All Chapters of Homecoming Love: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

I’m not sure how to react to Spencer’s words, so I clear my throat, looking out the window, pretending to analyze his new house’s exterior.I don’t understand what’s going on with him—with us—lately. Why is Spencer trying so hard to get back into my life, kissing me and willing to be punched for it? What is all of this supposed to mean?I know how I feel about him, and I know I shouldn’t feel like this anymore, not after so long. But does that mean Spencer feels the same way? Does he still have feelings for me?It can’t be…Seven years is a lot of time. Too much for someone to hold onto feelings that are supposed to be long gone. I’m one to talk, but I’m different from Spencer. I never thought he could still nourish feelings for me after we broke up in such an ugly way. For

Spencer doesn’t need to hear anything else from me after that. His hands easily grab the back of my thighs, lifting me from the floor and carrying me to the end of the hallway, to a room I’m sure now is his bedroom. I wrap my legs around his waist, nibbling his ear and neck as he walks us through the house.His grip around me tightens as I reach his earlobe, and I feel his chest reverberate as he groans.“Hayden,” he warns. I chuckle to myself, not caring to stop what I’m doing. I know exactly where his weak spots are, and I sure as hell don’t intend to stop now.“I’m glad to know I still know some things about you,” I whisper against his ear before tugging my hand into his hair and pulling him toward me, claiming his lips once more. He reciprocates my kiss while blindingly kicking the door open, not caring to close it behind him once he steps inside.

I call the newspaper, and after begging for Kayla to let me take the day off so I can help at home—which she only allows because I offer to work an extra day to pay for the missing hours—Spencer takes me to the ranch.When he drops me with the promise that we’ll meet again tomorrow to solve things, I rush inside to change my clothes for the day and start with the house chores. The place is empty, and I assume Dad returned to the hospital early in the morning to take something for Mom to eat and wait for Lauren to be discharged. I blast my playlist on the speaker while I clean the kitchen and decide to prepare a meal for when my sister comes home later today.That’s when I have the coolest idea to welcome her back. Grabbing my phone from the kitchen table, I dial Chad’s number, waiting a couple of seconds until he picks up.“Hays, what’s up?” he greets me from

As predicted, I don’t know how to answer my brother’s question.I mean, I do know the answer to that. We’re not back together. Not officially, anyway.Spencer and I haven’t talked about it. And even though last night was supposed to mean something, I don’t know if it means that.“I honestly don’t know,” I finally say, letting my guard down and deciding to open up to my siblings. If there’s anyone in this world who wants me to be happy, and will do anything for me to achieve it, these three people around me at this very moment are them. I can say that without a doubt.Even with all the teasing, I just know they want the best for me, just as I want for them.“What do you mean? How do you not know?” Lauren asks with a frown, leaning forward to look at me, her big hazel eyes scanning my face.I simply shrug. “We haven’t talked about it. I came home to clean the house and get ready for your return. We didn’t have that conversation.”

The best thing about being fired was that my weekend getaway with Spencer was possible.There was nothing else preventing me from going.Sure, I had to tell my family I’d be spending some days away. And of course they wanted to know exactly where I’d be and with whom.I also couldn’t keep it a secret from them forever that Spencer and I were…trying again? In any case, according to Chad, everyone already knew, so… there was no reason to hide it from them.Of course, Mom and Dad wanted to know more about this…trip…but I had no answers for them. I didn’t want to get into details, so I just told them we were going to spend some time together and solve things—whatever that means.And that’s why, a couple of days later, I’m in Spencer's sports car’s passenger seat, listening to his ‘80s rock playlist, feeling the cool wind in my hair as we ride down the highway tow