Far From Home

Chapter One

Sam

“Do you have anywhere to go?”

Halfway through a game of Halo, I looked away from my monitor and met Taylor’s gaze. She’d walked in from the hallway and was in the process of toweling off her long brown hair.

“Not really. It is Saturday, after all,” I replied, pulling my attention away from her to continue my game.

It took more effort than I would’ve liked. Even with her hair frizzing out, it was hard not to admire her. Heck, sharing a dorm with her was almost too much for someone like me. That isn’t to say I only care about looks, of course, but I couldn’t help smiling whenever she wore her hair like that. She’d likely straighten it once we were through, but for now, I got to see it in its most natural and wavy form.

Sadly, whenever I looked at her, she was too busy looking at someone else to notice. Maybe it was because I wasn’t from the area. Or maybe it was because I didn’t live in the US. To her, we were college roommates and nothing more. However, if I were ever given the opportunity, you’d better believe I’d take it.

“I meant for the holidays,” Taylor said with a laugh. “Do you have any relatives around here?” She made her way over to her closet to grab a clean shirt before ducking behind the door so she could put it on.

I shook my head and hoped the heat on my cheeks wasn’t terribly noticeable. “They all live across the pond.”

“Then where do you plan to go during winter break?” she asked from her place behind the door. “You can’t stay here.”

“Why not?” I’d done it before. “Just because the campus is closed, that doesn’t mean I have to leave.”

With her clothing in order and her hair still the way I liked, she walked over to her bed and sat down. “True, but it’s gonna

be boring as hell around here. At least during Thanksgiving, the break was short. But staying here for an entire month all on your own? Who will you talk to?”

“I suppose I could grab a late flight.” My folks would be thrilled. My wallet, not so much.

“You could always come home with me.”

I immediately paused my game and studied her expression for the hint of laughter. She was dead serious. “For an entire month?” Why not?

Oh, I don’t know, maybe because I can’t stop looking at her? At least during Thanksgiving break, she went home for a week while I stayed here. But to spend time off-campus with her?

“You make it sound like it’s a bad thing,” Taylor said when I didn’t say yes. “And before you starting coming up with excuses, I’ve already run it by my mom and she’s all for it.”

I swallowed hard and placed the controller in my lap. “But she doesn’t even know me.”

“So?” She offered me a partial shrug. “She’s heard me talk about you before. In fact, when I went home last month, I got the look because I didn’t bring you along. To be fair, I probably shouldn’t have told her you were here on your own. I should also warn you before you accept the invitation. You might or might not have to help me wrangle up some kids.”

“Kids?” I laughed. “With what? A lasso?”

Now it was her turn to laugh. “I’m afraid we’re all out of those. My sister has two kids, one boy and one girl, and they’re at that fun age where they like to go and hide in whatever nook they can find. Other than that, it should be pretty normal as far as family gatherings go.”

“Your sister?” I’d heard her mention having a sibling before, though we never talked about her more than that.

“How old is she?”

“Five, almost six years older than I am.”

I winced. “I bet she wasn’t too thrilled once you were around.”

“Hardly, but by the time we reached our teens, things started to smooth out. Now I’m her babysitter, her sister, and her best friend.” She shrugged and left it at that. “So will you come? For my sake and so I can avoid the daggers in my mother’s eyes, could you please, please come home with me?

Unless you have somewhere to go, that is.” She already knew the answer. Her wide grin gave her away.

Taking a breath, I shook my head. “Like I said, I could go and see my folks, but I bet those tickets are expensive.”

Especially with it being so last-minute. “Are you sure your mom’s okay with this?” My stomach churned at the thought of meeting someone’s folks. I’d never actually done it before, not unless you count the playdates I had back in grade school.

Taylor got up from her bed so she could finish packing her things. “Okay with it? She pretty much suggested it.”

“Well, if it means I can keep you out of trouble, I suppose it couldn’t hurt.” You mean aside from the fact you can’t stop staring at her? I’d find a way to make it work. A month alone with Taylor instead of staying here was way too tempting to ignore.

“Then it’s settled. You, me, and Chelsey.” She snapped her suitcase shut and plopped it on the floor.

Chelsey being her car. “I never could understand that.”

“Hey, she’s my first, and I’ve taken very good care of her.