The house, though beautiful, isn’t what I expected the Hayes family to have lived in. It has a wrap-around porch, a giant oak tree in the yard where an old tyre swing still hangs and a picket fence with a sign that reads Darcel House. The windows are boarded up, telling me nobody lives here anymore, and my heart aches at the emptiness.

“It’s beautiful,” I reply softly. Tanner simply nods, and then lifts his feet as we slowly ride away without another word.

The remainder of the ride is quiet, my thoughts consumed by why he chose to show me his childhood home; and the vulnerability he is allowing me to witness.

Tanner climbs off his bike first. I watch him pull off his helmet and run his fingers through his hair before unzipping his riding jacket. I can’t help but admire the lines of muscle I can see through his tight t-shirt.

Removing my own helmet and lifting my eyes to his, I find him watching me. Great, as if Tanner Hayes didn’t already have a big enough head, now he’s caught me eye fucking him … again.

He cocks a brow. “Are you going to just sit there all day?”

Swinging my leg over, I climb off the bike. Allowing myself a few moments to unravel my plaits and smooth down the top of my hair before going in search of the others.

* * *

Jesse

Sophie is awesome; I can see how she won Kinsley over. Not that she would have had much of a choice in the matter. Soph loves to talk and her bubbly personality is infectious. She’s yet to notice Tanner and Kinsley standing over on the other side of the car park. I, however, saw them as soon as we drove in. Kins was shaking out her hair and Tanner’s eyes were glued on her, as if she was the only girl in the world. I can’t blame him though, she is definitely something else.

“Who’s a good girl?” Soph coos to Lou-loo whilst I rummage through my backpack for her leash.

I must chuckle out loud, because when Sophie speaks again, even though she is still staring into the eyes of Lou, it’s directed at me.

“He’s just jealous that he isn’t the centre of my attention.” Lou lets out a friendly yap in response and Soph laughs.

“Yeah, yeah. C’mon you two. The love birds over there are waiting for us.” With Lou-loo on her leash and Sophie in step beside me, we approach Tanner and Kinsley.

“Hey girl!” Sophie greets, with her arms wide open.

I contain my laughter as Kinsley, who I know is not a hugger scowls in my direction whilst Sophie bundles her up in a hug. Breaking apart, Kins turns to Tanner and gestures towards us, “Tanner, this is Jesse and Sophie — and guys, this is Tanner.”