Chapter 9 Trevor
Trevor
“An accountant?” Noah echoes then gives Kenzie a wry grin. “No one asks you questions when you tell them you’re an accountant.”
“I guess.” She chuckles, not understanding the joke.
If I didn’t know with one-hundred-percent certainty that Noah wasn’t flirting with Kenzie, I’d drag him from this table and throw him in the bay.
Fortunately, my friend still carries a torch for his high school sweetheart even after they split up years ago.
Noah frequents her local coffee shop as often as he can, hoping for a second chance.
I tune out Noah as he answers Kenzie’s questions about Wilks Beach, taking a deep breath for what feels like the first time in six days because Kenzie is laughing again. Sure, it’s because she’s listening to my goofball friend talk about his hometown, but her grin is soft and genuine.
Kenzie’s bare toes wiggle in the grass as she asks Noah a dozen follow-up questions, causing the corner of my mouth to kick up.
She’s insatiable for information. When Kenzie first moved in, I half-expected her questions about baseball to be polite inquiries, but she memorized baseball plays like she was taking a crash course in a foreign language before moving to another country.
The way her brain works fascinates me. I’ve always barely squeaked by academically in order to play baseball, much to the disappointment of my parents. A barb flares at the base of my throat, thinking about my family, and I force my focus back on the present.
It’s beautiful today—a crisp seventy degrees. The perfect early spring day. I push back the sleeves of my lightweight hoodie as the sun’s warmth soaks into the dark-navy material.
“So it’s not technically an island?”
Noah smiles. “No, but it feels like one with water on three sides and the nature preserve to the north. We even call ourselves islanders.”
“Interesting.”
“Where you live is called the mainland.”
“Speaking of that,” I say, “can I borrow your truck?”
When Noah’s brows furrow, I elaborate as much as I can without embarrassing Kenzie. “She got a little queasy on the way over.”
Noah gives me a look that clearly says You lovesick fool, but Kenzie misses it because she’s hunched over, putting her socks back on.
“Wait.” Kenzie jolts upright, pink sock dangling from her fingertips. “What?”
A deep inhale lifts my chest. “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable on the way back, so I’ll drive you home, and then I’ll bring Noah’s truck back and get my boat.”
“But…but that’s like—”
The radio at Noah’s shoulder interrupts Kenzie’s protest. He steps away, muttering something into it before returning.
“I’ve got to go. You’re lucky I never took these out of my pocket this morning.”
Noah tosses me a set of keys before he jogs toward the fire truck, collecting the other two firefighters on his way. The engine roars to life, executing a quick three-point turn before racing back the way it came with the sirens blaring.
“Trevor, this is too much.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Simply extending my commute to prevent her from getting seasick again is an easy ask.
Kenzie chews on her bottom lip.
Since I want nothing more than to smooth my thumb over it, I stand. “Why don’t we get some lunch? I’m starving.”
Kenzie wrinkles her nose. “I’m still too nauseated to eat, but I’ll sit with you.”
“Why don’t I order a wrap to go, and we can take a walk on the beach instead.”
Kenzie brightens at the idea of being on the beach, so we give up our table and wait at the outdoor bar after I order my food.
She excuses herself to use the restroom just before the bartender hands me my to-go container.
I quickly coat the fries with mustard, knowing I can carry the wrap as we walk.
I’m about two handfuls in when someone taps me on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry, big guy. I’m here to rescue you.” A blonde woman pushes into my personal space while rising onto the barstool beside where I’m standing.
“Erm.” That’s all I can manage since my mouth is full of fried mustardy goodness.
“Because”—she leans so close the sickly sweet scent of lingering vape smoke clogs my nostrils—“you were looking a bit lonely.”
I chew quickly so I can correct her misassumption. “I’m actually—”
“Listen.” She grabs my bicep while tucking her heeled boot around my calf.
“I’m just passing through”—her polished nail flicks toward the yacht that’s taking up two boat slips—“and I was wondering if a small-town fella like yourself would be interested in going for a ride. I’ll make it fun. I promise.”
A part of me almost laughs. I don’t always get recognized because, let’s face it, athletes don’t hold the same celebrity that movie stars do.
Plus, most of us aren’t all that attractive.
We’re just normal-looking dudes with a highly specialized skill set.
Often, I can slip under the radar. Most times, I prefer to—hence the sunglasses and hat.
Though, my sunglasses are tucked into the collar of my hoodie currently.
I open my mouth to give this woman a polite refusal when Kenzie’s voice bounces off the bar.
“What exactly is going on here?” She storms up, an incensed look on her face. “Get—” Kenzie pries the woman’s fingers off me. “Get your hands off my husband.”
Then she faces me with a look of mischievous glee, waggling her eyebrows.
“That is…” Kenzie steps back, frowning at the two of us. “Was he flirting with you?” she asks the woman before flipping to me again. “Because we talked about this, Norbert! How are we supposed to make this arranged marriage work if your eye keeps wandering?”
A startled sound leaves my mouth open as Kenzie balls her hands on her hips.
“He absolutely did,” the woman says, leaning away.
What? I did no such—
“I knew it,” Kenzie says, pointing an accusing finger at me. “That’s it!” She closes my to-go box and pushes it to my chest. “We’re leaving this nice woman alone and going home to talk about this.”
I let Kenzie manhandle me until we’re far beyond the view of the bar, almost beside the road. Once we’re in the clear, she drops her hands from the small of my back and bursts into laughter. If I wasn’t so confused, I could actually enjoy the way her eyes look lit from within.
“Norbert?” I ask, forehead still wrinkled. “And why was I the adulterer in that situation?”
“I don’t know.” Kenzie shakes her head, gazing off.
“It was like some weird fuse broke in my brain or something. I thought about my list and asked myself What’s the last thing that quiet, boring Kenzie would do?
” A breathy chuckle leaves her mouth. “I’d never approach a stranger and make a scene, so that’s what I did. ”
Her smile drops when she catches me frowning. “Which maybe I shouldn’t have because…oh my gosh, were you having a good time and I ruined it?” She slaps her forehead. “I didn’t even think of that. I’m sorry. Let’s go back and—”
I slide an arm around Kenzie’s waist when she takes a step backward, unintentionally using too much force to keep her from striding away. Her hands come up as her chest bumps into mine, her eyes widening.
“You didn’t ruin anything. I was about to give her a polite refusal.”
“Oh.” She blows out a relieved breath.
“I’m mad at you about one thing, though,” I say, jaw tightening.
“What?”
Kenzie’s fingers tense on my torso, and it’s almost distracting enough to make me forget what I was going to say.
Almost.
“For talking down to yourself. You’re not boring. And there’s nothing wrong with being quiet. Because…” I pause when I realize I’m about to be too honest but then decide to go for it anyway. “I enjoy our quiet moments together.”
Noticing the tension in her body, I let Kenzie go, infusing jokey warmth into my voice. “Or when you’re throwing me a curveball by calling me Norbert. You know me.” I lift my shoulders in a playful shrug. “I’m up for anything.”
When Kenzie just stares, I lightly punch her in the shoulder—like I would with a teammate. “Let’s check out the beach before we head home.”
My eyes squeeze shut with regret the second I turn toward the ocean.
I need to rein it in. I’m crossing lines that clearly shouldn’t be crossed.
Kenzie is essentially stranded with me in this small town, and I need to not make things awkward by admitting feelings that I’ve managed to keep buried until now.
“You coming?”
I toss the lighthearted question over my shoulder because that’s what easygoing Trevor would do. Smile and go with the flow. Life is full of disappointments. It’s best not to let them get the better of you.
Relief shoots through my veins when I hear Kenzie’s footsteps behind me, but I quickly school my features. I just need to keep my emotions in check for a few more hours.
And then, for the rest of my life.