Chapter 2
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Jake
Shit. Holly Martin.
She’d been right there, at Burt’s bedside. Only ten feet away. And all he’d been able to do was turn in the other direction like a coward.
He hadn’t seen Holly since the summer after high school. When he’d dropped the bomb on her that he didn’t want to stay together after they both went to college.
Even now, six years later, he could still see the look on her face. The utter heartbreak. They’d been in love and he’d walked away.
Just like today.
But damn it, he couldn’t face Holly. Not right now.
The next time he saw her, it had to be for an apology at the very least. And not at her father’s bedside when he’d just suffered a heart attack.
Jake returned to his truck and sat in the driver’s seat, scanning the parking lot for a car with New York plates. He knew Holly lived in New York. In fact, he knew a lot about Holly and what she was up to. Her father talked about her all the time even though she never returned to visit.
The last time he heard her voice, she’d been calling the store to wish Burt a happy birthday. Jake had answered the phone, recognized her voice, and nearly hung up. But he didn’t think she’d recognized him, and he’d quickly passed the phone over to Burt.
Another cowardly move. But how was he supposed to talk to, let alone, face the woman whose heart he’d broken?
Jake threw his car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot. He’d visit Burt later when the room wasn’t so crowded.
Because it was summer and his coaching duties weren’t starting up again for another month, Jake didn’t mind helping Burt out with the store. It gave him something to do in his spare time. Something other than puttering around the house or meeting the guys at the gym for a basketball game.
Besides, in the years since Holly left, he’d actually become pretty close with the guy. Thought of him as a father—one of the more stable adult figures in his life. He was pretty sure Burt had no idea he’d hurt Holly so badly otherwise he’d probably never have invited Jake to help out.
Jake pulled in front of the lawn and garden store on the edge of town. He waved to one of his varsity players before entering the building. The bell above the door dinged when he walked through.
Patty greeted him and waved toward the back of the store. “Got a load of fertilizer that needs to be stacked out front if you don’t mind.”
He nodded. The manual labor would hopefully help keep his mind off of Holly—and if not, he’d head to the gym afterward and work it off that way.
“How’s Burt?” Patty asked.
“I’m going to visit this afternoon,” Jake said, continuing to the back of the store before she could ask anything else.
And if Holly was still there, he had no idea what he’d do. He’d have to face her at some point. Burt said she might be staying the entire week. Or longer. One of the perks of her job, he supposed. She could work remotely.
Jake shoved all thoughts of Holly aside and got to work.
<><><>
Jake was cautious when he returned to the hospital late that afternoon. He kept his eyes open for Holly, and when he made it to room 115 without running into her, he blew out a breath of relief. Burt was alone inside, watching a golf game on the television.
“Hey, Burt,” Jake said.
Burt turned the volume down on the television. “Thought you were going to make it earlier.”
“I stopped by the store first. There was a load of fertilizer that needed to be put with the rest of the display.”
Burt nodded, his attention drawn by the golf game. “Thursday delivery. Right. You just missed Holly.”
Thank God. Jake only shrugged and pretended to be interested in the game.
“Now, come on,” Burt said. “You two can’t avoid each other forever. It was a long time ago that you two dated. You’re adults now—shouldn’t be an issue.”
No, it shouldn’t. If he’d treated her with more respect in the first place, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal.
Burt chuckled. “They’re letting me out tomorrow morning.”
Jake turned back to the bed, grateful for the change in subject. “Yeah?”
“Freedom. And Holly said she’d make dinner tomorrow night.”
“No burgers, no red meat. You should probably—”
“Yeah, yeah,” Burt said, waving him off. “I heard it all from the doc. Healthy shit, right? I’m sure Holly’s at the store right now buying kale and vegetables and everything else that doesn’t have any flavor.”
“She’s trying to take care of you.”
“She could take care of me with ice cream.”
Jake chuckled. “Just to have you end up in here again? That’s not Holly’s style.”
Burt sighed. “No, it’s not. But maybe you could stop by for a bit and get her to cut me some slack.”
Jake gritted his teeth and shook his head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea…”
“Just for dinner. You two can catch up, and you can play interference.”
“I’m sure she wants to spend time with you—”
Burt waved him off again. “She’s going to be here for the rest of the weekend at least. Stop by around seven. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Jake knew it was useless to argue. If he didn’t show up, Burt would get him on the phone and demand he stop by. Besides, in a town this small, he had little hope of avoiding Holly. One way or another, he’d probably run into her.
And he needed to do more than just walk away. He needed to apologize. And maybe, maybe if she’d actually listen, he’d tell her what a huge mistake he’d made.
How much he missed her. How much he wanted her back.