The Long Road Home

By Jamie Nicole White

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Chapter Eight

            Jake’s glare flickered over her from head to toe. Her hair was still the same shiny golden brown hue, hanging in soft ringlets to the middle of her back. She wore an oversized gray t-shirt that was completely incapable of hiding the delicate curves of her body, and faded jeans that clung to her long lean legs. His eyes shot back up to her face, perfectly full lips, dainty nose, mesmerizing green eyes. Age had not changed her features all that much. Hayden seemed to still hold the innocents of her youth while taking on the appearance of an experienced force to be reckoned with.

            As if suddenly realizing that he was gawking, his expression turned from shock to outrage. “What the hell are you doing here?”

            “I…” She didn’t know what to say to him. His anger was something she had accepted as inevitable. But nothing could have prepared her for the look of utter despise in his eyes.

            Not only was his reaction to her daunting, but staring into his face for the first time in ten years was overwhelming. He was as tall as she remembered, but his body had filled out in a way that was intimidating. His square shoulders and biceps were apparent as they pressed against the white t-shirt he wore, his muscles evident beneath the thin cotton shirt. His face had changed. Jake’s eyes no longer glowed like they once had. They were serious and contemptuous. A dark shade of beard shadowed his face making him look sinister, his normally well kept mane a bit longer and shaggier. Gone was the boy she remembered. In front of her stood a man that seemed to have lost his smile.

            Jake continued to stare at her, waiting impatiently for her answer. Her tongue was tied and she couldn’t form the words that were parading around in her mind. Just as she was about to answer, a masculine voice boomed from behind him.

            “I asked her to come.”

            Jake turned to face his father and his anger melted away to concern. “You should be in bed,” he scolded and instantly regretted doing so as he watched his father hobble over to the door.        

            “I may be dying, but I’m still your father and don’t you forget it.” He glared at his son. “Now did you forget your manners, boy? Step aside and let the girl in.”

            Jake groaned inwardly as he did as his father had commanded.

            Hayden refused to meet his eyes as she stepped around him and he saw her jump as he slammed the door behind her. Admitting to himself that he may have been being a bit harsh, he couldn’t help himself. Seeing her standing in front of him had jolted his emotions. All of the anger that he had tried to put behind him from the past had just as easily resurfaced with one look into those hypnotic green eyes.

            “Look at you,” Walter beamed. “You haven’t changed a bit. Just as beautiful as before.”

            Hayden smiled as she stared at the pale face of the man who she had always admired. “Look at you. I hate to say it, but you look like shit.”

            Walter chuckled. “Finally, someone who believes in honesty around here. Come here and give me a hug.”

            She instantly dropped her bags and walked over to him, allowing him to envelop her in his warm embrace. Hayden leaned back and offered another winning smile. “How are you feeling?”

            “Better now that you’re home.”

            “It’s been a long time.”

            “Too long.” Walter gently pushed her away and stepped back. “Let me get a good look at you.” He gave her a measuring glance over and grinned. “You’re still skinny as hell. That man of yours not feed you?” he teased.

            “I’m sure I’ll pack on a few pounds before I leave here.”

            His expression turned serious. “How long can you stay?”

            “As long as I need to.”

            “Good.” Walter glanced over at his son who was still standing by the door. He rolled his eyes at Jake’s stubbornness and sighed. “Jake, why don’t you take Hayden’s bags to the spare room upstairs?” The look he received back from his son was too hard not to laugh at. It took all of his will power to restrain himself.

            Jake’s head snapped up as his eyes clashed with his father’s. “She’s staying here?”

            “Of course she’s staying here. And when you’re done, come down to the kitchen and have some breakfast.”

            Jake watched his father wrap an arm around Hayden and lead her into the kitchen, the two talking and laughing. He heard the exuberant welcome from his mother and groaned inwardly as he walked over and picked up the luggage.

            Jake cursed silently to himself as he carried the bags upstairs to the room horizontal from his. He stepped inside and tossed the luggage on the full size bed. Then, he turned on one foot and sauntered back downstairs to the kitchen.

            Jake took his spot back by the counter, picking up his mug and sipping his coffee in silence while he listened to his parents and Hayden chatter and chuckle. He listened halfheartedly to the conversation as he kept a trained eye on her.

            Part of him couldn’t believe she was here, sitting in this kitchen as she had so many times before. Jake wondered what had possessed his father to invite her here. But he didn’t need to question Walter Tucker’s motives. It was a well known fact that Jake’s parents had always thought of her like the daughter they had never had. And he would be damned if he would let her being here come between him spending the last days with his father in peace.

            “Jake,” Walter snapped, noticing his son come out of whatever daydream he was having. “Come eat while it’s still hot.”

            Jake wordlessly sat at the table beside of Hayden, carefully pushing his chair away from her as much as he could. He didn’t care if he was being childish and immature. If nothing else, he wanted to keep his distance from her until she went back to New York and her self-important life. Yet, he couldn’t help but be a little interested when his mother started asking her questions.

            “So, Miss Laurence,” Elizabeth began jubilantly, “what have you’ve been up to lately?”

            “The same old shit. Just a different day.”

            Jake grimaced as both of his parents laughed. He did not want this woman in his house. He did not want her laughter filling the room as it always had in the past. And he definitely did not want to look at her and feel his insides turn to mush. But he had the feeling that this time, he was not going to get what he wanted.

            “I was so proud of you when I opened the first issue of Chic Magazine and saw your picture. I didn’t even know you were modeling.”

            “It was something I fell into. I was a bit skeptical at first, but it’s turned out to be pretty amazing.”

            “How lucky for you,” Jake blurted out in a belittling voice, not realizing that the words had left his mouth. She fixed her intoxicating eyes on him, looking at him as if she couldn’t believe he had spoken. And the moment his own gaze met hers, an unexplainable feeling washed over him. His stomach began to churn, his pulse race.

            “Yes indeed,” she replied sourly and turned her attention away from him. How dare he criticize what she had worked hard to establish? Modeling may not seem like the most demanding job to those who have never been in the business. But to her, it was as demanding as any other.

            Jake absently picked up a piece of bacon and shoved it in his mouth. Then, he scooped up his spoon and began devouring his breakfast, successfully toning their conversation out again. He had been able to forget they were all talking around him until his mother, being as nosy as ever, asked the only other question that could get his attention.

            “So, tell us about this man you’re engaged to. Is he a good man?” Elizabeth asked.

            Walter noticed his son look up, the expression on his face, and would have kicked his snooping wife if he had had the strength to do so.

            “Well,” Hayden replied nervously as she realized that all eyes were on her, even Jake’s. “He’s good to me.”

            “What’s his name?” Elizabeth pried as she absently spooned a bite of eggs into her mouth.

            “Brian Stratford.”

            “Well, well. Sounds like an important name. Is he?”

            Hayden wanted to dodge Elizabeth’s questions but didn’t know how to graciously announce that she didn’t want to talk about Brian. “I suppose.”

            “What does he do?”   

            And so the interrogation began. “He’s in financing. He works for his father’s company.”

            “So, he’s pretty much loaded?”

            “Elizabeth,” Walter scolded.

            “It’s okay,” Hayden insisted. “He can easily make ends meet.”

            “Is he handsome?”

            Hayden chuckled nervously. Elizabeth was like a teenager munching on a good bit of gossip. “I think so.”

            “Well,” Elizabeth gleamed as she reached out and touched her son’s hand. “Our Jake here has become quite successful himself.”

            Hayden smiled at Jake as she welcomed the spotlight being taken away from her. “Really? Good for you.”

            “He’s an architect,” she bragged. “And a very good one.”

            Hayden’s smile became brighter. It had always been his dream to build and design works of art. To know that his dream had become a reality made her proud. “So you did it!”

            He simply nodded as he scooped up another bite of eggs and shoved them in his mouth.

            Feeling the atmosphere becoming quite uncomfortable, Hayden quickly finished her breakfast and tried to answer Elizabeth’s questions with patience. But believing that she had sat through enough interrogating to last her for the next year, she pushed her chair away from the table and smiled graciously to her hosts. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I need a walk. The trip is starting to catch up with me and I need to work off some of this excess energy.”

            She watched Walter try to stand up as she did, but motioned for him to remain where he was and walked away without a glance back.

            Once she was gone, Elizabeth turned to her son with vehement eyes. “I know you feel that you are owed to be rude and inhospitable. But as long as she is a guest in this house, you will treat her kindly.”

            “Perhaps if you would have warned me that she was coming, I could have better prepared myself to be hospitable,” he growled sarcastically.

            “Don’t be mad at your mother,” Walter warned. “It was my idea to call her. I wanted her here.”

            Jake stared at his dad with confused eyes. “Why?”

            “Because she is part of this family.” He stood up as well. “If you’ll excuse me. I’m going to take a nap for a while.”

            Jake quietly watched him walk away and once he was convinced that his father was out of hearing range, he turned to his mother. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

            “I had planned on telling you. But by the time we got home last night, I was beat. And then, the hospital called this morning and told me to come get your father. I’m sorry.”

            Jake pushed his empty plate away and stood up.

            “Where are you going?”

            “To talk to Hayden.” He turned to walk away.

            “Jake…”

            Jake stopped and glanced back at his mother. He could read the expression on her face and offered her a conciliatory smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll play nice.”

            Jake stepped out on the front porch and glanced in both directions. She was nowhere in sight. As if instantly knowing where he could find her, he started in the direction of her old house. Sure enough, she stood amidst the rubble of what used to be her home. He watched from afar for a long moment. She seemed to be distraught as she turned in a complete circle, her bewildered eyes taking in the ruins around her. Slowly, he made his way towards her.

            Hayden spun around, glancing at the debris of what used to be her house. There was nothing left but a few stray bricks and some panels of wood. She walked to the spot that used to be her living room, closed her eyes and envisioned what it used to look like in all its grandeur. Going further into the rubble, she stood where her room once was. So many memories, good and bad, now lay destroyed around her.

            Hayden heard a crackling noise from behind her and immediately opened her eyes. She turned in the direction of the sound and her gaze collided with Jake’s. She watched him slowly approach her, her feet refusing to obey her brain and move.        Jake came to stand directly in front of her. He didn’t attempt to speak, just continued to stare at her.

            Hayden bit her bottom lip as she finally pulled her attention away from his intense stare. She glanced around the remains of her house and sighed. “I can’t believe it’s gone.”
            “Your father didn’t tell you?”

            “My father and I don’t really talk much.” She finally met his gaze again and attempted a smile. “It’s just as well. We never talked much anyway.” Staring back at the ruins of her home, she asked,  “What happened to it?”

            “A few years ago, some kids were playing around and set it on fire. By the time the fire department got here, it was too late.”

            “Well, Dad was going to sell it anyway.”

            “I’m sure he got a nice chunk of insurance money from it.”

            “Like he needs it,” she retorted disgustedly.

            Hayden waited for him to speak again, but Jake remained silent. He just continued to stare at her. Realizing that if they were going to talk, she would have to be the one to initiate, she spoke. “I’m sorry, Jake.”

            “What for?” he asked, his brow raised inquisitively.

            “For everything. I’m sorry about your father. And I’m sorry that I came. I guess I didn’t think it through. But I felt compelled to come back, for your father and your mother. They have always been so kind to me. And as much as I’m sure you hate me, they’re pretty much the only family I’ve got.”        

            Her voice was barely audible. And something inside of Jake wanted to take the olive branch that she was offering. But pure stubbornness wouldn’t allow him to give in that easily. “I’ll admit that I’m not too happy about you being here. But for my father, I’m willing to put our differences aside.” Jake was silent for a moment before he added, “I don’t understand why you’re here. I guess I don’t have to.”

            “Jake…”

            “We’ll be civil around my family. But otherwise, you stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours. Do we understand one another?”

            She simply nodded.

            “Good. I’ll see you back at the house.” Jake turned on one foot and began to walk away from her. He was tempted to look back so that he could gauge her reaction, but chose not to. It would be too easy to accept her being here and even easier to accept her apology. Jake didn’t want to forge a friendship with her. He didn’t care about trading pleasant conversations back and forth. Basically, he just wanted her gone… the sooner, the better.

            Hayden watched him walk away, a lump in her throat. She had predicted that Jake wouldn’t be happy to see her. She had even expected his hatred and distrust. But, she could have never prepared herself for the reaction he had had towards her. The loathing in his eyes when he looked at her broke her heart into a million tiny pieces. It was just as well. She would stay as long as she needed and then return home to her life… and all of it’s simplicity and stability.

            Hayden didn’t need to build a bond with Jake. He could hate her for the rest of his life if that was what he chose to do. All she had to do was find the strength to make it through this long stay. She had to find the strength to be there for Walter and Elizabeth… that was what she had come here to do. And as far as Jake Tucker was concerned… to hell with him.

Continued