“Yeah, because you need a college degree to fish for shrimp and crabs,” Caleb couldn’t help but retort. Full-time college had never been a possibility for him when he finished high school. He’d gone straight to work to support his family and then struggled through the part-time classes at his local college until he quit them to be with Renny.
Constantine saw right through his cruel taunt. “I don’t work in the bayou. Haven’t since you left, really. Ma wanted to make sure I had a different set of choices when I graduated.”
In other words, she didn’t want a second son going off to war.
“The place looks good,” he grudgingly managed to say.
“Thanks. Come on. We should go inside. Ma’s probably got dinner ready for us. She’s been cooking all day.”
Just ignore the drool, as if he could help it at the thought of one of his ma’s home-cooked meals. How long had it been since he’d enjoyed real food?
Stomach leading the way, Caleb vaulted from the truck bed and followed his brother toward the house.
Faced with a front door painted a dark blue, Caleb froze. This wasn’t his home anymore. So much had changed. His home. His brother. Me.
Caleb wasn’t the same guy who’d left years ago. And he never would be again.
I’m damaged goods. Both physically and mentally. He could handle the scars on the outside, even if within he cringed every time someone winced or grimaced at his appearance. What he still had a harder time with was the damned nightmares and panic attacks.
Was he so selfish that he would dump himself, and all his problems, on his brother and mother, who had obviously flourished in his absence?
“You know what. I think I should pop into town first. Maybe grab some groceries. Or flowers. Yeah. I need flowers.” Caleb turned on his heel and had his hands on the raised edge for the bed of the truck to climb in when he found himself yanked backwards.
With a firm hand on each of Caleb’s shoulders, Constantine frog-marched him to the front door. “Don’t be such a *. Buy flowers?” Connie snorted. “Ma doesn’t need anything but your ugly mug. Why, I don’t know.”
Neither did Caleb. They’d exchanged such ugly words. Angry ones. Hurtful ones.
Given he couldn’t tell her the truth, they’d not spoken since. As a matter of fact, he’d not spoken to anyone in Bitten Point until he called a number he knew by heart and his brother answered.
With his eyes closed and spots dancing behind his lids, Caleb had asked, “Can I come home?”
To his surprise, Constantine said yes.
And now, here he was, shaking like the biggest fucking coward.
Before Constantine could force Caleb to climb the painted porch steps—with an honest-to-god railing—the door opened, and there was his ma.
Unlike the rest of home, she hadn’t changed. Sure, there might be a few more gray hairs and a crease or two, but the blue eyes, the trembling smile, and the outstretched arms were—
Caleb took the steps in a single bound and yanked her into his grip.
In a voice choked—with a bug, dammit, never tears—he murmured, “I’m home.”
Chapter Two
One more stop until I can go home.
Pulling into the driveway of the executive home, Renata Suarez—Renny to her friends—sat for a moment before getting out of her car. Every minute of every day it seemed as if she was rushing somewhere, having to do something. Sometimes she worried she’d get so damned busy she’d forget to breathe.
Heck, I’m lucky if I remember to feed myself sometimes. Good thing Luke was around to remind her that sustenance was required or she might have wasted away.
Yet, somehow, despite all the trials, she was making it. She was providing for her and her son, but at what cost?
I’ve barely seen him grow up. While the daycares she’d relied on over the years were great at taking pictures and videos, the sad fact was, Renny had missed Luke’s first step, the first pee in a potty, and so many other milestones. But what other choice do I have?
The bills wouldn’t pay themselves.
At least now that she’d returned home, she had Melanie caring for her son before and after school, and at a totally rock-bottom rate. Nothing.
As Melanie explained it, “I’m stuck at home anyways because of my hellions. Might as well have your angelic one here, too. You never know, maybe he’ll rub off on my little demons.”
How I love that girl. Melanie was the only reason why Renny hadn’t left Bitten Point once her dad died. Her best friend was the only thing helping Renny keep her sanity right now, and given all Melanie had done to help, she shouldn’t abuse her good will.
Stop lazing around, and go get your son. Exiting the car, she took a few strides to reach the door. Renny walked right into Melanie’s house, just in time, too, judging by Melanie’s shouted, “I’m going to make you both into rugs if you don’t behave.”
What were the boys doing now?
Stepping into the living room, Renny caught her best friend since kindergarten with her hands on her hips, hair wisping in curls around her face, and her dark brown gaze focused on two little boys perched on the backrest of the couch.