Bayside Opposites

by Stacy Claflin

  Nate parked off to the side and found a nondescript door on the side of the building that was likely the employee entrance. He pushed the door open and was instantly greeted with a whiff of something delicious. His mouth watered and his stomach roared.

  The fanciest meal he’d eaten in a while had been a double-cheeseburger from a greasy hole-in-the-wall dive somewhere between New Mexico and Oregon.

  Servers in fancy black-and-white suits bustled about, none noticing Nate. His stomach rumbled even louder than before.

  He waved down a waiter who had a row of earrings going up one ear. “Is Taylor working tonight?”

  “Do you work here?” He arched an eyebrow.

  “No. I’m looking for Taylor.”

  “Go out into the hall. You’ll find him there—we all have to pass through there on our way between the dining room and the kitchen. If you’ll excuse me.”

  Nate moved out of the waiter’s way then followed him to the hallway. He pressed himself against the wall as the wait staff bustled back and forth. After a few minutes, he was about to give up, but then Taylor came through, balancing a tray of empty plates and glasses.

  He gave Nate a double-take then stopped, an inquisitive look on his face. “Nate? What are you doing here?

  “I’m trying to cut myself away from Vinny—you know how hard that is. Can you box me up a dinner? I’ll take leftovers, man. I just need something to eat.”

  Taylor grimaced, then glanced around. “Actually, I just had someone change his order after it was already prepared. It was a specialty order, so nobody else is going to eat it. I’ll give it to you instead of tossing it.” His eyes narrowed. “Just don’t tell anyone. We’re supposed to throw away rejected meals. Promise you won’t sue anyone if you get sick.”

  Nate pretended to zip his lips.

  “Hope you like salmon.”

  “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Nate’s mouth watered again. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten salmon. He’d had some soggy fish sticks recently.

  “Just give me a minute.” Taylor hurried toward the kitchen.

  Nate swept some unruly hair from his face, undid his ponytail, and pulled it back again. Not like that would help him to fit in any better. With his torn jeans and grease-stained rock band shirt, he stood out as much as his truck.

  “Nate?” asked a familiar feminine voice.

  He spun around to see Madisyn standing a couple feet away, smiling at him warmly. She wore a soft pink strapless dress with red and yellow flowers dusted across it. It brought out highlights in her hair he hadn’t noticed earlier. She was even more beautiful than before. It took him a moment to find his voice. “Madisyn, hi.”

  “What are you doing here? I mean, I didn’t expect to see you a second time today. Not that you don’t belong here. Sorry, that came out wrong.”

  “It’s okay, and I’m not following you. I swear.” He cringed. Couldn’t he have thought of something less stalker-ish to say? He cleared his throat. “My friend works here, and I’m just grabbing a bite to go.”

  “Well, I’m just here with my family. My dad—”

  Lynda Steele, Madisyn’s mom, came down the hall with gusto. “There you are. What took you so long in the bathroom?”

  Pink covered Madisyn’s cheeks. “Mom!”

  “Let’s get back to the table. I was just telling everyone about the upcoming charity ball. Reese wants to take you. Come on.”

  Madisyn wrapped her soft hands around Nate’s arm and pulled him toward her. She was stronger than she looked. “I can’t go with Reese,” she told her mother. “Nate’s taking me.”

  Lynda’s eyes widened and she looked back and forth between Nate and her daughter. “You can’t be serious. Why, you didn’t even know about the ball.”

  “Actually, we were just discussing it. Right, Nate?” Madisyn widened her eyes, pleading with him.

  His heart nearly leaped into his throat. How could he say no to her? He glanced at Lynda. “We actually were. I’m very much looking forward to the ball. I hear it’s the event of the season. In fact, my tailor is already fitting my suit as we speak.” He nodded, holding Lynda’s gaze.

  Lynda just stared at him, her mouth gaping.

  Madisyn’s grip around his arm tightened and she smiled widely. A sweet warmth ran through him, radiating out from his chest.

  “Well, I do hope you at least plan to cut your hair.” Lynda looked him up and down, then stood taller and turned to her daughter, keeping her nose high in the air. “Come on, Madisyn. Let’s figure out a way to break this to Reese.”

  “I’ll be right there, Mother.”

  Lynda stormed away.

  Madisyn turned to Nate, still grinning and hanging onto his arm. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much I don’t want to go to a dance with Reese.”

  “Rutherford?” He’d been the star quarterback of the high school football team back in the day.

  She nodded. “Yes. I owe you big time. Oh, and don’t worry about cutting your hair. You look great the way you are. It’s perfect.”

  “Oh. Uh, thanks.”

  “No, thank you. Hey, can I get your number? I’m going to have to give you the information about the ball. And if you need a tailor, I can arrange that.”

  He recited the number and she entered it into her phone. His rang, and he held it up. “Got it.”

  “Perfect.” She grinned, her stunning eyes lighting up. “I’ll be in touch.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  She held his gaze for a moment and rested her soft hand on his arm before turning around and bounding down the hall.

  Taylor arrived with a black takeout box before Nate recovered from the whirlwind run-in with Madisyn and Lynda. He held out a white box. “Here you go. Now get outta here before I get in trouble.”

  “I owe you.” Nate thanked him, then headed out to the parking lot in a daze. How was he going to pull off a date with Madisyn Steele when even his nicest clothes all had holes or stains?

  Seven

  Madisyn bolted upright in bed, gasping for air. Her heart thundered so hard, it could very well break through her chest. She clung to her childhood teddy bear and took deep breaths until she calmed down. The images from her dream continued running through her mind.

  That one decision freshman year would never leave her. Ella’s sweet face would haunt the rest of Madisyn’s days. There was no getting around it. Madisyn could run from Seattle, but not her past.

  Unfortunately, it was beginning to look like coming back to Enchantment Bay wouldn’t allow her to leave all that behind like she’d hoped—not that she’d actually expected everything to disappear. It was more than four years later, and the guilt and pain stung as much as it had back then. Would it be just as bad in another four years? Eight? Ten? It probably would be, because there was nothing she could do to change what had happened.

  There was no option to go back in time and make the right decision. She had no way of fixing what had happened. There was no undoing a decision like that—no matter how much she wanted to. And Madisyn wanted to more than she’d ever wanted anything. Sometimes she wanted to scream and beg for a chance to go back.

  Tears blurred her vision and spilled onto her face. Madisyn wiped them away and looked around her room. Sunlight peeked through the lavender curtains she’d picked out for her fifteenth birthday. At least that meant it was morning. There was no way she was getting back to sleep after that nightmare. It was time to get up and get busy—the only way to stave off her pain.

  She threw off the covers and slid her bare feet into her soft, fuzzy slippers. On the way out, she tripped over Lilly, who looked up at her with curiosity in her big brown eyes.

  “Sorry, pup.” Madisyn leaned over and patted Lilly’s super-soft fur. Lilly closed her eyes, enjoying the attention. “Wanna go for a walk?”

  The dog got up and stretched as if to say yes.

  “I’d better get out of these pajamas.” Madisyn went over to the close
t and found some turquoise velour shorts and a matching hoodie. After getting dressed and pulling her hair up into a bun, she opened the door and listened. Conversation sounded in the direction of the kitchen.

  “Let’s go out the side door.” She patted Lilly and headed down the hall to the right. Once they made it to the door, she grabbed one of Lilly’s leashes and headed out. It was nice to be out before it got too warm—this felt perfect, not overbearing like the afternoon before.

  Madisyn and Lilly headed across the lawn, away from the driveway. She couldn’t risk her parents seeing her from the kitchen window. She was in no mood to talk to anyone, especially not them. Both were miffed at her for agreeing to go to the ball with Nate. Not that it had anything to do with him personally—they would’ve been upset if it had been anyone else other than Reese.

  She pushed aside all thoughts about her parents and the Rutherfords, and focused on the town she’d grown up in. Enchantment Bay hadn’t changed a bit in the last five years. If anything was different, she hadn’t seen it yet. After half a decade in the busy, progressive city of Seattle, the small town brought a warmth of nostalgia. Madisyn hadn’t even realized how much she’d missed everything.

  If only she could go back to the simpler times she knew before leaving. Even if she could, that wouldn’t change anything. Her friend would still be dead.

  Lilly stopped and sniffed a patch of grass. They were in front of one of Enchantment Bay’s many well-kept parks. Madisyn had been to plenty of events at this particular park—picnics with her family, concerts, plays, youth events, a couple weddings, and even a memorial service. The last one made her stomach turn. If she never again went to a funeral, it would be too soon.

  As she studied the new play structure, Madisyn felt the ever-present lump in her throat fade somewhat. Maybe coming back home really was what she needed. Maybe.

  Behind the park, her gaze settled on a church building. Chills ran down her back. She’d been avoiding church ever since Ella’s funeral. How could Madisyn be worthy of forgiveness for her part in the death?

  “Madisyn?” came an excited familiar voice from behind.

  Madisyn spun around.

  It was her cousin Freya Hunter, with shock covering her beautiful face. “It is you!”

  Madisyn threw her arms around Freya.

  Freya squeezed her tightly. “It’s so good to see you! Are you here to stay?”

  That was a good question. Madisyn cleared her throat, giving herself a moment to think of a reply, and stepped back. “I’m here to figure out what I want to do with my life now that I’m done with school.”

  Freya patted Lilly. “Any ideas? What’s your degree in?”

  “Business and fashion. I’m leaning more toward fashion, but there isn’t much here in town. I’d probably have to commute or work online.”

  “Fashion? That sounds fun! Let me know if you need any references. I’ve got plenty of contacts up and down the west coast and more in New York.”

  “Right. I don’t know why I didn’t think of you.” Madisyn shook her head. Freya was a model. She’d spent some time on major runways in the Big Apple before heading back home and marrying a gorgeous police sergeant.

  “I can put you in touch with just about anyone in the industry.” Freya spoke excitedly about several contacts she had locally.

  Madisyn’s mind spun, hardly able to keep up with her cousin.

  “Anyway, we should totally get together. You can come see the house Nico and I got. I’m in love with that almost as much as him. I’m only half kidding.”

  Madisyn laughed. “I’m sure your dad set up with something great.”

  “Actually, Sullivan took over Dad’s real estate business. Mom and Dad now run a coffee stand not far from the beach. Can you believe that?”

  Madisyn pictured her aunt and uncle working together. “I bet they’re thrilled to be together day and night.”

  “You know it.” Freya played with a strand of her long dark hair. “Speaking of them, they host a family dinner every week. You should come by and catch up. Everyone would be thrilled to see you.”

  “I’d love that. It’d be great to catch up with everyone.” Madisyn’s heart warmed thinking of her huge extended family. The Hunters were the complete opposite of the Steeles. Madisyn’s mom and Freya’s mom were sisters, but they’d chosen two very different men to marry.

  Freya glanced at her fitness watch. “I’ve got to get going. Photo shoot in Portland. I’ll call you about dinner—both at my house and my parents’. Still have the same number?”

  “Hasn’t changed.” Madisyn forced a smile.

  Freya’s brows came together and she tilted her head. “Everything all right?”

  It was like her cousin could see right through her. Madisyn took a deep breath. “Of course.”

  Freya gave her a knowing look. “You expect me to fall for that?”

  No way was she going to talk about what happened to Ella in freshman year. Her overbearing father was a much safer topic. “You know my parents.”

  “What now?” Freya frowned.

  “I don’t want to keep you.”

  “Hey, I always have time for you.” Freya gave her a quick hug. “Traffic’s bad. I’ll blame it on that.”

  A lump formed in Madisyn’s throat and she blinked back tears. She really didn’t deserve family like Freya.

  “What’s going on?” Freya’s eyes held genuine concern.

  “My dad’s just being overbearing as usual. It’s harder to deal with after being away for so long.”

  Freya squeezed Madisyn’s shoulder. “Any time you want to get away, come by my place. Or call Dakota. I know she’d be thrilled to see you, too.”

  Madisyn cleared her throat before she broke down crying. “I appreciate it. I should let you get going, though.”

  Freya gave her a knowing look, like she knew Madisyn was holding back. “If you need to talk, I’m here. Okay?”

  “Thanks. I’ve got your number.”

  They said their goodbyes, then Freya waved and Madisyn returned the gesture.

  As they went their separate ways, Madisyn’s heart ached. If only she could tell Freya—or anyone, for that matter—what had happened. But what would people think of her? She’d played a part in her friend’s death. No, she wasn’t legally responsible. But morally? That was a whole different matter.

  Eight

  Nate stretched and yawned, then pulled the covers up around his chin. He’d slept better than he had in a long time after the big meal from Roosevelt's. As he’d fallen asleep, his thoughts had been filled with Madisyn. He still couldn’t get over the fact that she’d wanted to go to a dance with him, but given her other option was Reese Rutherford, he couldn’t blame her.

  Even so, it still seemed unreal that she wanted him to take her to a dance. Beautiful rich girls didn’t usually pay any attention to guys like Nate, but somehow he’d managed to sip expensive champagne with her on a yacht and set up a date with her all in one day. He pinched himself.

  “Ow!”

  He wasn’t dreaming.

  She did seem different from the other women, though. He couldn’t put his finger on what, exactly. It was like there was an underlying sadness behind those alluring baby blues. Maybe that was it.

  He ran his fingers through his hair. Lynda had said he should cut it. Was she right? Madisyn had said to keep it. Had she meant it, or was she only saying that to make sure he’d take her on the date instead of Reese?

  Nate wasn’t particularly attached to the style. It was just easier and cheaper to take care of than having to worry about upkeep. And what was he going to do about a suit? He didn’t even own one, and he’d told Lynda his was being tailored.

  Actually, he did have one. He had a closet full of clothes in his parents’ house. All he’d have to do was go home and face the family he’d been avoiding for so long.

  What would they think of him? Their innocent choirboy living a life supported by the crime industry. Th
ough Nate had nothing to do with the contents of the boxes he moved, he was guilty nonetheless. Not only that, but he’d stolen plenty in the previous eight years—money, food, clothes, and basically anything else that he needed to survive between jobs. He’d even siphoned gas when his truck had been on empty.

  He was a thief, and his parents were held up as star churchgoers. His mom had been in the choir for his entire life, and both parents joined enough committees to make Nate’s head spin.

  How would anyone in Enchantment Bay react to the choirboy—one who had performed more than a dozen solos in his childhood—who now lived the life of a thieving criminal?

  Maybe he should cut his hair to show up at the dance. Or even just to walk around town. If he was clean-cut, nobody would be the wiser, and they might not ask too many questions. There would be questions after an eight-year hiatus, but if he looked the part, there shouldn’t be prying questions, or at least not as many.

  Nate would need a shower, a shave, and a new set of clothes in addition to the haircut before heading to his old neighborhood. Probably even a new ride—technically speaking, his truck wasn’t his. That was a story he didn’t feel like getting into. No, it hadn't been stolen, but he had no paper trail to prove ownership, though he’d purchased it.

  He reached for the wad of cash he’d earned the night before and counted it again. He had just enough to get everything he needed if he could find a decent used car for a good deal. That would probably mean no food until he got to his parents’ place.

  His phone rang. He glanced at the screen. Vinny. He probably thought Nate was back in the game because of last night. Nate needed to set him straight. He accepted the call. “Vinny, I told you that I’m done.”

  “I got a shipment in your area that needs to go to Portland. Same amount as last night.”

  Nate paused. With that kind of money, he could—no! He was done.

  “Nate?” Vinny’s voice held an edge of excitement. “Are you with me?”

  “No. I told you I’m done.”

  “That’s also what you told me before last night.”