Someday Never Came

Chapter Eighteen

My eyes never leave Serena as Grayson reappears—attempting to make her see reason—basically begging her to listen and put sunblock on. A sly smirk stretches across my lips, knowing she was arguing just to argue at this point. I watch as she and Wyhtt only torment him. The three of them are bickering, teasing, and laughing as the evening sun turns into dark clouds offshore, rolling in with the rising tide. The bright gold beams of light try to break through, fighting the dominance in the fading light of day.

With her head thrown back in laughter, light radiates from my Serenity that rivals the sun. I marvel at every inch of her: from the curve of her ass to the smile seeming to be permanently plastered across her face, causing a small dimple to appear at the base of her rose-tinted cheeks. How has she managed to keep some resemblance of softness to her, without allowing the world to turn her cold after all these years? She never allowed me and my mistakes to steal away the brilliance of who she is at her core.

Without warning Serena bursts from the chair, causing Grayson to tumble from his crouched position beside her. She’s running as if something from the depths of hell is chasing her. She’s heading directly toward a flock of seagulls that landed several yards away only moments before with Wyhtt hot on her trail. The two of them laugh maniacally as they chase the birds, like children who knew better but had decided whatever punishment their parents dealt out would be worth it. Serena and Wyhtt are still two sides of the same coin.

Seagulls soar through the air, swooping down at them in irritation. A low-piercing caw comes from the now angry birds, followed by a higher pitched screech as they begin to fight amongst one another, confused by what caused the interruption in their evening hunt. Serenity is still running, calling back to the birds with her hands in the air and her hair blowing in the wind, as the last rays of the day melt into the ocean’s edge. Wyhtt laughs, the stress of the last several years vanishing in his eyes at the glimpse of old childhood memories coming alive again in her presence.

For the briefest of moments—a mere flicker in time—it is as if the three of us are children again playing on the beach, not a care in the world or aware of how cruel the world can really be. For a moment, nothing else matters. All my troubles fade away as Serena’s laughter floats on the wind, surrounding me with the peace she brings. The waves crash against the shore as the warm sand slowly becomes cool beneath my feet. As she twirls, she kicks up water before running down the beach and tackling Wyhtt, causing them both to tumble into the water before laughter takes over.

Not wanting to disturb the pair, I look over to Grayson. We nod in understanding and begin packing up the evidence of the day. Fifteen minutes later, Grayson bellows at the duo and they both come running up the beach. Wyhtt pounces on Grayson’s back, almost causing him to drop everything he’s carrying. Shaking my head, I start to walk toward the house, but pause to make sure she is following.

Bright blue and amber eyes stare at me. She watches me intensely, and I’m convinced if she looks any harder, she might see what I have been fighting so desperately to hide. Finally caught up to me, she bumps into my shoulder lightly. With a grin she takes the towels that are resting atop the cooler, lightening my load. With her arm skimming against mine, we walk in comfortable silence to the house.