Dirty Summer 7

by Violet Paige

  “Thanks, G. We hope everyone else will think so too. We just want to prove we’re different than our fathers, ya know?”

  “Oh, I understand.” More than you know. “Speaking of dads, where’s yours?” she asked.

  “Dancing over there with my mom.” Justyn shifted her to the left so she could see a tall gray-haired man in his mid-fifties holding a curvy blonde close. “He doesn’t miss a chance to dance to some beach music.”

  Maggie smiled, noting the older Strait’s broad shoulders and infectious grin when he looked down at Justyn’s mom. If the genes were any indication, Justyn and Reid would both age well.

  The song ended, and Justyn lowered Maggie for a gentle dip.

  “Keep your hands off my man, G.” Blair’s eyes looked down on her.

  Justyn pulled his partner up and dropped her hand. “You were the one out there shaking it with an almost-married man.” He pulled the blonde under the crook of his arm.

  “Joking, joking. I know you were in good hands.” Blair winked at her friend. “I sure could use a drink. Josh is almost as wild as Henry out there.”

  As if summoned, Henry and Shirley Guthrie emerged from the crowd of dancers. “Well, now there are my favorite young lovebirds.” Shirley swooped Justyn and Blair into an embrace, managing to still hold onto her beer with one hand. Tonight, she was decked out in a bright yellow caftan-style dress, and her shell earrings matched perfectly.

  Blair shot a look toward Maggie, and she had to turn away from her friend to stop an onslaught of giggles.

  “I told you, didn’t I, Henry?” Shirley looked up at her husband. “The moment I met these sweet girls, I just knew exactly who we had to introduce them to.”

  “We know all about your matchmaking skills, Shirls.” Henry patted her hand dismissively. “Have you girls enjoyed the island this summer?”

  “Well, of course they have, honey,” Shirley answered before Maggie or Blair could respond. “Thanks to me and JoBeth, they found two of the cutest boys east of Beaufort. What did I say the day we met, sweetie?” She looked at Blair. “Catch an island man, and you’ll never leave.”

  “Who’s catching men around here? I thought it was the fish that were biting.” Reid appeared with two glasses of wine and a Bud Light.

  “Cuz, it appears we’ve been set up,” Justyn mocked, taking the offered beer and nodding toward the island’s self-proclaimed matchmaker.

  “Is that so?” Reid asked. He handed a wine glass to Blair, and then presented the other to Maggie, draping an arm around her shoulder.

  “Not so much a setup as just a little nudge in the right direction,” Shirley said, looking satisfied with herself. “I always trust my instincts about these things. I had a feeling about you four.”

  “Come on, Shirls. We’ve kept these kids long enough.” Henry guided his wife toward the bar. “Don’t you need a refill? Y’all have fun tonight,” he called over his shoulder.

  Maggie sipped her wine, watching the ever-amusing Guthries depart. She looked at Justyn and Reid.

  “What was all that about earlier?” Justyn asked his cousin. “I thought we’d lost you to Wes at the bar.”

  “The usual.” Reid shrugged.

  The opening notes of a soothing Temptations classic drifted through the island night.

  “Finally, a slow song.” Blair grabbed Justyn’s hand and pulled him to the center of the dance floor.

  Reid looked into Maggie’s eyes. “One slower song, tiger,” he said in her ear. “Then we’re outta here. I’d prefer to dance with you at home. Alone. No clothes.”

  Startled out of a content sleep, Maggie hoisted herself to a sitting position and watched as Reid walked to the sliding glass door on the left wall of her room. Reid opened the door and left the screen door closed. Maggie’s nostrils were immediately hit with a mix of salt and rain. She could hear the wind and pounding waves of the normally docile sound. Sometime during the last couple of hours since they’d left the party, it had begun to rain. She remembered seeing the lightning flashes in the distance as Reid careened the Jeep down the winding roads back to the Buttons place. She admittedly wasn’t paying as much attention to the weather as she was the electric jolts between her and Reid. Ever since he pulled her close on the dance floor at the party, he had been in an incredible rush to get her home, where they could be alone. They hadn’t had the chance to talk yet.

  “It sounds like the ocean out there,” she said, wrapping the sheet tightly around her chest.

  “Exactly,” he said. “My favorite soundtrack.”

  In one fluid motion—that only a born sailor who’d hopped on and off boats so lithely all his life could manage—Reid jumped on the bed and landed beside Maggie.

  He cupped her hip with one hand and guided her mouth to his with the other hand.

  For the second time tonight, Maggie lost herself to Reid.

  Maggie lay tucked beside Reid with her head resting contentedly on his chest. He had one arm around her, and he was using the other to trace circles on her shoulder with his fingertips. Each light touch sparked a tiny flip-flop in Maggie’s belly. She shuddered and nuzzled her face deeper in his chest.

  “Maggie? Is that your real name?” Reid asked, still tracing the circles on her shoulder.

  She raised her head and flashed him a quizzical look. He’s figured out my last name.

  “I mean, is it a nickname for something?” he said.

  “Oh yeah. It’s short for Margaret,” she said, relaxing again and running her hands over his chest.

  “You don’t seem like a Margaret,” he observed.

  “My parents named me after Margaret Thatcher,” she said. “You know, the prime minister of England. One of the modern world’s first female leaders. Big shoes to fill.”

  “So your parents are into politics?” he said.

  “I guess,” Maggie said. “My mom’s a lawyer, who’s always promoting some feminist cause or fighting for the rights of the underprivileged.”

  “That sounds important,” Reid said. “All my family ever did was build boats and fish.”

  Maggie extricated herself from Reid’s chest and pulled herself to a sitting position, draping a sheet over her body to ward off the chill from the open doors. She sat cross-legged on the bed and twisted a curl around her finger. Surely, this was the time to admit who her dad was, but she remembered how angry Reid had been that day on the pier. She didn’t want to break tonight’s mood.

  “Maybe it was important, but I don’t really know,” she said, deliberately focusing on her mother. “I never really saw her that much. They were both busy people. When I was younger, I had a couple of sweet nannies. It must have been nice to grow up here with all your extended family doors away.”

  “The island is a good place for a kid,” he agreed. “Always an adventure around the corner. My cousins and I sure got ourselves into a lot of trouble. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “No,” Maggie said. “My parents were both pretty old when they had me, so, well, it’s just me.”

  Maggie couldn’t believe she was getting choked up sitting in bed with Reid after all that had happened tonight. She hadn’t thought about her parents or childhood in forever. Her dad had made it to her graduation, and she hoped he had been proud even though he was still upset she decided not to follow in his footsteps and go to business school.

  However, her mother was a different story. She just wanted her only daughter to be happy whether she made money, a difference in the world, or wove baskets. Her hippie roots seemed to spread more deeply as the years went on, and she latched on to liberal cause after cause.

  Yet Maggie’s parents filled each other out and always seemed to make it work. They could argue for hours on end and still end up holding hands as they walked upstairs to bed. Maggie may have spent many hours with babysitters, but she could never forget the way her dad looked at her mom. She wanted someone to look at her like that one day. Maybe that was why she could never settle for any of
those college boys. None of them had looked at her with that kind of fiery gaze that could bridge the gap between an ocean of differences.

  For the first time, Maggie thought that maybe she had found a similar connection. She remembered what Reid said about Josh and Missy at the party. She had to tell him about her dad, but she didn’t know where to begin. She’d never meant to keep the secret this long. She also had never imagined she would be having such feelings about her summer lover. She sighed, trying to build up the courage. Was tonight the night to strike up such an important conversation? Should she wait until she could get her thoughts organized better?

  She stood and strolled to the open sliding glass door to get some air. She sucked in a deep breath of the salt and rain mix. The moist island air, rich with salt, always seemed to make her feel better. She loved this place and was sure of her decision to stay a few more weeks. There was still so much she wanted to do with Reid.

  Reid quietly crept up behind her and put his arms around her waist.

  “You ok?” he whispered.

  She could only manage a nod and continued to stand facing the door. She didn’t want him to see her like this.

  “Hey,” he said. He touched her cheek and caressed the side of her face. His hand moved to her neck and he turned her toward him.

  Maggie looked up and flashed him a timid smile. She was sure she’d made the right decision to stay.

  Reid leaned down and kissed her forehead, cheeks, and then her lips, getting a taste of salt and rain. He pulled away briefly.

  “The name Maggie definitely fits you,” he said and nibbled her ear. “And on this island, you never have to be lonely.”

  Four

  Reid

  “Hey, Maggie.” He dotted a kiss near her ear then another on her cheek. She fluttered her eyes open. His face hovered over hers. Even in her sleepy state, she was damn sexy. “I’m off to the boathouse.”

  She kissed him back. “Don’t leave,” she pleaded. “It’s Saturday. Stay with me.”

  “Mmm,” he groaned, and managed to pull himself away from the girl he was finding it harder to say no to with every passing day. “I just have to work a couple hours before heading over to the wedding.” He smiled. “I’ll pick you up this afternoon. I promise we’ll have the whole night together. I won’t dance with anyone else.”

  “You promise?” She ran her hand along his cheek, making it difficult for him to break away.

  “I promise. Now go back to sleep, tiger.” He kissed her on the forehead, tucked the covers around her shoulder, and was out the door.

  Reid eased the Jeep into its spot near the boathouse and cut the engine. He was thinking about the sizes of juniper planks that needed to be cut this morning and the invoices that needed processing before he headed over to Josh’s. He didn’t want to complain about having so much work on the schedule, but spending time with Maggie made him wish that there were a little more free time in his days. I’ll get this knocked out and then start on my best man duties.

  With the growing list of responsibilities on his mind, he didn’t notice the big red SUV until he rounded the corner on his way to the back door. The sight of the garish red and black Z Power logo emblazoned across the vehicle’s passenger door set his teeth on edge. He would know that Z surrounded by flames anywhere. What in the hell was someone from Denny Zeal’s shop doing snooping around here? I don’t have time for this shit today.

  Reid strode toward the door to see what was going on and spotted a salt-and-pepper-haired man peeking in the window. The man was wearing a red polo shirt, and when he turned at the sound of Reid’s footsteps, the islander spotted the Z Power logo embroidered over the heart.

  “Can I help you with something?” Reid realized he was still gritting his teeth as he spat out the words. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, unwilling to offer a handshake.

  “I was looking for Reid or Justyn. Reid or Justyn Strait that is,” the man said, looking down at a note card. He smiled, looking up, and Reid registered something familiar through the haze of anger. Holy shit. It was Denny Zeal. Reid had only seen him in ads and in television interviews, but he was sure this was the speedboat mogul in the flesh.

  “I’m Reid Strait. What’s it to you?” He dug his hands deeper inside his pockets and straightened his back so that he was towering over the unwelcome visitor.

  “Forgive my manners, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Denny Zeal and—”

  “I know who you are,” Reid cut him off. “What are you doing at my boathouse?”

  Denny offered a smile, but it seemed condescending to Reid. “Well, I just wanted to learn a little more about the Strait cousins’ custom luxury boats.” He pulled out his note card again, and held it a little closer to his face. “I hear they make one-of-kind pleasure boats with unparalleled attention to detail. At least that’s what my sources tell me.”

  Reid stared at the man. “Is that so?”

  “Son, I don’t research a potential business opportunity if it’s not something worth my time. From what I hear, this is as unique as it comes in the boat business. Handcrafted, luxury, wooden fishing boats in this day and age? I tell you, I’ve been in fiberglass so long I could really use a way to diversify.”

  The top row of Reid’s teeth grinded along his bottom molars. Who did this asshole think he was?

  “If you wouldn’t mind showing me some of your boats, I’ll be able to report back to the investors. I have quite the line-up of people interested, but I never go on recommendation alone, even if it’s a most dear and trusted source. I like to see things for myself. It is business after all.”

  “With all due respect, Mr. Zeal,” Reid uttered through clenched teeth in a manufactured polite tone. “What gives you the right to talk to investors about my boats? I haven’t reached out to Z Power Boats.”

  “Well, my—” Denny started.

  “I know. You already said ‘your supposed sources,’” Reid cut him off. “Who exactly has been talking to you about my boats, and why in the hell do you think that means you can sneak around here? You know what? Before I say something I might regret, I think this conversation needs to end right here.”

  “Calm down, son,” the older man said. “I think there’s some kind of confusion. My daughter has said nothing but great things about you and your work here on Harkers Island. When she approached me with the proposal, I was under the impression she had spoken to you about my interest.”

  Reid looked confused. “Your daughter? How would I have met your daughter? I don’t have free time to spend party-hopping with some spoiled sorority girl on Lake Norman.” It was bad enough Zeal’s boats were in his waters, but he couldn’t imagine what a day on the lake would be like when there was nothing but Z Power Boats zipping around.

  “Again, I’m sorry, son.”

  Reid didn’t like the way Denny called him son; everything about this man irked him.

  Denny folded the note card and placed it in his back pocket. “I was under the impression you and your cousin are friends with Margaret. Perhaps I got the wrong name.”

  “Margaret?” Reid spat through the still clenched teeth. His jaw was beginning to ache. “Like I said, I don’t know any—” Fuck. It hit him like a punch to the stomach. Denny Zeal was talking about Maggie—his Maggie. Double fuck.

  Didn’t they have this conversation last night in bed? Reid felt his face grow hot, and his blood begin to boil as the realization set in. He had been sleeping with and possibly falling for Denny Zeal’s daughter.

  “You do know Margaret, don’t you? She said that you two—”

  Reid couldn’t listen to the rest of Zeal’s words. He ran to his Jeep, started the ignition in a fury, and peeled out of the driveway, thundering down Island Road toward the Buttons house.

  Five

  Maggie

  “Coming, coming!” Blair’s voice drifted down the hall.

  Maggie heard her running down the stairs in flip-flops. It sounded like someone was about to kic
k the door in. Though everyone else on the island left their doors unlocked, Maggie was glad Blair insisted they buck the trend. This definitely sounded like an unwanted visitor.

  “Maggie!” Reid yelled. She ran to the doorway of her room when she heard her name.

  “Where is she?” Reid’s voice filled the entire house.

  “Hold up, sailor. What in the hell do you think you are doing?” It sounded like Blair was chasing him up the stairs.

  She couldn’t believe the hostility in Reid’s voice. “You were probably in on the whole thing too—unbelievable. Where is she?”

  “I don’t care how many times you’ve slept over here; you can’t just barge in past me. Reid! Come back here now.”

  Maggie moved toward the landing as their voices grew louder.

  The minute she saw Reid’s cool brown eyes and harshly set jaw, she knew something was wrong. Her heart dropped to her stomach.

  “Zeal? Denny fuckin’ Zeal is your father? And you never thought to mention this? What the fuck, Maggie?” He looked at her with contempt.

  Her hands started to shake. “I-I can explain. I wasn’t trying to keep it from you.” The words were out of her mouth in a hurry. She started toward him, trying to put a hand on his forearm and settle him.

  “Don’t touch me.” This time his voice was calm. It sounded cold and detached.

  Maggie shrank back as if he had thrown icy water in her face.

  Blair stopped on the stairs. Her friend must have been just as stunned by the F-bombs dropping from Reid’s mouth as she was.

  “I wanted to tell you, I really did, but we were having so much fun, and the summer is so short,” she hurriedly tried to explain her motives. She knew she didn’t have much time before he completely shut down, if he hadn’t already.