Chapter 42
PETE
Pete wasn’t sure how long he sat on his spot on the sand, watching the waves crash and kite-boarders catch air.
Elise always teased him about “his spot.” She claimed the spot of sandy beach that stretched for miles and miles was all the same, but that’s where she was wrong.
His spot was unique. He’d found it in middle school with a group of his friends.
Growing up in Half Moon Bay meant that most of his days were spent somewhere near the ocean.
After school, they’d ride bikes to the beach and play Frisbee and Spikeball for hours.
During the summer, he practically lived on the beach.
He and Elise and a crew of their friends would camp out all day building sand forts, swimming in the surf, and searching for imaginary buried treasure.
His spot was tucked up away from the waterline, in one of the many coves hugging the shoreline. It offered enough protection from the wind but still had a great view and plenty of sand to stretch out in.
He read the email from the private detective again and again, his fingers shaking slightly as he gripped his phone tighter.
This was a turning point.
Did he want to know more about his birth father?
Yes.
Would it potentially hurt Mom?
Also yes.
Mom used to tell him that the ocean was his centering place. Today, that didn’t feel true. His thoughts remained muddled, and he constantly had to blink away images of Shelby.
Wait, is that Shelby?
Pete stood and shielded his eyes with his hand.
It was.
She was walking toward him, absently staring out into the sea like a vision from a dream. Her long red curls bounced behind her, caught up in the wind. She wrapped her deep sapphire sweater tightly around her body, keeping her eyes on the ocean.
He froze. Should he wave? Call her over?
He needed to talk to her about the Lacy situation, but seeing her kick sand up as she strolled, stopping every now and then to examine a shell, made him want to run over, sweep her up off her feet, and run into the water hand in hand.
He watched her for another minute before brushing sand off his pants and hurrying to catch up with her. “Hey, Shelby. Wait up.”
She turned at the sound of her name. Her hair blew in the wind, tossing her curls and making her squint.
She waited for him, rubbing her arms and smiling.
“I wondered if I might run into you.” She sounded almost breathless as he picked up his pace and made up the distance between them. “I was hoping I would, actually.”
“Same. I was going to text you to see if you still needed a beach tour guide, but then I didn’t want to wake you.” Her freckles looked more pronounced under the sun.
“No worries.” She tossed a shell back into the sand. “So you and Lacy, damn. I couldn’t have scripted that better.”
Pete gulped. “What?”
“That was epic last night.” She nudged him in the waist. “You two are already an internet sensation. Haven’t you checked social this morning? I think every woman in America is in love with you, but the good news is that they all think Lacy is basically Miss Barbie U.S.A.”
Pete made a face.
Ugh. That was the perfect description, but was that what she thought he wanted?
Shelby wrinkled her nose and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “I’ve already put together a plan for today. I think we want to capitalize on you two while you’re hot. I sent my bosses a pitch, and they’ve given me the green light. You’re my new star, Pete.”
“Huh?” He was having trouble coming up with a quick retort.
“Full disclosure, this is a huge, huge deal for me,” Shelby said, her tone turning serious.
“Huge how?” Pete frowned. He didn’t like the sound of this.
“If we can blow you two up the way I think we can, this will mean a raise and bonus for me.” Shelby pointed toward the bridge that led back to downtown.
A grove of eucalyptus and cypress trees flanked the path along Poplar Street that allowed anyone direct access to the beach. “Can we walk and talk for a minute?”
“Yeah, sure.” He needed to tell her he was out, but something in the way her voice cracked with emotion gave him pause.
They walked in silence until they made it to the bridge. Pete propped one arm against the wooden slats and waited for her. The sun hid behind the canopy of beach-worn trees. He got the sense she had something she wanted—no, needed—to say.
After a long moment, Shelby reached for a stick and made a star in the sand, not meeting his eyes. “Did you see me lose it last night?”
“Lose it?” Pete thought she wanted to talk about the campaign and Lacy. He wasn’t expecting this.
She doodled in the sand and kept her eyes glued to her feet. “A full-blown breakdown.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked gently. He got the sense that it took a lot for her to open up.
She laughed, but there was little warmth to it. “Maybe. I’ve done such a bang-up job of not talking about it that I ended up a blubbering mess, sobbing on Jim’s sleeve last night.”
“Is it work?”
“No, not exactly.” She exhaled like she was blowing out a balloon. “It’s my dad.”
He waited.
“It’s been a rough couple of years.” She tossed the stick at her feet as if she had decided she was ready to tell him everything. “My mom learned that my dad has had a serious gambling problem. He lost their entire life savings, retirement, and even the house.”
“Shelby, I’m so sorry.” Pete’s own problem seemed minor in comparison. “That must feel like a betrayal.”
“Exactly.” She nodded, shrinking into herself as she wrapped her arms tight around her waist protectively.
“My mom is a mess. She’s not functional.
It’s all fallen on me. My younger sister is currently in college.
I’m trying to protect her, well, both of them.
We’re about to lose the house. I have no idea how we’re going to pay for the last couple of years of my sister’s tuition.
I’ve been talking to the university about loans and grants, but even with that, there are living expenses, food, the dorms, books, and health insurance.
” Shelby trailed off. “I’ve been trying to take on extra work.
If I can get this promotion and a bonus, it might be enough to at least buy us some time. ” Her eyes misted with tears.
“I’m glad you told me,” Pete said, wishing he had a tissue to offer her or that he was brave enough to reach out and hug her.
She looked so fragile and alone, and yet somehow her inner strength still shone through.
He could tell she would be okay, but he wanted to be there for her, to take some of it away.
“No, I feel so pathetic, dumping this on you, but I’m just so pleased that you and Lacy hit it off last night.
It’s the best news I’ve had in a while.” Her voice brightened.
“My boss doesn’t ever give me the green light to move on a project this quickly.
You’re saving me, Pete. This could completely change my family’s life.
I can’t thank you enough, and if you need anything in return, I’m your girl. ”
Pete’s heart dropped.
Great.
How could he tell her no now?