Summer Ever After: A Sweet Romantic Comedy

Chapter 11

“I’m sorry,Mr. Collins. The shuttle just left to pick up wedding guests from the ferry. As soon as it comes back, we can get you a ride.”

I don’t like asking the bellhop at the resort for help, but since the mailbox crash the other night, I’m without transportation until Dax gets the golf cart repaired and Stan’s boat. I thought maybe Pete could drop me off since he lives next door to my grandma’s house, but he has two more private lessons tonight. If I waited around for him to finish, I’d completely miss dinner with my family—a tempting thought, but I should probably make sure I’m there, even though it’s the last place I want to be.

“No problem.” I nod at the bellhop. “I’ll just wait in the lobby.” I head to a vacant couch, feeling an uncomfortable twist in my stomach over my dinner plans. The whole evening is going to suck. I have to pretend that I’m not estranged from my sisters—should be fun.

Laughter across the room pulls my gaze to Jane, and instantly, the tightness in my stomach eases. She’s with Cat Keene and another woman I don’t recognize, but she’s happy. A bright light in my dark thoughts.

Her yellow sundress and tennis shoes are the perfect match to her upbeat personality. I find myself smiling as I watch her, which is weird since, moments ago, I felt like taking my golf club over my knee and snapping it in half. I probably would’ve if Pete hadn’t been there. I didn’t want to disappoint him.

Jane’s hands gesture wildly through the air as she tells a story. Her bright eyes and energetic facial expressions just add to the whole effect, making me wish she were telling the story to me. She pulls out some pink papers from her purse—the same pink papers I’ve seen her carry everywhere. She points to a few things, and the women all laugh.

What could be written on those papers that are so important?

Jane exchanges a few more words before waving goodbye and turning to go.

Her steps pause when she sees me staring, but I swear the faintest of smiles tugs at the corner of her mouth.

“I saw you out on the course,” she says as she approaches.

“Then you probably saw me shank hole seven.”

“I don’t know what that means, but I’m guessing it’s not good.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “No, it’s not good at all.”

“I guess you haven’t cleared your head or gotten back to your prime.”

“Not today.”

“And how’s your head wound?” She ducks, trying to see under my hat.

“It finally stopped bleeding. How’s your mailbox?”

“Probably better off than your golf cart.”

“You’re telling me.” I glance behind at the bellhop. “I have to bum a ride from the hotel so I can go to dinner at Tala’s house. Capri is in town.”

“I know.” Her lips relax into a full smile, as if she finds it amusing that I’m trying to inform her about Capri’s whereabouts. “I’m actually headed to dinner at Tala’s too.”

“Really?” I don’t even bother hiding my grin. I’m not sure why her being at dinner makes me feel relieved, but it does. Jane is a great buffer between me and my family.

“Why are you so happy? Are you hoping to bum a ride from me instead?”

“Well, we are going to the same place.”

Her lips roll together as she shakes her head. “Fine. I’ll be your chauffeur.”

I hop up faster than a mom who hears her baby cry in the middle of the night. Jane doesn’t wait for me to gather my golf bag, leaving me playing catch-up as we walk out of the lobby to the parking lot.

“Why are you at the resort anyway?” I ask. “Don’t you have to work?”

“The city offices take Fridays off, so I was helping my friend with flowers for the wedding tonight.”

“Do you get paid to do that?”

“No.” She points to the golf cart on the right, letting me know which one is hers.

“Then why do it?”

“It’s called being a good neighbor and friend.” She shoots me a sideways smile as she slides into the driver’s seat. “You help people out, are there for them in their time of need.”

“Is that what I keep seeing happening on this island?” I joke.

“Yes, I know it’s a foreign concept to you.” She looks both ways before pulling out of the parking lot onto the main road. As our speed increases, so does the wind, causing the hem of Jane’s dress to flap up. My eyes instantly drift to her bare thighs.

“Are you seriously checking out my legs?” She grabs her dress and tucks it under, sitting on the hem.

I laugh. “I blame the wind on this one.”

“Oh, yeah, no fault of your own.” She shakes her head, the slightest blush pinkening the sides of her cheeks. “So when is Dax going to be done with your golf cart?”

“Early next week. He should also be done with Stan’s boat by then too. But I can delay it if you want to keep chauffeuring me around.”

Her head flops to me. “No, thanks.” With her vibrant eyes and brown hair flying in the wind around her, she looks absolutely irresistible.

“But I do need to stop by your place sometime and fix your mailbox. What about tomorrow morning?”

“I already have plans.” Her head turns back to the road. “Besides, there’s no need to come over. I told Jim what happened, and he’s going to fix it when he delivers the mail.”

My brows lower. “Jim? As in Jim Skinner? Is he still the mailman on the island?”

“Yep.”

“How is he not dead yet? I swear he was eighty years old when we were in middle school.” I shake my head, trying to wrap my mind around that.

“Well, despite his age, Jim said he could fix it. He owes me a favor because I took care of his dog while he had a hip replacement.”

I glance over at Jane, studying her.

“What?”

“I was just thinking about how you seem to be best friends with everyone on this island. Is there anyone that you don’t know?”

“No.” Her lips push out into a frown. “Except for the new family, the Tolleys. They just bought the Pattersons’ Airbnb on the canal. I haven’t met them yet, but I don’t think they’ve fully moved in. When they do, I’ll take some cookies over and introduce myself.”

I shake my head. “I couldn’t live this way.”

“What? In a community?”

“Not one where everybody knows each other.”

“And what’s so bad about people knowing each other?”

If people know me, then I have to pretend to be what they want. It’s too much pressure. I’d rather keep relationships at a distance. It’s much easier this way.

I scrunch my nose. “I just prefer privacy.”

“Well, I think it’s a blessing to have people around that care about you and want to know what you’re up to and how you’re doing.”

“That doesn’t sound like a blessing. It sounds like a nightmare.”

“Don’t you have neighbors or friends in Jupiter?”

“The only people I know who live by me are other pro golfers. I see them at the training facility and at the golf course. We’re all friends, but besides surface-level conversations, we keep to ourselves.”

Jane’s entire expression drops. “That sounds boring and lonely.”

That’s the second time I’ve heard Jane talk about loneliness. I’m starting to think being alone is a thing for her—a thing she doesn’t like.

“You have to understand golf is a very selfish sport. I’m not part of a team. Everything is about me—what kind of physical and mental state I’m in, what my swing looks like, and when and how I want to compete. So being alone is part of what I do.”

“That’s not true. What about your coach and caddie? Aren’t they part of your team?”

“In a way, but their entire world revolves around me, adding to my selfishness. That’s why I like my own space with my own people. Living in Sunset Harbor would never work for me.”

“I love it here.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear to keep it from blowing in the wind. “I like that everyone on the island is one big family with a shared history. They have my back, and I have theirs. I wouldn’t want to live any other way.”

“So I take it moving away is out of the question?”

“Yep.” Her chin lifts as she watches the road. “I plan on being buried here when I’m old and gray.”

There’s something about Jane’s statement that depresses me—like the final nail in the coffin on why we aren’t compatible, even though I kind of wish we were.

She turns down the street to my grandma’s house. I guess it’s actually Tala and Heath’s house now—a weird change I’m not quite used to.

The cart slows to a stop in front. A sense of calmness washes over me as I stare at the blue two-story. That’s not the feeling I would’ve expected. I’ve always labeled this part of my life as the dark years, but now that I’m back, more happy memories than sad ones pop into my head—evidence that life wasn’t as bad as I made it out to be in my mind.

I can see the patch in the front lawn where grass still doesn’t grow because I putted in that spot over and over, dents in the garage door where I accidentally hit golf balls into it, and the old basketball hoop where my mom would attempt to shoot hoops with me because she knew that was what my dad would’ve done.

For the past few years, I’ve been so focused on winning and being one of the top golfers in the world that I’ve forgotten who I really am, but these memories ground me in a way nothing else has lately.

“Walker?” Jane’s brows are raised at me. “Are you coming?”

“Yeah.” I grab my clubs.

“I’m just going to walk inside.”

“Walk inside without ringing the doorbell?” And just like that, my stomach tenses again.

“Yeah, they’re expecting us.”

Jane walks up the front steps and opens the door, and the feeling of peace I had moments ago is replaced by anxiety. It’s been a few years since I’ve been at a family dinner like this, and I’m to blame for that. I just need to get through the evening so I can check off visiting family on my list of things to do while in Sunset Harbor. Tonight’s performance should buy me a few more years of being absent.

Voices and chatter carry to us as we make our way to the kitchen.

“Hello! Hello!” Jane waves at everyone.

Tala’s oldest daughter, Serenity, runs to Jane, hugging her leg while I stand there awkwardly. I’m the uncle. She probably should be hugging my leg, but I doubt she even remembers who I am.

“You guys made it.” Tala walks to me with outstretched arms and a smile. “How’s it going?”

“Good.” The hug is short while I try to come up with something else to say. Thankfully, Heath saves the day by coming in for a bro hug.

“It’s good to have you home.”

“Yeah, it’s been a long time.” I glance around at their kids. “I can’t believe how big Serenity and Jack are.”

“Don’t forget about Lucas.” Jane leans over the side of the baby carrier, kissing his pudgy cheek.

“Yeah.” I point to the kid. “Cute baby.”

“Oh, were you two golfing together?” Grandma Deedee sits at the kitchen table. Her question is high-pitched, as if she’s pleased with our arriving together.

I swing my eyes to Jane, who definitely noticed the match-making tone. “Nope,” she quickly answers. “I just drove Walker here because he didn’t have a ride. Nothing more.”

“Nothing more?” Grandma’s eyes narrow like she’s reading between the lines.

“Nothing more.” Jane’s finality bugs me more than it should.

“Jane!” Serenity tugs her arm. “Can you come to my talent show at Seaside Oasis tomorrow?”

“I would, but I already have plans tomorrow morning.” Jane stares down at her with a smile that’s supposed to convey sadness. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

“What are the plans? Another big date?” Heath chuckles.

“Uh”—she glances around—“I actually do have a date.”

My brows climb. “With who?”

“Nobody you know.”

“Tala told me about the Summer of Jane Hayes,” Heath says as he taste-tests the orzo pasta. “How’s that going?”

“What’s the Summer of Jane Hayes?”

“Nothing,” she says with an innocent smile.

Tala tries to change the subject. “Walker, maybe you could come to the talent show with us tomorrow morning.”

“I already have a commitment.” My eyes shift back to Jane. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Grandma leans forward. “Jane’s just trying to find?—”

“Money!” she interjects. “I’m trying to find money for the community pool. The city budget doesn’t have enough for the build, so I’m going to raise the funds and save the day.” She pumps her fist into the air. “The Summer of Jane Hayes! Yay!” She drops her arm. “Anyway, I don’t want a lot of people to know. It’s weird taking credit for the community pool.”

My brows lower as I watch everyone exchange glances. There’s no way Jane is telling the truth, but it’s obvious I’m not getting any more information out of this group.

“Is that Capri in Tristan Palmer’s boat?” Tala shields her eyes from the glaring sun so she can get a better look out the kitchen window at Tristan helping Capri get out.

“Oh my gosh!” Jane abandons everyone, rushing to the door.

I follow, watching as she runs to Capri and takes one of the grocery bags out of her arms. I swear the two of them are more like sisters than best friends. My gaze shifts to Tristan. I’ve never liked him much, ever since we disagreed over my treatment of Capri when we were in high school.

The girls walk down the dock toward me, whispering something back and forth until they’re right in front of me.

“Hey, Walker.” Capri slips her arm around my waist. I don’t know why, but the whole thing feels unnatural, like we’re just playing the part of siblings. “You came?”

After our text conversation the other night, she probably didn’t want me to come, especially since Jane is here. Wait until she finds out Jane gave me a ride. Then she’ll really be mad.

“It ended up working with my schedule.” I act as if I’m so busy when, really, I’ve never had so much empty time on my hands.

“I had to give him a ride like some hitchhiker on the highway,” Jane jokes, “but I got him here.”

My eyes dart to her, and I love the look she gives me—teasing mixed with flirtation. I smile, liking this new secret language we have with each other.

“You guys came together?” Capri asks with a tone that doesn’t sound all too happy.

“I just needed a ride.” My expression is meant to reassure my sister, but I don’t think it works.

Capri nods a few times, but there’s a bit of a warning glare in her eyes that I’ve never seen from my docile sister before. She’s usually the type to just roll over and take whatever mistreatment comes her way, but whoa!, don’t mess with her best friend or else she’ll unleash her hidden strength.

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s eat before the food gets cold,” Tala calls.

I spin around, following after Capri and Jane. Their arms are linked together, and they’re laughing about something. I’ve suddenly turned into the third wheel, and for the first time in my life, I’m jealous of my sister’s relationship with her best friend.