The Billionaire's Best Friend(9)

He’d only arrived back in town fifteen minutes before the start of the retirement party. Just enough time for him to run into his parents’ house and toss on a suit. Now back at his parents’ house, he was ready to collapse on the closest bed.

Yeah, there is. Nate kept the thought to himself as he accepted the keys. He’d come back to Massachusetts to start on the next phase of his life. He couldn’t do that living over his parents’ garage. Yet the apartment would provide him the perfect home base while he hunted for a new place. “I know, Mom.” Nate started toward the door but stopped when he felt his mom’s hand on his arm.

“I’m just so glad you’re home for good this time.” She wiped away the tears sliding down her cheek. “When you were over there . . . I was so scared.”

Stepping back, Nate gathered his mother in his arms for a hug. He hated how much worry and fear his time in the Marines had caused his parents, especially his mother. Yet even knowing how much it had affected them, he didn’t regret his years of service, right from the beginning at the Naval Academy. “It’ll be different now that I’m in the reserves, Mom. I promise”

With a sniffle, Janet pulled away. “Make sure you come over for breakfast. I still make pancakes for your father on Sunday mornings.”

“Sounds good.” He pushed the door open.

“And Nate, thank you for coming to the party tonight. I know it meant a lot to Virginia that you were there.”

He’d known Virginia McDonald all his life. Up until a few years ago, she and her husband had lived next door to his parents. “Wouldn’t have missed it,” he answered. And he meant it. In many ways, he viewed Virginia as a second mom.

“I saw you talking to Lauren. How did that go?” Her voice was gentle and understanding.

“We only spoke for a few minutes.”

“I still believe you two belong together. I never understood what happened with you guys. But maybe you can finally work things out.”

He’d never shared his reason for ending their relationship with anyone, and he didn’t plan to start with his mother. “We’ll see what happens.” For now, that was all he intended to say. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He let the door bang shut behind him and went straight to his Mustang for his bags before heading up the stairs to the apartment over the garage. Originally built for his grandparents when Nate’s oldest brother was born, his parents now rented it out. And as luck would have it, right now the apartment was empty. The couple who had lived in it for the past three years had finally purchased a home of their own.

Unlocking the door, he turned the knob and walked inside. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d stepped foot in the apartment, yet as he crossed the threshold, memories flooded back. Every day after school he’d come here and stay with his grandparents while his parents worked. His grandmother had taught him how to play the piano while his grandfather had taught him poker and chess. His grandparents moved out when he entered high school. Before his parents started renting the place out, he and his buddies from school would sneak in at night and have card games or sometimes drink beer.

Nate crossed the small kitchen and entered the furnished living room. Flipping on the light, another memory hit him as he stared at the open bedroom door. This time, though, it didn’t involve his grandparents or his old high school buddies. This one involved him and Lauren. She’d not only been the girl next door but his girlfriend all through high school and up until he’d left for the Naval Academy after graduation.

They’d started out as childhood friends at the same preschool and had done lots of activities together. In elementary school, their interests led them into different activities. He’d been big into sports, while Lauren had spent hours dancing and taking voice lessons. Despite their different paths, they’d stayed close.

Then their last year of middle school things changed. No longer had he seen her as a pal. Instead, every time he looked at her his teenage body had gone into overdrive. Starting that summer until he left for the Academy they’d been an item. Together they’d experienced all the teenage firsts: first kiss, first time skipping school, first time having a drink—and first time having sex.

Staring at the bedroom door, it was that first his mind fixated on. It had been near the end of their sophomore year in high school. He’d picked her up at the private high school she attended, and they’d sneaked up to the empty apartment over the garage. Although they’d fooled around in the past, that particular hot May afternoon things went further than ever before. Soon they’d found themselves under the covers of the queen-sized bed.