Finding Home Read Online Free Page B

Text me the details, okay, Mandy?”
    “Yeah, sure,” I said, wishing she wasn’t leaving.  I knew it had to be awkward for her, but I thought maybe if she and Jesse talked they could work things out and who knows what could happen?  I knew it had been a long time and I knew Jesse had broken Riley’s heart when he left, but I also thought they belonged together and even if that didn’t happen, I wanted them to be friends again. 
    “Have fun,” she said and walked out before anyone could say anything else.  I noticed how Jesse’s eyes followed her the whole way out and then he turned back to us and Brandon started to laugh.
    “I don’t think that could’ve been any more awkward,” he said.
    “It was fine,” Jesse said.
    “Bullshit, Jess, and don’t even try and deny you were staring at her ass on the way out.” 
    “So, he’s still a dick?” Jesse asked, turning to me and I tried not to laugh.
    “I’m not a dick.  I just call it like I see it.  I don’t blame you though.  Riley’s got a great ass.  Always has.” 
    I don’t know why his comment caused me to look down at the floor.  It’s not like he was saying anything that wasn’t true.  I knew Riley was pretty.  Everyone knew Riley was pretty.  I’d just never heard Brandon say anything about her. 
    “I wasn’t staring at her ass,” Jesse said, standing up. “And don’t talk about her like that.”  Brandon just rolled his eyes.
    “Sorry, Saint Jesse.”
    “Ya know, I think I’m just gonna head out to the shooting range.  I’ll see you guys on Friday,” Jesse said, stepping toward the door.
    “Jesse, please don’t go.  I just got here.  We have so much to catch up on,” I pleaded as I walked over to him. I knew he wasn’t going to stay though, but I didn’t think it was because of Brandon.
    “We’ll talk on Friday.  I just need to go.  It’s really good to see you though.”  Jesse leaned in and hugged me and then he was gone and I turned to look at Brandon who was leaning back against the couch, picking up the remote and flicking on the TV.
    “Well, well.  How the evening has changed.  Are you gonna bail too?” he asked.
    “No,” I sighed, sitting next to him.
    “You okay?”
    “I’m fine.  I just can’t believe he’s back.  Did you know he was in town?’
    “Yeah, I did.”
    “And you didn’t tell me?” I exclaimed, sitting up and glaring at him as I grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. 
    “He just got here a couple of days ago.”
    “And you couldn’t bother to tell me?”
    “He wanted to keep it quiet.  We all know how Jesse is.  He’s such a drama queen,” Brandon laughed. 
    “You still could’ve told me,” I mumbled and he turned to me with those puppy dog blue eyes.
    “I’m sorry.  Forgive me?”
    “I suppose,” I grumbled, but then turned to him. “Is he staying for a while?”
    “Who the hell knows?  Now that he’s seen Riley again, my bet is that he’ll be in Carver for the foreseeable future.”
    “You think so?”
    “I guarantee it.  She’s his kryptonite.  Why do you think he’s stayed away so long?”
    “Riley’s got a boyfriend though.  Does he know that?”
    “Yeah, he knows,” Brandon answered and then it grew quiet again.
    “Too bad the night’s ruined,” I said a few moments later.
    “I don’t think it’s ruined.  I mean, you get to hang out with me, so how can that be a bad thing?”  He said and I just started laughing.
    “Well, when you put it that way, I’d say the night is gonna be perfect.”
    “Can I take you to dinner?”
    “You don’t have to do that, Brandon.”
    “But I want to.  Whaddya say?”
    “Um…sure.  Thanks,” I said and I felt myself blush a little at the way he smiled at me. 
     
    ~~~
     
    "I’ve always wanted to know why they call this place Big Pizza,” Brandon said.  We were sitting across from each other as he was struggling with a stubborn piece of mozzarella. “I mean, it’s not that