in annoyance.. “Repeat after me…Ju-li-et.”

  “You going to the winter dance, Dunnett?” he asked, instead.

  Which reminded me that it was this Friday, and the stupid Candygrams got passed out in class today. I sent twelve Candygrams: for my teachers because my mother taught me right, one to each of my brothers, another for Abbi and Jana, one for the shy girl in class, and the last one I almost didn’t do it, but I couldn’t help myself—the last candy I bought was for Jake, and now he was going to get it in this class. I didn’t think things through.

  “I am. Are you?” I said.

  “Wasn’t planning on it.”

  I tried to not show my disappointment.

  Then he asked, “Who’s taking you?”

  “I’m a strong independent woman. I don’t need a boy escorting me anywhere.”

  The truth was, there was no one I wanted taking me, so I said no, and now I was third-wheeling with Jana and Gary.

  Whatever. I didn’t care.

  Jake smiled at me. “I dig that.”

  The door to the room opened and Nikki walked in holding a basket with the Candygrams. She smiled and waved at me, and because I wasn’t rude, I did the same.

  “Mrs. Boyd, you get a lollipop.”

  The teacher fixed her glasses. “Aw, that’s so awesome.”

  She seemed genuinely excited. Mrs. Boyd was the teacher that liked to interact with her students to feel cool. I didn’t mind her doing that as much as I did with all my teachers. Since I was little, my teachers always looked forward to teacher appreciation day. I gave good gifts.

  “Tina, these are for you.” I couldn’t help it and tilted my head and noticed her three Candygrams.

  A few other kids got candies, and I felt terrible for the ones that didn’t. I hated the singularity of passing them out during class.

  “I don’t know who got more between the two of you,” Nikki joked, but I heard the jealousy in her voice.

  Jake got sixteen candy bars, and I got twenty-two. When I was younger, I liked getting Candygrams because they were filled with cute notes.

  Your hair is pretty.

  You have beautiful eyes.

  You are sweet.

  But last year, the ones I got were filled with nasty comments.

  You’ve got nice tits.

  Wanna fuck?

  Great ass.

  Sexy as fuck.

  I’d hit it.

  Those were some of the most popular ones. People got brave when they were anonymous.

  “Let’s see what you got.” Jake reached for one of my candies.

  I knew it was a nasty one when he went from playful to angry in a hot second.

  “What the fuck?” he growled, the piece of paper crumpling in his hand.

  “What’d it say?” I tried to pry the paper from his hand, but Jake wouldn’t let me.

  “No way in hell I’m letting you read this shit.”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the same as last year,” I mumbled, and that was the wrong thing to say.

  Jake’s blue eyes went icy cold. “That’s fucked up. This is sexual harassment. Why didn’t you report it?”

  Giving Jake a bitter smile, I answered, “Why? So everyone can say I couldn’t take a joke?”

  Jake’s anger didn’t fade; his body was tense. When I reached for his arm to comfort him, I knew things were going to change. I wasn’t one to lie to myself, and I think he genuinely liked me. He cared about me enough to get angry over perverts sending me notes.

  “Why don’t you read my notes and give me the ones that won’t make me cringe?” I said.

  Jake stared at my face, his gaze dropping to my lips and to my arm that was touching him. When he bulged his muscles, I shook my head, smiling.

  “Deal.” He grabbed all my candy bars.

  When he did, I reached for his, biting my lip. “It’s only fair.”

  When I opened his Candygrams, I quickly found out girls could be as nasty as guys. “You never called back. Here’s my number.” “I miss you, hottest guy in school.” “I’m down for anything.” All of them had numbers attached, no names. I looked at Jake, and his mouth was set in a hard line.

  “That bad?”

  “I swear to God I’m going to find these fuckers.”

  “And the other piles?” The candies were stacked in one pile, and three other piles were notes.

  “Jealous bitches.” He turned his face to me. “You’re gorgeous, and they hate that.”

  I felt my face begin to heat. He had called me gorgeous, and the way the words rolled off his tongue felt like a caress. Instead of saying anything else, I looked down to read another of his notes.

  “Oh, my God!” I semi shouted. My face had gone red, and Jake immediately noticed.

  “What’d it say?” I didn’t have to look at him to know he was grinning.

  “I’m not saying it!”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t let you read my notes after all. You’re still too young.”

  There wasn’t any malice in his voice, but it still irked me. I was always too polished and proper, doing what my dad wanted, pleasing my mother and brothers. I wasn’t little anymore, and I didn’t want Jake to see me that way. When he tried to take the paper from my hand, I told him what the note said.

  “I think of you when I touch myself.” The words were low enough so only he could hear them.

  The veins in his arms bulged when he fisted his hands, and I could see the tendon in his neck pop.

  “Fuck me,” Jake hissed.

  “You got a couple of those too.”

  I was the first to break contact, not being able to take the intensity in his blue eyes. I gave him all his papers, even if I wanted to throw them all away. I only left one closed, and it was the one I had given him.

  He gave me all my candy bars, and the notes he deemed too hurtful or nasty he kept. I had notes from Jana, Abigail, Prescott asking me to clean his room, and Max told me I was his favorite sister. The bell rang before I could open the one Jake left closed, and my heart sped up, wondering if it was from him.

  I went straight to my locker so no one would see my face as I read the note. Before I could open it, a hand at my waist pressed me against the locker. I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. No one else would dare. The smell of mint and pine also gave him away.

  “You’re wrong, Juliet. I eat.” He whispered the words seductively in my ear.

  I shivered despite my body getting hot from my cheeks to my chest. As quickly as he was there, he left. My note was simple and meant to be funny.

  Jake, you suck. -Dunnett.

  I was going for funny sending him that Candygram, but he had to… wow. I couldn’t even bring myself to say the words. Looking down, I read the note he sent me, and my belly dipped. I was trying to be funny, but Jake took it there.

  Prettiest partner ever. -Jake

  5

  Juliet

  Ice Princess.

  The words were currently stuck
in my head on repeat, and I hated it. One thing was true: Jake still knew how to push my buttons. A part of me felt stupid to feel like I was in high school all over again. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be dumb enough to make the same mistake twice.

  Sitting down in my apartment, my TV on low and my laptop open, I was aware of all the things I had yet to do. Chores were a bitch. Another thing I had to worry about now that I had no maids. Dusting, brooming, vacuuming, dishes, and the worst of them all, laundry.

  Which reminded me I needed to do laundry. I got up and in search for quarters to wash when I heard it. Everything inside me shook, my body becoming paralyzed. Blood drained from my body, and I started to shiver.

  “Why can’t you ever do anything right? Why do I always have to do everything? Why can’t you guys just fucking help me?”

  The man’s voice was filled with rage, loud enough that it boomed through the walls. At that moment, I couldn’t stay in my apartment any longer. The tiny walls felt like they were caving in on me. Grabbing my wallet and jacket, I made my way out. I needed some fucking quarters pronto. Locking my door, I couldn’t help but to take a look at the apartment where the yelling was coming from.

  “Shut up, you little cunt!” The words seemed to vibrate through the door.

  Rushing past it, I chanted to myself. You are safe now.

  The drive to town was fast. My heart stopped racing by the time I hit Main Street. I didn’t know where to get quarters from. I figured going to the convenience store was my best bet. Parking my car, I groaned when I saw there were a few people in the shop. I wished I didn’t have this stupid cast on so I could put my hands in my pockets.