“Great. Just great.” I started picking up my clothes and stuffed them into the suitcase.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m packing. There’s no way I can show my face in this town after that. What if I run into someone who was there or this Luca person you’re talking about?”
She grabbed both of my arms. “No one will give you shit about it. You were just having a good time. I’ve seen some spring-breakers do a lot worse, believe me. It was nice seeing you let go like that. You really needed it.”
I couldn’t wrap my head around what I’d done. A ball of nerves festered in the pit of my stomach. I never did stuff like that. Bri was the one who didn’t care what people thought. Deep down, I always envied that about her.
“You sure no one will say anything? Because if they do, I’m on the first plane back to Arizona.”
“If they do, they’ll have me to answer to. And people around here know I don’t play. I’ll make them eat shit. Especially over my best friend…” She wrapped her arms around me. “…even if she shows her tah-tahs in public places.” She ducked, missing a playful blow I tried to deliver to her shoulder. “Get dressed. We leave in ten.” She left the room singing “Tiny Dancer” to herself and laughing.
I had the gut feeling her song choice had something to do with last night, and she was reliving something I had done.
My gaze fell to the floor, sweeping across all the clothes she’d tossed out. What was wrong with them? I didn’t like to show much skin. And I liked to be comfortable. Besides, I didn’t know how to be cute and girly. Growing up with just my dad, I hadn’t been given the option to have all the styles other girls my age wore. He’d picked all my clothes out.
I grabbed the closest shirt and shorts and threw them on. Then I slipped into a pair of flip-flops and went to the bathroom. I eyed the shower, desperately craving getting under some hot water. My body ached from soreness and needed it. But I would have to suck it up. I didn’t have time, and I had to admit I was starving. I quickly brushed my teeth to remove the disgusting taste from last night and finger-combed my hair before harnessing it into a loose bun. I opened the door, stopping short before running face first into Bri.
“I was just about to come pound on the door. I feel like my insides are about to feed on themselves.” She twirled around, sending a scent of something sweet around me.
“Why didn’t you eat something here versus waiting on me?”
She tossed a set of keys into the air and pffted. “Food here doesn’t work after a night of drinking. There’s only one place to go that can cure whatever nags the body after pounding some back. It’s like a tradition for most of the locals here.”
“Where’s that?” I asked as we left her apartment and started down the stairs.
“On the Border Mexican Grill. Best tacos in town. If you show your tits, we might can get them for free, too.”
I stopped mid-step. She turned, raising her brows, giving me a doe-eyed expression.
“Thought I wasn’t going to hear about it?”
“Oh, you won’t … from other people. Now me, since we’ve known each other for years, I feel like I have access to talk about it as long as I want and as many times as I want. See it as payback for when you went and told Bobby Harvey that I got my period in sixth grade.”
“That was in your defense! He was telling everyone that you skipped school for no reason,” I said as we crossed the parking lot.
Bri held up her hand, ignoring my reason behind it. “Yeah. Yeah. You need to let me have this. I’ve never had anything to tease you about because you never do anything stupid.”
We climbed into her Honda.
“Well, I think last night was way worse than anything you’ve ever done in your entire life.”
“True.”
We pulled out onto the road and rolled down the windows. The smell of the ocean wafted throughout the car. I tried hard not to focus on what she told me. My mind swam with questions. I was a detailed person. That was why I’d become an accountant. But if the details made the story more horrible, I was better off not knowing them. I resisted the urge to ask her anything. She got way too much enjoyment talking about it anyway. We slowed, and her blinker cut on. A small, colorful building surrounded by cars came into view. “Are you ready to have your world rocked?”
“These tacos are that good, huh?” Judging from the packed parking lot, most people here thought the same thing as Bri.
“Oh, these are good enough to show your tits for.”
I jerked back and stared at her.
“What? I told you I was going to talk about it.”
I crossed my arms and leaned my head back against the seat.
“Oh, come on now. Don’t get mad.” She turned the car into a parking spot and stopped. “If it makes you feel any better, my friends think you are like the shit to party with. They’ve been texting me all morning about how much fun you were.”
“Really?” I asked. I had never been the fun one.
She reached for her purse and pushed the door open. “I wouldn’t lie to you about that to make you feel better about it. They liked you. They wanted to go again tonight, but I told them you might not be up to it since you hit it so hard last night.” She stopped when we reached the entrance. “Unless you want to go out again.”
“No. I don’t think my body will let me.”
We managed to find a small table in the corner of the patio area and placed our order. Glancing around, I studied the people near us. Even though last night was a complete blur, I thought if I ran across a familiar face, I would remember them. Most of the crowd was older and didn’t seem to be paying us any attention. The tightness in my chest eased some. The last thing I wanted was to run into someone who’d witnessed what I had done. I jumped back as the waiter sat our plates down.
“Is there anything else I can get for you right now?” he asked. He flashed me a smile and then turned his attention to Bri.
“No, thank you,” we said in unison.
He locked eyes with me again before turning to walk away. Bri was right. The food looked amazing. My mouth watered, anticipating the first bite.
“Looks like someone has the hots for you,” she said, drowning her food in queso dip.
I frowned. “Who?”
“The waiter. And props for that. He doesn’t look older than eighteen. You could so be a cougar.”
“Whatever.” I shoveled the taco into my mouth to signify that was the end of the conversation. My taste buds danced with delight as I fought back a moan. “These are the best thing I’ve ever put into my mouth,” I managed to get out in between bites.
“Told you. They’ve got really good margaritas here, too, but I didn’t think we needed those right now.”
“These hit the spot just fine without those.” I might not ever drink again.
I was stuffed. Once we finished and paid the check, all I wanted to do was go back to Bri’s and sleep for hours. We pushed through the crowd that had doubled in size.
A guy in front of us blatantly stared in our direction, focusing on me. His lips twitched as if holding back laughter.
“Hey, bro–” He stopped, grabbing his friend by the arm and spinning him around to face us. “–it’s the girl that puked all over your shoes last night!”
I could literally feel the color drain from my face, as not only his friend, but everyone within earshot turned in my direction. This was bad. So bad I clenched my stomach, second-guessing Bri’s demand of me eating the tacos. It felt as if any moment they would make a reappearance on the floor of this restaurant. I glanced back, looking for any other way to get out of this place without passing them. Nothing. I considered pushing to my right side, navigating between some tables and jumping over the rail. I could run across the sand and into the ocean. Let the water take me down along with this humiliation.
Bri stepped in front of me like a lion protecting her cub before I could make any rash decision. Her nostrils flared as
her jaw locked. I knew the look, and usually when she showed it, things didn’t go well for the person on the receiving end. Within seconds, she was in the guy’s face. Her finger wagged up and down, practically slicing the air.
People around us were obviously trying not to stare, but every so often stealing glances at the two of them. I remained standing in the same spot, shifting from side to side. The last thing I wanted was to go over there, but I was beyond ready to leave. With a heavy sigh, I forced my legs to move.
“Who the hell do you think you are? I’ll answer it for you. A dick, Finn. That’s who,” Bri said heatedly. She fell silent, gasping for air. My guess was she hadn’t paused for a breath since she stormed over and started berating the guy.
Finn’s chocolate-colored eyes went wide but remained focused on her. He cleared his throat, all humor leaving. He ran a hand through his blond hair. “Geez, no need to get carried away. It was all in fun. Right, Luca?”
I turned and, for the first time, studied the friend next to him. My mouth dropped. I couldn’t help it. At this point, it had a mind of its own. Luca was about six foot four of nothing but gorgeous. He shrugged, squinting in my direction before exchanging a look with Finn.
“I guess there could’ve been better ways to do it. You know, in fun and all.” His voice was deep, sexy, and husky. It was the kind that I could listen to for hours and never get tired of.
Finn rolled his eyes and looked away, which made Bri go into attack-mode again.
Luca looked to the floor, licking his lips. Lips that were smooth and incredibly kissable. “Feeling better today?” He peeked up through the shaggy brown hair that hung over his brow.
I nodded, finally remembering to close my mouth.
He smiled, revealing deep-set dimples.
My knees buckled as a small gasp escaped. Heat danced along my neck and traveled up to my face. Why would his act of smiling make me act so stupid?
“All it took was a little food in her,” Bri said, trying to move the attention to her as she stepped a little closer to me, but his gaze never left me. I felt her touch my back, giving it a pinch.
A small yelp erupted.
He tilted his head, widening his smile. Two rows of perfect white teeth practically glowed in the sunlight against his honey tan.
“Good to hear. You did a number on my shoes last night.”
“I’m really… I shouldn’t have… It wasn’t what…” I sighed, trying to pull myself together. “I’m sorry. How much were they, and I can give you the money for them,” I finally spat out. It came out way harsher than I intended, not directed at Luca, but more at myself for being so silly around him.
His smiled dropped and finally he looked in Bri’s direction as if for some silent reasoning behind the hostility.
“Luca, your table is ready!” a guy called from behind us.
“Be there in a minute.”
Finn didn’t waste any time escaping. He darted around Bri, not bothering to look in her direction.
“Well, it was nice to see you again…”
I stood in silence, not catching what he was apparently trying to hint at.
“Leigh Clark,” Bri answered for me.
“Leigh Clark,” he repeated, giving me another small smile.
My name had never sounded so good. I wanted to hear him say it over and over again. “You ladies have a good day.” And with that, he moved around us and disappeared inside the crowded restaurant.
“Okay, I’ve seen you wig out in front of hot guys, but not that bad. Did you forget your name?” Bri asked as we went out to the parking lot.
We walked together in silence. She knew not to push me when I didn’t want to talk. I would open up when ready. Once we were both inside the Civic, I was ready.
I slumped into the seat, moaning into my hands. “What the hell am I doing? All he wanted to know was if I was feeling better and a name. That’s all! How could I be so stupid to not come up with answers to those two things? And the reply to the shoes? It came out so rude. He probably thinks I’m the worst person living on this planet. First, I ruin his shoes, and then, I’m rude about it? What’s wrong with me?” I kicked at the carpet, putting my sunglasses on as I scanned the waves of people sitting at tables on the restaurant patio.
“Looking for him?” Bri asked with slight amusement laced in her question.
“Of course not. Why would I be doing that? To embarrass myself even more?”
“Well, I tried to cover for you with that little weird dance thing you did and a total obvious gasp, but that was a no-go. Dude wouldn’t take his eyes off you for a split second.” She slid the car into reverse and backed out of the spot.
I stared in the side mirror, watching the busy eating establishment become smaller. “He was probably nice because he thought I was a head case.”
“I don’t know. I mean, Luca is always nice every time I’ve run into him, but I’ve never seen him so… interested.” She paused and picked at my shorts. “Maybe he’s into this whole ugly-clothes thing you got going on.”
I sighed, studying the quick choice I’d made for my outfit. Suddenly, it seemed like the worst thing in the world for someone to wear.
What would a guy like that ever see in someone like me?
4
Luca
Leigh. Clark. I had a name to put to my mystery girl. And my previous assumptions about her seemed to be pretty spot on. Except for the preschool-teacher thing. I had no idea what she really did for a living. But she was definitely the reserved girl who shied away from the party scene.
Cute was the only way to describe the way her nose wrinkled as pink had risen across the bridge when I brought up the shoes. I hadn’t meant to embarrass her. That was the last thing I wanted to do. But I figured if I got a laugh out of her, she would relax. It kind of backfired on me. She hadn’t seemed too thrilled with the comment. Rude even. Which told me she had bit of a spitfire nature to her whether she wanted to let it out or not.
“What? Your food bad?”
I stared at the untouched plate in front of me then glanced up at Finn. His cheek bulged out on the side as salsa ran from the corner of his mouth. Before I could answer, his face twisted into a knowing smile.
“You’re thinking about that girl, aren’t you?”
I didn’t answer.
His smile went even wider. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you even remotely showing any sign of liking someone. Maybe since–”
I stared at his plate, knowing the name he was about to say. “Don’t even,” I interrupted. “That name is never to be mentioned around me, you know that. If I could get those years back, I would. They were wasted on her.”
“It was a hard time for you with everything that happened to your family, but I agree that bitch made it worse.”
Looking up, I faked the best smile I could muster. I tried not to think back to those years. I sat back, pushing the plate away from me so the waiter would know to take it away. No way I would be able to eat it now. Those memories always put me in a mood, no matter how much I didn’t want it.
Finn eyed me, then the still-full dish. “If you’re not going to eat it, I will.” His hand snatched the taco off my plate and had it in his mouth a second later. “Damn good. Damn good stuff. You don’t know what you’re missing out on.”
“Everything okay here?” the waiter asked, appearing from out of nowhere.
“Uh, yeah. Can we get the check?” I asked.
He nodded and took the empty basket that once held chips.
Finn’s hands flew out to the sides as his eyes went wide.
“What?”
“No dessert?”
“Get it to go. I came with you here, and I’m ready to leave.”
He grumbled something under his breath but stood. His head darted from side to side before locking eyes on our waiter. Pushing through the crowd, he left me alone, probably to go hound the poor guy about more food.
My elbow slid across the table t
hen came to a stop once my chin sank into my hand. Her face popped up in my mind as I stared over the banister out to the ocean. What was wrong with me? I never thought about girls like this. Especially about ones that I didn’t even know that well. I knew two things: one, she couldn’t hold her liquor, and two, her name was Leigh Clark.
“Luca!” Finn snapped his fingers in front of my face. “Did you hear me?” I looked up to find him holding a takeout container. “I’ve already paid the ticket. I dragged you here, so my treat.”
I blinked, clearing my thoughts. “You didn’t have to do that.” Pushing away from the table, I tossed my napkin down.
“Yeah, I did. I won’t have you trying to give me the money back either. It’s nice to treat you every now and then.” He paused, giving me a goofy smile as he let me pass. “Besides, I’m sure I’ll make you do a ton more stuff that you don’t like.”
I stopped and cocked my head to the side. “What do you have in mind now?”
He cut his eyes to the ocean and back to me. “Well, there’s this party next weekend at the island.” He walked past me, and we made it out to the parking lot before he continued. “I figured we could go. Take your boat out there and everything.”
We stopped in front of my truck. “How many times do we have to go over this? I hate going to the island.”
A thoughtful look clouded Finn’s gaze as he switched the white container back and forth between his hands. “You like the outdoors.” His rebuttal was pointless, and he knew it.
I eyed him warily. “Yeah, that’s true, but I hate being around all the people at these things. You know that. Things like what happened last night happen. People get too drunk and do stupid stuff. I’m just not the person who can be around that anymore.”
Slowly, he wandered around to the passenger side door and stopped with his hand on the handle. “You used to be.”
“People change,” I snapped.
Ignoring me, he continued like I hadn’t said anything. “Back in the day you were the king of these parties. Lived for that shit and loved every minute of it. Now you’re like a hermit. Most of the same people you used to hang with are still at these things. I don’t see why it’s different now. They drink, yes. They like to have a good time, yes. What’s so wrong with that?”
Fearlessly Yours: Emerald Coast Series Page 3
