Jake always thought bad things happened in threes. If
so, he wondered what would round out the trio.
The arson
counted as number one. Tim Hagerty on his doorstep might be number two. They’d
parted as friends when he left, but a lot of years passed since then. Jake had
spoken to him for the first time three weeks prior to his return to Biggin
Hill. In fact, he wouldn’t be back except for Tim’s offer.
“Tim, come
in.”
“Just wanted
to see how you’re settling in.”
Jake led Tim
back to his kitchen. He didn’t know what to expect of this visit. Or what to
think about it. “Beer?”
“Sure.”
He opened
two imports and handed one to his old friend. Silence ensued as Jake took a
swig.
“So, you
glad to be back?”
Jake
frowned. “Not sure yet”
Tim sat on a
metal chair and placed his beer on the table. “I know it’s only been a few
weeks.”
“Not much
has changed.”
“Not much
does in a small town. A few more houses built. That’s about it.”
Jake sipped
his beer. “It feels right to be back here.”
“Does that
have anything to do with Chelsea?”
The sound of
her name kicked his heart’s beat off rhythm. “I haven’t really talked to her.”
Tim’s
eyebrows shot up. “No? I would have thought she’d be your first stop. Then
maybe Brad’s reaction to your relationship with her might stop you.”
Jake rubbed
the back of his neck. He ignored the comment about Brad. The two old friend’s
hadn’t parted on the best of terms. “I’m not sure I’m on her A-list.”
“True,
considering how you left.”
A stab to
the heart. Was Tim after Chelsea? His hand found his chest. “Ouch.”
Tim shrugged
then lifted his beer. “Truth hurts.”
His friend
had never been the most tactful person. “So what’s your interest in her?”
A grin broke
out on his face, or a leer. “What any red-blooded American male would want.”
“Really?”
His heart hurt. “Does she return the interest?”
Tim retained
some unrequited love for Chelsea when they’d been younger. So the torch still
burned.
“I think she
plays it close to the vest.”
Jake
couldn’t deny that when it came to men, Chelsea didn’t broadcast her feelings.
At least she hadn’t to him. Maybe she hadn’t felt anything for him.