by Jill Patten
She lowers the napkin and the light shade of red on her face fades. “It’s beautiful here. The weather, the ocean, the people…well, most of the people. I’ve learned the guys here are a bit douchey,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“Hey, hey, not all the guys are douches,” I add jokingly even though she’s definitely talking about me.
“I’m not meaning you. I’m just talking about the jerks on the beach today and the asshole who stole from me as soon as I got off the plane.” Her eyes narrow as the words sprout from her mouth like venom.
A pang of guilt hits me in the heart. Shit, she hates me and she doesn’t even know it.
“Oh, Phoebe, that really sucks,” Molly adds. “I hope things turn around for you quick and the rest of your week turns out to be memorable in the best way possible.”
“Yeah, me too,” Phoebe agrees. “I just hate that I’m putting my expenses off on my besties. They’re already paying for my room.” She slides her straw in and out of her lid while she continues to talk. “When their parents gave them an all-expense paid trip here for Christmas, they both begged me to come with them. I don’t have the money they have, so I worked as much as possible between classes and homework, and surprised them when I had enough to buy my plane ticket. We have been planning this trip hardcore for months, so when my fun money literally got ripped out of my hands, I was afraid I’d ruined their trip. They didn’t have to bring me along, but they did, and I don’t want them to regret it.”
I stay quiet while they continue to talk about how much of a dickhead I am and how they hope my dick falls off and I choke on the five hundred dollars and die. Damn, I hit the jackpot in the worst way when I targeted Phoebe. And I’ve also learned that the more she talks, the more I mistook her for a rich bitch. Besides her animosity toward me, she seems to be as humble as I am.
“What’s got you so quiet all of a sudden, Lance?” Molly asks, waking up my drifting mind.
I shake my head and smile. “Nothing, just thinking about stuff I have to do later.” Like figure out how to pay Phoebe back.
We hear a phone chime and each of us looks at the other to see whose it is. Phoebe smiles sweetly. “It’s me,” she says, picking it up and showing us as if we don’t believe her. She reads what it says then looks at us, smiling with those beautiful plump lips of hers. Those lips I remember kissing and tasting last night. So good.
“Sorry, guys, I’m being summoned,” she says as she picks up her trash from the table. “Thank you both so much for lunch. I would say I owe you one but…well, you know my situation.”
Trying to be the gentleman I want her to know I can be, I stand up and give her a one-arm hug. “Hopefully we’ll run into each other before you leave,” I say, leaving the door wide-open for her to know I’m interested in seeing her again.
“I’m sure we will. And thank you again, Molly, for saving me today.”
“No problem. I’ll look for you on the beach tomorrow.”
She walks away, and I sit back down opposite of Molly. A little bit of relief and a whole lot of guilt rushes in on me. The relief of knowing now who she is and hopefully righting a wrong. And the guilt of stealing from a person who doesn’t deserve it.
As soon as Phoebe is out of hearing distance, Molly turns her head in my direction and her eyes turn into slits. “You are not fucking her, and I mean it!” She knows me all too well.
The words roll around on my tongue as I debate whether or not to tell her. Fuck it.
“Too late.”
She shakes her head and a deep line forms between her eyebrows. “Too late what?” Suddenly her eyes widen with realization. “Too late? Too late?” Her voice rises. “Please don’t tell me you’ve already fucked her.” She doesn’t give me time to answer. She doesn’t have to; she can see it on my face. “God, Lance, how the fuck did you already get to her? When did you even have the opportunity? And how does she not remember you? Wait, I don’t know if I even want to know.” Molly stands up, grabs our trash in frustration, and tosses it in the garbage bin. She stomps back to where I’m still sitting and points her finger at me. “I’m telling you right now to leave her the fuck alone. I like her. She seems like a genuine girl who’s already having shit luck, and she doesn’t need you to come along and fuck it up more.”
“Calm the fuck down!” I shout. “I didn’t fuck her, but I almost did.”
She continues to ramble on, not listening to a word I just said. I tune her out. When she finds a friend she connects with, she gets pissed if I hook up with them. Mainly because things never turn out on a positive note, and if they hate me, then they cut off all communication with her too.
If we’re going to have war, then I might as well declare it now.
“That’s not all,” I say, cutting her off at the knees.
She blows an exasperated breath. “Oh, God, what else have you done?” she asks as if she expects the worst from me all the time.
“I’m the dick who stole her money,” I say solemnly. Pickpocketing has never made me feel as shitty as it does at this moment. I’ve never in my life been eaten up with this much guilt.
Molly catches me off guard when she punches me as hard as she can in the arm. “You fucking asshole! You told me you stopped doing that shit. Not only have you lied to me, you preyed on a friend of mine,” she says, seething. “God, you make me so fucking mad. I want to beat the shit out of you.” She quickly walks away, her feet pounding the sand in fury.
“I did it for Marcus,” I yell.
She stops but doesn’t turn around.
“He needed my help and this was the only way I could do it in the short period of time I had.”
She slowly turns around to face me. “There are other ways to get money without stealing, Lance. You could’ve asked me.”
“But I don’t want to ask you. Don’t you get it? I can’t run to you every time I need help. I’m the older brother. I should be taking care of you!” I shout, pointing my finger at her.
She rolls her eyes. “Oh yeah, just like when I was away at college and you were too proud to ask for my help when Dad kicked you out of the house with only the clothes on your back.” Molly closes the distance between us. “It doesn’t make you a loser or any less of a man.”
“Yeah, tell that to Dad. If I’m not a college graduate or working for the family business, then I’m a piece of shit,” I retort, repeating my dad’s exact words.
The corners of Molly’s mouth curve downward. She stares at me with pity in her eyes. I hate when she feels sorry for me. I hate when she feels at fault for my time on the streets without a place to live. “I’m sorry, Lance…” Her lips begin to form into words she knows I don’t want to hear anymore.
I shake my head. “Don’t. I know what you’re going to say so just…don’t.”
“Whatever, but know this, you’ve got to fix it,” she scolds, pointing her finger at me. “And I don’t mean by stealing from another person to pay her back. Your pretty little head better figure out another way.” Molly spins around and walks down the beach.
Yup, karma slapped me hard this time. I should’ve known my luck would eventually run out. It always does.
Knowing she’s not going to talk to me for the rest of the day, I text her, explaining myself.
Blue: I’m sorry. I know I fucked up and I promise it’s the last time. Once I realized who she was, I knew I had to do something to make it right. Please don’t tell her it was me. Love you, sis.
Hours later and still no reply from her, just as I’d known.
PHOEBE
After checking on Tiffanny and Kristy and finding out they both either had food poisoning or the stomach flu, they practically pushed me out the door so I wouldn’t be exposed to any germs. Getting sick is not an option for me this week. Being broke is bad enough. Being stuck in a hotel room puking my guts out will be even worse.
Walking out into the bright sun, I feel weird being out here by myself, almost to the point of guilty. It’s not rea
lly fair I’m down by the water while my besties are stuck in their room with the crud. But, then again, if I had to choose between being sick for possibly twenty-four hours versus spending an entire week here with no money, I’d choose being sick. Twenty-four hours is nothing compared to what I deal with.
The beach isn’t as packed as it was when we first came down this morning. Most people have probably already packed their stuff up to get ready for dinner, then a night of partying. I’ve had my one night of being sloppy drunk, so I’ll keep my drinking within limits for the remainder of the trip. I’ll just need to see how many guys I can persuade to buy my drinks.
Right away, I spot Molly at her post. I like the idea of her being close by in case I have another snafu with some idiot. I consider walking over and talking to her, but instead I decide to soak in some sun before the UV rays die down. Quickly, I slather on a thin layer of SPF then situate myself until I’m comfortable.
No sooner than I start to descend into the transition of falling asleep, I’m suddenly awakened by a voice I’ve just recently become familiar with. “It’s not safe to sleep on the beach,” I hear close by my ear.
Startling me, I jerk my head up and come in contact with something hard and pointy. “Ow!” we both say in unison.
Looking up as I rub the soon to be goose egg on the back of my head, I see Blue holding the bottom of his jaw. “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, but you scared the shit out of me.” My heart rate speeds at a rapid pace.
“No, no, no! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. And hey, I deserved to have my teeth knocked back into my brain.” He laughs. “Is your head okay?” He leans over to examine my head then his fingers lightly graze over the skin along my temple. My cheeks heat with embarrassment at the drops of sweat he’s most likely wiping off.
I hide my embarrassment with a smile. “I’ll survive.”
He continues hovering over me. His mouth holds a halfway grin, and those eyes that match the sky today stare at me long enough to make me uncomfortable.
“Can I get you something?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.
“Let’s go do something.” His eyes widen with delight, and I notice hope in his voice.
“Like what?” An eyebrow arches in question. What does he have up his sleeve?
He’s up on his feet, reaching his hand out for me to take. “It’s a surprise. C’mon.”
“I can’t just leave my stuff here.” I take a big swig of my water. “Plus, I’m not really dressed to go anywhere other than to the beach.”
When I leave his hand high and dry, he bends down, gathers my belongings, and crams them in my beach bag. “I’ll tote your bag for you, and what you’re wearing is suitable. Just put on your cover-up or whatever those things are called.”
He barely gives me time to stand before he’s yanking my towel up and shaking the sand off. Whatever it is he wants to do, he’s more than eager to get there.
Once my bikini is covered, he rests my bag on his shoulder and takes my hand in his. I guess he decided to not give me a choice this time.
With me in tow, his steps are quick and his stride is long. My three make one of his. And he’s making my lungs work harder than necessary. “Are we in some kind of hurry?”
“No, this is how I always walk.”
“Well, I’m struggling to keep up, so I’d appreciate it if you could slow down a little bit.”
Instantly, he lessens his pace. “Is this better?” He shoots me a gleaming smile as he gazes at me for far too long.
“Much better.” I grin, uncomfortable under his stare.
We walk up to a building with a sign that reads Bike the Beach. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Blue jogs up to the door and disappears inside.
Standing alone, I turn around slowly and drink in the gorgeous view—the ocean, the palm trees, the endless miles of sand, the newer beach houses mixed in with older, pastel-colored ones…I’m pretty sure I could happily live here or someplace like it.
“Tada!” I hear behind me, taking me by surprise and causing me to squeal.
Turning around, I find Blue standing with his arms stretched out, displaying a royal blue tandem bike.
I slap my hand over my mouth. “Oh my God,” I mumble behind my palm, and then I start laughing.
Blue straddles the bike, then turns to look at me. “Your chariot awaits, my princess.” He waggles his eyebrows and it sends me into another round of giggles. “C’mon! Stop laughing and get your sexy ass on this bike. I’m taking you on a personal tour of my hometown.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “Um, most people do that in a car or a tour bus.”
“Maybe, but I guarantee they don’t have a sexy tour guide.” He laughs.
Taking my time, I step over the middle bar and position myself on the back seat. “I feel stupid.”
“Stop worrying about what people think. Who the hell cares as long as you’re having fun? And besides, you’re with me, so every girl will be envious of you.” He smirks and gives me a flirtatious wink.
I roll my eyes. “We’re gonna have to do something about that gargantuan ego of yours.”
The top portion of his body turns to face me. “Phoebe, my ego isn’t the only thing that’s been described as gargantuan,” he says in all seriousness while he eyes me, then his crotch, then me again.
“Oh my God! You are so full of shit. Get your massive dick on that seat and pedal me around your city.”
“Oh, you’ve seen it already, then? Guess I won’t have to scare you with it later.” He chuckles, then sits down and begins to pedal.
We start off riding by the beach and then we go through the conservation trails. After we leave the countryside, we head into the city, and he points out the places he thinks I might find most interesting.
I’m not sure how long we are gone, but when Blue pedals us back to the parking lot of the rental place, the sun begins its descent along the horizon.
It’s not until I climb off the bike that I realize how numb my butt is. Rubbing it to spark some of the feeling back, I start to follow Blue as he walks the bike toward the rental place. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a little bit.”
I find it odd that he asked me to stay outside when we picked the bike up and now again after returning. Is there something he’s hiding from me?
While I’m waiting, I text Kristy and Tiffanny to see how they’re feeling. Kristy texts me back and says they feel worse than before.
“Texting your boyfriend?”
I jump, scream, and throw my phone up in the air all at the same time. “Blue! What the hell?” My hand clamps over my breasts as if it’s going to prevent my heart from beating right through my chest. “You can’t sneak up on me like that.” My lungs fight against me as I try to take calm, even breaths.
Blue’s laugh fades as he watches me. His arm comes around my shoulders and his close proximity doesn’t help my situation. “Hey, I’m sorry. If I’d known you got scared so easily, I wouldn’t have done that.” His fingers brush the fallen hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. He bends down so he’s eye level with me. “Are you okay?”
Not wanting to alarm him, I nod and hold up my finger to let him know I need a minute.
He nods, understanding. “Take all the time you need, and when you’re ready, I’d love to take you to one more place before our tour ends.”
I give him a thumbs-up.
Sliding my bag from my shoulder, I dig through it until I find my inhaler. I hold it in my hand, hidden inside my bag, fighting the need for relief. I don’t want him to see me use it. I don’t want the questions. I don’t want him to freak out and run like the others do.
He’s fun. And cute.
Giving me my space, he walks down to the edge of the sand, and I take the opportunity to take a quick puff.
My eyes drink in his muscular, shirtless, and deeply tanned back as I approach him. His T-shirt is draped over one shoulder, and I tap the bare one, finding his skin satiny soft. Hi
s head jerks to the side and his beautiful blues look at me.
“I’m ready.”
He turns completely around to face me and smiles. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, much better.”
Walking side by side, we stroll at a leisurely pace until we reach a secluded opening hidden by palm trees and tall shrubs.
“I thought we could watch the sunset, that is, if you don’t mind.”
Wow. I’m kind of speechless. Watching the sunset is usually an intimate moment couples experience together. Wait. What if he’s a deranged madman and he’s brought me here to kill me? He could’ve had this planned all along. Only to earn my trust by taking me around the town then off me right when the day comes to an end.
“This is completely innocent if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m not going to hurt you. You can text, call, or whatever else you want so people will know where you are and who you are with.”
Shaking my head, I say, “I trust you.” And I do. My mind was only playing devil’s advocate seconds ago.
He takes his shirt and lays it down flat on the sand. “You can sit here,” he says, pointing at it.
“Why, thank you.” I grin and prance over to my special seat.
He settles in beside me with his knees pulled up toward his chest and his arms wrapped around his legs. We both bask in the beauty of yellow, orange, and red as it deepens in contrast against the rich blue ocean. As I watch the vibrant colors slowly disappear into darkness, I think to myself how this is the first sunset I’ve ever watched. And it will be one I’ll always remember because it might be my last one too.
When it’s hard to differentiate in the darkness where the ocean ends and the sky begins, I lean against Blue and murmur, “Thank you for everything today. It’s been perfect.” And I truly mean it. He’s turned what I thought to be a sucky vacation into a fun one.
He doesn’t say anything back, and his silence has me turning my head to look at him. The nightfall makes it hard to focus on his eyes, but I can tell he’s staring at me.
