Returning to Rockport: A Brother's Best Friend Romance Read online

  Returning to Rockport

  Kelsey Clayton

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2019 Kelsey Clayton

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: [email protected]

  First Edition November 2019

  Book design by Kelsey Clayton

  ISBN

  www.kelseyclayton.com

  To my bonus mom, Weslie.

  Thank you for saving me, for always believing in me, and for loving me unconditionally.

  You’re my saving grace and I love you.

  she never made any sense.

  and neither did he.

  and neither did this.

  and you know what?

  sometimes,

  neither does love.

  Julia Haven

  Contents

  Preface

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  Note From the Author

  Also by Kelsey Clayton

  Preface

  If I had known what would transpire, I never would have gone back to Rockport – or perhaps I wouldn’t have left in the first place. From the moment that I stepped foot back in my hometown, a part of me knew it was going to be an unforgettable summer. Everything reminded me of him. I could still smell the salt in the air that used to cling to his skin and mix with his cologne; could still picture the places we went together, hidden away from the inquisitive onlookers of the small town. It was pure ecstasy. Unfortunately, most good things don’t last forever, and the same was true for him and I. We ended in a fiery mess of hurtful words and teary eyes, and when I drove away from the house that final time, I never intended on going back – until I did. Only this time, I wasn’t alone.

  1

  From Romeo and Juliet to Pride and Prejudice, I’ve always been one for romance novels. There’s just something captivating by the way the characters feel so intensely for each other that they’re willing to risk everything for it. Even as a kid, fairytales were always my favorite. The idea of someone loving me more than life itself has never lacked a certain appeal. Unfortunately, what you don’t learn in the books is that happily ever after isn’t guaranteed, and nothing can prepare you for how you’ll feel if it doesn’t work out.

  The pain of living without the one I thought would last forever is all too fresh in my mind, despite the four years that have passed since the day he walked out of my life. I can practically still feel the way my chest ached from the void he left behind. The words from our last encounter replayed in my head for weeks as I tortured myself with wondering if I could’ve done something differently. The conclusion was always the same – he was gone from my life and I needed to come to terms with that. Since then, I’ve learned how to let people in just enough to satisfy them, but not give them the ability to hurt me.

  “Hello? Earth to McKenna.” Julia waves her hand in front of my face, pulling me back to reality.

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  “I said, I can’t believe we’re moving out.”

  My eyes glance down at the box I’ve been placing the last of my belongings into. It feels like the last four years have gone by so quickly, I’ve barely had enough time to enjoy them. Julia has been my roommate since freshman year. Needless to say, we have seen each other through some hard times and we’ve only become closer because of it. Now we’re leaving this place and I won’t have her right by my side by anymore.

  “Can’t we just stay? Convince the housing office that living here is essential to our mental health or something?”

  A small giggle leaves her mouth. “I don’t think your fiancé would appreciate that.” She grabs my left hand and admires the ring on my finger before letting out a dramatic sigh. “I’m going to miss this beautiful rock.”

  “You could always come with us.” The familiar British accent echoes into the room, causing both our heads to turn.

  Parker is leaning against the doorway looking just as gorgeous as ever. His blonde hair is perfectly styled in a way that screams confidence. He’s dressed in jeans and a button down, making for a well-rounded mix of casual yet sophisticated. I can’t help but smile as I look at the man I’ve agreed to marry.

  “You’re early.”

  He crosses the empty space, placing his hand on my hip and pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I couldn’t stay away any longer. Are you ready to go, love?”

  Not even remotely close. The thought enters my mind but I don’t dare to say it out loud. Instead, I look around the room at what was once perfectly decorated. Now, it’s bleak and bland, lacking any sign of the happy times that have been spent here.

  “Almost. Finishing up this last box, but the rest are done.”

  “These?” He gestures toward the stack at the end of my bed. Once I nod, he grabs one off the top and flashes us one of his dazzling smiles. “Okay. I’ll bring them down to the truck while you say goodbye to our dearest Jules.”

  As soon as he leaves, I stick my bottom lip out at my roommate. “He’s right. You could come with us.”

  She groans and throws herself onto my bed. “I wish. Are you sure he doesn’t have a brother?”

  “If he did, I think Ivy would have snatched him up by now.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  Julia was with me when I met Parker nearly two years ago. She had pulled me out to a party neither of us had any business being at. It was across town at Columbia University. I tried to talk her into going elsewhere, but she wasn’t having it. She won by getting me to go, and I won by drinking my body weight in alcohol. By the time that I ended up next to the blue-eyed beauty, I was drunk enough to make fun of his pretentious looking outfit; just before I spilled my drink all down the front of him. It was an encounter that should’ve been caught on film, but I’m more than glad it wasn’t. I sputtered hundreds of apologies while he just gazed at me like I placed the stars in the sky.

  Having only the fact that I was wearing an NYU sweatshirt to go off of, he spent weeks trying to find me in the overly populated city. It wasn’t until he ran into Julia at another party that he managed to get my phone number. After numerous attempts at asking me out and a long lecture from my best friend, Ivy, about the importance of giving someone else a chance, I finally agreed to a date – my first in almost two years at that point.

  To say things have been smooth sailing from there would be a lie. With my trust issues and tendency to push people away for the sake of self-preservation, he’s had to do more than his fair share to make our relationship work, but he’s never faltered. At this point, I’
m not sure anything could scare him away, and he proved as much when he got down on one knee after graduation. He had this look in his eyes that provided a sense of security when I needed it the most. That, paired with his promise to love me for the rest of our lives, had me saying yes without a second thought. After all, that’s what I’ve been longing for isn’t it – someone to love me with everything they have?

  “I’m still shocked he convinced you into moving back home.” Julia remarks, propped up on her elbow.

  I place the box on the floor and sit beside her. “Well, what was I supposed to say? No, we can’t because I’ve been avoiding my ex for close to half a decade?”

  “No, but you could have suggested getting a place in Boston.”

  My head shakes rapidly. “I’ve lived in a city for far too long. I’m over it. I could use some small town living back in my life. And besides, his time is going to be consumed by med school. It’ll be nice having friends and family around.”

  “And if you see C-”

  “I don’t want to think about it.”

  “McKenna.” She says my name as a warning. “The likelihood of you running into him is almost a guarantee. You need to be prepared for it.”

  “I know and I am, sort of. I’m just going to wing it. It’s been years and I’m engaged now. What’s the worst that could happen?”

  She gives me a look that tells me everything she wants to say, but thankfully keeps her comments to herself.

  After saying goodbye to the people I’ve grown to depend on, Julia being the hardest to handle, I follow my fiancé down to the truck. The back is loaded up with boxes of our belongings, and the gas tank is filled in preparation for the five and a half hour drive we have ahead of us. Tears build in my eyes as we pull away from the building. I try to quickly wipe them way but Parker notices. He reaches over and places a comforting hand on my thigh. It’s just the right amount to show me he’s here if I need him, but gives me the space to make that decision on my own.

  THE RIDE IS SPENT listening to music, making jokes about passing cars, and just enjoying our time together. One thing I’ve always admired about him is his ability to make me laugh, even if it takes making an utter fool of himself to do so. I’m leaning back with my feet on the dashboard when a familiar sign catches my eye.

  Welcome to Rockport

  A Seacoast Village on Cape Ann

  My heart starts to race as I realized I’m back in my hometown for the first time in four years. Everything looks just like I remember it – the ice cream store I’ve walked to with my closest friends; the boats that fill the docks; the buildings that could almost be considered historic landmarks by now. I find comfort in the way everything hasn’t been torn down and rebuilt to become something fancier. This is the town I’ve loved since I was young.

  Pulling into my parents’ driveway, I watch as my mother stands from her seat on the porch. Her eyes light up as we park the truck and climb out. I barely have a moment to admire the house I grew up in before she’s tugging me into her arms.

  “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Mom.” I chuckle. “You just saw me last week.”

  “Nonsense. You’re my baby girl. Any time away from you is too much.” She releases me from her tight hold, only to say hello to my fiancé. “Parker, it’s nice to see you again.”

  “You as well, Mrs. Taylor.”

  “Please, we’ve gone over this. Call me Marissa.”

  “Right. My apologies.”

  He must be able to sense my hesitation because he takes my hand in his as we follow my mother inside. The house looks exactly the same, with the exception of the new couch that occupies the living room. Pictures of my older brother and I hang all over the walls, making it obvious that a family lives here to anyone that enters. I must admit, I’ve missed the feeling of being home.

  “Hello Sweetheart.” My father greets me as he walks down the hallway.

  “Hi Dad.”

  A small frown graces my mom’s face before she masks it with a smile. Instead of acknowledging the elephant in the room, I ask for a glass of her homemade iced tea and excuse myself to my room. Parker follows me up the stairs and through the familiar door. Everything is just as I left it. Even the hairbrush I forgot to pack lies perfectly in the middle of my dresser. Not a single thing has been moved.

  “So, this is your childhood bedroom.”

  Crooked posters remain taped to the light gray walls. Photo booth strips of Ivy and I are still tucked into the sides of the mirror. The pale pink duvet still covers my queen size bed. Even the clothes I left behind are right where I left them, hanging in the closet.

  “This is it.”

  He grins and pulls me toward him. “I like it. It’s very, you.” A feeling of warmth spreads through me as he kisses my cheek. “I’m going to go ask your dad where I can put the boxes.”

  With one last embrace, he disappears down the stairs. My eyes drift to the picture on my nightstand. I pick it up and use my sleeve to wipe the dust off. It was taken at the beach. I’m standing in the middle of two familiar guys; my brother and him. Both their arms are around me as we all smile brightly. My hair was a lighter brown than usual, the summer sun lightening it as it does every year. The jade in my eyes seemed to be especially bright that day. A dull ache in my chest builds as my eyes focus on the right side of the photo. His wet hair looks like he just ran his fingers through it to keep it out of his eyes - the oceanic pools that glisten in the sunlight. It’s something I was glad got captured in the picture. I glide my finger over his hair and down the side of his face, remembering the feeling of him all too well.

  “He asks about you all the time, you know.”

  At the sound of my mother’s voice, I startle and drop the picture. It falls to the floor and the glass instantly cracks into pieces. Sighing in frustration, I pick up the damaged frame and put it back in its place.

  “Don’t.” It’s meant to sound strong but it comes out as more like a plea.

  She gives me a sad smile and hands me the drink I requested. “Okay, okay. I won’t mention him again. I just hope one day you’ll tell me what happened between the two of you.”

  Despite our close relationship, the idea of telling my mom the events that lead to my heart being shattered, triggers a flight instinct in my brain. I do my best not to let it show and return to looking around the room.

  “I can’t believe you kept everything the way I left it.”

  “Why wouldn’t we? As far as I’m concerned, this is your bedroom.”

  I give her a knowing look. “Is Maverick’s still the same, too?”

  “That’s different.” She waves dismissively. “His only became a guest room when he moved all of his stuff out and into his own house. You should see the place. He’s really done well for himself.”

  The thought of my brother makes me smile. Being three years older than me, he was always my protector growing up. We fought like siblings usually do but loved each other all the same. I’ve missed him a lot. Only getting to see him over Christmas break hasn’t been nearly enough time.

  “Yeah, I’m meeting with Tatum tomorrow.” Referring to his long-term girlfriend. “I spoke to Parker about hiring her to plan the wedding and he’s completely onboard.”

  “That’s great, honey. I’m sure she’s thrilled.” After the room goes silent, my mom exhales. “Could you do me a favor and go a little easier on your dad? I hate to see how distant you two have become.”

  “Mom.” I whine. “I don’t know if I can. Every time I look at him, I see that woman. He hurt you. I don’t think I could ever forgive him for that.”

  “But I chose to stay with him. Don’t let yourself believe I let him get away with it without repercussions. He’s done a lot of work to earn my trust back. We’re finally in a good place again.”

  “And I’m happy for you, I am.” When I don’t say anything else, she gives me a look that causes me to groan. “I’ll try, but I make no promises.”

 
; “That’s all I ask.” She stands from my bed and walks to the door. “I’ll be in the kitchen when you’re ready to come down.”

  As soon as she’s gone, I throw myself backwards onto my bed. The memory of the last time I slept here is in the front of my mind but I do my best to ignore it. I was eighteen and a completely different person then. I’m stronger now.

  THE VOICE OF ONE of my favorite people booms through the house. My smile lights up when Ivy comes into the room, looking just as gorgeous as ever. Her blonde hair cascades over her shoulders and down just a few inches. The amount of poise that she possesses has always been something I admire. That girl can own a room like nothing I’ve ever seen.

  “Missed me?” She smirks.

  I jump out of my chair, running over and barreling into her. Her arms wrap around me as she chuckles softly. Every part of me that has been on edge since I got here, calms in an instant. I can’t remember a time where she wasn’t able to pull me from the verge of a mental break down. She’s my better half and I’m so thankful for her.

  “Hardly.” I joke.

  “I can tell.”

  My mother gets up from her seat and gives my best friend a hug. “Did you give your mother the cookies we baked last week?”