Tides of Change
“Hey there, Crash,” Declan said, his grin growing. He jerked his head over his shoulder a tiny bit in a ‘come here’ motion. I caught on, but didn’t move. “Looks like you have some company.”
Reid’s head whipped toward Declan at the first sound of his voice. He dropped the food onto the counter and, in three large strides, crossed the room to me. He positioned himself slightly in front of me, his shoulder blocking me from full access to Declan.
My gaze shifted from Declan to Reid, who was now chewing on the inside of his cheek, his nostrils flaring and a twitch developing by his eye.
Reid was not a fan of Bayside kids. Their treatment of him when he first arrived at Covington Cove was not the greatest. It was how he ended up with me and my friends.
As far as I knew, Declan had never been a part of the group that bullied Reid. But he never stopped them, either. No Bayside kid had. And considering Reid was a new Baysider and a summer only kid… no one really cared too much about including him. Except for us, because we knew what it was like to be an outsider to the Bayside and Crescent groups.
“What are you doing here, Storms?” Reid said through gritted teeth. His fists balled at his sides.
“I wanted to see if you were free tonight,” Declan continued, talking to me, as if Reid wasn’t there at all.
Reid took a step away from me, toward Declan. The veins in his forearms popped out with the strain he put on them.
“She’s not.”
Declan laughed. He had the audacity to laugh in Reid’s face. “I wasn’t talking to you, Bennett.”
“How did you know I was staying here?” I asked, remembering that I never told Declan I was housesitting. I leaned to the side to stare at him, needing to interrupt the power struggle he was having with Reid right now.
If Declan knew what was good for him, he would back away. Reid looked ready to tear him to shreds.
But he just shrugged and threw me another charming grin, dimple and all. “Power of elimination? I asked around. And your bike is out front. That was a pretty big giveaway.”
I blinked a few times, stopping myself before my jaw dropped. “You… you asked around? About me?”
A low growl came from Reid’s throat just then, only loud enough for me to hear. I shivered, but didn’t look at him.
“So, are you? Free tonight?” Declan asked again, pulling my attention back to the original question.
“She has to work,” Reid answered for me in a clipped tone.
“I wasn’t asking you, but thanks for the schedule update.” Declan pointed at Reid. “Why are you even here? Word was that you wouldn’t be coming back.”
I gasped, shocked at the rudeness from Declan. He was one of the most charming and polite kids; all the adults always said so. Was it just an act? Had I not been around him enough yet to see his true self?
Or… or was he jealous?
Also, where did he hear that? I hadn’t even known if Reid was coming back this summer or not. It wasn’t until Mrs. Bennett confirmed that I knew he wasn’t. How could Declan possibly have known? Or was he making it all up?
I cleared my throat, needing to diffuse the tension before everyone in this kitchen exploded. “He’s right, though. I do have to work. It’s the Mansion Masquerade tonight. I’ll be there late.”
Declan shook his head like it made no difference what time I got off. “The Mansion Masquerade is always a good time. And definitely goes late into the night. But whatever time you get off, just text me. I’ll wait up for my girl.”
My jaw dropped at the same time Reid lunged for Declan. I grabbed his arm and pulled him back, which seemed to shake him out of his stupor.
He stared at me, his long lashes sweeping over his cheek as he blinked a few times. Then, he glanced between me and Declan once more, his jaw tensing with every passing second.
Reid huffed, getting both of our attention. “Lunch is ready,” he forced out in a voice barely above a whisper. He went to plate my sandwich and chips, throwing a can of soda next to it on the kitchen island.
I wanted to grab his hand and apologize for Declan. I wanted to say that what he said wasn’t true.
But I couldn’t. Because I was still in a state of shock. Did Declan really think that hanging out once meant I was ‘his girl?’ I didn’t even know if I wanted to be his girlfriend.
The only time we got together, he surprised me. I didn’t have a choice. While it was nice, it was also a surprise and I couldn’t say no. Besides, it had been my birthday and he had been the only person to do anything about it.
But boyfriend? Girlfriend? What was that about?
Then again, I was single and there was no one stopping me from going on dates. No one stopping me from being labeled ‘my girl.’
Even if I wasn’t sure I wanted it.
Reid rubbed at his chin, his breathing labored, but didn’t look at us again. Though I didn’t owe him anything, I also didn’t want to torture him.
“Right. It’ll be pretty late. I’ll text you tomorrow, okay?”
“There’s also a party on Monday. 372 Bayside. Bring your suit.”
“Great. Talk to you tomorrow.” Right now, I just wanted him out.
I went to take Declan’s hand to guide him back to the front door when he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulled me close to him, and leaned down, planting a soft kiss on my cheek. “Okay, Crash. Tomorrow.”
He added a wink while I stood there, stunned, before he showed himself out, not looking back once. Crash? Did he just give me a nickname? And it had to be one like Crash?
I lifted a hand to my cheek, wondering what in the world had just happened. What made Declan decide that kissing me was a good move? Couldn’t he read the same tension I did?
Or… or I was right. And this entire thing was just to stab Reid in the side, to make him jealous.
After a moment, I lowered myself onto the stool next to Reid, in front of the plate of food waiting for me. Reid was already halfway through his sandwich.
He didn’t even glance my way when he lifted his soda to his lips and took a large gulp, slamming it onto the counter with a thud. A splash of soda flew out of the can, but he didn’t pay attention. Instead, he yanked his phone out of his pocket and swiped it open. His fingers flew over the screen like he was sending a text.
I carefully picked up a chip and nibbled on it, suddenly not as hungry. If my appetite came back, I could just snag some food from the kitchens at the mansion. They always set aside some snacks for employees during big events.
But that didn’t do much to help my stomach now. It was in knots, just like my mind. The whole situation was so unexpected, I had no idea what to do about it.
If Declan had come just to ask me to a party, that would have been fine. But that wasn’t what ended up happening. The second he saw Reid, he was determined to make him jealous. To wound him, using me as bait.
But Reid had no jurisdiction to say anything about my love life. He lost that chance.
“Declan Storms, huh?” Reid muttered a few minutes later. “You’re dating Declan Storms, of all people?”
I took offense to the way he said that. He had no idea what happened between Declan and me or what we were doing.
I held my breath for a few seconds, calming myself so I didn’t burst out with something I didn’t want to say. “Not really dating. Just… hanging out, I guess.” It was new to me, too.
Reid snorted, pointing the sandwich in his hand toward the front door. “Might want to tell him that.”
I rolled my eyes. Yup, he was definitely jealous. Part of me was happy he was. It served him right for breaking up with me.
But I needed to get one thing straight.
“That’s not the issue, Reid. You being home is.”