Lone Hearts (Lines in the Sand Book 6)

by Lindsay Detwiler

  He makes what sounds like a groan as he stumbles over to my Keurig. “I take it you’re not a morning person?” I ask as I motion toward the cupboard with coffee mugs.

  “That’s a no.”

  “Well, just give me like ten minutes here, and then I’ll whip up some breakfast.”

  He pauses at the coffee maker, eyeing me. “You know, I can think of much better things we can do for ten minutes.” He winks at me, and I shake my head.

  “Only ten minutes? Please, darling. You’re going to have to entice me with better promises than that.”

  He shakes his head as the hot liquid spews out. He wanders over to the island, taking a peek at what I’m working on.

  “It’s good to see you inspired, to see you not letting yesterday get to you,” he says seriously, warming his hands on the mug.

  I look up at him. “I have you to thank. You helped me get out of my funk.”

  “Yeah, well, I guess like six times will do that for you.”

  “I think it was five. But who’s counting?”

  “It was definitely six. And I’m counting. When you’re that impressive, you have to keep tally.” He winks at me, and I shake my head.

  “Wonder why you’ve never been serious about anyone,” I retort.

  “Who says I haven’t been?”

  “You told me yourself,” I reply as he wanders around the island, kissing my neck again.

  “Yeah, well, people change,” he whispers into my hair before spinning me around on my stool and kissing me hard.

  As his lips wander to the right spot on my neck, I bite my lip.

  Yes, they do, I think as he leads me to the shower to get clean after we get dirty yet again.

  Twenty-Seven

  Cash

  “I must admit that shower might be the best one I’ve ever done it in,” I say, running a hand through my wet hair as Sage kisses my cheek. I kiss her neck again, and she giggles.

  “Stop, I have to get some work done.”

  “Says who?” I ask as we head to the kitchen to get some more coffee.

  I’m getting ready to debate with her the benefits of another day romping in the sheets when there’s a knock at the door. Before we can head to get it, the door flies open and in walks a girl with black braids, overalls, and a neon orange shirt on.

  A girl that looks very familiar.

  “Oh, wow. Sorry, Sage! Hi. Hi, Cash. I was just coming over to show you some of my work from yesterday, but I didn’t mean to interrupt.” She talks a mile a minute, taking over the room like the sight of her neon clothing. She beams at the sight of us, and I notice Sage blushing.

  “Looks like you got through the day yesterday just fine, though,” the girl murmurs.

  “Um, Cash, this is Harper, my best friend and business associate.”

  I look at the girl who grins, and recognition sinks in. “I know you, don’t I?” I ask.

  Harper shrugs coyly. “Small town, so maybe.”

  “It’s hardly a small town. You were the one from the dog park.”

  As if on cue, Killer dashes over and starts barking at Harper’s feet. She picks up the dog, who instantly calms at her touch.

  “Like I said, small town. Anyway, I don’t want to interrupt. I should be going,” Harper says, putting Killer down and picking up Monticello instead. The cats have already grown accustomed to Killer, apparently.

  “No, it’s okay. I should get going. I have to take care of some things in the office anyway.”

  “You sure?” Sage asks, eyeing me.

  “Wouldn’t want to stop you from working today, and I feel like if I stay you might be tempted to shove all thoughts of work aside.” I sidle up to her, wrapping an arm around her waist. I feel her body lean into me, and I have to remind myself that we have an audience.

  “That’s what I’m talking about. Damn girl, you went all in,” Harper replies, and Sage laughs.

  “Call me later?” Sage asks as I kiss her cheek.

  “Forward much?” I tease.

  “Always,” she replies back.

  “God, if you two weren’t so damn beautiful together, I might gag a little. But anyway, lover boy, good seeing you again. Hope to see you around more often,” Harper says, giving me a playful shove as I gather Killer and head out the door.

  On my way to the rental office, I can’t stop grinning like a damn fool. I replay our moments over and over, thinking about what it was like to wake up to Sage, to fall into a comfortable, playful routine. My mind starts dancing over thoughts I’ve never considered—like what it would be like to wake up to her every morning.

  Dangerous. Dangerous territory, Cash.

  My heart freezes up at the realization. I need to slow down. Because if I’m not careful, I’m going to be all in. All the way in with no chips left in my pocket at all.

  Twenty-Eight

  Sage

  “Look at us, being all conventional,” I murmur over a plate of pasta and the glass of wine in front of me. I’ve put on my favorite black dress, and Cash looks like pure lust in his suit and his tie a little undone. He’s got that two-day stubble that makes me go crazy if a man pulls it off just right—and Cash pulls it off and then some.

  “Hey, this was your idea. I was fine dining in,” Cash replies with a smirk, his foot finding mine under the table.

  “We have to eat sometime, and if we’re not in public, I feel like you won’t give me a moment to do anything but romp with you.”

  “Like you mind,” he teases.

  I take a sip of my wine in response.

  Because the truth is—I don’t mind. Not one bit.

  For the past few days, Cash has been in my condo more than he hasn’t been. It’s like now that we’ve crossed the bridge, gotten over our insecurities, there’s no stopping us. I’ve realized how amazing it is to have someone to share my life with, even the humdrum, daily life parts. Waking up in his arms, eating breakfast together. It’s suddenly become worthwhile. It’s like a new part of me is alive, one I didn’t know had faded away.

  I look at the man across the table and think about all the reservations we’ve fought through to get to this point. I think about how the Sage from a few months ago would have vomited to hear my cheesy sentiments, to see how utterly crazy I am for the dark-eyed Texan I’m now sharing Italian cuisine with.

  I think about how easy it would be to take a step back, to return to that guarded-heart Sage who convinced herself she didn’t care about anything but work and sex. But looking at Cash, I think about how I don’t want to do anything of the sort.

  The words spew out before I can stop them, but in truth, I’m glad. I don’t want to stop them. The walls are down now, and I’m a forward person. I go after what I want with reckless abandon, without hesitation or pause.

  And he’s a cause worth chasing.

  “I’m falling for you, Cash Creed,” I whisper just a decibel over the cheesy music playing in the restaurant. His eyes stare into mine, perusing me with a languid tenacity.

  “I’ve already fallen for you, Sage Everling.”

  Dinner continues with a newfound sense of intimacy, of trust, and of a promise that we’re not going back to where we came from. We’re in new territory—but we’re traversing it together, always together. Nothing’s changing that.

  It’s a risk, it’s true. There are no promises in love, even if you’re playing for keeps.

  But we’re both playing now, all in. Completely and utterly all in.

  We go home to my place, and in the darkness of my room, I know that there’s absolutely no going back. He possesses me now, in every way imaginable.

  And for once, I’m fine that someone else is taking the reins.

  Twenty-Nine

  Sage

  “Here they come,” a voice announces from the bar as I walk into the Marooned Pirate on Cash’s arm. It’s odd walking into the place without having to hunt for a man.

  “Is it weird not coming alone?” Cash asks, turning to me, as if h
e’s read my mind.

  I grin. “Who says I’m not?” I tease.

  He pokes me playfully in the ribs, and I let out a squeal.

  “Drinks on me,” Reed assures as we take our place near the rest of Cash’s friends. “We have lots to celebrate.”

  “Like?” the blonde-haired girl asks. Cash tells me her name is Avery.

  “Like, our Texan has finally snagged the girl of his dreams,” Reed says, holding up his margarita in a mock cheer.

  “More like you snagged the bag of your dreams,” Lysander replies, and I grin.

  “Well, that too. But still, seriously, you two look amazing together,” Reed responds.

  Cash gets me a drink at the bar, and we head to the corner table. I settle in with Cash’s friends, feeling like one of the group. It’s surprisingly nice to be here, no pressure to find a man, no pretenses. Just me, a drink, and the man I’m crazy about beside me.

  “So, brother, no conquests tonight?” Levi teases, nudging Cash.

  “Oh, I have a conquest. She’s just a guaranteed one,” Cash replies.

  “Don’t be so sure,” I sassily retort, downing my drink and dragging him to the dance floor. A fast song comes on, one of my favorites, and we shimmy to the middle, dancing like no one’s watching.

  I know, in fact, that everyone is watching. I’ve seen the whispers.

  “You know, we might end up on the front page again,” I murmur to Cash.

  He grins and winks. “I’m counting on it.” He takes my jaw in his hands and kisses me wildly, recklessly. When he pulls away, I’m breathless.

  “That was….”

  “Amazing?” He teases. “Hey, I’ve got to give the press something good to gawk at if they’re going to plaster us on the paper.”

  Eventually the rest of the crew joins us, and we dance and laugh. At some point, we all head back to Midsummer Nights for another round of drinks and a round of Reed’s signature drunken french fries… really just french fries with every ingredient imaginable shoved on top. Sitting at the table getting to know the people Cash calls friends and family, I have a vision of us doing something like this every week. I think about the camaraderie, the connections I’ve been craving and didn’t realize it.

  This is family, I realize. This is life. Being together with people who don’t care about your money or successes or what you’re wearing. Smiling and laughing and just living. This is what I want forever.

  Forever.

  It’s a word that still sends a chill through me. But when Cash and I say goodbye to the group of friends and head back to his place to mix it up—and to let Killer out—I think about what the word means and how maybe someday, just maybe it wouldn’t be so scary. Not if Cash was the one crawling into bed with me, not if he was the one I was saying forever to.

  It’s crazy how a summer can change everything.

  And it’s crazy how sometimes it doesn’t.

  Thirty

  Cash

  “Are you sure it’s okay? Are you sure you don’t need me to come home?” I ask again, afraid that Mama is lying. I listen carefully to every lilt in her voice, trying to discern whether or not she’s telling the truth. I’ve gotten pretty good at detecting lies, thanks to the whole lawyer job and all.

  “I’m sure, Cash. He’s just taking some time off. Doctor’s orders. He just needs to relax a little bit. We’re fine. We have the two new interns. It’ll be good to give them experience.”

  When I called to check in at home and find out how the firm is doing without me, I didn’t expect this. I didn’t expect to hear that Dad had a health scare and that he’s taking time off from the firm. I panicked, instantly. How would they keep it going? Maybe I needed to get home.

  But Mama reassured me it was fine, and that they would hold down the fort until I got back. I sighed in relief.

  It was a conundrum, in reality. I missed the firm, the hustle and bustle and the confidence I had in my work. I was a way better lawyer than a landlord, and I wasn’t afraid to admit it. Fixing broken pipes and dealing with late rent wasn’t nearly as satisfying as being in the courtroom.

  But there was one thing being a landlord touted that Texas and the family business couldn’t—and I was enjoying every single waking second with her. Still, I had been crushing a rising fear in the past few days, and Dad’s health scare wasn’t helping.

  What would happen at the end of summer? What would happen to us?

  A part of me wished I could be like Levi, happy to start over in Ocean City, happy to stay. But that was him, not me. I have a career. I’m needed at home to help with the firm. I can’t just abandon that for a sexy girl who may or may not be completely stealing all the parts of my heart.

  Can I?

  I shove the thought aside, heading into the shelter. It’s a rare morning I’m not with Sage. I had stepped out to get some work done at the office before our volunteer hours. As I drive the few miles to the shelter, though, I can’t help but thinking about what we’re going to do when summer ends—and how goodbye is going to feel

  I put Bobo back in his cage. Those brown eyes get to me every time. It kills me to say no to him every Sunday. So many times, I thought about just trying him out, seeing if Killer could accept him. After all, attitudes change. Look at me and Sage.

  I head over to the cat room, sitting beside Sage as she pets a new intake, Marlo. We talk and laugh about his antics when Janice pops her head in.

  “You two look mighty cozy,” Janice says, winking.

  “Oh, no, we’re not….” Sage begins, but then she stops herself. It’s like an automatic reaction. She turns to me apologetically, but I squeeze her shoulder in reassurance. “Well, we are. It’s complicated…. It’s….”

  “Isn’t it always, honey?” Janice says, smirking and chuckling as she walks away.

  “No, it’s not complicated,” Sage whispers, leaning in to kiss my cheek before reaching out to pet Marlo. “Not anymore.”

  I watch her care for the cat, think about her words, and think about how crazy it is that Ocean City, that this girl, has changed my heart in such a short time.

  We have a good rest of our day. When we leave, I make our usual stop. The tar-like coffee hasn’t grown on us much, but I guess the tradition has. The Coffee Hole has a table waiting for us. In truth, no one else ever visits, so it’s not really an achievement that we find a spot. We settle in and chat about our morning, about the new cats, and about the dog who got adopted. I brave a sip of the tepid beverage before I speak up.

  “I’m going to miss working here. I mean, we have nice shelters back in Texas, but this one is just so sweet.” I squeeze her hand across the table, thinking about how hard it’s going to be when I have to fly back. Maybe I could take Bobo with me. Maybe Mama and Dad could use a new dog. I’m tossed out of my thoughts, though, by Sage’s panicked words.

  “What do you mean?” she asks, staring at me.

  I set my coffee down. “I mean when I go back at the end of the summer. I’ve got my job, my place back home. I’ve already talked to Levi about bowing out sometime at the end of August. I feel bad leaving him with such a mess, but what can I do? I told him I wasn’t cut out for the job.” I wait for Sage to laugh about all that I’ve messed up at the apartments, but she doesn’t.

  She blinks. “So you’re going back?”

  Now I’m the one who is confused. I thought she knew this. “Well, yeah, Sage. This was always just a summer thing. I have to get back to my career, to my place back home.”

  “I see,” she says, but clearly she doesn’t. Tension becomes palpable.

  “Sage, look, I know we’ve turned a corner. We started out the summer as two players playing a hand of love. And it’s been amazing. It really has. But we never expected any of this. I can’t just walk away from my career. This isn’t home for me. I have to go back. My parents need me back at the firm.” I think about Daddy, having a health scare and an anxiety attack. I think about Mama trying to juggle it all.

 
“And so that’s it? What about us?”

  “Well, I’m sure we can figure it out. We’ll figure it out.”

  “I see.” She glares at me for a long time.

  I sigh. This is why we shouldn’t have crossed that line. This is why we should have kept things free and fun. Because looking across the table at her, it almost kills me. It destroys me to see her breaking inside. It destroys me to think of saying goodbye. It kills me that this has gotten so complicated, and that even when two players commit to something real, it can’t work out. Maybe we were fucking fools to think it would ever work out.

  There’s an icy silence between us before she finally stands.

  “You know what, it doesn’t matter. This doesn’t matter.”

  And with the words out that can’t be taken back, Sage stomps across the Coffee Hole, stomps on our progress we made, and slams the door on more than just a dilapidated coffee spot.

  Thirty-One

  Sage

  “Room service, here. I’ve got all the essentials.” Her perky voice echoes through the entranceway to the condo. I hear Monticello and Barcelona’s cacophony of cries rush towards the door to greet Harper. I don’t move from my spot on the couch.

  I hate that he’s done this to me. Dammit. Dammit love and Cash Creed and my own stupidity. What the hell was I thinking? I’ve been burned before. I’ve always known love doesn’t work. Why had I let myself get wrapped up in the damn fantasy? I was a fool. A fool who deserves to die lonely and miserable in this tiny apartment surrounded by cats, wearing crusty sweatpants and three-day-old hair.

  Harper rushes into the living room. She startles at the sight. “Damn girl, I knew you needed some time alone. But have you moved from that sofa? My goodness. I love you, and you always look amazing, but geez. I didn’t realize the state of things had reached this point.”