Bayside Fantasies (Bayside Summers Book 6)

by Melissa Foster

  “I should thank Mitch for that. He and I built the treehouse together at night, after you boys were in bed. It took us two whole weeks, and I was exhausted. But I felt like I’d finally done something right.”

  “You did a lot of things right back then, Dad,” Jett admitted, and it felt good to say it, to get out from under the hurt. “You did a lot of things right after that, too, and I’m sorry I never gave you a chance. I’m trying to change that now.”

  Emotions welled in his father’s eyes. “Thank you, son.”

  “Knowing you went to all that effort after working all day and dealing with us in the evenings means a lot. This probably sounds lame, but thank you for caring enough to do that.”

  “I’d say that’s what dads do, but we both know it wouldn’t be true of all fathers. So I’ll say, that’s what dads should do. Now I want to show you something, and I hope you’re not going to get pissed off, but I’m not getting any younger, and I don’t want to miss an opportunity to give these to you.” He pulled Jett’s old blue baseball card binder out of the drawer.

  Jett sank down to one of the chairs in front of his father’s desk, unable to do anything more than stare at the sticker-covered binder. Then his father pulled out the sticker-covered wooden box containing the rest of his collection, stealing the air from Jett’s lungs.

  He came around the desk, set them before Jett, and said, “When your mother told me you’d thrown them out, my heart broke.” His eyes teared up, and he swallowed hard, turning away to try to regain control of his emotions.

  Jett did the same, sure the pain in his chest would be the death of him.

  When their eyes met again, his father’s were glassy as he said, “I couldn’t let them go. I knew you were throwing us away, and I just couldn’t…”

  “I didn’t…” Jett’s voice was drowned out by his emotions. He cleared his throat and sat up straighter, but he still struggled for his voice. “I didn’t think…I was a stupid kid, Dad.”

  “No, you weren’t. That’s why you’ve been angry at me for so long, because you’re smart, Jett. I know you don’t trust that I won’t go back to being a self-absorbed jerk. Some days I don’t trust myself, either, but I’m trying.”

  Jett heard himself saying those exact words to Dean, to Tegan. He gripped the arms of the chair, steeling himself against the emotions trampling through him, knocking him off-kilter, nodded toward the box, and said, “They all still there?”

  His father nodded. “Yes.”

  Jett put his hand on the binder and cocked his head, meeting his father’s gaze as he said, “Feel like checking them out?”

  “What do you think?”

  Jett flipped open the binder, engulfed by a rush of nostalgia. Each plastic page displayed nine baseball cards he and his father had bought and cataloged together. They began looking through the cards one at a time, testing each other on stats and reliving the moments when they’d found certain cards. Jett felt like he’d stepped back in time, like all those horrible years had never happened. As they neared the end of the binder and his father reached for the box, Jett realized it was never the cards that mattered. It was their connection, the bond they’d shared. And man, had he missed that.

  “I found them,” Emery hollered as she peered into the office. “Jett, you have to leave or you’ll miss your flight!”

  Jett uttered a curse and closed the binder, pushing to his feet. “Sorry, Dad. Can you take care of those for me?”

  “You know I will,” his father said. “I’m proud of you. Go nail that acquisition; show that starry-eyed kid why you’re king.”

  Jett nodded and gave him a quick hug. He gritted his teeth as he headed out of the office and said, “Thanks, Emery,” as he strode past. Tegan appeared down the hall with his mother and the others. Frustration tangled up inside him. He didn’t want to leave her, and now he didn’t want to leave his family, either.

  “What can we do to help?” his mother asked.

  Jett looked at his watch. Fuck. He had to get out of there. “Dean, you’re still okay taking Tegs home?”

  “We’ve got her,” Dean said.

  Tegan ushered him toward the front door and said, “I’ll get home, but you have to go.”

  “Not without a kiss for me, Jetty,” his grandmother said. “My days could be numbered, you know.”

  “Gram, it’s hard enough to say goodbye.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back in…Damn it. I forgot to tell you guys that I’ve got to stay in London longer, probably six to eight weeks. We’ve run into some issues, and it’s…I’ve got no choice.”

  His mother counted on her fingers. “Oh no, you’ll miss the foundation dinner. You’ll miss seeing Doug and Susie, too.”

  Guilt sliced through him. “Sorry, Mom. I’ll call Doug and let him know.” He turned to his father and said, “I’m sorry, Dad. I wanted to be there. I meant it when I said it.”

  “Here we go again,” Dean said.

  Jett glowered at him. “Really, Dean? I just spent the entire day here, and you’re giving me shit?”

  “Language, Jett,” his mother said.

  “Let it go, Dean,” his father said. “Jett, we understand. This isn’t like before. We know this isn’t an excuse to stay away.”

  But Jett’s eyes were locked on Dean, and Dean looked like he was ready to explode. “If you’ve got something to say, get it out now, Dean, because I have a deal to close.”

  “Of course you do,” Dean seethed. “You say you don’t trust Dad’s changes? Look in the mirror, Jett. His changes outlasted yours by a mile.” He turned and stormed out the back door.

  Emery ran after him.

  “Oh boy. Here we go…” Rose said.

  Jett started to go after Dean, but his father grabbed his arm and said, “Let it go. He didn’t mean it. He’ll cool off.”

  Tegan was looking at Jett like she was torn between crying and shouting, which gutted him. She probably wanted to slug him for missing the foundation dinner, too. It was all too much, and he couldn’t fix a damn thing without missing his flight.

  “I’ve got to go.” He said a quick goodbye to his parents and grandmother, and he and Tegan headed out the front door.

  “Are you okay?” she asked as he pulled her into his arms.

  “Yeah.” The word tasted bitter. “I hate leaving you, and them, and now Dean’s pissed. It sucks. I’m sorry, baby. Do you want me to have a car take you home?”

  She gazed up at him and said, “I’m fine. I promise. You had a great day. We all did. Enjoy that. Think about it as you prepare to conquer your next big deal.”

  “I’m going to miss you so fucking much.” He kissed her, holding her tight.

  “Me too.” Her voice cracked. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry. You need to go before I fall apart.”

  Christ. He felt like a monster. “I’ll call you once I get to Boston if there’s time between flights.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her again. “You are my home, baby. Think of that. Don’t cry.”

  “Go,” she said shakily, nudging him toward the car.

  He fucking hated this. “I’ll dream about you,” he said as he climbed into the car.

  “Make ’em dirty.” Tears slipped down her cheeks.

  He gritted his teeth and forced himself to drive away.

  TEGAN WATCHED JETT’S car disappear around the corner. She was so angry at Dean she could spit. She wiped her eyes, telling herself she should take a walk and blow off some steam, but she was livid. There was no calming her rage as she strode into the backyard with tunnel vision. Her eyes landed on Dean, who was pacing by the shed with Emery.

  Tegan cut across the yard, vaguely aware of her name being called as she stepped in front of Dean and said, “What the hell was that?”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “Hey, that’s my man you’re talking to,” Emery said. “Watch it.”

  “I’m sorry, Emery. But no one else seems to be able to see what’s so obv
ious to me.” She turned her attention back to Dean and said, “Your brother just flew all night to get here. I don’t think he even slept a wink this morning, and he worked all day. He was kind, he was funny, and he was present. He didn’t take phone calls or check his emails. How dare you give him a hard time for having to leave for work. I like you, Dean, but who do you think you are? You stand there high and mighty, telling Jett everything you think he does wrong, and I can’t imagine why you think you’re any better. I know he’s stayed away, and he’s buried himself in work in the past, but he’s making every effort to change for your family. What are you doing to help your family come back together?”

  Dean’s nostrils were flaring like a bull ready to charge. She knew she was yelling, and that his parents and Rose were watching them, but she was unable to stop everything she’d been holding back from spewing out.

  “Have you ever once gone to see him? All I hear about is how Jett doesn’t come back enough and Jett works too much. Why is it his job to make the effort? Your resort isn’t at full capacity over the winters. What are you doing during those months? Why aren’t you jumping on planes to see him? Do you have any idea how exhausting it is for him to race home?” Tears flooded her cheeks, and she was shaking all over, but she had to get it out. “That man does so much and he gets zero recognition from you. It doesn’t matter if it’s less than you think you and your family deserve. He’s making an effort, and he deserves credit for it. Love is not a competition, Dean. It’s not all or nothing, family or work, or work or me, for that matter. There’s room for all of us in Jett’s life, but he has to figure out how to balance it after spending a lifetime not wanting to, and you should give him support and love so he wants to do that. Nobody wins when one person loses, and the more you push him away, the harder it will be for him to find his way back. Please think about how hard he’s been trying. Please cut him some slack.”

  “I’m done needing anyone to cut me slack. Most of all you, Tegs.”

  Tegan spun around, shocked to see Jett standing there. Oh God, how much had he heard? “Did you miss your flight?”

  He stepped beside her, his eyes trained on Dean as he said, “I’m not going.”

  “But the Carlisle deal?” Her head was spinning, confused.

  He finally looked at her, his stormy eyes softening as he said, “I’m giving it to the kid, a guy I mentored a while back.”

  “But—”

  “No buts, baby. I’m paying it forward, going back to my roots. No deal in the world could make me a richer man than being with you will. I don’t know how I got lucky enough to walk into that party and walk out with you, but I thank God every day. You appeared out of nowhere, and like a shooting star, you lit up my life and showed me how much I was missing. I love you, Tegs. You’re my home, and I don’t want to miss another white bikini moment or be away from you for days, much less weeks.”

  “White bikini moment?” Emery whispered.

  Tegan felt her cheeks burn and said, “What about work? You can’t change your world for me.”

  “You are my world, sunshine. I’m not giving up all that I’ve built, but I’ve spent years reworking other people’s businesses. It’s time I focused on reworking my own life. I don’t know exactly how everything will pan out yet, but I know I want to be here with you. I want to focus on rebuilding my community here and teaching the people who were there for me when I was growing up how to succeed. I want to spend more time mentoring and less time taking over.” He looked at his parents and Rose, all of whom had tears in their eyes. “I want to spend time getting to know my family again.” He took Tegan’s hands in his and gazed into her eyes as he said, “I don’t know if you’ll get sick of me after I’m around for a few months, but, baby, I’m ready for this adventure if you are. I don’t want to miss your openings or my father’s foundation events.” He looked at Dean and said, “Or the birth of my niece or nephew.”

  “You’re giving up a multimillion-dollar deal?” Dean asked with a biting tone.

  “Yes,” Jett said with a challenging stare. “Do you have something to say about that, too? Because I’m here, Dean, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Yeah, I’ve got something to say.” Dean’s jaw clenched.

  “Dean,” Emery pleaded, touching his arm.

  The staggering ability to stare without blinking must run in the Masters genes, because neither man moved a muscle for what felt like forever.

  “They’re harder to crack than a couple of safes,” Rose said.

  Dean stepped forward, and Jett squared his shoulders, putting one hand in front of Tegan, nudging her a few steps back.

  As Dean’s hand rose between them, everyone spoke at once—“Jett!” “Dean!” “Boys!” At the same time, Dean said, “Welcome home, a-hole.”

  Jett took Dean’s hand and hauled him against him, slapping him hard on the back as he said, “Careful what you wish for, dickhead.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  TEGAN PULLED ON her cutoffs and ran into the closet to look for her sandals. A little thrill still ran through her when she saw Jett’s clothes and shoes among her own. It had been three magical, adventurous months since Jett had decided to change his life and really make a go of things between them and with his family. He’d moved into the cottage, and they’d never been happier. Their schedules were complicated at times with the theater and his work, but Tegan wouldn’t change a thing. Not even on mornings like today, when they’d gotten overly frisky in the shower and were running more than a little late for breakfast with Jock and their families. Tonight was the opening of Pillow Talk, Bayside Productions’ first live episode. Tegan’s family had come into town to see it, and they were staying at the big house with Jock, who had become such good friends with Jett, he’d stayed for the summer and was moving to the resort next weekend. Jock was making a big celebratory breakfast, and Jett’s family was meeting them at the house.

  Tegan was already a nervous wreck about the show, and now she was sure their families would figure out exactly why they were late for breakfast. Ugh. Embarrassing.

  But so worth it!

  She dropped to her hands and knees, quickly finding one sandal. Where the heck was the other one? She lowered herself to her elbows, peering under her dresses.

  “Move your pretty little ass, sunshine, or all the bacon will be go—” Jett made an appreciative noise as he came into the closet and groped her ass. “Forget the bacon.”

  She glared at him over her shoulder, and butterflies took flight in her stomach. His hair was still wet from their sexy shower, and he was looking at her like he was ready for seconds.

  “Hands off my bottom, Masters. That’s what got us into trouble in the first place.”

  Jett was more hands-on than ever, in their personal life and in his business. Just as he’d done with Tegan’s business plan, he’d meticulously worked through a strategy for reclaiming his life and shifting his focus to getting back to his roots. He’d rented office space in Hyannis, and he was knee-deep in helping Mitchell and the other business owners get back on their feet and learn valuable business practices. Sometimes Jett even worked out of Harvey’s office in the big house instead of driving to Hyannis, but he and Tegan were insatiable and he didn’t get much work done on those days. Unfortunately, Jock had caught them in a compromising position more than once. Now when Tegan visited Jett in the home office, they hung a scarf on the doorknob, just in case.

  “You were taunting me with your nakedness.” Jett sat on the floor and pulled her into his lap with a lascivious grin.

  She wound her arms around his neck and said, “I was showering, and you had already showered, remember?” He’d gotten up early to go with Dean to pick something up in Eastham. “Stop looking at me like that. I can’t find my sandal, and everyone is waiting for us.”

  He kissed her softly and said, “Today’s your big day, sunshine. They expect us to celebrate.”

  The show had already sold out for the entire month, and
tonight’s episode was being reviewed by several media sources. It was already going better than she or Harper could have hoped.

  “Oh, right. My conservative parents think celebrating means a nice dinner and a fancy cake, not feasting on each other and coming three times.”

  His eyes darkened. “You know hearing you talk dirty turns me on.”

  “If you can find my other sandal,” she said in her most seductive voice, “I’ll make all your naughty fantasies come true tonight after the opening, when nobody’s waiting for us and we have hours to play.”

  They’d more than made up for the missed bikini fantasy and had enjoyed it so much, they’d begun leaving each other hidden notes spelling out their other fantasies. They were having fun living them out, but the bikini fantasy was still one of Jett’s favorites. Tegan had found notes from Jett in a pint of ice cream in the freezer, taped to the visor in her uncle’s car, and even in her wallet wrapped around her debit card, which was embarrassing when she’d pulled it out at the grocery store to pay. Her man was very sneaky, and very creative, and she loved it!

  She whispered, “I’ll even wear the white bikini,” and felt him get hard beneath her.

  He made a growling noise.

  “Good luck!” she said, and pushed to her feet with a little giggle.

  He smacked her butt, and then he scrambled on the floor in search of her sandal, finding it before she even got out of the closet. He grabbed her around her waist, hauling her back against him, making her squeal as he smothered her neck in kisses.

  “Come on, sunshine. We’re late,” he teased through his own chuckles, still holding her hostage with one arm belted around her belly, refusing to let her take a step forward and taunting her with dozens more kisses.

  Not a day had gone by that they hadn’t laughed. Even at first, when Jett had been working through new schedules with Tia—who Tegan had finally met and loved—and his staff, they’d still managed to find light on the darker, more stressful days. When one of the children’s shows had run into snags and Tegan had worried the disappointed customers might never come back, Jett had talked her off the ledge and helped her make contingency plans in case it ever happened again. They made a great team, and every hurdle they jumped made them that much stronger.