The Journey Home

  “Ready?” She asked.

  I let out a giggle. “More than ready!”

  We headed down the boat ramp to the restaurant. I’d gotten a text from Zoey earlier and hadn’t bothered to read it before the closing. I was sick of hearing about her Prince Charming and what a great screw he was. Still, I pulled my phone out and read her text.

  Zoey: Hey Maddie. I feel like we haven’t seen each other in months. I want to introduce you to my guy. I’ve got some big news to share with you!

  Me: Sorry for the late reply, Zoey. I closed on a house today.

  Zoey: OMG! You bought a house? Why didn’t you tell me?

  I’d been finding myself keeping more and more things from Zoey. Ever since Monica and I had walked around a corner to see Zoey standing there, on that day when we were talking about Cale. Zoey claimed she’d just walked up, but Monica still swears that Zoey was eavesdropping.

  Me: I wanted to make sure it all turned out okay before I said anything to anyone.

  Zoey: Did Monica know?

  I rolled my eyes and sighed.

  Monica was smiling big as she scoped out the restaurant. “Holy shit!” she said “There are some good looking guys in here.” She turned to me. “What? What’s wrong? You looked stressed.”

  “Zoey. She just asked if you knew about me buying a house. I didn’t tell her until today—I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”

  Monica made a face and shook her head. “Who gives a fuck? I don’t trust that girl. I’m telling you, Maddie. Something’s up with her.”

  I looked at my phone and decided I wasn’t going to lie to her.

  Me: Yes, Monica knew. What are you up to this evening? You could stop by and we could have a little toast!

  Zoey: Figures she knew and I didn’t. I’m always the last to know. Not sure what I’m doing. Let me check with Mr. Hot Pants! I’m about to meet him for lunch.

  I groaned and shoved my phone back into my purse. I couldn’t believe how pushy Zoey was being about her relationship with this jerk. I dreaded the day I’d meet him.

  “Ladies, would you like to sit out on the deck?” the hostess asked.

  “Inside would be great,” I replied with a smile.

  As we walked to our table, I felt like someone was watching me. It was so strong that I looked over my shoulder.

  Monica sat down, grabbing my arm to pull me into my seat. “What’s wrong with you?”

  I shook my head as I continued looking. “I don’t know. I feel like someone is watching me.”

  “Nice, Maddie. Freak yourself out, why don’t you?”

  I chuckled at Monica. “I know, right? I’m going to be all alone in a giant house soon, and here I am talking about being watched.”

  We both started laughing. But, when I looked up, I instantly recognized the eyes staring at me. I sucked in a breath.

  “Oh…my…God,” I whispered.

  “I know,” Monica said. “I have no damn clue what to order. Everything sounds so good.”

  I couldn’t pull my eyes away. He and I just stared at each other; neither of us could look away.

  “What are you going to order, Maddie?”

  His eyes were just as beautiful as I remembered. I could almost feel his lips on my skin as I smiled.

  “It’s him,” I said.

  “What? Maddie, what are you talking about?”

  The way his lips curved into a smile had me pressing my legs together, longing for his touch. It didn’t seem like it could have been two years ago. It seemed like it had been only moments.

  “Maddie? Hello? Earth to Maddison!” Monica waved a hand in front of my face.

  “It’s Cale,” I said. “Cale’s here.”

  Monica turned her gaze to where I was anchored. “What? No freaking way!”

  When Monica gasped and jumped up, I wanted to follow. I wanted to run into his arms, but something was holding me back. And something was holding him back, too.

  “Oh perfect! He’s with his little friend. And by little I mean the guy with the little—”

  “Monica!” I gasped, teeth clenched. I stood up and grabbed her arm as she laughed. I turned back and noticed Jack sitting with Cale. Jack looked stunned. Almost panicky.

  Cale stood, smiling wider. I couldn’t hear anything other than my heart pounding.

  “I knew you buying that house was a good sign,” Monica whispered.

  Cale was about to head our way when I saw a blonde walk up to him. His smile vanished as his gaze drifted toward her. Instantly, the warmth disappeared from his eyes.

  Monica began cursing under her breath. “Oh no, she didn’t,” she said.

  I couldn’t stop watching Cale. He pulled a chair out for the girl, but kept his eyes on me.

  “That little fucking bitch. I’m gonna pound her head into the ground and…”

  Monica’s rage pulled me out of my trance. “What?” I asked. “Who?”

  “Maddie,” Monica said, her eyes turning serious. “That girl with Cale is Zoey.”

  I gave Monica a look like she was crazy. Turning my head slowly, I finally noticed Zoey. I held onto my stomach as I sat back down. I felt like I was going to be sick.

  “No. Oh, God, no,” I whispered. Cale’s eyes seemed so sad as he looked back at me. “I can’t…I can’t do this.”

  I pushed my chair back, reached for my purse and made for the door. Monica was right behind me.

  I was breaking into a run by the time I pushed the door open. When the fresh air hit my face, I gasped for breath. My lungs felt tight. Monica placed her hand on my back, rubbing in circles.

  “Take a deep breath, Maddie,” she said. “In through your nose and out your mouth.”

  I felt tears in my eyes. Was Cale the guy Zoey couldn’t shut up about?

  “No,” I said. “No, this is not happening. Zoey’s with Cale?”

  Monica’s eyes were filled with pity. I couldn’t stand it. “I’m going to kick her damn ass,” she said. “She knew how you felt about him.”

  I began shaking my head. “No, she didn’t know about Cale. I mean she knew, but she couldn’t have known how strong my feelings were.”

  Monica laughed gruffly. “Please! I’m telling you she overheard us talking about him.” She looked back toward the door. “You have to confront her, Maddie.”

  “What? Confront her with what? Tell her she’s dating the guy I had a one night stand with? The guy I blew off, and then obsessed about for two years?”

  Monica reached for my purse. Grabbing my phone, she pulled up Zoey’s name.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Asking her sorry little ass.”

  I pulled the phone from her hand. “No!” I said. “No, I need to get out of here. I need time to think.”

  I’d started walking down the dock ramp to the parking lot when I heard her voice.

  “Maddie? Monica? Oh my gosh!”

  I stopped in my tracks.

  “Aw, hell. Here we go.” Monica said. I gave her a look.

  “Don’t say a word,” I whispered, looking at Zoey.

  “Hey stranger,” I said, my voice cracking.

  Zoey sauntered toward us. She didn’t look good at all. Her face was pale and she looked like she’d lost more weight. “Zoey, are you feeling okay?” I asked.

  She smiled slightly and nodded. “What are you two doing here?” Her body was tense. She didn’t seem at all happy to see us.

  “Oh, um…we just left the title company and were heading here for lunch and…”

  Her smile faded before she forced it back onto her face. “Wait, you bought a house here? On Beaver Lake?”

  I smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I did.”

  “I see. Well, nothing like being the last to know,” Zoey said, glaring at Monica.

  Monica grinned. “Oh, you’re not the last. Her parents don’t know yet.”

  I closed my eyes and attempted to regulate my breathing before opening them again.

  Zoey gave Monica a dirty
look before grabbing my hands. “I’m so happy for you, sweetheart!” she said, plastering on that fake smile. “Anyway, my boyfriend is here and I’d love for you to meet him. I have some rather big news myself!”

  Panic set in. “Well, um…we were just leaving. I forgot I had to…I um…I need to go buy…”

  Monica yelled out, “Laundry detergent!”

  I snapped my head over to give Monica a wide-eyed glare.

  Zoey laughed. “Laundry can wait. Come on, I want to introduce you both to my guy.”

  She pulled me back into the restaurant. I looked over my shoulder and mouthed, “Laundry soap?” at Monica. She just shrugged.

  Before I knew it I was walking up to Zoey’s table. Cale leapt up to greet me.

  Zoey stopped and gave me a smile I’d never seen before. She almost seemed…pleased with herself. “Cale,” she said, “this is my dearest friend, Maddie Powers. Maddie, this is my boyfriend, Cale Blackwood.”

  Zoey’s stress on the word boyfriend didn’t go unnoticed. Cale glanced at her quickly before returning his gaze to me.

  A million thoughts raced through my head. Do I let her know I know him? Do I tell her Cale is my mystery guy? The guy I’d been desperately in love with for the last two years?

  Then it hit me: This was the guy she met in Starbucks. The guy who’s fucked her every which way but loose. My stomach clenched and my heart broke into a million pieces. He’d moved on. And, in that moment, I knew what I had to do. I stuck out my hand and attempted to smile. “Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Cale.”

  Cale looked down at my hand, then back into my eyes. I couldn’t quite tell what he was feeling. He eventually reached out and took my hand in his. I gasped slightly when our fingers touched and everything from that night two years ago zipped through my body. I quickly pulled my hand from his and looked away.

  Cale cleared his throat. “It’s, um…my pleasure, Maddie.”

  We both just stood there, attempting not to look at each other. Cale’s friend, Jack, stood up and reached out his hand. “I’m Jack Rembrandt, it’s nice to, uh, meet you.” He turned to Monica and smiled. “And you are?”

  Zoey chuckled. “Where are my manners? This is Monica Price, Maddie’s friend.”

  Both Cale and Jack shook Monica’s hand as she attempted to politely follow my lead.

  “Waiter! Can you please bring us two more chairs?” Zoey asked, winking at me.

  Monica and I both panicked and shouted, “No!”

  Startled, Zoey jumped. “Nonsense,” she said, giggling. “You’re staying for lunch.”

  Before I knew it, I was sitting directly across from Cale. I looked away and smiled at Zoey as she gazed back and forth between Cale and me.

  Zoey gave me a sly smile. “Is everything okay, Maddie?” she asked “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Monica hit me on the leg under the table. I grinned and shook my head. “I’m fine. Totally fine.”

  We spent the next fifteen minutes listening to Zoey describe how her and Cale met, how wonderful the last month had been, and how she couldn’t believe both Cale and I had bought houses on Beaver Lake. When Cale heard that, he stared at me, shocked.

  The waitress set down my Caesar salad as I attempted not to look at Cale. I glanced up to see Jack and Monica glaring at each other. This was turning into a nightmare. I need to get out of here.

  “Zoey, I really need to go,” I said as I reached into my purse to take out money. I could ask the waitress for a to-go box.

  “Oh no!” Zoey said. “Not yet. I haven’t even told you the best news!”

  Cale dropped his fork onto his plate. He leaned over and whispered, “Zoey, what are you doing? I don’t think this is a good idea. We need to wait and…”

  She swatted her hand toward him as if she was shushing him up. “Nonsense, Maddie is my best friend. I can’t wait to tell her!”

  “Tell me what?”

  Cale had a panicked look on his face as his eyes darted between Zoey and me. “Zoey,” he said, “please! We still have to talk more about this and…”

  Zoey glared at Cale and he stopped talking.

  She turned back to me and sucked in a breath of air. Letting it out, she said, “I have some wonderful news to share.”

  Cale seemed sick to his stomach as he looked at Jack. Jack was glaring at Zoey. Clearly Jack didn’t care for her.

  I forced myself to smile at Zoey. “Well, I can’t wait to hear it,” I said, my voice cracking.

  Zoey sat up taller and gave me a hair-raisingly creepy smile. “I’m pregnant,” she said.

  Monica choked on her food and Jack jumped up. “Are you all right?” he asked

  Monica grabbed her water and waved her hand at him, indicating that she was okay.

  I was stunned. All I could say was, “What?” Zoey couldn’t have kids. If she did it would be dangerous for both her and the child. “How? I mean, who’s the father?” I asked.

  Zoey’s smile vanished and Jack started laughing. Zoey glared at Jack before giving Cale an adoring look.

  Oh God, please, no. This is not happening. Please don’t do this to me.

  Zoey reached for Cale’s hand. “Cale and I are expecting a baby in about eight months. I’m only just a few weeks along.”

  Monica cleared her throat. “Are you sure it’s Cale’s baby?”

  Zoey gave Monica a look that should have dropped her to the ground. “Yes, I’m sure,” she hissed.

  Monica took a sip of her wine and raised an eyebrow. “Well, one can never be too sure with girls like you.”

  Jack started laughing again as he looked at Monica. “I like you,” he said. “A lot.”

  Monica smiled and winked at Jack.

  I kicked Monica under the table and was pretty sure Cale had done the same thing to Jack with how they both jumped and then shut up. My heart was beating at a crazy pace.

  “Zoey, does your mother know?” I blurted. “What about the doctor? That kind of stress on your body can’t be good for you or the baby.” I wasn’t even sure if Cale knew Zoey was sick.

  Zoey picked up her glass of water and took a sip. “This was supposed to be a happy announcement, and you’re ruining my moment. I wish you could just be happy for me, Maddison. There is no need to be jealous.”

  I wanted to reach across the table and slap her. I looked at Cale and his eyes were filled with sadness. No, worse—they looked completely empty. He clearly wasn’t happy to be expecting a child. Without taking my eyes from Cale I managed to smile and say, “I’m thrilled for you, Zoey. I’m happy if you’re happy.”

  She grinned from ear to ear. “I’ve never been happier.”

  Monica cleared her throat and asked, “Cale, what about you? Are you happy about becoming a daddy?”

  Zoey sighed and rolled her eyes. “Of course he is, Monica.”

  Cale smiled, but I could sense it wasn’t genuine. “It was a shock when Zoey told me,” he said. “Not expected at all. I wasn’t really ready for parenthood.”

  Zoey laughed. “Well, with the incredible sex we have, I’m not surprised.”

  I couldn’t breathe. I needed to get out—now. I pushed my chair back, startling everyone at the table, and pulled some cash from my wallet.

  “I um…I need to go. It was a pleasure meeting you both.”

  Zoey was sitting there with what seemed to be a very satisfied smirk on her face. As if she felt that she’d won a game that I hadn’t even realized we were playing.

  Cale stood up, “Maddie, wait.”

  The look I gave him sent him right back to his seat.

  I smiled weakly at Zoey. “Have a wonderful afternoon.”

  She chuckled softly and said, “Oh, I will.”

  As I walked away, I sensed Monica right behind me.

  I stormed out of the restaurant and practically ran down the boat ramp and into my car. As I turned the key in the ignition, I leaned my head against the back seat and started to cry. Monica took my hand in hers.
/>
  “I know you don’t want to hear this,” she said, “but I swear to God, Maddie. It was like Zoey knew you and Cale had a history.”

  I didn’t want to believe it. My head was telling me that Zoey knew, but my heart didn’t want to believe she would be so cruel.

  I wiped my eyes, pulled out of the parking lot, and began driving toward my new house. “We’re going out tonight,” I said. “I need to forget this entire day.”

  I WALKED INTO the house and threw my keys down on the table. I still couldn’t believe I’d just seen Maddie. She’d been right fucking there…and then Zoey had to walk in. Sighing, I grabbed a beer from the refrigerator. I walked into the living room and sank into the sofa.

  “Cale?” Zoey said. “You’re upset. Why, baby?”

  I rolled my eyes. I knew it wasn’t Zoey’s fault, but what were the damn odds that she'd be friends with Maddie? And it almost seemed like she got some thrill from telling Maddie she was pregnant.

  “I’m not upset, Zoey,” I said as I downed my beer.

  She sat next to me and sighed. “I told my parents today, about being pregnant. My mother is so excited. Thrilled, I should say, but she was a downer at first, like Maddie. Maddie was just jealous, though. She always wants what I have. It’s kind of sad, really.”

  “Don’t you think you should wait and talk to your doctor? You said yourself that he’s going to tell you that this is a high-risk pregnancy. I mean, you’re telling everyone. You’re not even that far along and you’re telling your friends.”

  She glared at me. “You want me to have an abortion? Is that what you want, Cale?”

  For a brief moment I wanted to tell her yes. I didn’t want to have a baby yet, let alone with Zoey. I wanted to be in love—madly in love. And married. More than anything, I wanted to be with Maddie.

  Shit. I need to stop thinking like this.

  I knew it wouldn’t be long before Zoey picked up on the fact that Maddie and I knew each other. I had to admit, I was shocked when Maddie pretended not to know me. Then again, I couldn’t blame her either.