4. Mia

CHAPTER 4

Mia

Cammie

I'm around if you want to talk.

Rosie

Coffee on me.

But this offer won't last forever.

Jones

I think we should keep our distance this summer. I can handle Bikes and Beers on my own.

Me

There's no way that's possible. I know you think you know the in's and out's of Base Camp Sports, but you have no idea. We're going to have to find a way to work together.

Jones

You think you're gonna be able to work with me? Because you might have to look at me to do that.

Me

Don't be a dick.

Jones

Not trying to be.

Maybe you're being the dick. Or maybe you're afraid you're gonna fall in love with me?

Me

That's the last thing I'm afraid of.

I 'm a fucking liar. Because that's exactly what I'm afraid of.

Not only do I have a pounding headache from my very public return to Maple Ridge witnessed by practically the entire town, but Dad is also having a rough day. I've only been home for three days and can already tell the good from the bad days. And today is a bad day.

While Mom is busy giving Dad the extra attention he needs, I'm in charge at the store. It's been eight years since I've managed Base Camp Sports. Since then, not only has the store been rearranged, but the software they use has changed too.

I'm given a crash course by Ellis, one of the full-time employees. But I still don't feel fully confident being in charge. Especially with the persistent headache and my queasy stomach.

Thanks so much, Wine Wednesday.

I'd love to take Rosie up on her offer. Coffee sounds like heaven right about now. But leaving Ellis alone to man the store doesn't feel like the responsible thing to do.

While I crouch in front of a shelf to stock it with some new Stanley cups, Ellis works the register. Someone appears next to me. I peer up and instantly regret it. My stomach does a flip-flop.

Standing next to me is Cassidy, a well-known Maple Ridge resident. And a regular customer at The Pines. My memories from last night might be blurry but I can recall seeing her in the crowd while I not only belted out the lyrics to Shania Twain's Any Man of Mine , but also confessed mine and Jones's secret.

I stand and release a sigh. "Hey, Cassidy. How can I help you?"

She pushes her lips into a pout. "Mia, I'm so sorry Jones knocked you up and forced you to deal with it on your own."

I furrow my brows. "Um, what?"

She leans closer and whispers, "The baby."

"Yeah, well…thanks, I guess."

"You should've made him leave town, not the other way around." Cassidy crosses her arms.

"He didn't make me leave. I had an opportunity for school I couldn't pass up."

She nods, but it's in a condescendingly, like she doesn't believe me. It makes me realize that Jones is going to get a bad rep for this. And that maybe, he already has. Without anyone even knowing about the baby.

The thought causes my stomach to tighten. My choice to leave eight years ago had felt right at the time, as difficult as it was. But I suppose I never looked at it from Jones's perspective. And it makes me feel selfish.

"I'm sort of busy here, so if I can help you find something, let me know," I say and get back to work on my task.

Luckily, she takes the hint and leaves. But a few minutes later, I feel someone next to me again. This time, relief fills me when I find Cammie standing there. And even more so when she holds up a coffee cup.

"Thought you could use this."

I pull myself to stand and accept the coffee. "You read my mind. Thanks."

"How ya feeling?"

I take a sip and my favorite flavors assault my taste buds. Cammie must take notice of my surprise because she replies, "Rosie told me this is what you ordered yesterday."

"Ahh," I say with a nod. "And I've been better."

"I bet." Cammie gives me a meek smile and shuffles her feet. There's an elephant the size of Texas in the room. But I'm not fully ready to answer all the questions I know Cammie wants to ask. Not when Jones and I have hardly had a chance to talk about everything.

"They're keeping me pretty busy today."

"Okay, I'll let you get back to it. But I'm around if you wanna talk or whenever you're ready to talk about it. Stop by the hardware store anytime."

My heart gives a little squeeze in my chest. I appreciate her more than she knows. Maybe the most right now because she's giving me the space I need.

You'd think eight years would be enough but returning to town and disclosing something so personal and then having to give an explanation, is too much right now.

"Thank you. And I do. Just…not right now."

"Okay." She nods and smiles.

"I'll let you get back to work. But let me know if you're up for hanging out this weekend. Or next week for Wine Wednesday."

My stomach churns at the mention of Wine Wednesday. I rest my hand on my belly. "I think I'll be skipping Wine Wednesday for the rest of the summer."

Cammie snorts a laugh. "Nice try but we both know Rosie's a pro at peer pressure."

"Yeah, you're probably right. But I can't do that again. Pretty sure I humiliated not only myself but Jones as well. Not to mention, I got sick and crashed at his place. Which should be against the rules for exes."

Her lips go round. "Holy crap! You stayed the night with Jones?"

I open my mouth to speak but clamp it shut. I guess I had assumed Maverick told Cammie.

"Nothing happened. I slept in his bed, and he slept on the couch." I expect some pushback to my response, or at least some questioning eyes, but she surprises me with none of that.

Instead, she says, "That sounds like Jones."

I lift my brows.

"Like the old Jones. The Jones he was when he was with you." She sighs. "Man, I've missed the old Jones. The new one is sort of a dick."

I exhale a light laugh. "I've noticed that."

"Oh no, I'm sorry he was like that with you."

I shrug a shoulder. "I probably deserved it. At least a little."

"About that," she teases.

Ellis calls me, "Mia? I need your help at the register."

"Later," I assure Cammie.

"Okay, see ya soon. Feel better."

If I wasn't so annoyed with Ellis needing my help every two seconds, I'd be relieved. But maybe giving Cammie the full story of everything that went down eight years ago now would be better.

The only thing getting me through the shift is knowing Mom and Dad appreciate me being here to help. That and my cozy child twin bed waiting for me after I clock out. The end is in sight. All I have to do is lock up and count the till and I'm home free. My phone vibrates in my pocket.

Mom

Dad wants you to come see him after you close the store. It has something to do with Bikes and Beers.

Me

Be there as soon as I can.

Right after I say goodbye to Ellis and he slips out the door, two guys appear on the other side of the glass. One I unfortunately recognize, holds up his phone.

"Wait, wait, please don't close," Matt pleads.

His phone screen reflects a QR code for paid rental fees for rock climbing gear. All it really tells me is how irresponsible he is because he missed his rental time by two hours. I roll my eyes as I glance up at him, already knowing I'm going to give in.

Matt is a douche and a half. At least he was when I attended school with him all the way until graduation. I saw him at The Pines last night for all of five minutes. Almost all five of those minutes occurred while I was on the karaoke stage making a complete ass of myself.

Despite my impending urge to deny this guy the rented gear, I unlock the door and step aside while they usher inside.

"Thank you, seriously, you have no idea."

"We're so sorry we're late," the other guy chimes in. "Hangovers are a real bitch."

At those words, sympathy radiates in my chest. Unfortunately, I am all too familiar with hangovers today.

"You get it, though, am I right?" Matt says.

My shoulders stiffen as I head to the rock-climbing section, and they follow behind me. I proceed to grab a backpack that's already stuffed with the climbing essentials.

"Now that was some entertaining shit last night." Matt chuckles.

"Oh, that was you?" the second guy asks.

"That was me," I finally say, as I shove the pack at Matt's chest.

He releases a strangled puff of air on impact. "Ya know, Mia, I've always thought you were hot, but you only ever had eyes for Jones. Hell, if I knew why."

I let him ramble while I make quick work of attaching the extra rope to the side of the other backpack with a carbineer.

"And let me tell you, you don't have to worry because I'd never knock you up. I'm a pro at the pullout method."

"I'm not so sure that's something you should be bragging about," I quip, and hand the second backpack over. "Here, take your gear and go." I all but shove them through the store.

"All I'm saying is, maybe it's about time you give someone else in this town a shot with you."

"Sorry, but I've sworn off men for the summer." I open the door. "If you bring back your gear late, by even a minute, I'm charging you double."

"Fine. Shit. You don't have to be such a bitch."

I glare at him. Hard. "Better make that even a second late."

Matt and his friend mumble curse words and degrading comments about me while they spill onto the sidewalk. I regret opening that door.

After I count the tills and put the cash drawers into the safe, I shut all the lights off and shuffle up the stairs to the apartment that's been my home since I was ten and Dad bought the business. Before that, he was a forest ranger and we lived on the outskirts of town toward the mountain.

A memory pops into my mind, riding my bike with Cammie and Rosie from my old house to Gigi's cabin. My heart pushes against my ribcage. Gigi raised Rosie after she lost both of her parents in a car accident. She's in so many of my childhood memories. Thinking of Maple Ridge without Gigi feels impossible.

It's a reminder of how much has changed during the eight years I was gone. Jones and Cammie's mom is gone too. Cammie and Maverick are together. Rosie owns a coffee shop and is in a serious relationship. Jones didn't take over his dad's hardware store—Cammie did. Dad and Jones have been planning Bikes and Beers together for the past five years.

All I want to do is a faceplant on my bed, but Dad needs me. So I cross through the living room and past the kitchen where Mom is making tea. Her once deep-brown hair is now highlighted with grey. She has it pulled in a loose bun.

"All finished for the night?" Mom calls.

"Yep, all closed up."

"Any problems?"

I debate telling her about douchebag-Matt and his sidekick, but I don't. "Nope."

"Want me to heat up some dinner for you?"

"No thanks. I'm just gonna check in on Dad and then go to bed. I'm pretty tired."

I've almost past her when she says, "I'm so sorry your secret is out, honey."

I freeze. Even Mom heard about last night. About how I couldn't hold my liquor and blabbed about the baby to all of Maple Ridge.

My eyes water.

"It's my own fault," I mutter.

"I'm still sorry."

I give Mom a grateful smile. She and Dad were the only people I told about the pregnancy and then when I lost the baby. They helped me make plans to move to Connecticut with my aunt. They sacrificed my never coming to town for visits because they knew it would be too painful for me. They held onto my secret.

I give Mom a hug and let myself break for the first time since I've been home. My shoulders heave as I sob into Mom's chest, and she squeezes me tighter. I've missed this. I've missed her.

"Oh, my sweet girl," she coos.

Mom holds me until my crying slows and I pull away. I give her a weak smile. "Thanks, Mom."

"As always, we've got you, my girl."

I nod. "I know."

"Now, take a deep breath and go see your dad. But I should warn you, you might not want to hear what he has to say."

I pinch my brows together. Mom has said that Dad's speech has been jumbled since the stroke and some days are better than others. "You want to give me a hint?"

"It has to do with Jones."

My stomach tightens.

Of course it does.