Chapter Two Flamingo Cove
CHAPTER TWO: FLAMINGO COVE
JACE
“ P oppy is Logan’s girlfriend and he’s whipped as fuck, if she doesn’t want you there, then I don’t think you should come.”
The conversation I had with Tanner this morning plays over and over in my head like a bad commercial jingle.
How the fuck did I end up here?
I run my hand down my short beard and take an extra long sip of my coffee. One week ago, I saw Lacey for the first time in nine years, and she looked stunning. Her long blonde hair was in loose curls cascading around her shoulders. She was wearing a green dress that hugged her hips and dipped low enough to show off the perfect curve of her tits. Her lips were plump, pink, and looked as kissable as they did the last time I saw her. She was pretty at eighteen, but in that green dress she was a fucking knock-out.
When her eyes met mine, it felt like maybe fate had finally intervened, which is a weird thought, but if anyone could make me believe in fate and wishing on stars, it’s Lacey.
Instead of running towards me, she ran away and then Logan asked me to leave.
“If Poppy doesn’t want you there, then I don’t think you should come.” That’s what Tanner said this morning. If I’m honest, I’m not surprised. She made it clear she took Lacey’s side over mine and she no longer wanted me in her life. Ten years of friendship out the window in one text message. I just still don’t understand why I’m being painted as the bad guy.
I don’t have many people in my inner circle, but five years ago Tanner forced himself to be my friend and introduced me to Logan, Donovan, and Enzo. Our group of five was formed and the rest is history. I’m not going to let what happened a decade ago ruin the friendships I have now.
I jump up from the table and head to my room. I dig through the drawers until I find a bathing suit and pull it on. I grab my keys and head to the marina.
I realize my plan is full of holes as soon as I turn into the parking lot. Tanner headed out a full hour ago, which means they’re probably already floating in some cove somewhere, and I have no way of knowing which one. I shoot him a text, but it won’t deliver. Wherever they are, there must be no service.
Lake Allatoona is huge and the marina is packed with people renting boats and water sports equipment. I walk up to the counter where a kid no older than sixteen stands.
“Hey, man, I need to get out on the lake. Do you have anything left to rent?” He clicks through the computer.
“Um, it looks like we have one more pontoon. It seats eight. How many people are in your party?”
“Anything smaller? My friends left an hour ago and I was hoping to go meet them. It’s just me.”
“Oh, um, I have a pedal boat.”
“Nothing faster? I don’t know where they are and I’m going to have to look for them. Maybe a jet ski?” He looks at me like I’m insane. I feel insane.
“No, sir, all the jet skis have been rented, but I could possibly find their boat. All of our rentals have trackers on them. What’s the name of the person who rented it?”
“Logan Peterson or Tanner Mitchell.” He taps on the keyboard and then radios to someone. I drum my fingers on the counter impatiently. I know I look completely unhinged, but with every passing minute I want nothing more than to be on the boat I was told to stay away from.
“We located the boat in Flamingo Cove, which is like a thirty minute pedal boat ride from here. I can rent it to you for $55 an hour.”
“$55 an hour? You’re joking.”
“No, sir, that’s the rate.”
I massage my temples and take a deep breath.
“Fine.” Taking out my wallet, I hand him my credit card.
I follow him down to the rocky beach where the pedal boats are kept. He unties my boat and attempts, and fails, to give me decent directions to the boat. I buckle my life vest and push the boat into the shallow water before climbing in. I begin to pedal.
At 6’4”, my knees are up to my chest in this thing. I’m sure I look ridiculous and while I know Lacey hates me, hate is the furthest emotion from how I feel about her.
So much for the image of a knight in shining armor riding in on a horse. Instead I’m going to pull up to their boat sweating my ass off from having to pedal myself across the lake. I rip my life jacket and T-shirt off because it’s unnaturally hot out here. The life jacket isn’t helping my image and I’ll be damned if Lacey is going to see me looking even more pathetic than I already do. She may want nothing to do with me, but I can at least try to arrive looking good.
I wish they had a jet ski; it would have made what I’m about to do so much cooler.