3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Sean

"Business is going better than I could've ever imagined," Evelyn answers, winding her arm around my elbow and leading me to a chair. "If you had told me I'd be here when I started years ago I would've called you crazy."

"Come on," Jamie interjects. "You've always had a knack for business. Remember how you used to force us all to help you with your lemonade stands?"

"And she'd still charge us for it," I laugh, backing Jamie up. "You've always been business-minded, don't act all coy now."

I let Evelyn press me into the chair even though I know I should leave. I'm even more eager to see my parents after spending time with her. I don't know how I stayed away for five years without seeing them, but that's never going to happen again, that's for sure.

"I can't believe Evie used to charge us for lemonades," Jessica says with a crooked smile. "Even worse, we fell for it everytime."

As we laugh and reminisce about the good old days, my attention stays on Jessica. I'm intrigued by everything she does. The way her brows dip when she scowls, which is almost always; the way her lips curve upward when she's trying to hide a smile; or the cute pout that appears anytime I tease her. How am I supposed to stop teasing her when she pouts like that? It's adorable.

I can't help but be aware that the only reason every little thing she does catches my attention is because I'm attracted to her. I realize that I've always liked Jessica, not in a platonic way. As a teenager, she exhilarated me. She was always ready to challenge or rebuff me, and being the kind of teenager I was, it was hard to get over the dopamine hit each interaction gave me. I was always up for her challenges until the day I left Willow Falls to pursue a career in movies.

Now it's been five years, and I can see that Jessica is still–Jessica. Only with a different exterior. She's still as pretty as ever, but there's an awareness in the depths of her hazel brown eyes that calls to me. Her body is no longer that of the young girl I remember. Her curves have been sculpted to perfection, and it's hard for me to tear my eyes away from her.

"Sean?" Evelyn touches my shoulder. "You look a little lost back here."

"Uhh–" I falter when Jessica settles her gaze on mine, and my heart starts to pound against my chest. I quickly push myself up to my feet. "I should go see Mom and Dad."

Evelyn's expression fills with worry, and she latches on to my arm. "Wait, you're leaving?"

"I'm just going home." I draw her in for another hug. "I'm not traveling back to Los Angeles. At least not yet. Probably not for a few months at least." She relaxes again, and I chuckle, my gaze finding Jessica's. "Are you happy to hear that, Jess? Sean is back!" I wiggle my brows at her. "I'm sure you've missed me a lot."

"I haven't thought about you for a single moment since you left." She curls her lip, and I chuckle.

"I see. You're only thinking about me when you're watching my movies," I tease, enjoying the blush that creeps up at my knowledge of her watching my movies.

"So I'll see you at home?" Evelyn asks as I walk toward the exit.

"Probably not. I rented a place in town for the time that I'm staying. I'll drop by to see Mom and Dad before heading over there. I'll text you the address in case you or Jess want to come visit."

Jessica glowers at me, and I wave at her, a wide smile on my face as I leave the office with Jamie behind me.

"I'm sure Jessica missed you," Jamie says as we step outside, falling into pace beside me as we head to the car. He's obviously concerned that I might take Jessica's cold reception at face value. "She's just always like that to everyone."

"Jamie." We reach the car, and I turn to him. "Just because I've been gone for five years doesn't mean I've forgotten how Jessica can be. We spent our childhood together, remember?"

Jamie chuckles and shakes his head. "True. So what now? You want me to drop you off at your parents' house?"

"Yes." I open the passenger door, anxious to be on my way. "I'll find my way to the house when I'm done there. Tomorrow, I'll work on renting a car."

Jamie slips into the driver's seat. "Let's go."

I know seeing my parents will make me happy, but the first emotion I feel when I get out of Jamie's car is shame. Everything has changed, and guilt consumes me that I wasn't here when the changes happened. How could I have stayed away so long?

The front porch has been redecorated, and there's a beautiful rose bush garden out front. It's pretty, but it brings tears to my eyes, and I squash them back. "Thanks, Jamie." I peek at him through the window. "I'll keep you updated. Okay?"

"Sounds good. I'll talk to you later." He waves at me before driving off. I walk up the driveway and jog onto the porch before knocking tentatively on the door.

"Who's there?" My mom calls, and there's the sharp prick of tears at the back of my eyes again. "Evie? Is that you?"

"No," I croak, then clear my throat. "It's me. Sean."

"What?" There's a rush of footsteps, and then the door flings open. My mother is standing in front of me in a casual floral dress, her brown hair held back in a tight bun. There are new frown lines on her face, but otherwise, she looks healthy and happy.

Her mouth opens in surprise when she sees me, and her eyes immediately turn glassy and start to overflow. My heart constricts. I feel the tears I've been holding back run down my face. I wipe them away.

"Sean?" She makes no move toward me, and I stay put, too, even though I desperately want to embrace her. My parents and I talk on the phone once a week, but that obviously can't compare to the joy of standing in front of them. Then, like she snaps out of a trance, she turns her head and shouts into the house.

"Mark! Come over here! Come see who it is!"

Laughter escapes me, and I shake my head. "Mom. Can I come in?"

She lunges at me and wraps her arms around me, her body shaking as she dissolves into tears. "Oh, I can't believe it's you," she cries, and I bite down on my lips to stop tears from falling again.

There's movement at the corner of my eye, and I look up to see my dad shuffle toward the door. Our gazes meet, and he freezes on the spot, his eyes widening.

"Sean?"

"Yes, sir." My mom pulls away from me and drags me into the house before shutting the door. I hurry toward my dad and hold out my hand to shake his, but he swats my hand away and embraces me. "Oh, it's so good to see you, son."

"It's so good to see you too, Dad."

"Come, come, are you hungry? We were just getting ready for dinner." My mom leads me toward the dining table and presses me into a chair. It's barely five, but I don't mind that dinner is a little early. I miss my mother's meals, and my mouth is beginning to water just thinking about it. Dad sits across the table from me as Mom begins to fill our plates.

"Evelyn is going to be so excited to see you," my dad chuckles. "I can't wait to see the look on her face when she arrives."

"I already stopped by Bake My Day to see her," I tell him with a laugh. "She was so excited."

"Of course she was." My mom hands me a plate of chicken alfredo and some fresh roasted vegetables. I immediately dig in. "We've all missed you so much. Don't you ever stay away that long again. Okay?" She hands a plate to my dad and prepares hers.

"I won't," I say honestly. "I promise."

As we eat, Mom and Dad make small talk, catching me up on what's been happening in Willow Falls. I can feel the happiness and excitement radiating off them in waves at my return. As happy as it makes me, I also feel even more guilty that I put them through this. All the time I was away, they never complained or bothered me about my absence, but now I can tell how much they missed me. I can't change the past. I'm here now, and I won't leave for this long ever again.

"How's Liam?" I ask, taking the last bite of my food. I wash it down with a glass of iced tea. My stomach is full and I feel a sense of contentment come over me that settles deep in my soul. There is nothing like being around family

"Do you want some more?" My mom asks, pointing to my empty plate. I contemplate it briefly before shaking my head. As much as I want to eat more of mom's home cooking, I have to prioritize keeping in shape. It's part of what makes me the rom-com actor Sean O'Connell.

"Liam is great," my mom answers and lets out a sad sigh.

Liam, my younger brother by four years, is in the army and has been for quite a while. It's surprising to see how different our careers as O'Connell siblings are, but we've all been very different, even as kids. While Evelyn and I were tame and refined, Liam was wild and intense. He never liked the easy way, and it didn't surprise anyone when he showed interest in joining the army fresh out of high school. My mom balked and resisted, but there was no stopping Liam when his heart was set on something. So off he went.

"We don't speak to him often because he's never in one place for long," Dad says. "But he always makes sure to call us whenever he can."

"Good news is," my mom flashes me a smile, "He's not reenlisting and will be home in a few months, so we'll see more of him."

"Really?" I perk up. "That's great."

"We're just excited all our kids are coming around. We should throw a big party when he gets home. I miss having the three of you running around the house."

"I never ran round the house," I counter. "I was always the civilized one."

"Keep saying that until you believe it." My mom laughs, and I roll my eyes. "You were always the instigator."

"Are you okay, though?" My dad asks, staring at me knowingly. "Is there a reason why you came home?"

I want to joke and say I came home because I missed them, but my parents are more astute than that. Rather than add to my guilt at being away too long by lying to them, I tell the truth. "Nothing, really. I just needed to get away from some drama," I explain. "You know life as an actor," I wave my hand to indicate it's no big deal. "It's hard not to get caught in one scandal or another."

My parents nod like they understand what I'm saying. Maybe they do.

"Are you staying the night?" Dad asks, and I sheepishly shake my head.

"I rented a house in town," I rush, seeing their disappointed expressions. "It's close by, and you can come see me anytime you want. I'll be around often, too, I promise."

"But you can stay the night and go tomorrow," Dad insists. "We haven't seen you in forever."

"Okay." I shrug. There's no harm in staying the night, really. "I'll stay the night."

The joy on their faces is enough gratification for me, and I smile in relief. It's so good to be back home.