Out at Home Read online

  Out at Home

  JL Paul

  copyright© 2011 JLPaul

  All rights reserved worldwide.

  No part of this ebook may be copied or sold or distributed without prior written permission -- if you have this file (or a printout) and didn't pay for it, you are depriving the author and publisher of their rightful royalties.

  All characters in this book are entirely imaginary and any resemblance to persons living or dead or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  “Taylor Lockwood! Get in here now!”

  Groaning under her breath, Taylor banged her head on the desk’s hard surface. The bellowing of her editor never failed to unnerve her - especially when his tone was sharp and crisp like today.

  “What’d you do now, Taylor?” Josh Parker grinned from the cluttered desk butted against hers.

  Flashing a menacing glare, she retrieved a notepad and an eraser-chewed pencil before scurrying across the busy newsroom to the angry man’s office. She pulled on the hem of her blouse, smoothing out the non-existent wrinkles, before knocking on the glass. The man barked out a command for her to enter and she did, nervously.

  “Sit,” Luther Spencer ordered from somewhere behind his heaping desk. She dropped into a straight backed chair, waiting for him to speak. As she peered over the mountain in his inbox, she waited for him to finish reading over the smudged paper in his beefy hands.

  Lowering the paper to his desk, he gave her an expectant smile. “Well Taylor, I have a story for you.”

  She raised a dark brow. “Another garden party?” she asked, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

  He grunted. “I know you believe your talents are wasted and I tend to agree. But Taylor, although you’ve worked for me since graduation, you’re still very green and I can’t just parlay my veterans to hand you a scoop.”

  She sighed, knowing he was right. She’d done just about everything for the newspaper from serving as receptionist to helping out with the presses. She’d gotten her hands dirty and never complained. Luther had been kind enough to give her a job when she’d needed it the most and she couldn’t throw it all in his face.

  “Sorry, Luther. I just get frustrated sometimes.” Biting her lip, she scooted to the end of her chair.

  A sympathetic smile graced his grandfatherly face. “I know, dear. Don’t think I don’t want to give you good stories. Your writing is better than most of my veterans. It’s just that, well, it’s the seniority thing.”

  She reached across his desk, knocking over a small pile of paperwork, to pat his hand. “I understand.” Grabbing the pad and pencil in her lap, she flashed a toothy grin. “So tell me, who’s throwing a party this weekend?”

  He laughed as he leaned back in his chair, tenting his fingers over his bulging belly. “Oh, I think the Anderson’s are throwing a little get together to celebrate their daughter’s sixteenth birthday, but I didn’t call you in here for that.”

  Scooting further to the edge of her seat, she nearly dropped to the floor. “What? You have something good for me, don’t you?”

  He nodded as he folded his hands under his chin. “You graduated a year after Tia, correct?” She nodded, brows furrowed. “I thought so. Perfect!”

  “Umm, Luther, get to the point?”

  “I know you don’t like sports…”

  “I like sports. I just hate covering them,” she interrupted.

  He waved away her words. “Whatever. I have a sports story for you. A human interest sort of story.” He held a hand up to stop her protest. “You won’t be covering an event. I want you to interview an athlete.”

  Her stomach slowly descended. “I think I know where this is going."

  He paused to blink at her. “You do?”

  She nodded.

  The whole town of Somersville, Indiana had been rejoicing in the latest celebrity of one of their very own. Brady Nolan, former town hunk and baseball player extraordinaire had finally made his big league debut over the weekend with the town’s beloved baseball team, the Indianapolis Racers.

  After their aging second baseman had suffered a season ending broken leg, Brady had been called up from the minors, dazzling everyone in his first game going three-for-four at the plate and making a stellar play at second.

  He’d signed with the team in his second year of college and had played in their farm system every summer, working his way up the ladder rather quickly, and after three years of hard work, he'd finally made it.

  Taylor sighed. “You want me to interview that arrogant jackass, Brady Nolan, don’t you?”

  He smirked at her. “I take it you’re not a fan?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Not really. How come you didn't let me interview Marcy Maxon when she was at the bookstore signing books? She grew up in Somersville."

  “You didn’t graduate with her, did you?”

  “No,” she muttered, leaning back in the chair to pout. “But I like her books.”

  He grunted. “You like the Racers, too. You and that niece of mine use my season tickets more than I do. If you do this one, I’ll drive you myself to interview Marcy Maxon next time she’s in town.”

  “Fine, fine,” she conceded, slouching further in the chair. “When do I have to interview the idiot?”

  He scrutinized her carefully. “Is there a reason why you dislike him so?”

  She hesitated. She could tell him everything and get out of the interview. But if she did, she’d lose the opportunity to write a brilliant piece and earn a little respect from her peers. She’d only been reporting for six months and had never been given anything more challenging than garden parties and society events. This was what she’d been waiting for.

  Shrugging, she exhaled loudly. “Jocks irritate me. But don’t worry; I’ll handle it professionally and knock your socks off with my story.”

  He gave her a curt nod. “Okay. The Racers will be back in town Thursday; that’s their off day. I’ve arranged with Brady’s agent for you to meet at the stadium. I’ll have your pass and everything else you’ll need before then.”

  She nodded as she rose. As she reached for the doorknob, she hesitated. “Luther? Why me? Why not one of your veterans?”

  He smiled. “When I talked to Brady’s agent, he said Brady didn’t want to do any interviews right now so I had to think of an in. I remembered Tia telling me that you went to high school with him so I used that. His agent called me back and said Brady agreed immediately when he found out I was sending you.” Luther snorted. “He even said he would talk to no one but you.”

  Taylor bit her lip and nodded. She waved absently before heading back to her desk. When she sank to her seat, Josh looked up at her with lifted brow. “Well?”

  Dropping her head to her hands, she moaned. “Shoot me now!”

  ***

  She rubbed her temple as she drove out of the small town and headed to Indianapolis. She had a Tuesday evening date that she couldn’t reschedule - no matter the burdens stacking up on her shoulders.

  The wind whipped her chestnut hair through the open window, making her curse her ancient car’s defunct air conditioning. One of these days she’d sit down and write a book, get it published, make the best seller’s list, and earn tons of money. Then she’d have a whole garage full of cars with working air conditioning.

  She sighed as she pulled into the state run hospital, nosing her car into a parking slot. She hurried across the hot pavement and through the sliding doors, thoroughly enjoying the cool air that rushed forward to greet her. Smiling and waving to the receptionist, she made her way down the hall. She entered a room quietly, noting the drawn blinds and the low volume on the TV. Her face softened when her eyes fell on a man slumped over in a chair near the window, eyes glued t
o the images flashing across the television screen. She padded over to him and dropped a kiss on the top of his graying head.

  “Hi, Daddy,” she greeted cheerfully. “How’s your day been?”

  He blinked a couple times, not turning his head or otherwise acknowledging her presence. Nonplussed, she sat at the foot of his bed so she could face him.

  A heavy set nurse with faded red hair and a friendly face entered the room carrying a covered tray. She smiled as she set the tray on the rolling table.

  “How are you today, honey?” she asked, bending to hug Taylor.

  “Just fine, Karen, thanks.”

  Karen bustled about the room, sliding the table over and uncovering the dishes. “And how you doing, Evan?” she asked, not expecting an answer. “We have corn, rice, and baked chicken tonight, darling.”

  Hopping off the bed, Taylor moved closer to her father. “I’ll feed him tonight, Karen. Sometimes I think he realizes it’s me.”

  Karen smiled sadly as she handed over the fork in her right hand. “Of course, honey. If you need anything, give me a ring.”

  Taylor nodded as she cut up the chicken. She carefully spooned some rice into her father’s mouth, watching as he automatically chewed. She wiped his chin with a napkin as she spoke softly to him.

  “So, guess what, Daddy? I finally get to cover a big story. Of course I have to interview Brady Nolan. Do you remember him? He came to the house a few times back when I was in school.”

  She received no indication at all that he'd heard her, let alone understood, but she didn’t let it deter her.

  “I’m sure he’s still as cocky as he was in high school, but I think I can handle him. It’ll be a challenge anyway.”

  She spooned some corn niblets into his mouth, pausing to watch his expression. It never changed, no matter what he ate or what was said to him. She resumed feeding him, talking softly the whole time.

  “I talked to Teddy on Sunday. He’s doing well. He’s taking classes this semester but he promised he’d get down here so he can spend some time with us this summer. He misses you.”

  She continued with her commentary until he’d decided somewhere in his foggy brain that he'd had enough of his dinner. He'd clamped his lips shut, refusing more. Taylor set the fork down in resignation. He didn't seem to know much about what was going on around him but he knew when he was done eating.

  "I wish you'd talk to me, Daddy," Taylor said, resting her head on his shoulder. "I miss you."

  He didn't respond which was no surprise.

  When Karen returned an hour and a half later, she kissed her father good-bye and left.

  ***

  The sun was setting as she made the short commute home. Try as she might, she couldn’t push the memories of her senior year with Brady Nolan out of her head.

  The end of January was nearing and boredom started to set in again. School had resumed two weeks earlier and the excitement of a new term had already faded.

  Taylor stood before her locker, exchanging books for her first hour class when she felt his presence behind her. She turned slowly to face him. As much as she despised the jock clique type, she had to admit he was beautiful - not hard on the eyes at all. His short dark hair always had that just got out of bed look which he pulled off perfectly. His green eyes were bright and full of intelligence. He had straight, blindingly white even teeth which showed prominently when he smiled. He stood at about an even six feet and had the signature athletic body, though he was a tad on the lean side. The only imperfection to be found was a tiny scar above his left eyebrow.

  “Hi, Taylor,” he greeted, leaning against a neighboring locker.

  “Hi,” she mumbled, clutching her books to her chest.

  “I was wondering if you’d be so kind as to help me study for this English test at lunch? I mean, if you’re not doing anything.”

  She smiled at his unusual nervousness. She nodded as she closed her locker, her ability to speak fleeing.

  Flashing a brilliant smile, he walked next to her down the hall. “Great because I’m a little lost.”

  “I thought you usually did very well in that class?” she asked, conscious of the stares she was receiving for merely walking down the hall with Brady Nolan.

  Shrugging, he squeezed her shoulder lightly as the warning bell rang. “Hey thanks. I’ll see you at lunch.”

  And that’s how it had started. She sat with him everyday that week at lunch, going over a study sheet she'd comprised at home one night. Friday, after their English class, as soon as he walked out of the classroom, he pulled her into a huge hug. She blushed profusely as he gushed about how he never would have done so well on the test had it not been for her. He shocked her even further when he asked her to have dinner with him that night. She reluctantly agreed.

  Her nervousness that evening had vanished quickly as she found him to be charming and quite amusing. They'd dined at a quiet pizza place, sipping soda and talking for two hours. She’d been surprised at how easily the conversation flowed between them. He told her about his parents and his siblings. She told him about her younger brother who wouldn’t attend their school until the following year.

  “Where did you live before you came here?” he asked, studying her face in the low light.

  “We lived up north, near South Bend.” A wistful smile crossed her face. “My brother and I both want to go to Notre Dame so I’m sure we’ll go back someday.”

  “How did you end up here? In Somersville of all places.”

  “My dad was transferred to his company’s Indianapolis office. He didn’t want to live in a big city so we found a house here. It’s close enough to easily commute.”

  Brady took a big gulp of his soft drink. “It must’ve really sucked to move to a new town and a new school right before senior year.”

  Looking down, she shrugged. “It wasn’t easy.”

  He reached across the table to gently squeeze her hand. “Hey, people here actually like you. If only you’d talk to people, you’d have more friends.”

  She looked up and smiled. “Are you talking about your group of friends?”

  Leaning back, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Why not?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t fit in.”

  “You could if you tried.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to try.”

  He smirked at her. “I like your attitude.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “It’s not an attitude; it’s a state of mind.”

  He threw his head back and laughed, drawing a cautious smile to her lips. Once he got his laughter under control, he looked at her. “So, if no one’s asked you yet, would you like to go to the winter dance with me?”

  She snapped back to the present as she parked in the driveway of the small duplex she rented. After she let herself in, she listened to her messages, grinning at the exuberant message Tia had left her. Apparently, her uncle Luther had informed her of Taylor’s latest assignment.

  She wandered down the hall to the bathroom to start a bath. After collecting some comfortable pajamas, she poured a glass of wine, grabbed the novel she’d been reading, and retired to the tub.

  Sinking into the warm bubbles, she released a content sigh. At least the day was finally over.

  Chapter Two

  Wednesday afternoon found Taylor tracing intricate paths through the heaping mound of ketchup with a soggy fry as she sat in the diner, listening vaguely to Tia's latest rant. Tia Spencer chattered incessantly about rude waitresses and how it wasn’t her fault that she detested mustard.

  “Huh?” Taylor muttered.

  “Taylor, you haven’t heard a word I’ve said,” Tia pouted.

  “Yes I have,” Taylor protested. “You said that waitress was grouchy because she had to take your hamburger back because the cook put mustard on the bun. I heard you.”

  “Hmph.”

  Taylor rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Tia. Would a little mustard hurt you?”

  Tia smiled brightly as t
he wary waitress placed a fresh, mustard-free hamburger in front of her. “Thanks a bunch!”

  The waitress sneered as she scurried away to attend to less picky customers in a nearby booth. Taylor cracked a smile. “You’re awful.”

  Shrugging, Tia inspected her burger carefully for any signs of mustard. “Can’t help it.”

  When she finished her inspection, she happily took a huge bite out of her burger. Taylor laughed, amazed that the girl could eat so heartily and still maintain a trim figure. Tia was only an inch or two taller than Taylor with wavy blonde hair and mischievous blue eyes. She was absolutely stunning and didn’t even know it. That’s one of the reasons why Taylor adored her.

  “So,” Tia mumbled between bites. “Tomorrow’s the big day, huh? Brady Nolan. Yum! He is so gorgeous.”

  “Please,” Taylor snorted.

  Setting the burger down on her plate, Tia's brow furrowed as she studied her friend. “You don’t think he’s hot?”

  “On the outside maybe. Don’t you remember him from school?”

  With a dreamy smile, Tia nodded. “Yeah. He was hunky back then, too. Most of the girls in my class were hot for him even though he was a grade behind. I never really talked to him, though.”

  “He was an arrogant ass, let me tell you,” Taylor informed her with disgust. She picked up a fry and threw it back down before pushing her plate away from her. “I’m really not looking forward to this at all.”

  “Taylor, I thought you’d be thrilled. Uncle Luther told me you didn’t seem as excited as he thought you’d be. Maybe Brady Nolan is arrogant and cocky, but still, this is a great opportunity for you. You’ve been waiting for a chance to get a real story for a long time.”

  Sighing in resignation, Taylor sat back in the booth. She gazed out the smudged windows at the traffic on the main strip. “I dated him. Did I ever tell you that?”