Follow Your Arrow Read online

  Chapter Three

  Leslie

  I’ve managed to unpack two of the four boxes, stock the shelves that were low with inventory, and slide the other two boxes behind the counter where I can hide them for now. While doing this, I’ve been ignoring Haddie’s texts. I’m well aware of Justin’s arrival, as I saw him unfold his long body out of his car this morning. There’s no reason I need to read her texts about this. I’ve already explained to her that I don’t plan to go out of my way to see him, but if we happen to bump into each other—fine, I’ll be cordial. Just as I’m about to head to the back room, a brilliant idea hits me. Slowly, I walk over to the middle display table that houses some of the new releases that have arrived and grab a stack of them before moving to the display window. Every day, for as long as I can remember, since Justin has been tossing out new books, he’s been in this window. It’s time for that to change. There’s no way I want him to walk past the window and see his name front and center of the store. Moving his last two books out of my way, I exchange the empty spots with a new romance and mystery books. My eyes float out over the street, noticing Justin staring back at me. No emotion filters across my face when he nods toward me. I continue to arrange the books, making sure they’re straight and, not to mention, front and center. With one last look out, he’s still there glaring at me. Reaching down, I grab his books, turn, and walk away from the window where I can no longer be critiqued. With the empty spot now on the display table, I fill them with Justin’s. Just because I don’t want them in the window, doesn’t mean I don’t want to sell them. Money is money, and this is business. If I didn’t need to sell his copies, I’d hide all his titles in the back room. The ding of the bell over the door causes me to stop and take a breath. There’s no reason for me to turn around, I know exactly who just walked through the door. In a way, I thought he would just keep walking, ignoring the fact that we just saw each other.

  “Hello, Leslie,” his deep raspy voice flows from behind me.

  Instead of turning, I swallow and let out a sigh as I try to pull this off. Still not facing him, I say, “Hello, Justin.” It’s not a welcome, or an invitation to start a conversation. My hello is meant to only be respectful to someone who helps pay my bills.

  “I see you changed the place up some, Nan would love it.”

  Quickly, I spin around, locking eyes with the man I once loved and thought I knew. “Yes, she would’ve, but that doesn’t give you the right to come in here and speak of her like you knew her.”

  He’s silent, watching me as he prepares his next words.

  “Leslie, I knew her better than you think and, yes, I can come in here and speak of the woman who I looked at as if she was my grandmother.”

  “That was a long time ago, Justin. If you don’t mind, I’ve got work to do.”

  “So do I…” his voice trails off I watch him glance around the store. Taking in the new surroundings. For the most part, the store is the same. I just made a few adjustments. Like a new sitting area with two chaise lounge chairs, a table with a lamp for those who need a quiet place to read. Toward the back of the room there’s another area with chairs, and in the kid’s section I added tiny tables and chairs for the children.

  “Why’d you replace the display?”

  “Need to showcase a few new books. Don’t worry, you’re still showcased,” I say, waving my hand to show him where his new spot is. He nods as he walks closer toward me. It’s more like a stalk than a casual walk toward an old friend. Straightening my shoulders, I prepare to hold my ground as I wasn’t ready to see him this soon.

  “How are you?” he asks, making it sound so simple to have this conversation. It’s like he doesn’t realize that this isn’t us anymore. That this part of our life never went away. Like the years of not speaking never happened.

  “Great, thanks for asking,” is the only thing I can come up with to respond. Before I know it, Justin’s tucking a piece of my fallen hair behind my ear. It’s a simple act of kindness, but coming from him it’s more. I knock his hand away before I sidestep away from him. His touch isn’t welcome.

  “I see we’re going to play this game. I thought maybe we could be… Let’s see… pleasant.”

  “I am being pleasant, what I won’t be is fake with you. We have history—nothing more.”

  “Can we put the past behind us while I’m visiting? I’m not here to cause problems for you and, before you know it, I’ll be gone and out of your hair.”

  “Why are you here? I don’t have you scheduled for anything, and the last time I heard this isn’t a place you vacation.”

  “I’m on deadline, this was all my agent’s doing. Nothing more than that. I’ll be held up in my room with writing.”

  “Fine, I’ll be—what was it you said? Oh yeah, pleasant when I see you.”

  Justin nods but never says another word as he turns away from me. I watch as he stops at the door. With one hand on the knob, he turns his head back toward me, offers a shy smile, and walks out of the store just like he entered. Finally, with him gone, I let out a rush of air that I’ve been holding since he entered. At least now I know why he’s here. And if he was being honest, we won’t see each other much. I’ll be busy with my day to day life, and Justin will be pecking away on his keyboard at the Inn.

  My phone chirps from the counter. Giving in, I go to see what Haddie has to say. I don’t need to look at the contact as I know it’s her. There are very few people that I text with.

  Haddie: He’s here!

  Haddie: Girl, you have to see him!!!!! He’s hotter than ever…

  Haddie: He told me to leave his checkout date open… What does that mean? Are you ignoring me?

  Haddie: What was that about? What did he want? Dinner? Sex? You could totally use a booty call.

  She never gives up on trying to play cupid with my life. Any guy who checks in at the Inn, she feels the need to introduce me to them. I’ve told Haddie time and time again that I’m happy with my life and there’s no reason that I have to have a man in it. I’ve gone down that path twice in my life, and they both ended in disaster. Why would I want to do that to myself again?

  Me: He wanted to say hello and nothing more… Let it go, Haddie!

  Haddie: He looked flustered when he walked out.

  Me: Probably because he is used to getting his way, and people bend at his every word. I don’t, and he can’t stand it. There is no US! How do you know this stuff? Are you stalking us?

  Haddie: I might be keeping an eye out. Not telling!!!! Dinner will be served at six.

  Me: Not coming… Stop trying….

  Haddie: See you at six.

  I put my phone down as it’s not worth arguing with her. If Justin said he was going to be held up in his room writing, that also means he won’t be down for dinner. I’ll think about joining Haddie and her guests. Until then, I need to start inventory and focus on the stuff that needs to get done here. Justin Albott needs to vanish from my thoughts and this island.

  Chapter Four

  Justin

  Being that close to Leslie is proof that I shouldn’t have come back here. All I wanted to do was grab her by the waist and show her just how much I’ve missed her. But that’s not how you get to Leslie nor what I need in my life right now. I never should’ve agreed to spend the next few weeks here on this island. My life back in California is nothing but screwed up. The last thing I need is drama or distractions while here. I only agreed to come here in order to write. That’s my main focus and only. I’ll figure out a way to ignore her and stay as far away from Leslie that I can. In reality, I’m only fooling myself. This much is true, and I know it, but if I keep telling myself this just maybe I’ll believe it. Ignoring my need to go back and face Leslie, I focus on the sidewalk. Reaching the waterfront, I find a small table off to the right where I can set up my computer and write as I look out over the waterway. I remember as a child coming down here to the docks. We’d toss out a fishing pole while swinging our legs over
the side, throw rocks from the shoreline. Sitting here now, it seems like a lifetime ago. A life that once was perfect, but now it’s nothing but a blur. Today my life resembles nothing of the past. When I’m back home, it’s all business. If I’m not held up in my home office writing, I’m running around doing press releases, interviews, or speaking at some benefit that I know nothing about. It’s an empty life that I only share with the newest women on my arm. I’m not one for long-term relationships. Over the last few years, the longest relationship I’ve been in is with Christina, and that’s only because she’s my agent. No, nothing sexual has ever happened between the two of us, but you might as well classify us in a relationship. She spends more of her time managing me and making sure that I’m where I need to be than any other women. She’s also the one that will call me out on my shit faster than anyone. When I asked her why she just didn’t send me to see my parents in Florida, her words were, “Justin, you and I both know that you wouldn’t get a thing done. After you finish this manuscript, go visit your family. Until then, bury your nose in your computer. In Kingston, you’ll be able to focus and write. No distractions. Not to mention, nobody will be in your bed to distract you.”

  What Christina doesn’t know is there are more distractions here than there would be at home or in Ft. Lauderdale with my parents. In all the interviews I’ve done, I’ve never mentioned Leslie or Nan, for that matter. Yes, I’ve talked about growing up in Kingston and how it helped inspire the settings in my books, but what I had here with them was private. A little part of my life that I never wanted to share with anyone other than myself. I knew a long time ago if I ever mentioned Leslie by name, people would harass her and want information about our past. That was something I promised to never do to them. It was Nan who made sure I never mentioned her. Beatrice was full of words when we spoke, but she always reminded me that this was a safe place to come back to. Yes, fans knew I grew up here and would flock to the tiny island, but they never knew the truth. It’s one thing that I still plan to keep my word on. Being here will be hard; I’ll fight that attraction that I still have for Leslie. But it’s because the past can’t meet the future or my life.

  I open my laptop and stare at the white pages with nothing written on them. I’ve planned for this to be the last story in the series. But how do you wrap up a lifetime of memories in one book? How do you make a long-running series of bestsellers your best yet? Reading the first chapter again, I’m still stuck. I can only explain it as all the words are gone. Running my hands through my hair, I look up toward the sky like I’m asking someone for a story. Someone to give me the words to write. Right as I look back down, I see her walking down the shoreline. Her hair is blowing in the light breeze, while her arms are wrapped around her waist. I study the way Leslie is lost in thought. I can’t help but think she’s trying to figure out our little exchange today. Or is she wishing she never had to see me again? Carefully, I watch her like I’m taking notes on a private moment. One that I’m not invited to know about. A part of my chest hurts, and I don’t know why. I’m unsteady when it comes to her. The mixture of protection, lust, and mystery hangs from the aura of Leslie Owens- Powell.

  With my eyes on Leslie and my fingers hovering above the keyboard, it hits me. The story that I need to write. The one that will be the best of them all.

  Before I can blink I’m typing.

  The way she holds herself as she glances out over the water is unbearable. The way the hurt in her eyes glistens like the water is the way she sees herself in the reflection of the world.

  The words flow across the screen like never before. It’s not until the sun sets and I can’t see my laptop well anymore that I know it’s time to head back to the Inn. Closing the screen, I look around to see if anyone has been watching. Not that I care, but you never know in my world who might be lurking around the corner for the next story or a sneak peek before I publish. Yes, this has happened before. It was my third book in the series and I was addicted to writing in a small café back in California. I would go daily for hours and sit in the corner, drinking coffee and typing away. All the while there was a spy lurking outside, taking pictures of me and the screen. Months before the book released the pictures were leaked. Nothing damaging, but still, an unwelcome feeling traveled up through my body at this. They spent the story in a way that I thought was brilliant, but I still didn’t like my words showcased over the Internet before my fans could even read the book. Since then, I’ve been careful with where I write and how my body is positioned to block the screen. Here today, I forgot as my inspiration brought more words out than expected. Maybe Christina was right. Maybe I needed to be reminded of my past.

  Chapter Five

  Leslie

  Somehow Haddie was able to talk me into dinner at the Inn. It wasn’t hard when she reminded me that Justin wasn’t downstairs and that she had confirmation that he was still down by the water, working. Stepping out on to the porch, I glance down the street where I can spot his silhouette under the street lamp. Pulling my cardigan around my waist more, I skip across the street. Careful of not making a sound as I’m afraid he’ll hear me entering the Inn. This is ridiculous behavior even for me. I know that joining the guests for dinner has nothing to do with him and he wouldn’t think of this as an invitation to join. But I also don’t want him knowing my life. He lost that right years ago. Where I have dinner each night is technically not his business. This walking on eggshells thing that I’ve been doing since he arrived this morning is out of character for me. This is a place where I feel safe. This is my home, not his. He’s the guest here, and that’s reason enough for me to not care.

  When I enter the Inn, I let the comfort surround me as I smile at Haddie.

  “Did you really try to sneak over here?”

  “No, I was looking for cars,” I say like it’s the most normal thing to do around here, which it’s not. Yes, we have traffic, but this time of the year in late spring—not so much. We still have a few weeks before things start to pick up around here. Summer is only three weeks away. The start of a new season. New faces, and new experiences.

  “Come, let’s eat.”

  “I’m starving, but don’t get used to this until he’s gone.”

  “I don’t understand you. Why does he still have a hold over you? You’re not this way with Jack.”

  “No, with Jack, I want to cut his man balls off and shove them down his throat. With Justin, I just… I just don’t want to talk to him.”

  “Fair enough, but, Leslie, you realize that this is a small island and you’ll have to play nice with him, right?”

  “Yes, I realize this. I just don’t have to go out of my way to do that.”

  “Alright,” Haddie says as we take our normal table by the door to the kitchen. She feeds me daily, and I feed her need for books. It’s a win-win for the both of us. I always order an extra book for her, and it ends up on the counter here with her name on it. It’s been our thing for years now and something that won’t change. It’s not that she nor I ask for this, it’s just a given.

  Haddie and I have been best friends since we were born. Which also gives her the upper hand. She knows when I’m lying and avoiding life. She also knows the Justin and Leslie story and the Leslie and Jack show. Like me, her family left her the Inn, and she’s been running it for the last five years.

  Our plates are placed down in front of us. Before I can place my napkin over my lap, I feel him enter the room. Haddie must notice the change on my face immediately.

  “How do you know he’s standing behind you?” she questions softly.

  “I just do.” I shrug my shoulders while trying to ignore his presence, but I can’t. I’ve never been able to ignore him while sharing the same air.

  “Leslie, Haddie,” comes from my right, and I ignore looking in his direction. Instead, I focus on my plate.

  “Evening, Justin. If you’re hungry, find a seat and dinner will be served in just a moment.”

  “Thanks,”
he says while I hear a chair being dragged across the wood floor. It’s enough to make me look up at him to see where he’s sitting.

  “She didn’t mean here at our table, she meant the one across the room in the corner by the window.”

  “Why would I want to eat alone; I’ve got two old friends right here that I’ve not spoken to in awhile. Seems the better choice, don’t you agree, Haddie?”

  My eyes shoot straight across the table as I glare at her, waiting for Haddie to respond. I’m praying she takes my side in this and offers him the best table in the house, which is across the room away from me.

  “Nothing wrong with friends catching up. Here, let me move this,” Haddie agrees with him while she moves the small vase holding a single flower. I watch as everything is cleared out of the way and pushed across the table, allowing Justin room to join us. I shift in my seat as I straighten my shoulders. Before any of us can blink, another plate arrives for Justin. I take a chance to peek over at him. It’s the first time since his arrival that I take him in. I allow his features to explain his life to me. He’s no longer the young man that I knew. No, he’s all grown up now. His face hides behind his thick five-o’clock shadow. His once dark hair is lighter with a hint of gray filtering through the side. Justin’s thirty-two, one month older than I am. His eyes tell a story, a story that’s not meant for me to know. It’s as if I’m staring into the past of a ghost. His shoulders are broader than they ever were while we dated. It makes me question the rest of him.