Summer with a Brother’s Best Friend (Love Beach Collection)

2. Isaac

ONE MONTH EARLIER

2

“Hey man, I need a favor,” Maddox says, sliding onto the barstool next to me. We’ve been coming to The Cove Bar and Grill the last couple of years after looking around and realizing that we no longer fit in with the young college crowd at the Sandy Sipper.

I thought there’d be a mourning period, saying farewell to my youth, but not a chance in hell. Long ago were the days of sneaking off into dark corners for a hot kiss and a quick release—and really, it’d only ever been with one girl. We’d been wild and in love and absolutely crazy about each other. Letting her go had been hard, but knowing I’d never find anyone like her again had nearly been my undoing.

That and I’m sitting next to my best friend and her twin brother.

“Sure, what’s up?” I ask as I take a sip of my beer.

“Reece is coming home, and she’s bringing her friend Vienna. They’re going to organize my parents’ anniversary party.”

“Yeah, she mentioned that,” I say as casually as I can muster, earning a side-eye from Maddox. Shrugging, I try and keep my face neutral as I say, “What? We still talk. We made a promise, and we kept it.”

My voice is full of conviction as I utter the words, my enthusiasm masking the hurt that still lingers with missing having all of her.

He nods, acknowledging, but doesn’t comment further. “Did she tell you they’re coming back for the summer? My dad put in a good word for her at the high school here, but so far he said Reece hasn’t made a decision. I think she likes her current job but…” He shrugs and I get it. Reece had texted me that she’d be here for the next few months. “I know you always need help with the summer crowd and was hoping you’d be able to give them jobs.”

I try not to choke on my beer as I swallow the sip I’d taken and stare at him. He couldn’t be serious. And yet, Maddox was almost always serious.

He didn’t blink and neither did I because…

Shit.

Reece and I had been able to keep our hands to ourselves mainly because we hadn’t been occupying the same zip code. And anytime she came to visit, I’d always made sure to take the seat on the other side of the living room or table to make sure my hand didn’t find hers and other things.

Our breakup had hurt like hell, but it had been for the right reasons—for her at least. And I’d still do anything to make her happy.

“Yeah, I mean I usually hire some college kids, but they’re not always reliable. Does Vienna have any bar experience?”

He nods. “I think they both worked at one of the bars when they were in school.”

“And you were okay with that?” I ask, not bothering to hide my shock.

He shrugs, the movement stretching the fire department logo on his shirt. “She was gone, and I wasn’t going to chase her down and bitch at her for missing curfew.”

“That sounds exactly like something you would do.”

He rolls his eyes. “Give me some credit. Besides, she made it pretty clear how she felt about me back then.”

I don’t say anything because I can’t. Just like I can’t be sure I didn’t see the flash of hurt in his eyes at the admission. Still, his dismissiveness cuts deep—as if some asswipe college kid gets a free pass with Reece when I’d literally been wrecked over having to let her go.

Fuck your promise.

The words are on the tip of my tongue when Maddox turns his gray eyes on me, the usually stormy color filled with sincerity. “I know it was a long time ago, but thank you for standing by me—being here. I couldn’t have done it without you. And I don’t know if I ever apologized for the way things went down with Reece.”

The fight drains from me in an instant because…he hadn’t. Maddox’s dream had always been to serve as a firefighter in Love Beach, and I’d lived through every grueling moment with him on the sidelines. He’d needed me, and I bottled all the heartbreak coursing through my veins and packed it away into the dark recesses of my soul.

“Of course.” I hold my beer out to him, and he clinks his glass against mine. “I’ll let Reece know that they have a job if they want it.”

“Thanks, man. I’m real lucky to have you as my best friend.”

“Yeah, well, who else would put up with you?”

He chuckles and shoves my shoulder. “Dick.”

I return the sentiment, thankful for the distraction, all the while praying he’ll still consider me his best friend after Reece leaves again, because having her in my bar—in my space—is going to take a whole lot of willpower I don’t think I have anymore.