9. Tru
CHAPTER 9
TRU
T hen: A week later
He was so stupid handsome I wanted to slap him, but what made it worse was he could talk circles around anyone and charm anything with a pulse. He genuinely knew it was a gift from the universe.
I didn’t want to give in.
I refused.
However, something about him was so magnetic, so powerful, so consuming that I almost couldn’t help but be curious, and I knew what curiosity did. I kept my cards close to my chest because of my past, and I didn’t want to unfold all of that for some preppy Hamptons rich kid just because he seemed smart and was gorgeous.
“Hey.” Van sat down next to me in the sand.
“What do you want?”
“Are you always this moody, or do I just bring out the best in you?”
“Are you always a smart-ass, or do I bring out the worst in you?”
“Who says it’s the worst?”
“I believe I just did.”
“You know, I really enjoy our witty banter.”
“Interesting, considering I hate it.”
“Liar.”
“Excuse me?”
“Did I stutter?”
“On that note.” I went to stand, but he grabbed my arm.
“Let’s go somewhere quiet and talk.”
“Not a chance in hell.”
“Please.”
My eyes widened. “Did you really just beg me?”
“I wouldn’t consider that begging, but if you want me on my knees, all you have to do is ask.”
“Ugh! Is sex all you think about?”
He shot me a grin. “You’re the one who thinks I was implying sex.”
“Aren’t you?”
He grinned in that delicious way. I’d be lying if I said I was shocked that he proceeded to actually get on his knees in front of me.
Grabbing my hand, he declared, “Make me the luckiest man alive, and please grant me the privilege of spending some alone time with you.”
I rolled my eyes, fighting back a smile.
“You know you want to. I can see it in your eyes. Just say yes. I promise you won’t regret it.”
I sighed deeply. “Fine. Don’t make me regret it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Do you trust me?”
“Well, my name is Tru, short for trust, right?”
“The sun will be setting, and you don’t want to be alone with me in the dark.”
I jerked back. “What? Why?”
“Because.” He shrugged. “I’m trying to be honest, and you’re really sexy, and darkness brings about sin…”
“Sin?”
“All the sinning.”
Minutes later, he led me toward a private part of the beach where we would be alone. We sat on the rocks, watching the sunset over the horizon for I don’t know how long. The silence was nice, comfortable even.
The sky always made a scenic panoramic view over the water. All the beautiful colors blended, preparing to shift into the night. It was Mother Nature’s private work of art. We sat there and listened to the soft lull of the waves dragging us into its calming rhythm, bringing me a sense of peace.
The ocean had always been my happy place.
Despite living in home after home, the water was one of the things I could count on. Now, I was living within walking distance of one, and the irony was not lost on me.
The familiarity of it all.
The comfort.
Most of all, it was the only time I didn’t feel alone.
In the blink of an eye, nightfall was upon us. The stars shone bright above, illuminating the darkness of the sky, with the moon smiling high like a Cheshire cat. The ocean breeze brought a slight chill to the air.
I hugged my knees to my body in a reassuring gesture, shielding myself to create some warmth around me. A wave of emotions took over, mimicking the ominous waves in front of me, one right after the other. Neither one of us said a word, and I couldn’t help but feel a certain sincerity from him.
For the first time since in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel so alone anymore. It shocked me that it came from the guy I had convinced myself I needed to stay away from.
Again, the irony was not lost on me.
Something about the way he sat on the sand, looking out at the water with his perfect blond hair blowing in the light breeze, that literally took my breath away. This had never happened to me before, especially with a guy I had just met.
I’d only had one conversation with him, yet I was mesmerized by the vision beside me. He was like this mythical creature luring me toward my destruction. How can you both love and hate someone for being their truth? Irony, considering my name.
At that moment, in that second, I found myself gravitating toward him. Before I even registered what was happening, a sense of curiosity piqued my interest, but it wasn’t only that. An unfamiliar emotion of wanting to know everything about him overtook me. I blamed him at that moment for being so magnetic and, at the same time, blamed myself for being so curious.
Without looking at my face, he questioned, “What are you thinking?”
“None of your business, Vaughan. I saw you come out on the beach earlier with one of your chicks. You should probably head back to seal the deal. I’d hate to be the reason your dick doesn’t get wet tonight.”
“You wish.” He scoffed. “I’ll settle for that smile. You know, I was basically born and raised on this beach,” he disclosed, catching me off guard.
He didn’t seem like the type to open up to people, especially someone he only just met a week ago.
“This beach holds many fond memories for me, but I won't pretend this isn’t quickly becoming another one.”
He smiled, still not meeting my eyes. His smile was real, though. It held so many secrets I wanted to uncover and so many truths I probably couldn’t digest.
“I love this beach, but I fucking hate this town. It’s filled with pretentious, rich pricks who think they’re better than you. My parents being one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I love them, but sometimes I wish they cared about something other than status and money. It’s so exhausting yet addicting at the same time, having all the power but knowing that it could get taken from you at any moment. I swear they’re on constant anti-anxiety meds all because of this place.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Why not?”
I didn’t know how to reply, so I remained quiet.
He just kept confessing like he hadn’t had a family therapist for the past few years. “I’ve played football my entire life and been called a prodigy since the first time I threw a ball. Still, I don’t think it will ever be good enough for my father.”
There was so much more to him than met the eye.
“Where are you?—”
“No, Tru.” He finally turned to look at me. His eyes were so intense I almost choked. “Your turn.”
I stared into the gaze of the guy who was a walking paradox of contradictions. I saw a side to him that felt like he didn’t show anyone, and I had no idea why.
All I knew was that I liked it.
I wanted more.
I needed more.
I was greedy for it.
Something deep inside told me I could trust him. I was the first to break eye contact. Looking back toward the ocean, I tried to reel in my emotions that seemed to be taking over, contemplating if I was really going to do this.
If I was really going to let him in.
He was just a stranger.
I could still feel his gaze on the side of my face, burning a hole into my skin, and a part of me knew he sensed that.
The effect he had on me.
Taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth and murmured, “I’ve never met my parents.” My eyebrows rose, surprised by my revelation. I finally admitted my truth out loud.
“Who are you living with?”
“My fosters.”
He jerked back, his face full of shock.
Whatever. I was used to people not understanding, so I just kept confessing. “I’ve moved from one place to the next ever since I could remember, but these are the first fosters who have been loaded. I guess they can’t have kids or something. The truth is, they’re probably just using me to appeal to their rich friends. If that makes any sense.”
I mentally checked off the whole “we’re doing it to save the children” mark on my bingo card.
He nodded.
“I didn’t really have time to process the severity of the situation or this world that I was suddenly thrown into where money wasn’t an issue. They even gave me my own bank card, saying I needed to use it for whatever I wanted. I’ve lived with them for the past year, and I still feel as lost with them as I did with my first family.” I left out the guilt part—the guilt I felt that my friends in foster care didn’t have this opportunity when I did.
“I see.”
“Do you?”
He tugged on the end of my hair. It was painfully sweet. “I see you.”
“This doesn’t bother you?”
“Why would it bother me?” He frowned.
My confession felt heavy and way too sad to say out loud, but I wanted to tell him. “I’m basically a charity case.”
“So.” He grinned and tipped my chin toward him. “You’re Cinderella?”
I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. He totally got me without even trying.
“I’ve never told anyone this.” I paused, needing a second to gather my thoughts and muster the courage to stay with him.
His stare never faltered. He just sat there patiently listening to every word, never interrupting me. I instantly looked down when I felt him gently place his hand on top of mine in the sand. It was a soothing gesture to reassure me. Maybe to show me he cared.
A little part of me…
Soared for the first time in months.