You Can't Go Home Again Read online

  Dani was the first to speak. “Not selfishness, and I have kept tabs on everyone. It’s interesting to see some of the changes in you firsthand. Apparently you’ve become a mean drunk. I guess it makes sense that you work in a bar.”

  He grinned, a sly, evil look. “Not work in, sweetheart. Own. I own this bar. Which you might have known, if you’d ever bothered to ask. And I still don’t get drunk off of two beers, unlike some people.”

  Dani felt the sting, although she’d never let him see it. She picked up the last of her third margarita, throwing it back faster than she should have. She stood up, pushing her chair back slowly. She looked right at him, leaning over until she was eye level with him again. Raising one eyebrow, she spoke just above a whisper, “Neither do I. Never have, never will.”

  She stood upright and glanced around the table, pretending not to notice the gaping stares on all their faces. “If you’ll excuse me, please. I need to freshen up.” She turned on her heel and strode away, careful not to rush. She would never let him see that he’d shaken her.

  Chapter 7

  The next morning dawned bright and clear, the promise of heat already apparent in the thick, heavy air. Dani had awakened just before seven a.m, which she’d expected since she normally got up at five. She grabbed a half a cup of coffee and a banana and headed out the door for a quick run. She had to go now, before it got any hotter.

  Forty-five minutes and five miles later, Dani huffed up onto her porch. She wasn’t at all surprised to find Jenn sitting in the swing.

  “Why didn’t you just go in? You know where the hide-a-key is.”

  Jenn shrugged, a quick up and down, accompanied by a wry twist of her lips. “I know you live alone. Didn’t want to scare you. Besides, I knew where you were.”

  Dani nodded as she grabbed the key and pushed open the door. She wasn’t going to pretend she didn’t know why Jenn was here—that would just be silly. So instead she said, “Coffee and a shower first?” She posed it as a question, but she knew Jenn would wait.

  They each grabbed coffee and settled onto the kitchen counter, in yet another old habit. They drank their coffee in silence, but a comfortable silence. When Dani headed up to the shower, Jenn followed, flopping down on her stomach on Dani’s old queen-size bed. She grabbed one of the magazines Dani’d bought for the flight and flipped through it while she showered.

  When she walked back into the room, dressed in a white tank top and old cutoff jeans, her hair wrapped in a towel, Jenn smiled. “You still look like a teenager, you know that?” She sat up, pulling her legs up underneath her, making room for Dani to sit down too. “Which is perfect, because we are about to indulge in a gossip session.”

  Dani pulled off the towel, hanging it over the chair by her old desk, then sat cross-legged on the end of the bed. She knew Jenn was waiting for an explanation of some sort, but she thought she’d wait for the actual question. Besides, she still didn’t know exactly what to say.

  After a couple more minutes of silence, Jenn finally sighed, huffing a little at the end. “Okay, so…what the hell?”

  Dani grinned a little. “Could you be more specific?”

  After a quick eye roll, Jenn launched in. “Okay, what the hell was going on between you and Jace last night? What the hell was that weird hug about? What the hell was with his attitude? What the hell was with you and the ‘mean drunk’ comment? What the hell was he talking about with two beers and you’re drunk? And what the hell don’t I know?”

  Halfway through and Dani was laughing, outright chuckles. “Well, that’s a lot of hell.” Now Jenn glared, which only made Dani laugh harder. “Okay, okay. There was nothing with me and Jace last night. I don’t know what was with the weird hug.” That part was at least true. “His attitude… I guess he’s pissed at me about something. And, based on last night, he is a mean drunk. I think he was calling me a lightweight. Oh, and I don’t know what the hell you don’t know.”

  She was trying for nonchalant and clueless. She didn’t want to talk to Jenn about this, not right now. She could tell by her friend’s expression that she wasn’t buying it.

  “Ha ha. You think you’re so funny. I’m not blind, Dani. There was something there, something going on. I just don’t know what it is. But I’ll figure it out. So, why don’t you quit being flippant and just tell me. Spare me some work and worry.”

  Now it was Dani’s turn to sigh. She uncrossed her legs, stretching them out in front of her and leaning back to rest on her hands. “Jenn, I really don’t know. I haven’t talked to Jason since the party the night before I left. I don’t know why he’s so angry. I guess you’ll have to ask him that. As for me, I’m not mad at him, not really. I just reacted badly to his little ’tude last night.”

  “That was at least honest. But I still feel like there’s something I should know. Should have already known. Before I put you guys in a wedding together.” She crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing Dani, looking for clues.

  Eight years of drama and five years in L.A. had taught Dani to school her face. She settled into an innocent, confused look. Unfortunately Jenn recognized it for what it was.

  “Mmm-hmm. Don’t try that crap with me, Danielle. I’ve known you way too long. There’s something you’re still not telling, which is fine. Keep your secret. You know my imagination will just fill in the details anyway. And it will probably be a lot more sordid than anything that actually happened.”

  Somehow, Dani didn’t think so, but she just shrugged her shoulders instead of answering.

  “Fine, then tonight, just promise me you’ll behave. And at the wedding and rehearsal dinner. I really don’t think you’ll have to see much of him other than that. Oh, crap…and Friday.”

  “Friday? What’s Friday?”

  Jenn rolled her eyes again, but this time with a smile. “Fourth of July, goofball. Remember, my parents’ annual shindig? The one the entire world is invited to. Jace already said he was coming, so I know he and Nicole will be there. So, four more times. You only have to be nice to him four more times. Tell me you can do that, please?”

  Dani smiled, nodding her head. “I will be the picture-perfect maid of honor. I will be so ridiculously pleasant to the best man that you’ll get cavities from my sweetness.”

  Jenn laughed. “Try just being normal. That would be fine, too.” She glanced at her watch. “Oh, it’s already after nine! I’ve gotta go.” She jumped off the bed, almost running to the door. “I’m meeting Bri for a final approval on the music. But, hey, I’ll be back in a couple hours. Want to come shopping with me and help me get stuff ready for dinner tonight?”

  Dani nodded, following her downstairs. “Just call me when you get back. We’ll take my car. More room in the back than your little Prius.”

  Jenn shot an evil smirk over her shoulder. “Yes, but I get more than ten miles per gallon.” She closed the door, shouting, “See ya,” on her way out.

  Dani wandered into the kitchen to call and order a dumpster from the trash company. She would throw away most of the stuff in the house, and call Goodwill to pick up the rest. May as well get started today. As she dialed, she thought about last night, about being here. Other than Jace, coming home had been perfect. It had actually been a homecoming. Not nearly as awkward as she had expected. Whatever he said in the next few weeks, whatever he did, Dani was very glad she’d come back, at least this once.

  * * * * *

  Jason saw Brian walk into the bar just after noon. He didn’t even open until one o’clock. He ran a true bar, not a bar and grill, although he did serve some appetizers and hot dogs and such. He felt his stomach clench, knowing the conversation that was about to take place. He decided to cut Brian off at the pass.

  “Before you say anything, I know I was a Class-A jerk last night.”

  Brian nodded, tossing his shoulders up at the same time. “I was going with ass, but we can use jerk if you’d prefer.”

  “Ass? Really? You’re a lawyer and the best you can come up
with is ass?”

  Brian looked him square in the eyes. “If the shoe fits…”

  Jason nodded in acknowledgement. “Yeah, all right, I was an ass.”

  “So,” he leaned in, elbows on the bar, “Want to tell me what it was all about?”

  Jace smirked. “What did Dani tell you?” He glanced over his shoulder just in time to catch the quick blink of surprise, before he turned back to stacking clean glasses. “Women talk. I’m guessing Jenn has already talked to Dani and filled you in on the details.”

  “Good guess. Except Dani claims she doesn’t know what pissed you off. Jenn thinks you guys had a fight or something before she left town. I have my own theories. So, why don’t you tell me what the real problem is.”

  “Maybe. We didn’t have a fight, so Jenn’s got that wrong. How ’bout you tell me your theories, and I’ll shoot ’em down.”

  * * * * *

  Brian was silent for long minutes. He wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to open this can of worms. He looked over at Jace, half hoping he would just give up and tell him. If Bri was wrong, it would be bringing up a painful subject for no reason. When Jason wasn’t forthcoming, Brian finally spoke up. “I think you’re pissed that she didn’t come home when you were hurt.”

  Brian watched Jace’s expression, looking for some sort of wince, a flash of pain. He got nothing. Jace’s look was blank… neutral. “And why would I care about that?”

  Brian was incredulous. “What do you mean, why would you care about that? You were hurt, she was your…friend. Or at least, she had been. We spent two weeks after you got here wondering if you were going to live.”

  Brian had left school and come home to sit at his friend’s hospital bedside, taking turns with his mother, father and brother. It had taken him the rest of the semester and part of summer to catch up from that absence, but he’d had to come. Brian had never told anyone, not even Jenn, that Jason had called out Dani’s name at least a dozen times. At least, he thought it was Dani. It was possible that one of the guys Jace had been in the explosion with could have been named Danny. Brian had never really gotten all the details, and had never wanted to ask more. He knew Jace didn’t like to talk about it.

  “I hadn’t talked to her in over three years by then. It was no surprise, Bri.”

  Brian watched closely, looking for any sign of emotion in his buddy’s impassive face. Nothing. “Okay, my other theory is that you’re in love with her. Or you were.” Mild surprise and humor, but still nothing. “Or at least you slept with her.” There was a little flash of something that time, but not enough to tell. Then there was only the classic Jason smirk. The one that had melted hearts all through high school and college.

  “So, you think I’m pissed because I’m secretly in love with her, or I had sex with her. So…was the sex really bad? I’m not getting the thought process here, Bri. Either I love her or I hate her. Which is it?”

  Jason had leaned against the back of the bar with his arms crossed over his chest and his feet crossed at the ankles. Brian could tell from both the sarcasm and the stance that he wasn’t going to get any answers. That in itself was telling enough. Dani wasn’t talking, and neither was Jace. Something had happened.

  He huffed out a breath. “Whatever, man. Look, just be nice tonight, okay? She’s only in town for a couple of weeks, then she’s headed back to L.A. Just try to be civil when you see her. You’re not going to screw up Jenn’s wedding over some past sin, real or imagined. Okay?”

  * * * * *

  Jason shook his head, uncrossing his arms as he moved a little closer to the bar. He nodded. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ll do my best not to be a dick, okay?” At Bri’s nod, he continued. “And, I promise, I will not ruin your wedding. Even if I have to superglue my mouth shut.”

  Brian finally laughed, a low chuckle, but at least the grin was back. He swung his hand over the bar. Jason joined him in their old handshake routine. Brian turned to go, stopping after a few steps to throw out one last comment. “You know, if you ever want to talk about it, about anything, I’ll always listen.”

  Jace just nodded. He knew. After Bri’s departure, Jace couldn’t help but think about just how well his friend really knew him. He thought he’d managed to hide his response, but Brian had just nailed it straight on the head. About everything.

  Chapter 8

  Danielle followed Jenn inside, through the garage of a beautiful one-story, modern track home. The neighborhood where Jenn had chosen to live looked very much like Texas’s version of Wisteria Lane. It was pretty, clean, suburban and new. The house was stucco with rock facing, all in neutral colors. Very different from Dani’s old, cottage-style house. It suited Jenn to a tee.

  As she walked into the kitchen, decked out with all the modern stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and hardwood floors, Dani realized once again just how different she and Jenn really were. She set the bags on the counter, then turned to smile at Jenn. “Okay, show me the house first before I implode from curiosity.”

  Jenn got the puppy out of the crate, letting him outside. She gave Dani the grand tour, stopping on some of her favorite features, and telling stories about choosing things. She and Brian had just purchased this home a year ago, a month after Brian got his job at the law firm. Jenn, as a school teacher, high-school English, had been the primary breadwinner while Brian finished law school. They had actually started dating when they’d both returned to school, Jenn for her Master’s, and Brian for law. Once he’d gotten a job, they had bought the house before they were even engaged. It was a four-bedroom, twenty-six-hundred-square-foot house. They wanted to make sure they had room to grow into a family. Including the Golden Retriever puppy that was currently scampering around her feet. Or “trial baby” as Jenn called him, although his name was Dakota. Jenn was thrilled, and rightly so.

  “It’s a beautiful home, Jenn. You guys will be so happy here.” Dani bent down to pick the puppy up, pulling him close and scratching his ears.

  Jenn squealed. “I know. I know it’s not your style, way too new, not enough retro chic, but it’s so perfect. And, in this market, the value will only go up.”

  As she passed the puppy back to Jenn, Dani laughed a little. “Who ever thought we’d be grown up enough to discuss market value?”

  Jenn chuckled too. “Or to be having guests over for dinner, with their spouses…or rather, significant others, soon to be spouses.”

  * * * * *

  She saw Dani freeze in place, a jar of jelly half in, half out of the bag. Hmmm, that was interesting.

  Jenn continued, “Sean is going to propose to Joanna soon, very soon. I think he’s just waiting for our wedding to be over, but Bri says he’s bought the ring already and everything. She’ll say yes, I’m sure. They’re really great together. Sara is dating Colonel. Odd name, but he’s a great guy. I think she met him through online dating, oddly enough, but he does something with home loans. I’m not sure what. We went through my parent’s bank. Beth, as you know, is still single, but there’s someone at work Bri told me she’s interested in. We’re all kind of holding our breath to see if they end up dating soon. And then, of course, Jace is with Nicole. She works as a store manager for this small antique store in old town. The one right next door to the old bookstore and the psychic place that sells all the crystals and stuff. Anyway, she manages that place.” Jenn had finished unloading and turned around to face Dani. “You’ll meet her tonight. She is totally perfect for Jason, the yin to his yang. She’s as sweet and kind as he is cranky, so they make a good match. Brian figures it’s just a matter of time before he proposes as well.”

  She watched closely, looking for any reaction from Dani. When she saw nothing, not even a flicker, she silently humphed and set about cutting veggies. There was something going on between those two, she was sure of it. At some point, she would finally say something that caused Danielle to twinge, and then she’d know what it was.

  Dani grabbed another cutting board, pulling i
t out of the same cabinet she’d seen Jenn open, then grabbed a knife and started chopping tomatoes. “I can’t wait to meet everyone. So, what are we having tonight besides salad?” Jenn grimaced. She wasn’t much of a cook, and Dani knew it, so when she saw the wicked little smirk, she couldn’t help but poke her tongue out at her friend before answering.

  “Spaghetti! The only thing I know how to make.” When Dani laughed, Jenn threw a piece of cucumber at her. “Shut up! Someday I’ll learn to cook. For right now we do fine with takeout and whatever Brian whips up.”

  By five thirty they were both dressed, the giant table set for eleven people. Since Dani, Sara and Zack were the only ones without partners, Jenn had placed them all next to each other, figuring on Zack in the middle. Everyone else was sitting next to their date, of course. Though this evening was supposed to be casual, a little bit of Jenn’s mother was popping out, showing up in all the planning and organization.

  When Brian walked through the door at five forty, he answered Jenn’s glare with a soft smile and a quick kiss. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes, I promise.” He ran upstairs to change while Jenn got out the ice bucket.

  * * * * *

  When the doorbell rang at exactly six p.m., Jenn and Brian were both still busy in the kitchen, setting out the hors d’oeuvres, so Dani wandered out to answer the door. When she opened it up, the pleasant smile she’d been wearing blurred into an icy glare.

  Jace glared back

  Dani had no idea how long they would have stayed like that if the blonde on his arm, she presumed Nicole, hadn’t finally said something.

  “Hi, I’m Nicole. I’m assuming, since I’ve never met you before, that you must be Danielle?”

  Dani mentally shook herself loose, turning toward the voice, raising her hand to meet Nicole’s. “Please call me Dani. Won’t you come in?” She backed up a step, fixing a serene smile back on her face. She was prepared to leave it there all evening if necessary, but she would not ruin Jenn’s dinner party. “Here, let me take your purse. Jenn and Bri are in the kitchen, I’m sure Jace knows the way. I’m on door duty, so I’ll join you in a minute.”