Chapter 14
chapter fourteen
Mia
My head feels like it’s spinning, and it’s not just because of the two strawberry daiquiris I’ve already had tonight.
For some reason, I can’t get the thought of Luke skinny-dipping with Talia and some other unknown random women in the ocean out of my head.
I’m not jealous per se because he can do what he wants, but the fact that he hadn’t even told me about it hurt more than it should.
It had been years ago, and it shouldn’t matter, but I always thought that we didn’t have any secrets from each other.
As I glance at Rafe heading toward me, a twinge of guilt hits me as I realize I can’t be super upset because I haven’t always been truthful with Luke about everything either.
Rafe stalks toward me, his blue eyes looking annoyed and concerned at the same time.
I look around, seeing if I can find an escape from the bar without him catching up to me, but I know it’s no use.
“Hey,” he says, stopping in front of me.
The brotherly look of concern in his eyes makes my heart warm, even though I want to tell him that I’m not a little kid anymore. I don’t need his protection.
“Hey, you’re still here?” I’m surprised, as it’s past eleven and the music is loud and pumping.
Crowds of locals and tourists fill the bar, and there’s barely room to move around. Juniper and Wendy are dancing near the entrance, where I left them, enjoying the beats of Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber while I take a quick break.
“Yes, I’m still here. I like to party as well.”
“Could have fooled me. You’ve never liked it that much before.”
“I’m just trying to make sure that everything is okay with you.”
“Why wouldn’t it be okay, Rafe?” I say as I look down. I realize I haven’t seen Luke in over an hour.
“What’s wrong?” Rafe asks, touching my shoulder lightly.
“Nothing. I was just looking for Luke. I’m not sure where he is.”
“Juniper said he had to take a work call.”
“A work call? Really? At this time?” I can hear the annoyance in my voice. I close my eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. “Serenity now. Serenity now. Serenity now,” I mutter fast. My eyes flutter open, and I can see Rafe’s lips twitching. “What?”
“I don’t think it quite works like that, sis.”
“Whatever.”
“So, what do you care if he’s got a work call?”
“He’s always working. I mean, it’s the middle of the night. We’re meant to be having fun, and he’s working. Can’t he just let it go for one night?” I shrug. “Whatever. He can do what he wants.”
“Um, are you okay?” He presses the back of his hand to my forehead. “Well, you’re not burning up, so you don’t have a fever.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m totally fine. I’m having fun. I’m drinking strawberry daiquiris. I’m here with my friends, and I’m here with Luke, my boyfriend, the love of my life, my—”
“Are you sure you’re not rushing this?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m just saying, there’s obviously a reason why you didn’t tell me, Mom, or Dad, or the grandparents.
I don’t know if you told Juniper, but I know you, sis.
When you’re in a relationship, you want to scream it from the rooftops, and the fact that you’ve kept this secret … ” He frowns. “It’s not a good sign.”
“It’s fine, Rafe.”
“I’m just saying, you like to go fast sometimes, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“It’s not like that time.” I press my lips together.
“I just worry about you, sis. You know that.”
“I know, and I’m grateful to you.”
“I love you, and you could have been seriously hurt that summer. You—”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I say quickly. “Okay?”
“Just know, if you ever need me, I’m here for you.” He holds his hands up.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He gives me a kiss on the forehead. “Well, I should be heading home soon. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow. Animals that are waiting on me.”
“You ever thought that the animals would want to see you happy too?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The animals want you to find love as well. You haven’t dated anyone in a while, unless you’re also hiding something from me.”
I feel slightly guilty about lying to my brother, but the simple fact is that he’s so honest that he will tell everyone in the family—even in Luke’s family—that we’re not really together if he knows the truth, and I just can’t have that.
That will make everyone think I’m even more pathetic than I already am.
“Obviously, I date, but that’s not my priority right now. I’m trying to build my practice. Plus, I haven’t met anyone who strikes my fancy.” He looks around the bar. “It’s just the same old, same girls in Coconut Beach, and maybe my girl’s not here.”
“Really? There’s not one woman you’ve ever seen or met on the island that you think could be the one?”
“Not a one,” he says, his tone stiff.
“There you are, Mia.” Juniper races over to us. “Hey, Rafe.”
“Hey,” he says, his voice almost a grunt.
I watch as he stares at her, and there’s something in his expression that shifts slightly. There’s a curl to his lips that wasn’t there before.
“Are you having fun tonight?”
“Yeah, you know. It’s always fun at Cocktails & Chaos. Cal makes the best drinks, and I just love the music and dancing and having fun. And who knows? Maybe I’ll meet someone tonight.”
“Yeah.” The small smile has gone from his face, and he turns back to me. “Well, like I said, I’ve got to be going. I have to be at work early tomorrow. I’ll catch you girls later. Bye.”
“Bye, Rafe,” she says, then leans over at me. “Was it something I said?”
“No, he was on his way out anyway. He’s just in a bad mood—I think because of me and Luke.”
“What’s up with that? I noticed he kind of had an attitude.”
“I think he feels really overprotective about me, and I think he thinks I don’t make the best decisions in relationships because of …” I stare at her, and she nods slowly.
“Yeah, I know.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “So, what’s up with you and Luke?”
“What do you mean, what’s up?”
“That kiss earlier … it looked real.”
“It was real,” I say, laughing.
“I know it was real, but it looked real, real, like passionate.”
“Oh, no way,” I say quickly. “I saw Rex and Andi and Talia were here. He saw them as well, so we put our all into it. You know we’re good at this. I was in the drama club in school, and, well, Luke can just follow my lead. You know he’s good at stuff like that.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Her eyes narrow, and she leans closer to me. “You’re not catching feelings for him or anything, are you?”
“Are you joking?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I’m just wondering if—”
“It’s just an act for the summer. It’s just for two weeks for the wedding. You know this, girl. We’re doing this because Rex is a jackass.” My voice is slightly too high, and I’m not sure why.
“Yeah, sure.” She nods slowly. “I get it, if that’s what you’re saying.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m saying.” I sigh suddenly, not able to keep it in any longer. “Okay, do not tell anyone this.”
“Who am I going to tell?” She grins. “You’re my best friend.”
“He’s kind of cute, right?” I whisper. “Like sexy cute.”
“Who?”
“Luke, duh. That’s who we’re talking about.”
“I know.” She giggles. “I was just joshing you.”
“This is going to sound crazy, but has he always been this cute?”
“I don’t know. He looks the same to me.” Juniper shrugs. “Not to be mean, he’s not my type, but I guess I can see why women would find him attractive.”
“He used to be all skin and bones and lean and gangly and zitty. Shit, I remember when his face was like a washboard.” I start laughing. “But now he’s freaking tall and muscular, and he’s got those deep blue eyes and that silky, dark hair, and have you seen his abs? And, yes, I saw his abs today.”
“Ooh. He’s so built. You must have noticed that.”
“It’s hard not to.” I groan. “Of course I would never act on that. For one, he’s my best friend, aside from you, of course.”
“I know I’m your female best friend, and he’s your male best friend.” She smiles, her eyes searching mine. “So, you’re into him?”
“No, I just … it’s complex. I just think that there’s no point in us doing anything or exploring anything because he lives in New York and I live here, and it would totally ruin our friendship if we were to go any further than we currently have.”
“I don’t think it would ruin your friendship. It’s not like you guys have done anything. A kiss is just a kiss.”
“Yeah, exactly. I kiss men all the time, and it means nothing.” I don’t explore intimately with men all the time though, but I decide not to share that information with her.
“Exactly.”
“There y’all are.” Josie comes running toward us. “I’ve been looking for you, girls.”
“What’s going on?” Juniper turns to her, offering her a side smile.
“We’re all going to go down to the beach and play Twister. You want to come?”
“Yeah, that sounds fun,” I say. “Come on, Juni.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” she says, shaking her head. “We were just chatting about—”
“I’m done talking about it. Let’s have some fun.”
“Fine. Let’s see if we can get Wendy to join.”
“I don’t know if Wendy’s going to join,” Josie says. “I think she’s chatting with Carter. Oh, look, there she is. Let’s see if she wants to join. Come on, girls.” We follow Josie to the side of the bar, pushing through laughing girls and the guys who are trying to get their numbers.
“Hey, Wendy, Carter, you want to join us? We’re going to play Twister down at the beach.”
“That sounds like fun,” Carter says, staring at Wendy with twinkling eyes. “You down?”
“No way,” she says, shaking her head quickly. “I do not play Twister.”
“Come on, Wendy. It’ll be fun.” His voice is deep, and the look he’s giving her makes me feel like I’m witnessing some private moment. “Josie, convince Wendy to play.”
“Come on, sis,” Josie says, laughing.
“Nah, I’ll watch, but I’m not playing.”
“Has anyone seen my man?” I ask as we head out of the bar to the beach. “Luke?” I call out as I down the last of my drink.