“Easier to just do what she says, boy,” Charles said; an uncustomary smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
“I like working, though.”
Georgie rolled her eyes and pointed toward the door. “A bus comes through at three. Your butt better be on it.”
Calum froze. Did his aunt mean…? The gleam in her eye, the smile pulling at the corner of her lips, they told him she meant exactly what he thought. He grinned and turned on his heel. Georgie’s laughter followed him out the door.
Hot sunshine beat down on his shoulders as he sprinted toward the house. Left on Main, left on Holly, over the footbridge, right on Willow Lane. #7. The screen door banged in its frame, and he nearly tripped over his feet on his way to his bedroom. Packing took little time: He shoved shorts and T-shirts and boxers into his old backpack until it was fit to burst. As soon as that was done, Calum stopped by the bathroom long enough to grab his toothbrush then rushed out the door.
It was ten ’til two. He had to hurry.
Charles’s truck sat idling out front. The man waved a hand, beckoned Calum to move more quickly, and Calum obeyed. He yanked open the passenger door, tossed his bag on the floorboards, then hauled himself inside. Charles pulled away before Calum even had his seatbelt on. Calum tapped his fingers on his thighs as he stared out the window at the town slipping past. People waved as the truck made its way down the streets, and Calum wondered if they knew where he was going. If they knew he was about to leave Oak Creek like he’d desperately wanted to a year prior.
He’d come back, he knew he would. Oak Creek had become home, if only because it was home to Rett, if only because she would come back, too, and they’d spend the rest of their lives together in the little town.
Calum had to wait half an hour before the bus arrived, but he didn’t mind. It gave him time to plan what he’d say when he showed up outside Rett’s dorm room. He paced a line in the dirt, kicking at the hard clods of earth, then hefted his bag onto his shoulder when the bus came to a hissing stop. He climbed the steps rapidly, smiling slightly at the driver, and found a seat halfway down the length of the bus. Setting his bag on the seat beside him, he settled in and watched the station disappear from view.
Time inched by despite the scenery flying by outside the window. Seconds ticked away like molasses, mocking Calum. His impatience would be the end of him. He reached for his backpack then cursed internally when he remembered he hadn’t brought a book to read. Or anything to do, really. So he moved to the window seat and rested his head against the glass. Closing his eyes, he imagined what it would be like to see Rett again.
From the intercity bus to a public transport bus, Calum rode to the edges of campus. No one gave him a second look as he followed the sidewalks until he reached Lawther Hall. Someoneheld the door open for him, and he slipped into the residence hall without anyone questioning his presence. Of course they wouldn’t—he was the same age as they were. He probably looked as if he belonged, with his overstuffed backpack. He came to a stop just inside the door.
He realized he had no idea which room was Rett’s. Sighing, Calum resigned himself to waiting until she happened upon him.
“Lost?”
He turned his head to see a blonde girl staring at him, brow raised. He shook his head then hesitated. “Looking for my wife. Rett.”
“Country girl about this tall?” She held her hand at shoulder height. Calum nodded. “Room twenty-three, up the stairs around the corner.”
“Thanks.”
Calum tightened his grip on the strap of his backpack and set off toward his destination. He stared at the plastic ‘23’ adhered to the door before raising a hand and knocking. The sound of a television shut off inside, and he swallowed harshly as footsteps neared. The doorknob rotated, then the door opened.
“Cal?”
He grinned and let his gaze skim over the face he’d missed for the last month. Rett’s gray eyes sparkled behind her glasses, and her lips stretched into a wide smile before she launched herself at him. Her dark hair smacked him in the face from its sloppy ponytail, but he didn’t mind. He only held his wife tighter and breathed in coconut and cherry.
“Hey, babe,” he whispered when she pulled back.
“Hey! What—what are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.” He leaned in to kiss her, tasting her lip balm. “Georgie gave me some time off.”
“I’m so glad you’re here. Oh, my gosh. You have to meet Manny.”
Calum laughed as Rett wrapped her fingers around his wrist, tugging him into the room. It was smaller than he expected, with only two beds, desks, and dressers. Rett dragged him to sit on one of the beds. He didn’t have to ask; he knew it was hers simply by the rainbow-patterned bedsheets. Her hand found his, and she yanked until his face was within inches of hers. Smiling, she leaned forward to kiss him again.
“I can’t believe you came,” she whispered when they parted.
“Georgie all but threatened to kick my ass if I didn’t.”
“Remind me to send a gift basket or somethin’.”
“So where’s this elusive Manny I’ve heard so much about?”
Rett shrugged and ran a finger over his knuckles. “Probably at a party. She likes to ‘network’, as she calls it.” She suddenly grinned. “You hungry?”
Calum didn’t even need to think about it, to assess his body’s signals. He was famished. He hadn’t eaten since breakfast that morning, and all that had been was a cup of coffee and leftover ham and eggs. He nodded, and Rett stood. Beckoning him to follow, she led him from the room and out of the dorm hall.
