Home is where the heart is at ~ Zachary Merrick (book 2)

~2~

~Zachary~
It had been way too long.

We were done with tour and finally heading home. And when I mean home, I mean our hometown. To our families, friends.

And Alyssa.

The guys were honestly sick of hearing me say how much I missed Alyssa but also sick of Alex talking about Lisa.

I went home first to drop off my things and say a quick hello to my family. That quick hello eventually turned into a two hour conversation.

When I finally left, it was nearly five.

I wandered over to Alyssa's house and rang the doorbell, hoping she would answer. Peter, her dad, answered the door.

"Zack! I didn't know you were back!" He motioned for me to step inside. "Is Lyss here?" He nodded and smiled. "Yeah. Does she know you're back?"

Probably not. Unless Lisa mentioned something. "Not to my knowledge. Where is she?" He pointed upstairs and I headed up.

"Wait, I have an idea." He had me stand in the kitchen, out of sight and called for Alyssa. Footsteps were heard on the stairs and Alyssa's voice rang through.

"What?" I couldn't hold my smile back. "Did you do your chores?" Peter was questioning her. "Yeah, why?" She sounded confused.

"Is your homework done?" He motioned for me to come out of the kitchen. Alyssa's back was facing me. "I was almost finished when you called me down."

My smile turned into a grin. "And did you hug your boyfriend?" He was also smiling. "Dad, he's still on tour. Trust me, I would if I could."

I wrapped my arms around her, making her shriek and turn around. She gasped loudly and wrapped her arms around my neck, burying her face into the crook.

"Hi, Lyss. I've missed you." I tightened my grip on her. "I missed you, too!" She glanced back up and I gave her a soft kiss.

Peter was chuckling. "Alright, I'll leave you two be." He disappeared somewhere into the house and we went upstairs.

Cookie ran up and jumped on me, also wanting a hug. "Hey, bud!" I crouched down and gave him a head rub.

"I guess I'm not the only one who missed you." Alyssa was sat on her bed, surrounded by books and papers. I stood up and she started stacking some.

"School looks stressful." She shrugged. "It's not terrible. I get what I can done as soon as I can so it's over with."

She shoved it all into her bag and set it on the floor. I sat next to her and she climbed into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I started to smile again when she kissed my nose. "Tour was way too long. Don't leave me again." I chuckled.

"Don't worry, next tour, you and Cookie are both coming with." He perked up at the sound of his name. Another sound came from down the hall and a tiny child ran into the room.

"Zacky!" I got off the bed, picking him up. "Malachi, my little man!" He giggled loudly and Marie came into the room.

"I thought I heard some commotion. Guess I figured out why." I was considered part of the family. Alyssa's parents love me, Malachi loves me, Alyssa loves me, and of course, Cookie loves me.

Marie took Malachi downstairs and I collapsed on Alyssa's bed. "I'm so tired." She leaned down to kiss my forehead.

"You have all the time to sleep. Unless you're leaving again." I sat up and faced her. "I promise, I'm not leaving until after you graduate. And even then, I'm making sure you're coming with."

I kissed her forehead softly.

"I love you." Every time she says it to me, it makes my heart pound. "I love you more." She playfully rolled her eyes.

I pulled her back into my lap and hugged her tightly, resting our foreheads against each other.