Текст книги "Love Me Back"
Автор книги: Michelle Lynn
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Love Me Back
By
Michelle Lynn
Copyright ©2013 by Michelle Lynn
All Rights Reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in whole or in part by any means.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events portrayed in this book are the product of the author’s imagination or are either fictitious or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Cover photo © Shutterstock.com
Cover Design by Kerri Reaves
The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, Ford Mustang, FJ Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler, Chevy Silverado, Mercedes, Adidas, Velcro, Skype, Brides Magazine
Chapter 1 – 11 years old
“Madeline Dolores Jennings” Bryan yells up teasing me from the bottom of the hill.
“What do you want Bryan Otto Edwards?”
“Hey, I’m just joking, Maddy.” Bryan runs up the hill throwing his arm around me. “You knew it had to be coming, I have been holding it in all day since Kenna slipped at lunch.”
I hate the days my mom ‘worked late’. It entails me having to walk up the grassy hill from my grade school to my brother Jack’s, football practice with the other latchkey brothers and sisters of the football heroes of our small town. There were half dozen of us that made the trek every day, all boys except for Mackenna Ross and myself.
Mackenna Ross is my best friend and our polar opposite personalities only enhance our different qualities. She is free spirited where I am more conservative. She speaks her mind and I keep my thoughts to myself. We share a love for tennis, swimming and the game MASH (mansion, apartment, shack or house), where we try to map out our perfect lives.
Our brothers are teammates but not the best of friends. In fact they have been known to fight with each other on several occasions. Currently over a girl named Cindy Rydel. I don’t see what is so intriguing about her but I am not a seventeen year old hormone induced boy either. It doesn’t matter to Kenna and myself that they don’t get along as long as it doesn’t keep us away from each other.
Jack glances up to the bleachers on his way to the field giving me a wave checking to make sure I made it safely across the hill from our schools. I wave back and take my seat next to MacKenna. She already has her notebook out wanting to go first. We keep all our MASH’s in a binder marking stars next to the lives we want. I grab her notebook, flipping to the next blank page.
“Alright Kenna, four boys?” I ask.
“Let’s do five today, I can’t decide who to leave out, Jackson or Tyler.” She puts her finger tapping her lips.
“Fine, five.” I reply. Mackenna never changes her cars she desires or where she wants to live but the boy’s list is forever rotating between the boys in our school.
“Ok, well my usual four boys and…” she pauses glancing over to the field next to us where the younger latchkey boys are tossing a football around. “Bryan” she spits it out so fast I barely catch it.
“What?” I scream at her. Bryan just told her that her butt is big two days ago and now she is picking him to be her future husband.
“Maddy! Shhh…it’s my choice. Write it down.” She points to the paper with her neon green painted nail.
“Alright but I don’t understand you at all.” I shake my head back and forth writing it down hoping the rotation eliminates him. I love Mackenna but Bryan is a jerk, I would not let her marry him.
Luckily after I am done Mackenna is married to Tyler, living in a shack in California with her eight kids driving her Range Rover. I am happy Bryan lost out on the third elimination round.
“Not my best life but I’ll take it. I got my Range Rover.” Mackenna shrugs her shoulders slowly moving her eyes towards the grass area again but quickly turns them back towards me. “Your turn, hand it over.” She puts her hand out.
I dig through my bag and pull out my purple binder handing it over to her.
“Maddy, you cannot put Trent down four times this time, you have to choose other boys.” She starts writing MASH across the white sheet of paper.
“I only did that once Kenna.” I look over at Trent throwing the ball to Bryan. “I don’t like him anymore.” I say trying to convince myself as much as Mackenna.
“I’ve heard that before” she taps the pen to the paper.
I have known Trent my whole life. His brother Doug is Jack’s best friend. We have been thrown together during cub scouts, t-ball and football our whole life. We would play together when we were little but as we get older, we learn to ignore each other, doing our own thing when forced to be around each other. Mackenna is right though if I am honest with myself, I have had a crush on him my whole life. I have written Mrs. Trent Basso millions of times and scribbled over it a zillion more. Regardless of where my mind is with Trent he is always on my MASH for future husband.
I hate Trent today because during recess Evan Graham said Trent asked him to ask me if Mackenna liked him. I tried to act as though it didn’t bother me but I think Evan could tell due to the sorrowful look on his face. I told him I would ask and get back to him tomorrow. I already knew her answer without having to ask her, she would never do that to me. I am so mad at Trent Basso today that I knock him down from his number one spot to my fourth option for future husband. Baby steps.
After we finish my MASH I am married to Jimmy Schmidt, the class clown with one child in Alaska driving a minivan. Not even close to my best life. I throw my binder on the bench in front of me leaning back letting the vitamin D soak through my skin.
“Let’s do it again.” Mackenna says eagerly.
“No, I’m tired. Let’s just relax.” I don’t open my eyes. I want my mind to empty and enjoy the peace knowing it will end when Jack and I go home.
“You go ahead, I am going to play some football.” Mackenna walks down the bleachers over to Bryan, Trent and the other boys.
I open one eye peering down at her. I am jealous of her confidence. She just walks right up to the guys, grabs the football from Trent and throws it to Bryan. The boys seem annoyed that she is interrupting their game but they let her join in. I see Trent trying to show her how to throw a football but she just pushes him away taking the ball again. I love that girl.
About fifteen minutes later Mackenna comes running up the stairs grabbing her bag. Practice is over and the football team is making their ways to the gates that enclose the field.
“Move your asses little’s” Doug, Trent’s brother yells over to us. All the latchkey younger siblings are called the Little’s. We are Madeline Jennings (aka Little Jennings), Trent Basso (aka Little Basso), Mackenna Ross (aka Little Ross) and Bryan Edwards (aka Little Edwards).
None of us say anything as we venture down to the end of the gates to meet our older siblings.
“Let’s go Mad, we’re going over to The Basso’s for dinner.” Jack motions for me to hurry up.
“I will be right there.” I hold up my finger and give Mackenna a hug even though I will probably talk to her in a couple hours. I walk over to Jack climbing into his Mustang. Doug and Trent are already there waiting for me. I guess we are taking them along. Doug pushes the front seat forward so I can climb in the back next to Trent.
“Hey Maddy” Trent says turning his head to stare out the window.
“Hi Trent.” I stare out my window. That sums up our friendship lately. I have tried to figure out what happened to us but came up with nothing.
We arrive at the Basso’s ten minutes later. They live on the outskirts of town. They have acres of land that include horses. Their house has a wraparound porch with hanging flower baskets from every opening. It is something out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. As the Mustang comes to a stop at the top of their gravel driveway Dixon, their yellow lab, runs up greeting us.
I bend down and let Dixon climb on me while I pet him with both my hands. I stand up and Dixon follows me to the front porch and into the house. I know this house as well as my own, I have probably eaten dinner here more than mine. As soon as we walk in Trent goes up the stairs to his room, Jack and Doug go into the basement to play pool and I venture into the kitchen.
“I was wondering when you guys were going to get here.” Mrs. Basso says to me over her shoulder while she prepares the dinner.
I sit on the stool at the breakfast bar taking out my homework. “Hi Mrs. Basso. Thank you for having us for dinner.” I am thankful I didn’t have to make it for Jack and me.
“Oh Maddy, you are always welcome. You know that.” Mrs. Basso turns around smiling at me. She is the epitome of the perfect mom. She works at the local library, always has dinner on the table for her husband and boys. She volunteers for all the school functions and fundraisers.
“I know.” I turn my head down focusing on my homework.
I am able to finish all of my homework while Mrs. Basso finishes dinner humming to herself. She is always happy. I wonder what she knows that my mom doesn’t.
“Dinner Boys.” Mrs. Basso takes her ponytail out shaking her golden blond hair back and forth letting it fall. She is a beautiful woman and doesn’t look her age at all.
All the boys come running in while I set the plates and silverware down.
“Hey Madgirl. Long time no see.” Gabe, Trent’s older brother shakes my hair with his hand.
“Hi Gabe.” I softly say. Gabe is fourteen, a freshman at the high school. He doesn’t have to wait for Doug at practices because he is old enough to come home by himself.
“Where’s dad?” Doug asks while stealing a roll out of the basket and devouring it. I can’t imagine how much food this house must go through with three boys.
“He had to work late, I have a plate for him prepared in the fridge.” Mrs. Basso answers.
I wonder why Mrs. Basso could stay at home when her husband wasn’t home. Not like my mom who would leave as soon as my dad left town for a couple days. They couldn’t be more different moms.
We eat the chicken and rice with broccoli while the three older boys fight over the food. Trent is quiet, never looking up from his plate. I don’t know what I did to repulse him so much. After dinner Jack says he wants to play one more game so I go into the family room to watch television. Trent and Gabe are already in there and I feel like a fool if I just turn around and walk out of the room so I sit down on the opposite side of the couch as Trent. A couple minutes later Gabe leaves mumbling something about homework.
I take this as my chance to find out what has happened to Trent and why he is so set on ignoring me lately.
“So, you like Kenna?” I ask not turning my head from the television.
“I don’t know.” He shrugs.
“You don’t know? Why did you ask Evan to ask me to ask her then?” I shift my eyes through the corners to see his expression.
His body rises and falls sighing. “I wanted to see what you would say.”
“What do you mean? If you like her go ahead and ask her out.” I decide to take the encouraging to break my heart route.
“I don’t like Kenna.” He moves closer to me on the couch. I am totally confused by this boy.
“Then why did you have Evan ask me?” I face him on the couch. We have been friends since we were in diapers why is everything so awkward now.
“I wanted to see if you would be jealous.” He takes my hand and entwines our fingers.
“Did you get the reaction you wanted?” I ask not removing my hand with his.
“No, I thought you liked me, am I wrong?” He is staring at me. His crystal blue eyes are boring into me and I can’t turn away.
“You are right, I like you.” I bite my lower lip not sure what happens now. His mom or brothers could walk in at any time.
“I like you too.” Trent whispers and turns around to watch television never letting go of my hand.
Chapter 2 – Present Day 25 years old
The plane dips down and both my hands clutch the armrests. I have never liked flying but I am extra on edge this trip. I don’t want to go back home but I have no choice. My brother has decided to finally marry his college sweetheart Lindsey Jacobson. Don’t get me wrong; I love Lindsey, I couldn’t ask for a better sister-in-law. The problem is they planned a weeklong wedding extravaganza and like every other wedding of the Bigs and Little’s during the past years everyone is involved. I would not only be spending a week with Jack and Lindsey and their wedding party, it would include Bryan, Mackenna and from what I heard last night, Trent.
A hand goes over my mine squeezing. “It’s alright sweetie, just some turbulence.” Ian Fisher, my best friend says quietly.
“I know. I hate flying.” I say. Ian and I became best friends back in college when we worked together at the rec center senior year. We both lusted over the same male. Unfortunately, for me the hot male swung Ian’s way, not mine.
I made Ian take a week off of work to come with me and since he knows most of the people it would make it easier. I need him there with me to face everyone again.
“It’s going to be fine Maddy, just relax.” Ian looks at me squeezes my hand and goes back to reading his magazine. We both know he isn’t talking about the flight and we both know things won’t be fine.
The plane lands five minutes early and I am thankful to get off. Ian and I make our way to baggage claim and Ian stops to get one of the carts.
“Why do we need that?” I ask sharply.
“For our bags, I can’t carry them all.” He snaps back to me.
How many bags to do you have?” I met him at the gate this morning so both of us had already checked our luggage.
“I don’t know.” He tilts his head down looking at me through the top of his eyelids.
“Oh God, you probably have more than me.” I shriek.
“Probably. Now help me pull this through.” Ian is yanking at the cart corral.
“Here, let me help.” A deep voice says from behind us.
I see the tanned firm forearm easily guide the cart out of the corral. My eyes roam from his arm up to the firm bicep to his strong shoulders and when my eyes reach his face I gasp.
“Hey Madgirl, long time no see.” Gabe Basso says smirking at me.
“Hey Gabe, what are you doing here?” I ask surprised.
“Came in for the wedding. Groomsman.” His eyes leave mine focusing on Ian “Hi, I’m Gabe.” Placing his hand out for Ian.
Ian looks as dumbfounded as me but puts his hand out to shake Gabe’s.
“Sorry, Ian this is Gabe Basso. Gabe this is Ian Fisher.” I motion my finger back and forth between the two of them.
“Nice to meet you.” Ian says.
Gabe nods his head to him. “What baggage claim are you guys at?” he asks.
“Five, you?” Ian takes charge of the conversation since I am already mute stricken. If I am this way in front of Gabe how will I make it through everyone else?
Gabe’s eye shift to me and I see the concern in his eyes. “Six” he answers. “Is anyone picking you guys up?” He asks looking at me, I can’t believe how much he looks like Trent or how much Trent looks like him.
“I rented a car. I didn’t want to rely on anyone for rides the whole week.” I divulge more information than I have to. That is what happens when I get nervous. I can’t stop talking once I get going.
“Do you mind if I hitch a ride? I was going to catch a cab but since you guys are here.”
“Sure.” I shrug my shoulders agreeing.
The three of us walk over to baggage claim five and six. I can see Gabe’s has already started moving with some bags coming down but ours is still quiet where I see the passengers from our flight waiting.
Gabe jogs over quickly grabbing a garment bag and walks back our way. Although it’s only June, Gabe is already tan which I assume has to do with living in Florida instead of the Midwest. Gabe moved down there after college. He and a couple buddies went in together on some real estate deals and from what I heard he is doing pretty good for himself especially for only being twenty-eight.
My bag is the first to come off. I hope that is a sign that this week won’t be so bad. Ian is waiting next to his cart, he has pulled off two bags already and going for a third. His matching plaid faux designer print luggage is a set of five and I assume he brought every piece.
“How much luggage did he bring?” Gabe motions his head towards Ian.
“I have no idea but I bet he will come home with another suitcase on the way home.” I smile.
“I guess he will be prepared for whatever comes up. From what Doug told me it is quite the week of events planned.”
“Yeah, I haven’t heard much of anything.” I raise my shoulders. Looking down at my feet.
“Knowing Jack, I am sure he planned a fun time.”
“That’s my brother, party planner!” I smile back at him. His teeth are perfect and white.
“I am looking forward to it. It has been killer this summer. All of our houses are booked for the season and we have been working like crazy getting everything ready. It was all I could do to get the time off.” He exclaims. “How about you Maddy? What’s the decorating business like?”
“Hard to get into. I do most of my work for free to try to get my foot in the door. I tried to work for another decorator as their assistant but they just want to boss you around and do their personal errands.” I confess. I have actually thought about switching careers lately but I don’t want to go back to school.
“Yeah, I have heard that. I had a friend who graduated in fashion design and she had a hard time too.”
“What happened? Did she finally break through?” I cross my fingers praying his answer is yes. Give me some hope to continue with my dream.
“Unfortunately, no. She ended up getting married to some investment banker she met and now she lives in Connecticut with two kids.” He gives me a lopsided smile.
“Oh” I deflate. I knew going into design that few people where able to really succeed in it but it is my passion.
“But” he nudges his shoulder with mine. “She wasn’t half as talented as you Madeline Jennings.” He smiles down at me.
“Thank you.” I grin back. “But you have never seen my work.”
“Yes I have” he answers. Before I can ask where we see Ian coming over with his cart of luggage and five pieces of luggage.
“About time Ian, God.” I turn around towing my suitcase behind me. Then I feel my suitcase stop behind me and jolt back.
Gabe is there grabbing it “You might as well take advantage of the cart.” He takes the suitcase from my hands and places it on the cart. Ian huffs as though it is too much to push but Gabe and I both chuckle walking to the rental car.
The young boy motions to me as the next person and I walk over to him. I am surprised to see Gabe right next to me.
“Can I help you?” The young kid asks.
“Reservation for Madeline Jennings.” I place my id and credit card on the counter.
“Ok, we have you down for a compact this week.” The kid puts his hands on my id and credit card to take it but a hand goes over his startling the young man.
“Can we upgrade to an SUV?” Gabe asks.
“What?” I raise my eyebrows at Gabe.
“His luggage isn’t going to fit in a compact.” He points to an exhausted Ian making his way over to the rental car place with all the luggage in tow.
“We will have to strap it to the roof. I can’t afford to upgrade.” I admit nodding to the young man to continue with the compact.
“First of all, I don’t think a compact has a rack you can strap luggage to.” He laughs. “Second, I would never make you pay. Let me get an SUV, we can share the truck all week. We will be going to the same places anyway.” He says awaiting my answer.
It made sense in a way but I didn’t want to rely on him for a ride and I couldn’t let him pay for it. I bite my bottom lip contemplating my options. “I can’t let you do that Gabe. Not to mention the reason for me getting a rental car was not to rely on anyone this week.”
He pulls out his wallet handing the young kid his id and credit card. “Go ahead and book us an SUV and put us both on the truck.” He grabs my credit card and hands it back to me. “You can keep the truck and come get me when we are doing something.”
He puts finality to the conversation. Did I miss something? Since when is he in charge of me? The problem is I knew Ian’s luggage was a problem to begin with. I figure I will just go ahead with Gabe’s plan and then drop the truck off later for him to use for the week. I don’t need or want his charity.
We lug all of Ian’s bags onto the shuttle van to take us to the rental car lot, Gabe makes me pick out the SUV we are going to use. Of course, Gabe can’t just get an SUV he has to get the full size SUV. I pick a nice blue Chevy Tahoe but it is huge and I don’t really want to drive it. Since living in New York for the last two years, I never drove and to go from taxi cabs to this monster of a truck is too much for me to take. When Gabe tries to give me the keys I tell him to keep them.
Gabe raises his eyebrows to me after we load Ian’s last bag into the back. I am astonished that it is jam packed with luggage. Did he always have to be right?
We head down the freeway. Our town is about an hour outside of Chicago. I can’t stop nibbling on my lower lip. I don’t know what to expect when I get there, I have heard Gabe’s phone buzz a few times with text messages and I wonder who they are from.
By the time we pass the sign Welcome to Belcrest population 1,531, my lip is raw and I am starting to sweat. I can’t believe I am back to the place I swore I would never revisit.
“Holy Shit. You weren’t kidding when you said you came from a small town.” Ian remarks from the backseat.
“Belcrest is small but mighty. Right Madgirl?” Gabe nudges me with his elbow. That is how the football team has always been described as, small but mighty. We never have as many guys as other teams but we were State Champs for five years in a row when my brother and Gabe played. By the time I graduated the run ended.
“Hum…I like the sound of that.” Ian teases in the back.
I remain quiet, nervous to see everyone. We pull up to Gabe’s house, still the same white porch with the hanging flower baskets. I get out to stretch my legs and Mrs. Basso comes walking out with a chocolate lab behind her. Dixon passed away when we were in high school and they got their new pup Kisses, affectionately named by Mrs. Basso. She said she was outnumbered for years and it was time she got a girl. Since all the boys were pretty much out of the house there wasn’t really a fight.
“Gabe, it’s so good to have you home.” She embraces him in a tight hug.
“It’s good to be home Mom.” The hug from Gabe is just as strong. I know he always had a close relationship to his family unlike me. “Anyone else here yet?” He asks.
I freeze, not wanting to know if Trent is here.
“Doug is outback with your dad.” She says and then turns towards me doing a double take. She looks from Gabe to me looking confused or upset I can’t really tell.
“Madeline?” She asks curtly.
“Hello Mrs. Basso.” I say.
“Hi Maddy, I assumed you would be in town this week” she comes over giving me a short hug. Cold compared to how she used to hug me. “Why are you guys driving together?” She seems irritated.
“We ran into each other at the airport, thought we would share a rental car this week.” Gabe tosses the keys in my direction.
Catching them I hear Ian clear his throat behind me.
“Oh I’m sorry. Mrs. Basso this is my friend Ian. Ian this is Gabe’s mom Mrs. Basso.” I motion back and forth.
She eyes him up and down. “Please, call me Wendy.” She extends her hand.
“Nice to meet you…Wendy.” Ian shakes back.
“Alright then, let’s go.” I say to Ian. “Nice to see you again Mrs. Basso. Gabe, let me know if you want the car.” I turn around before either one of them can say anything back heading back to the driver side of the blue monster.
“Wait Maddy.” Gabe is jogging over to me.
“What’s up?” I impatiently say.
“I don’t have your number. Give me your phone.” He demands.
I dig it out of my purse and hand it to him. He programs his number and then calls himself. After he hands it back to me I see he stored himself as the Hot Basso Brother.
“Nice” I smirk up to him.
“It’s not my fault my brothers got stuck at the shallow end of the gene pool.” He puts his hands out for me to disagree. I don’t.
We pull out of the driveway of what I considered my home once and I want to cry for what has happened between myself and the Bassos. I won’t let myself get dragged into it again, I promised myself. I see Mrs. Basso giving Gabe the third degree about why he would be with me and he is shaking his head back and forth.
“She’s a trip.” Ian says. “What is her problem with you?”
“She used to be nice. I was like a daughter to her.” I say staring at the road ahead of me.
“What happened?” He asks.
I don’t answer. I don’t want to talk about it. I can’t tell him that I took something from her that I could never replace.
