Sweet Hill Homecoming (Sweet Hill 1)

“He looks nothing like he did in high school.”

Jen frowned. “Well, that’s obvious.”

“Yeah…I didn’t even recognize him.”

Jen’s eyes went wide. “Oh man. Seriously? Even I remember him. Pretty sure he even did your homework.”

“Yeah, I know that now,” Mia said and the moment the words left her mouth, she heard how bad they sounded.

She wasn’t mean in high school, but she wasn’t exactly friendly. Guys liked her and she took advantage of what she could get. But that was a long time ago and she wasn’t that insecure, lost girl anymore. She was here to work hard and start fresh with Kyle, get him through senior year successfully and happy and send him off to college.

The bell on the door of the café dinged and Kyle walked in.

“Hey, buddy,” Mia said. “I was just thinking about you. What are you doing here this early?”

“I came to give you this.” He handed her a key. “I heard about what happened last night. Figured it would be good to have a spare since we share the car.”

“Thanks.”

“Hey, Jen.” Kyle glanced at Jen, then at the floor, then at Jen again and blushed a little.

“Hey, great game last night.”

“Thanks.”

Mia had to fold her lips to keep the smile at bay. Her sweet baby brother had a crush on Jen. It was cute. Granted he wasn’t so much a baby as a full grown man. Still, she would always see him as a five year old getting into her makeup.

“I’m sorry I was so late last night, Kyle, I wanted to be there,” Mia said.

“I know. It’s cool. I am actually heading to the weight room.”

Mia grabbed a muffin, stuck it in a little brown paper bag and handed it to him. “But it’s Saturday.”

Kyle smiled. “Coach said I played well last night. I’m officially first string receiver.”

“Kyle that’s amazing!” Mia said and hugged him across the counter.

She wished she could have seen him play. Since they just moved back, he started a little late in the school year and had to catch up with both studies and football, but so far, he was doing great.

“Yeah, even though I joined the team late in the season, he said I have been working hard and am the best receiver on the team. We’re looking good for playoffs and there will be a few college scouts if we make it. Coach thinks I have a real shot at getting a scholarship.”

Mia’s chest stilled, a gust of air caught in her windpipe. Kyle was smiling from ear to ear and looking so happy. So healthy and hopeful, he made her want to hug him for an eternity.

Water lined Mia’s eyes and she knew right then this moment was the reason she came back to Sweet Hill. For Kyle. There was a light in his eyes she hadn’t seen since their mom died. He had always been good, exceptionally good at football, but here he was finally thriving.

“I’m so proud of you, Kyle.” Mia said and the color on his cheeks just turned deeper red when he glanced at Jen then back at Mia.

For a seventeen-year-old that was six-foot and about twice Mia’s weight, he did blush easily. They also looked nothing alike. Being that they had different fathers, Mia tended to look like hers and Kyle looked like his. Light brown hair, tall, dimples and very much the boy next door.

Their mom had divorced Randy, when Kyle was three and he never bothered to show up since. After that, Tammy Blake went through men like candy. Thanks to her, Mia learned young how to flirt and get what you want from men. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until she was a little older she realized that while she thought she was using men to get what she wanted, it was her being used. Which was why, outside of her former job, she had stayed away from them for the past couple years.

“I better get going,” Kyle said. “Got to go bench. Got up to two hundred pounds.” He glanced at Jen and Mia was pretty sure he was flexing.

“I’ll be off at three,” Mia said quickly, before she giggled a little at her brother’s not too subtle hints.

“Okay, see you at home.” He left the café and Jen smiled at Mia.

“He’s a good kid,” Jen said and took a sip of coffee.