Chapter 15
fifteen
SKYLER
I’m stupidly nervous waiting for Autumn and Francie to arrive. Maybe it’s because I don’t have many female friends here on the island. Or maybe it’s because I’m still on edge about Hudson coming over tomorrow.
Autumn called me earlier, wanting my email address so she could send over some design ideas for the bar. She wanted me to look them over because she says she’s already found some contractors who can start right away.
I explained that I couldn’t do anything without going to a bank to get a loan, but she told me that the Grand Liberty Hotel company had agreed to fund it as part of their island improvement plan.
Which means Hudson has agreed to pay for it. Along with pushing my licence forward – because she admitted that was him too. It’s messing with my mind.
I could take us having a fling when I thought he was an asshole. Yes, I grow feelings too fast, but he’s great at making them go away with one scowl and a cutting sentence. But now I know he also has a benevolent side, it’s making my chest feel tight.
Everybody on the island raves about how much he’s done for the people and businesses of Liberty. Even Jesse tells me that Hudson replaced his guitar when it got smashed last year.
But I can’t fall for a man who would never fall for me. And if I sleep with him, I know that’s what will happen. So I’m going to tell him that this isn’t going to work.
Yes, I feel bad about the fact that he made me come and I didn’t do the same for him. But that’s life. I’ll buy him a sex toy or something.
The thought of him opening a box to see a pulsing cock ring makes my lips twitch. I immediately feel better.
“Hey,” Jesse says, walking into the bar, the first to arrive for girls’ night. “I thought there was a party. There isn’t even any music.”
I smile at him, because he has this stupid calming effect on people. I know that my family considers me laid back, but Jesse is something else. He walks over to the jukebox and presses the button to flick through the tracks before he chooses something.
The low sounds of “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder throbs out of the speaker, as he smiles at me and starts to sashay across the main floor.
“I love Stevie,” I say.
“Yeah.” He gives me a soft look. “Wayne did, too.”
The tightness in my chest reminds me that there’s still so much more to learn about my dad.
“Do you know what song was my dad’s favorite?” I ask Jesse, this need taking over me.
““Go Your Own Way”. Fleetwood Mac.” His eyes catch mine.
That’s one of my favorites too. I love that I feel so connected to him right now.
“Would you like a drink?” I ask, walking behind the bar.
“Beer would be good.”
I open the refrigerator, where I’ve stored some beers and ready made cocktails because until the refurb is done I can’t place a big order from the brewery on the mainland. Popping two bottles open, I pass one to Jesse before clinking it with mine.
“Hey hey!” Autumn sings out as she walks into the bar with Francie. “No drinking without me.”
She looks amazing in a silver sequined dress. Francie is in a slightly less over-the-top but still sparkly gold shell top and black skirt as they both rush over to hug us.
I look down at my own outfit – a cut-out-lace white top and a silky long flowing skirt, cinched at the waist with a thick leather belt. “I should have worn something more appropriate,” I murmur.
Jesse chuckles. “You and me both.” He gestures at the black, overwashed Nirvana t-shirt and jeans he’s wearing.
As Autumn releases me I spot a pair of dark, brooding eyes over her shoulder.
And immediately my heart starts to race.
He’s in casual clothes. A pair of jeans that seem to hug his muscled thighs like they’re in love with them. And a gray Henley that’s unbuttoned at the neck to reveal a dash of hair on his chest.
I run my tongue over my dry lips, trying to calm my nerves.
“Are you staying for a drink?” I ask him, my voice low and thick.
Hudson has dark shadows under his eyes like he hasn’t slept well for days. The corner of his lip pulls up at my question.
“Of course not. It’s girls’ night. He’s just dropping us off while Parker and West look after Ayda for a minute,” Autumn says, shooting him a playful look. You can tell from her eyes how much she loves her big brother. “You can go now.”
“Jesse’s staying,” I say. “He’s not a girl.” Why am I so desperate to keep him here?
“I do need to get back for Ayda,” he murmurs, his gaze still locked on mine. God, I’m stupidly attracted to him.
And then I make the mistake of glancing down at his hand. Yes, that one. The talented one that along with his even more talented lips made me forget who I was for a few minutes.
It’s curled into a fist. It makes my heart race.
“Can I have a word?” I ask him.
“Ooh, has he done something wrong?” Autumn asks. “Hudson, you promised to be nice.”
“Not at all,” I say, my voice low. “It’s just something about the licence. Go ahead and help yourself to cocktails,” I say, pointing at the refrigerator. Jesse’s at the jukebox, lining the next song up as I walk past him toward Hudson, then out of the door that leads onto the veranda overlooking the ocean.
“Call me when you’re ready to come home,” he calls out to Autumn.
“Sure.” She’s distracted by the cocktails, trying to choose between a sex on the beach and a screaming orgasm.
The night air is cool as we step outside onto the planked veranda. It dropped since Saturday and I can feel it. According to Mylene when I picked up my coffee this morning, it will get warmer soon. By mid summer even at night the temperatures barely dip below seventy.
But my bare arms are prickling at the icy sensation of the salty air as the breeze hits them.
“You cold?” Hudson asks.
“It’s okay. I’ll be quick. I just wanted to thank you for pushing the licence forward.”
He blinks like he wasn’t expecting that. “It only took some phone calls. It’s not a big deal.”
“It is to me.”
Our eyes lock again. “Then you’re welcome.”
“Autumn showed me the designs for the bar,” I continue. “There’s no way I can accept you paying for them.”
He runs his thumb over his stubbled jaw. He really does look tired. “Is this something we can discuss tomorrow?” he asks.
“About tomorrow…” I trail off. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.
“Why not?”
“I don’t think I have what you need.”
“Is this because of the licence?” he asks. “I can call and ask them to rescind it.”
“No,” I answer.
“The remodel then?”
“I don’t think we should mix business and pleasure,” I say, suddenly latching onto the idea. “That’s all.”
“The remodel will be mutually beneficial,” he tells me. In the distance the ferry is coming into port. The last run of the night – I’ve gotten used to the timings. Gotten used to a lot of things around here.
“How will it benefit you?” I ask.
“Because the nightlife on this island is dire. My guests expect a certain level of entertainment. Originally I wanted to provide it by buying this place, but since you refuse to sell…” He gives me a half-smile. “Then the second best option is to pay for it to be renovated. To the standard they expect.”
Oh .
“So it’s not because you want to have sex with me?”
He frowns. “You think I’m paying for the privilege?”
When he puts it like that it sounds super sordid. “I don’t know,” I say, confused now. “All I know is that it feels wrong to accept something like that.”
He lets out a long breath. “I’m really fucking tired,” he says, looking more human than I think I’ve ever seen him. “It’s been a long day, I’ve had to deal with people who hate my guts and I just don’t know what to say to make you understand that these two things are perfectly separate. I can want to improve the bar and want to spend time with you. In two very different, very exclusive situations.”
I let out a breath. “You want to spend time with me?” I hate that my heart lights up at that.
“I believe that’s what a date entails.” He reaches out, his fingers trailing over my jaw. Stupid fireworks explode low in my stomach.
No, no no. I can’t let myself respond to him like that. “I’m sorry you had a bad day,” I whisper.
He doesn’t pull his hand away. Instead he threads it through my hair, pulling me against him until my cheek is pressed against his strong chest, his head is lowered as he breathes in my hair.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” he murmurs. “You don’t owe me anything. You don’t owe me sex, you don’t owe me a drink, you don’t even owe me a date. But I’d very much like to come over and spend some time getting to know you tomorrow.”
I can feel the tenseness relaxing in his muscles as he holds me. And for some reason that makes me feel stupidly soft inside.
“I’d like to see you too,” I whisper.
“Good,” he says. “Now have a good evening. Try not to let my sister get too drunk, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” He kisses my brow and it sends my fireworks into overdrive, before he releases his hold on me and walks down the veranda to his sports car.
I watch until he’s sitting inside of it, then he gestures at me to go inside, shaking his head because I’m so obviously shivering again.
And of course, he doesn’t start his engine until I do exactly as I’m told.
By the time I walk back into the bar, it seems like girls’ night is already in full swing. The Jukebox has moved on from Stevie Wonder to Hotel California, and Jesse is singing along with Don Henley, using his beer bottle as a microphone, while Autumn is pouring out what I hope is only their second cocktail.
“How long was I gone?” I ask. Though I completely suspect that Autumn and Francie had a few drinks before they even arrived. They’re super giggly right now.
“Too long. You’re playing catch up. What’s your poison?” Autumn asks me, holding up an empty cocktail glass.
“Actually, I think I’ll just go for a beer,” I say. The cocktails look far too dangerous. She pops the lid from a bottle of Bud and passes it to me. I take a sip and grin at her. “You seem awfully at home behind the bar.”
“I grew up pouring drinks for my dad and his gambling buddies.” She shrugs. Then she passes Francie another cocktail and holds up her glass. “A toast. To new friends.”
I feel my heart clench. If I’m not careful my eyes are going to go misty. “To new friends,” I repeat, clinking my bottle against hers and Francie’s glasses, followed by Jesse’s bottle, which he’s stopped using as a mic for a second.
“What did Hudson have to say?” Autumn asks me. “He wasn’t giving you a hard time was he?”
I shake my head quickly. The last person I want to talk about right now is Hudson. I’ve never been great at hiding things, and I certainly don’t want her to know that we have a… whatever it is… planned for tomorrow. “He’s fine. Grumpy, but fine.”
She laughs. “He’s been in a bad mood ever since he got back to the island.” She wrinkles her nose. “In fact all my brothers have.” She looks over at Francie. “What did Asher say to you earlier?”
Francie blinks, like she’s been caught in the headlights. “What?”
“I saw him say something to you then storm off. I meant to ask you earlier.” Autumn lets out a breath. “Brothers can be such assholes,” she murmurs. “I swear they don’t want me to have any friends.”
“That’s because you keep stealing theirs,” Jesse says, grinning.
“I didn’t steal Parker,” Autumn protests. “He came willingly.”
“In more ways than one,” Francie quips, making me giggle.
“Stop changing the subject. What did he say?” Autumn has Francie in her sights now. And I actually feel sorry for her. I get the feeling it’s hard to hide anything from Hudson’s sister. But whatever is going on between Francie and Asher, she clearly wants to keep it quiet.
“He was just annoyed at the fact we were going out tonight, I think, when he’s leaving for the mainland tomorrow.” Francie shrugs. “Anyway, let’s ignore him. You’re right, brothers are idiots.”
“You should know.” Autumn grins. “Did you know Francie has six brothers?” she asks me. “I thought I had it bad with four until I met her.”
“Six?” My eyes widen. “Where do you come in that birth order?”
“Last. By far.” Francie wrinkles her nose then takes another large mouthful of cocktail. “Believe me, it wasn’t fun.”
“Remember your eighteenth birthday party?” Autumn asks, clearly enjoying herself now. “How they tried to stop you from kissing anybody?”
“I remember.” Francie lets out a sigh. “Let’s face it, they haven’t stopped trying since.”
“You’re making me glad I only have one sister,” I say, taking a sip of my beer. For a second there’s silence, then Autumn lets out a little noise.
“Let’s stop talking about our families,” Jesse suggests. “How about we play a drinking game instead?”
Autumn’s face lights up, and she claps her hands together. “Never have I ever!” she suggests. “That’s my favorite.”
“That’s because you’ve done everything,” Francie points out. “And you get to drink every time.”
Jesse splutters out his beer. Our eyes catch and he smiles at me. He’s such a sweetie, I like him a lot.
“I’ll say something I haven’t done. I promise.” Autumn says to her. Francie shakes her head, grinning. These two are a riot.
“Never have I ever…” Autumn drags it out, running her finger around her glass. “Kissed one of my brothers.” She looks slyly at Francie, like she’s waiting for a reaction.
But oh shit. This particular gotcha may not be aimed at me, but it’s hit me right in the solar plexus anyway.
“I don’t have any brothers,” Jesse says. “So I definitely haven’t kissed any of them.”
“Me either,” I say, and for a minute they all stare at me. Then Francie joins in. “I definitely haven’t made out with any of my disgusting brothers.”
“I mean my brothers,” Autumn says, shaking her head. “Hudson, Asher, Wyatt and Zach. Do I have to spell this out for you?” I try to hide my dismay, but Francie isn’t quite so good at keeping her face neutral. “What?” Autumn asks. “You told me I’d done everything. I haven’t done that.”
“Luckily for me it’s still easy,” Jesse says, putting his bottle down on the bar without taking a drink. He looks over at me. “I haven’t made out with any of them. None of us have,” he says, looking over at me. “Right?”
My breath catches. “Right,” I manage to say. It’s just a game, I don’t need to play it, I tell myself. But I still find myself feeling guilty when I don’t lift my own bottle to my lips.
Autumn doesn’t seem to notice though. She’s too busy looking at Francie. “So what’s it to be, are you going to drink?” she asks.
Francie is still desperately trying to look nonchalant, but there’s a blush stealing its way up her neck to her cheeks. Oh god, the poor girl. I feel stupidly sorry for her. Not least because I think she’s probably made out with Asher and doesn’t want to admit it to Autumn. But because I’m in exactly the same boat as her.
What is it about these damn Fitzgerald men? I need to create a diversion before this turns into an interrogation.
“Oh my God!” I shout out suddenly. Probably a bit too loud because all three of them turn to look at me with wide eyes, like they think something terrible’s happened.
“What?” Jesse says, frowning.
I open my mouth, hoping something will actually come out. “I just realized I forgot my mom’s birthday.”
Autumn frowns. “Huh?”
“You forgot your mom’s birthday?” Francie repeats, her voice sounding like I just committed a heinous crime.
“Yeah. I have to call her.” I look over at the jukebox. “Somebody put some more music on,” I say quickly, because the Eagles have finished. Talk among yourselves. But definitely don’t play this game without me.”
Jesse looks at me carefully, like he knows exactly what I’m doing. Autumn pours her and Francie another cocktail. One more of those and she’ll have forgotten her name, let alone that Francie never actually answered the question.
“I’ll be five minutes,” I promise. “Don’t move.”
“Okay…” Autumn says.
“And you get to choose the music,” I tell Autumn. “Make it loud.” Enough to blast over whatever thoughts are whirling around her head.
With that I grab my phone, and rush over to the door to the apartment at the back of the bar. I quickly tap out a message before I walk through.
Distract Autumn. Keep all conversation away from her brothers. Do something stupid if necessary – Skyler.
I send the message to Jesse who pulls his phone out of his pocket when it vibrates. He reads the screen then looks at me and nods. Then as I open the door to the apartment I hear him shout out. “You want to know my most embarrassing moment? I once flashed Eileen and Mylene on the same day!”
I start to laugh, because he absolutely understood the assignment.
“What?” Autumn shouts out. “Have you? When was this? And why didn’t I know?” She widens her eyes. “Were they in the same place?”
From the excitement in her voice, I know that all thoughts of brothers and kissing are forgotten.
Was that good enough? – Jesse
When I turn back, he’s surrounded by Francie and Autumn who are shouting out so many questions he doesn’t look like he knows where to start answering them. And I feel this strange pull in my chest at the sight. I think I could fall in love with these friends, in a completely platonic way.
It was genius. And I need all the details later. – Skyler.
There are no details. I made it up. – Jesse
That’s when I really start to laugh. Who knew lovely, innocent Jesse was such a good liar? Our eyes catch and I mouth a ‘thank you’ to him. He nods.
Somehow this place is beginning to feel a lot like home.