Hometown Love

Chapter One

"Thank you," I say with a tight smile to the cashier. I know how I must of looked, wearing my gym shorts, an oversized t-shirt and my dirty sneakers. Yawning walking out into the sun, it was midday but my body felt like it was late night, not sleeping properly at night would make a person feel like that.

Thinking back to only a few weeks ago, my life was completely different, living in a 2 bed apartment in the city, working at a well known law agency and driving my beautiful little baby - a Mercedes C220 Coupe.

I sighed, that all feels like a lifetime ago now. I was suddenly pulled from my thoughts when a hand gripped my upper arm and yanked me back roughly at the same time a car horn blared. I waved sheepishly at the driver before turning round and laying my eyes on my saviour.

You have got to be kidding me! I internally scolded the universe. Here stood Christopher, Chris for short, Nicholson. "You know, you outta be careful out here, they ain't as polite as those city ones." he said with a smile, "It's good to see you again Quinn, last I heard you making it big in the city, what brings you home?"

Looking up (I mean he stood at, at least 6'7 or 6'8 while I barely reached 5'2) grumbling at the use of my high school nickname, "You know my name is Jackie right? Not actually Quinn," he just grinned and I couldn't help but smile back, "Well things just didn't work out out there, so I kinda had to come back, I'm actually back at my moms place. How's your dad? I heard about your mom, I'm sorry."

Losing his mom must've been really hard on him as his flashed sadness, she was the rock of their family mom told me. He's suffered a lot of lose in the 5 years I've been away, his older sister and younger brother both died while serving, only a month or two apart and then his mom died a year ago to heart failure but everyone thinks or believes it was a broken heart that killed her.

"Uh yeah, pop and I are still milling along, we've actually still got the stables, we're running a teaching club and everything out there now," he looked over my head toward something before looking back down, "I'm sorry to hear that about your work by the way, can't be easy readjusting to the countryside now you're used to the big city. I actually have to go, but I'll see you around, right Quinn?" he said with a shit eating grin as I could only scowl.

I nodded as he began walking off, my eyes following him as he stooped down to hug a very beautiful brunette, squinting I could just about make out her features. You have got to be kidding me, I scolded the universe once again.

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"Sweetheart, you didn't have to go buy groceries, we've still got plenty in," I just shrugged my shoulders, going about putting the things away.

"I know mama but I've been living here for a few weeks now so it's time I pulled my finger out. I ran into Chris Nicholson when I was leaving," turning round to face her as she sat at the dining table, flicking through a magazine.

"He's a good boy, unlike that dirty rotten ex of yours," I rolled my eyes, hindsight is really 20/20. My ex, Scott Miller worked at the same law agency I did, we were together for 3 years before he came clean about seeing someone else. "He's dating that Melanie girl who you used to go to school with, I think it's been about a year now. Although it's strange, she always brings a friend, that girl Rebecca Thompson" That's why I had to leave our town, everyone knew everyone's business here, whereas in the city you could pass 100 strangers in a day and nobody would bat an eyelid as to who you were.

I just nodded my head. Their romance must've been the old cliche, popular QB and popular cheerleader make the perfect couple I guess. Melanie Griffin and Rebecca were the two most popular girls in high school.

"He and his daddy run stables now you know, they've been quite successful at it too." she said, still skimming through her magazine. I left the kitchen, entering the bathroom to take a quick shower. I was meeting up with some old friends from school tonight at the local bar, The Nodd and Todd.

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"Robert Lucas James, I'm going to kill you!" He was bringing over a fifth tray of tequila shots. Meeting up with my old friends was something I definitely needed.

Mia Scott, Robbie James, Theresa McKenlis and Gina Howell were my best friends going through high school, we were part of the computer and maths clubs. When I moved away we did keep in touch for the first few months but then it was each other's birthdays and holidays.

"You said that for the last 3 trays, get over it babe," I just laughed, Robbie was very proudly gay, his mom and dad took a while to come to terms with it and now fully accept him for who he is. Living in a small town, a lot of people are still in the old way of thinking and weren't very open minded and it was hard to see because he was the most loyal, loving friend anyone could wish for.

Scanning around I noticed a lot of people from high school, my eyes landing on Chris, Melanie and Rebecca, I couldn't help but notice the dynamic between the trio. The 2 girls were laughing and joking, almost in a flirty way, while Chris stood with his back against the bar, scanning the room before his eyes landed on our table, giving me a wave when he noticed me staring. I could feel my cheeks redden, whether it be the embarrassment of getting caught or the alcohol, I don't know.