Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“I work until seven on Friday,” I tell the smirking brunette. “Why don’t you come by for a drink around eight? I’m staying at the Jackson place. Housesitting for the summer.”
“Really? I pass that house on my dad’s boat all the time. I’ve always wanted to see the inside.”
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s a yes.” She licks her lips. “Sounds like fun.”
“Great. See you then.”
Evan returns as Nicole’s sashaying off and doesn’t miss the coy smile she tosses me over her shoulder. “Man, you move fast.” He slides back into the booth. “Nic is good people, though.”
“Yeah, she’s cool.” I steal a chicken wing off his plate. “She’s coming by on Friday.”
“I get it.” He nods. “You need the distraction.”
He does get it. “Yup.”
Despite the plans I made with Nicole, I still have Cassie on the brain when I get home a couple hours later. I park my Jeep in the driveway and enter the house to conduct my usual security check. Everything looks good. Me, though, I’m still on edge. Restless. So after a quick shower, I head downstairs and grab the pack of smokes I stashed in the kitchen, along with a cheap plastic lighter.
I step onto the back deck, where I fish out a cigarette and pop it between my lips. It’s nine thirty, and although the sun set not too long ago, the moon is high and shining bright, casting streaks of silver over the calm water of the bay. I flick my gaze toward Cassie’s house. The patio light is on, but I don’t see anybody out there. I approach the railing that overlooks the dock below and light my smoke. I inhale deeply. Let the nicotine lodge in my lungs until they feel like they’re going to explode, and only then do I exhale, watching the thick cloud of smoke float away and dissipate.
I love this town, I truly do. But sometimes it’s so damn oppressive. Especially when I look out at the water, when my gaze rests on that strip of land that curves at the very edge of the bay. Because I know beyond it is the open ocean, and every cell in my body cries out for me to go to it. I want to be navigating the ocean using the stars. I want to see new places, meet new people, experience things I know I’ll never experience in Avalon Bay. Small towns are familiar. They’re a comforting pair of arms that bring you close and keep you safe.
But those same arms hold you back. Keep you locked in place.
I’m feeling too introspective tonight. I should’ve stayed out with Evan, talked him into another round of beers, a game or two of pool.
I take another drag. Exhale again as I listen to the sounds of the night. Insects humming. Trees rustling. I hear a car drive by. A burst of laughter from the dock several houses down, where it sounds like they’re hosting a small gathering. Then, another car engine, this one from the vicinity of the Tanner house. I hear a door shut. A flash of movement crosses my peripheral vision, and I realize the patio wasn’t empty, after all. There’s a woman on the deck, drinking a glass of wine. It doesn’t appear to be Cassie’s grandmother. Lydia Tanner has dark hair. This woman has red hair, several shades darker than Cassie’s.
I furrow my brow. Is that her mother? I thought Cassie had said her mom wasn’t arriving until mid-August.
The back door creaks open and another figure steps outside. The foliage shields her from view, but I recognize Cassie’s voice.
“Hey, Mom. I just got back from dinner with Joy. Just wanted to say good night.”
Okay, so it is her mother. I wonder when she got in. I’ve been at the yacht club all weekend, so I haven’t paid much attention to the comings and goings next door. That, and I’ve been diligently avoiding Cassie since window sex.
“That’s the outfit you wore to dinner?” her mother inquires.
“Yes. What’s wrong with it?” Cassie’s tone sounds strange to my ears. Forced, as if she’s trying to remain neutral but can’t quite master it. “We went to Joe’s Beach Bar. Dress code is casual there.”
“I thought we talked about the crop tops, Cass.”
I crush my cigarette in the ashtray on the railing. Feels wrong eavesdropping. I don’t mean to, but it’s also hard not to, especially at night when there’re no boats on the water. No shrieking children. No birds or seagulls squawking. Only the soft whine of mosquitoes, the occasional cricket, and the very clear voices of Cassie and her mother, who isn’t letting up.
“It’s really not a flattering look for you, sweetheart.”
My body tenses up. Oh, screw that. Cassie looks good in everything. And as I recall, she was wearing a crop top the first time we kissed. I vividly remember the way it hugged her tits.