Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
Riley
It’s a miracle that I’ve survived seventeen years with a mother who constantly told me I was a mistake.
I’ll turn eighteen tomorrow, and I’ll be out of her house and her life forever.
God knows; she’s told me for as long as I can remember that her job is done when I become an adult.
I understand what this truly means—her child support checks will stop so she can discard me just like yesterday’s trash.
My dad left when I was six, and I’ve only seen him a few times since then.
Mom always blamed me for his leaving, saying if I hadn’t been a bad girl, he would’ve stayed.
I wasn’t a bad girl—she was—I heard them arguing the day he left.
She stopped cooking and doing the housework; I remember all I ate for a week was stale bread, cheese, and peanut butter.
Going to school was my safe place, where I could be myself and interact with others.
Unfortunately, after the last bell rang, I had no choice but to get on the bus and go back to the one person who hated my very existence.
So when my dad called, offering to pay for college if I moved to South Carolina, I couldn’t say no. All I had to do was register online for all my classes, and Dad handled all the paperwork. Between faxing and emailing, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.
I’ll miss my best friend, Ashley, we’ve been inseparable for the past six years since she moved in next door. Ashley’s mom wanted me to stay with them, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable living so close to my mother. No, I thought it was best to make a clean break.
As I unzip another suitcase and toss it onto my bed, the bedroom door opens. Ashley stands there with tears in her eyes.
“You’re really going to South Carolina? There’s nothing I can say that will change your mind?”
“Ash, we’ve gone over this a thousand times. Dad wants me to move down there so we can get to know each other. You know this is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but he’s willing to pay for college.” She needs to understand that I have to do this for myself.
“Why would you want to move so far away to be with a stranger?” Walking over, I wrap my arms around her.
My heart’s breaking. “You and your mom mean the world to me, and I don’t think I would have survived without both of you these last six years.
But we just graduated last week, and your future is all laid out for you.
Mine’s not.” I let her go so I can keep packing.
She sits on the edge of the bed, wiping away her tears. “All right, but we need to get you a cell phone so we can stay in touch. I can’t stand the thought of not being able to tell you about all the hot guys you’ll be missing when I’m on campus.”
Smiling, I look up at her. “I can’t wait to take pictures of all the hot guys that will be hanging around the beach and at school this year.” I’m relieved that she’s finally accepted that I’m leaving, and that makes me feel a lot better about my decision.
* * *
Hunter
It feels like I’m moving through life in slow motion; my feet are stuck in the sand, and it’s a struggle to lift them and step forward.
There’s an emptiness inside me that sometimes consumes me.
My therapist tells me I shouldn’t dwell on the past; I need to move on with my life.
Easy for her to say, sitting in her comfortable chair with her husband and house with the white picket fence.
For those times when I want to forget, which happens quite often, I pick up a girl after work and let her blow me in the back seat of my Jeep.
If she has her own place, I let her take me there, and for a few hours, I forget about my messed-up life.
I have mind-blowing, meaningless sex and walk out the door. I never take them to my place, never.
When you’re a lifeguard at one of South Carolina's busiest beaches, you can have your pick of women whenever you want, and they are always wet and eager, just the way I like them. Don’t get me wrong—I take my job very seriously, but once I’m off duty, my time is my own.
Now I’m heading over to Connor’s house to play some pool and have a few beers. He’s the only friend I trust with my deepest, darkest secrets, and he never judges me. As I turn the corner, I notice more cars than I expected. I’m tempted to turn back, but I pull into the driveway anyway.
“I thought for sure you weren’t going to show.” I look up to see Connor leaning on the porch railing, smoking a cigarette.
“You know those things will kill you.” Walking up the stairs, I grab the butt and throw it to the ground, crushing it with my boot. “You told me last week you quit. What the hell?”
“I was doing well until Beth showed up. I needed something to calm my nerves. Did you know she was back in town?” He crosses his arms and studies my reaction. If looks could kill, I’d be dead.
Running my hand through my hair, I let out a groan. “No, I didn’t know she was in town. We haven’t spoken since the day she stormed out of your house.” Beth was one of our best friends until Connor took it to the next level and messed it all up.
“Well, she came back here to tell me she’s pregnant and swears the baby’s mine.” He looks so miserable that the only thing I can think of is to get him the hell out of here.
Throwing my arm over his shoulder, I say the first thing that comes to mind, “You need to get the hell out of here for a few hours. Let’s go to The Sands for a couple of beers.” So much for a boring Friday night of playing pool.