by Nomi Summers
“Nine o’clock. You’d better be there.”
“Bye, Dax.” She tossed the phone onto the chair next to her and stretched her arms above her head. No doubt, this was going to be one interesting day.
Avery pulled her car into the parking lot of the canoe livery. She could see a crowd of people had already formed outside a bus with a trailer of canoes stacked behind it. She parked, grabbed her overnight bag, and headed toward Leila. She could pick Leila’s blonde hair out of a crowd anywhere. Leila had a beauty about her, but it was her dynamic personality and kind heart that really made her shine. She was telling a story to the six people gathered near her, and her infectious laugh echoed through the quiet woods around them.
Avery recognized the crew as Dax and Leila’s wedding party. To Leila’s right was Aiden and Carley, a couple she and Dax always hung out with. To her left there was Leila’s best friend from college, Jen, and her husband Gavin. Across from her stood Cooper and Chelsea, Leila’s twin cousins whom Avery suspected she’d invited to be in the wedding party to appease the family, though they did round out a perfectly sized wedding party—three bridesmaids and three groomsmen. Leila had asked Avery to be her maid of honor, probably because Leila was an only child and Avery was the closest thing she had to a sister. Though Avery had wondered more than once if it had something to do with Shane being the best man. He was single, or so she thought. Maybe they needed single Avery to balance him out?
Avery didn’t know much about the twins apart from their obviously stunning good looks. Cooper had a clean-cut appearance, his sandy blond hair buzzed short, and his face clean-shaven. Avery guessed him to be a cop or a lawyer. Chelsea, on the other hand, had fiery red hair and a wild look about her. They were both attractive in their own way, but they sure didn’t look like twins. They didn’t even look like siblings.
“Avery, you made it!” Leila greeted her as she approached the group. Shane turned from the cooler he was filling with ice at the announcement of her name. Her eyes met Shane’s for a brief moment, before she quickly looked back to Leila.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Not entirely true. If she could’ve found a way out of the trip without hurting Leila’s feelings, she probably wouldn’t be there. “Where should I put my bag?”
“Bags go in the front two seats of the bus. The driver will take them to our camp after he drops us at the mouth of the river.” Dax walked up from behind his sister and grabbed the bag off her shoulder and headed toward the bus with it.
Leila went back to telling her story. Avery could feel Shane’s eyes on her. She had managed not to make eye contact again, but she could see him making his way over in her direction out of the corner of her eye. She looked around. Wasn’t there somewhere she could go? Something she could do?
“Morning,” Shane said, approaching her. “Beautiful day, huh?”
“Mornings are always beautiful in Arbor Shores,” Avery responded, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath of the forest air.
“So, they have us paired together in a canoe. I hope you’re okay with that? I didn’t have anything to do with it, just so you know.” He held his hands up innocently.
Great. This day was not off to a good start. There was nothing she could do. The only other option was to split up the twins, but the thought of Shane canoeing with Chelsea made her stomach flip.
“I figured as much. Just so long as you don’t tip us.” A grin slipped past her lips.
Shane and Avery had spent many summer days canoeing down this exact river with their high school friends. On one particular trip, they had gone out on Memorial Day, at the very beginning of summer. The water was still ice cold, and Shane had promised Avery that she wouldn’t have to touch the water for the entire trip. About two minutes in, Shane turned to announce to the canoes behind them that there was a bend up ahead in the river, and just as he turned in his seat, the canoe tipped to the left, dumping both of them into the water. They’d spent the rest of the afternoon cold and wet, fighting the whole way down the river. Until that night, when they’d made up by the campfire after everyone else had gone to sleep.
“This time, I’m not going to make any promises.” He winked at Avery.
“You’d better promise.” She pointed a finger at him with a smile. “It’s still early summer and that water is frigid.” She caught herself warming up to him, but she wasn’t ready to let her guard down just yet. She headed toward the bus to find her brother.
The bus ride was bumpy but fun. Dax and Shane reminisced about trips down the river and retold stories from their past. Avery stared out the window to hide her smile, but listening to the two friends tell their tales brought back some great memories. She particularly loved hearing the excitement in her brother’s voice again. Dax was always so happy and carefree, something Avery loved about him, but he had lost some of his spirit since their father passed away. Having Shane back in town was bringing out a joy in him Avery had really missed. Maybe this trip wouldn’t be so bad after all.
When they finally reached the drop-off point, they all filed off the bus, and the guys immediately went to work untying the canoes from the trailer and lining them up on the shore. The morning sun was getting higher in the sky, and it was already nearly eighty degrees, which meant it was going to be a hot day. It was a bit out of the ordinary for June in Arbor Shores, but was ideal for a day on the water.
Avery watched as Shane grabbed two life preservers and threw them into the canoe along with a small cooler. After everything was settled, he tugged at the back of his shirt and pulled it over his head, exposing his bare chest and six-pack abs. He tossed his shirt into the canoe, opened the cooler, grabbed a water and started chugging it. Avery, along with every other female on shore, stopped what they were doing to watch. Shane was always a looker, but now he had grown up, and his rugged good looks were something you’d see in a magazine. And she had. She remembered seeing him look just like this when the paparazzi had snapped photos of him and Naomi Wilde on the beach in Bali on their honeymoon. He had the same look today: a hint of five-o’clock shadow, intentionally messy hair, tan skin, and abs that went on for days. She recalled how it had stung to see his arms wrapped around Naomi and the smile on his face as he looked longingly into her eyes.
“Whatcha lookin’ at?” Leila teased, poking Avery in the ribs.
“Hey, Lei. You ready for a day of fun on the river?”
“Don’t change the subject.” Leila wasn’t going to let this one go. She leaned in and whispered, “You know, he asks Dax about you all the time.”
“Huh?” Avery was confused. She didn’t know that Dax and Shane had even stayed in contact all that much.
“It’s true. He’s always asking Dax how you’re doing. He tells Dax to say hello for him each time they talk.”
That was strange. Dax had never mentioned speaking to Shane until the wedding planning began, and her brother certainly never told her Shane had asked about her.
“Dax has never mentioned anything,” Avery admitted.
“I’m sure he’s just trying to protect you, like big brothers do.”
“Protect me?”
“The way Dax explains it, you were crushed when Shane left to pursue his music career. He said it took you years to get over him. He probably doesn’t want to see you get hurt again.”
Heat pricked at Avery’s cheeks. Years to get over him? A mixture of anger and humiliation swirled inside her at the thought of her brother speaking about her heartache to someone else. Had he told Shane the same thing? She didn’t want Shane to think she’d been pining after him all these years, though it had taken a long time for her to stop thinking about him every day.
It wasn’t just that he’d broken her heart. She was more upset about all the empty promises he’d made. Nobody else knew about those, about how much he’d truly crushed her hopes for their relationship. Her pride couldn’t stand the idea of Shane thinking she still wasn’t over him, that she’d been heartbroken all these years. She ha
d to play it cool. She had to show everyone that she was truly over Shane.
“Ready, Ave?” Shane called to her with his hand held out, ready to help her into the canoe.
“Actually, I was thinking I’d canoe with Cooper.” She looked over at the twins. “Chelsea, do you want to switch spots with me?”
Chelsea’s face lit up like she’d just won the lottery. Avery instantly regretted her words. What had she done? Did she really just put beautiful and wild Chelsea in a canoe with her rock star ex-boyfriend?
Avery let out a sigh. This was going to be one long day on the river.
Chapter 7
Shane could see Avery up ahead, chatting and laughing with Cooper in their canoe. He was trying not to get upset that she was having fun with another guy on the exact river where they had made so many memories together. Was she interested in Cooper? Seeing Avery being friendly with someone else made his blood boil, even if they were just talking.
Where was this jealousy coming from anyway? He thought he’d gotten over Avery long ago. But then again, a day seldom went by that he didn’t think about her at least once. Even on his wedding day with Naomi, a vision of Avery had flashed through his mind right before he said I do. From time to time, Avery even showed up in his dreams. He always chalked it up to the fact that the two of them had never really gotten any closure, not with the way he had left. This trip back home was the perfect opportunity for him to finally explain himself and get the closure they both deserved. It was his chance to tell her the full story—the truth. Then, hopefully, she would let go of any resentment she still held for him. If only she’d let down her guard long enough for him to get her alone. He at least owed that to her. He may have been young and stupid to leave the way he did, but this was his chance to make things right. And for whatever reason, right now, that felt more important to him than anything.
It was high noon, and they’d been on the water for a couple of hours. The sun was intense and Avery had taken off her sundress. All the other women were in their swimsuits as well, but Avery was the only one who captured Shane’s attention. Even though he was sharing a canoe with what most men would consider a drop-dead knockout, in his eyes, Chelsea didn’t have anything on Avery.
Their canoe was behind Avery and Cooper’s, offering him the perfect view of the duo. Avery’s beauty radiated, and each time she’d tilt her chin up to allow the sun to warm her face, Shane would catch himself becoming fixated on her. Every so often, Cooper would lightly flick his paddle in the water and give her a splash. She’d squeal as the cool water hit her bare back, and they’d both erupt in giggles. Their laughter nipped at him. It should be Shane in that canoe, not Cooper. Was Cooper trying to flirt with her? He couldn’t blame him if he was. But watching Avery with Cooper was causing him to grow impatient, and he couldn’t wait for this trek down the river to end. Why had she switched canoes at the last minute? Just before that moment, it almost seemed like she was starting to warm up to him, and he’d been looking forward to their time alone in the canoe. He was starting to think he’d never get the opportunity to talk to her privately.
By the time they reached the campsite, Shane’s mood had soured. He couldn’t watch Avery smiling and having fun with someone else in his place. By now, he was convinced she was actually into Cooper, and it left a hollow feeling in his heart.
Shane couldn’t believe his eyes. Avery had to be trying to upset him, he was sure of it. Ever since they had gotten off the river and settled at camp, she had been chatting with Cooper, laughing and fully engrossed in whatever story he was telling.
He felt like a fool obsessing over the two of them, so he resolved to turn the rest of the evening around. Why was he so fixed on his ex, anyway? She didn’t belong to him anymore and hadn’t for a long time. It was time to give it a rest and find something to take his mind off of the situation. He headed for the cooler to grab a beer and found Chelsea sitting alone at a picnic table, taking a selfie on her phone.
“Want me to take that for you?” he asked, setting his beer down across from her.
“Actually, I’d love it if we could take one together.” She rose to her feet and made her way around the picnic table, all smiles. Shane was sure the photo would end up on social media, and then he would have to answer to the tabloids about who the new vivacious redhead was in his life. Still, he had to get Avery’s attention one way or another. He remembered her mild jealous streak, and he knew a photo op with Chelsea would get under her skin.
He put his arm around Chelsea’s waist and pulled her in for the selfie, smiling from ear to ear as he held the phone out and took the picture. Chelsea nuzzled into his chest as if she were claiming him as her own. Maybe he had taken it too far? Nah, it was only a picture.
He could feel Avery’s eyes on them, yet the rest of the crew seemed oblivious to what was happening. The guys were gathered around the grill while the girls were unpacking hot dog buns and condiments.
Shane noticed Avery excuse herself from her conversation with Cooper. Her arms wrapped tightly across her chest. She was quickly making her way toward the river. Should he go after her? He’d only wanted to get her attention; he’d never wanted to upset her.
“Please excuse me,” he told Chelsea once he realized she was trying to make conversation with him that had fallen on deaf ears.
He headed in the direction of the river and found Avery at the bank, hands in the back pockets of her jean shorts, kicking at a rock that was lodged into the mud.
“Hey, Ave. What are you doing down here?”
“I asked you not to call me that,” she said, her voice filled with gloom.
“Is everything okay?”
Silence. “Yes, everything is just fine.”
Even though it had been nine years, he still remembered what “just fine” meant. “Want to take a walk up the river with me? I remember seeing a good swimming spot in the canoe today, it’s just up the trail a bit.”
“I’m not going swimming right now. We’re getting ready to eat. Besides, the water is too cold.”
“Then just take a walk with me. I’d really like to talk to you.” Shane made a praying motion with his hands, as if to say please, paired with his most genuine smile.
After a moment of hesitation, she started walking upstream in the direction he had pointed out. Shane fell in stride next to her, elated that she had actually agreed. Now that he had her attention, he had no idea where to begin. He swallowed hard to try to release the knot that had formed in his throat.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, Shane willing himself to focus on the beauty that surrounded them. The sun was low in the sky, and an amber glow filled the horizon. A bald eagle soared overhead, and they both stopped to watch the magnificent sight. It was quiet, other than the babbling river beside them, and Shane felt a wave of peace wash over him for the first time in a very long time. It was good to be home.
They came to a private clearing, and he pointed out a fallen tree to sit on. “After you.” He held out his hand to help her get situated on the log. When she placed her hand in his, a charge passed between them.
“You have me here, Shane. What is it you want to say?” She turned to face him and looked him in the eyes. Finally.
“I—I just want you to know a few things.” He ran his hands through his hair and tugged at the ends. Frustration rushed through him. He had to find the words. This was the moment he’d been waiting for. He’d planned long ago that if he ever made his way back to Arbor Shores, he would give Avery the apology and explanation she deserved. He’d been playing the words over in his mind since Dax called and invited him to be in the wedding, knowing at some point he’d have an opportunity to come face-to-face with Avery.
“First, I have to tell you, my leaving Arbor Shores—leaving us—was just as hard on me as it was on you.”
“What makes you think it was so hard on me? Did Dax tell you that?”
“What? No, I just know you wouldn’t be so upset with me if I hadn�
��t hurt you. I know I did, and for that, I’m sorry. Believe me, if I could take that back, I would.”
“Would you though?” Doubt filled her voice. “You really think you would’ve been happy if you’d stayed here and never became the huge rock star you are now?”
“I don’t know. But for one, I’d still have you. Hopefully,” he added when he saw the surprised look on her face. “Avery, I didn’t leave to get away from you. It wasn’t even so much about the music.”
The look on Avery’s face told him she wasn’t buying it. But it was the truth, and if she knew the whole story, she’d understand. Wouldn’t she? He studied her eyes and contemplated his next words. Should he be honest with her? They weren’t even close anymore. Would she even believe him if he told her the secrets he’d been holding onto for years?
He took a deep breath. “For starters, my dad was really pushing me to work in the family business. I was feeling the pressure as the eldest of the Knox boys. There’s nothing, and I mean nothing, I wanted to do less than go to work for my father. I couldn’t fathom the thought of staying home to attend college, and then being tied to a nine to five job. Much less being under my father’s rule. That was Hunter’s dream, not mine.” It wasn’t the only reason he wanted away from his father, but it was a start. Should he tell her the rest? Was this the time and place?
“I get that, but that would’ve given you a future if you wanted to stay.” She sighed deeply. “But I’m not sure that would’ve been the best fit for you. Being a famous rock star seems to suit you.” She looked away.
“Ave, I need you to know, it was not easy leaving.” He reached for her hand and held it softly. “It was not easy leaving you.”
She turned back to face him. “Well, you made it look pretty easy. We had plans. You made promises. But you never spoke to me again. Not even when my fath—”
