Only You (Adair Family #5)(5)

Tears threatened again, but I allowed my indignation to fight them back as I hurried to unpack the rest of the food and prepare Mum’s dinner. Curiosity got the better of me, and I googled Brodan’s name on the off chance it might explain his return to the village.

And yup, there it was.

Articles detailed how Brodan had pulled out of several film projects, and it was believed he was recuperating from exhaustion at his brother Lachlan’s famous Ardnoch Estate.

Brodan was home.

Indefinitely.

Fuck.

Brodan was also recuperating from exhaustion.

A bit of concern lit through my panic, but I shoved it straight back out. The man didn’t care if I existed, so why should I care about him at all?

Pushing the thought to the rear of my mind, I took dinner out to Mum and changed the linens on the single bed we’d put in the living room to save her from having to walk upstairs.

“Have you heard from Dad lately?” I asked, the words spilling out before I could stop them. I’d asked her numerous times over the last few months if she’d heard from my father, but she always said no. She did so again, with a grunt of annoyance, but still I pushed. “Do you know how to contact him?”

“No,” she snapped. “Now let me eat in peace.”

It was worth a try. I’d searched the internet to find him, but nothing. I could hire a private investigator, but I didn’t have the money for that. Something bothered me about the way Mum always evaded eye contact whenever I asked about him. My gut told me she knew something. I’d just need to try again later.

I left with her criticism of the baked potatoes and salad dinner I’d made ringing in my ears.

I’d needed to make her something quick so I could get the hell out of there.

My mum was the last person I wanted to be around after the horrible, empty encounter with Brodan.

Driving to the caravan park nestled above the dunes of Ardnoch Beach, I let the misery of it all wrap around me. Just for a few seconds.

As I stepped inside the caravan and felt that prickly chill of fall in the evening air, I clung to the misery for a little longer. This place would freeze come winter.

Worry churned in my gut.

Mum’s nastiness echoed around my head.

Then I thought of Brodan.

He was home.

Why the hell did I come back here?





2





Monroe





THE PAST





* * *



Ardnoch Academy catered to not only Ardnoch but the surrounding villages. It was still tiny compared to most high schools. As an academy, along with normal classes, you could learn subjects for specific jobs, such as construction, early education and childcare, and rural skills. I didn’t mind its smallness—I quite liked it. In fact, unlike Brodan and Arran, I enjoyed high school. I got to focus on classes that would take me into teaching. However, I didn’t only like the learning part. I liked the being anywhere but at home part.

At the academy, I was safe.

Last month on the third of January, Brodan turned fourteen, and I was just about to. After the summer, we’d be fourth years. The thought made me feel good. I hated being considered among the babies of the school. At my height, a lot of adults still treated me like a kid. I’d stopped being a kid a long time ago.

I most definitely didn’t want Brodan to see me as a kid, especially as there were only six weeks between us.

Pondering whether I might ever get up the courage to tell my best friend I had a massive crush on him, I was in a daydream as I wandered the hall toward one of the exits. Last bell had rung, and most pupils were rushing toward the doors as if escaping hell.

“S’cuse you.” Harry Grant threw his weight against my side, and my books and papers tumbled everywhere. My upper arm ached where I’d taken the brunt of his shove, and I glowered up at him as I lowered to my haunches to collect my things.

Harry gave me an evil smirk and turned away. Something made him stiffen, and then he dove out of the side entrance in a blur of movement.

Straight ahead stood Brodan, glowering after him.

Then my best friend was suddenly on his knees before me, helping me pick up my stuff.

“Thanks,” I muttered, taking them from him.

“Are you all right?” Brodan asked as he took hold of my elbow and helped me up.

I glanced down at his hand on me and tried not to flush like an idiot. It was Brodan. We’d been best friends since we were five. Just because I’d started getting butterflies in my stomach when he smiled at me didn’t mean I needed to act like a blushing moron around him. “I’m fine.”

When people described someone’s eyes as piercing, they were talking about Brodan. His were pale-blue and he could look right into you with them. His wee sister Arro had the same color eyes, and yet they didn’t seem to search a person’s soul like Brodan’s did. Mind you, she was only ten.

Brodan was fourteen and already six feet tall. People, even teachers, mistook him for being older all the time.

Thankfully, I’d grown used to that piercing look over the years. Kind of. “I’m fine,” I insisted.

My friend looked over his shoulder to where Harry had disappeared. Then he took my backpack from me, even though he had his own to carry. I tried to take it back the first time he’d carried it for me, but Brodan ignored me. To be fair, there were so many books in that backpack, my friend carrying it was a relief.