16. Miles
MILES
I ’m carrying my shortboard out of the ocean when my Apple Watch starts ringing.
It’s Leo. Not exactly who I hoped it would be.
I haven’t stopped thinking about Jenna, which is annoying because she is clearly not thinking about me.
Every time I reach out, her replies are short, polite, and distant.
I haven’t even asked if I can see her again—I’m not sure my ego can take the rejection.
I did take Nate’s advice though—I will not try to fix things for her anymore.
Not unless she asks. I’ve thought a lot about what she said the other day and I realize if Jenna has spent the last few years taking care of her mom, it probably means she put herself last. She was probably shouldering everything, trying to keep her mom comfortable while her world fell apart, hardening herself in the process.
Her independence is her armor. So, while I hate that she wants to do everything on her own, I get why she doesn’t want to let someone in. I’ll just have to let her come to me.
“Yo,” I say, into my watch. “What’s good?”
“What’s up, brother?” Leo’s voice bellows and I get the impression he’s had a few drinks already. “You coming over here?”
“Coming over where?” I set my board down and wipe my dripping brow with a sandy towel.
“The brewery, man. Did you forget about the fall festival?” Leo just keeps shouting louder.
I can hear the background music. There must be a DJ.
The Cape May Brewery is having a festival where all its fall and Halloween-themed beers are on special.
I completely forgot. I know Danny, Jack, and Liam were planning on going too.
“I did forget,” I mutter with a sigh. “I just finished surfing. I’m pretty tired.
” I didn’t bring a change of clothes or anything, I’d have to speed home, change, and go back out.
And if I accidentally sit down on my couch?
Forget it, I’m not going back out. Leo and I are buddies and have been since we were teenagers, but if my other friends aren’t around, I’m not exactly jumping to hang out with just Leo.
He's a bit much sometimes, and he’s never really grown up.
“Come on, man. The guys are coming, it’s Saturday night,” Leo pushes. “Joy is on her way with her new friend.”
Jenna .
I sigh. I am tired. I doubt Jenna wants to see me—she’s barely spoken to me in the last week.
And yet, after hearing that, I know I’m going to go, because I desperately want to see her .
If only to see how she is doing. Does she look happy or stressed?
Anxious? I have to know she’s doing okay. I’ll keep my distance.
“All right, I’ll be there in an hour or so,” I say, hanging up before he can answer.
An hour later, I am walking into the brewery, and the parking lot is packed.
I’m sure it’s mostly locals, but there is always a good number of weekenders down in Cape May for fall festivities.
There’s a chalkboard out front that reads Boos & Brews .
I pull open the door and spot them immediately.
Joy, Leo, and Jenna are crowded around a small high-top table with three flights in front of them.
I swallow hard, collecting myself. Jenna laughs at something one of them says, and her face lights up.
She looks completely fine, and now I feel stupid for wanting to check on her.
She doesn’t need you. I don’t care though.
In this moment, Jenna radiates warmth, and I just want to be near her.
I can’t remember the last time I felt this way.
I rushed home, rinsed the salt water off my body, and threw on a pair of jeans and a navy blue thermal. I didn’t so much as glance in the mirror before running over here. Now I wish I had.
Leo spots me from across the bar. “Yo! Miles!” he shouts.
Jenna’s smile falters. She really must not like me.
I take a deep breath and walk toward them. My confidence is in the toilet. I have never felt this insecure around a woman before. I hate it. “What’s up, guys?” I say as I reach their table. “Hi, Jenna.” I look directly at her.
She meets my gaze, and her cheeks flush. “Hey, Miles,” she says quietly.
No one speaks for what feels like an eternity. “Where’s everybody else?” I ask Leo.
“Bailed. Naturally.” Leo shrugs. “Kids and shit.” He scoffs.
I force a laugh, but the awkwardness that has fallen over their table since I arrived is palpable. “Got it,” I mutter. Figures my married friends bailed. They always do. If Jenna wasn’t here, I would have bailed too. “Well, I haven’t eaten, so I don’t know how much I want to drink,” I admit.
“You? Not drinking?” Leo roars. “What, are you pregnant?”
I roll my eyes. “I didn’t say not drinking. I just have to get something from the food truck first,” I clarify, my gaze settling on Jenna.
“Oh, you must’ve worked up an appetite surfing,” Joy teases, flicking her gaze between Jenna and me.
“You were surfing?” Jenna squeaks.
“Yeah,” I say, and nothing more.
“But it’s so dark out,” Jenna insists, concern clouding her face.
Leo barks out a laugh. “Yeah. When we were fifteen, Miles almost drowned surfing in a hurricane. Ever since, he tempts fate every chance he gets.” He rolls his eyes, willing me to take his bait.
Jenna’s jaw falls open, and I’m not sure if she’s reacting to Leo’s revelation or my night surfing. Either way, it sends a rush of warmth straight through me.
My eyes flick to hers. “I told you, I love to surf at night.” My voice comes out husky.
“Yeah. But I thought you were just trying to impress me. Miles, that’s really dangerous, surfing in the dark like that.” Jenna frowns.
“You don’t need to worry about me. Besides, it’s not that dark,” I reply curtly.
It sounds harsher than I mean it to. Jenna’s cheeks redden, and the expression on her face is unreadable, but she doesn’t reply.
“I’m going to get something from the truck.
I’ll be right back,” I mutter, turning to walk away.
“Wait.” Jenna’s voice stops me in my tracks. “I’ll come with you. I haven’t eaten either, and I’ve already had too much beer.”
“Okay.” I start walking.
I hold the door open for her, and she ducks under my arm, turning back to look at me with a smile I can’t read.
We approach the food truck in silence. It’s dark outside, but the area is well lit.
The air is crisp and cool, reminding me that these nice outdoor evenings are numbered.
I quietly peruse the chalkboard menu while Jenna bounces back and forth on her feet, like she’s cold.
“Are you cold or do you just like dancing around?” I smirk, running my hands through my surf hair.
“I’m cold. Well, cold and nervous maybe,” Jenna admits, looking down at her feet.
When she looks up again, our eyes lock. Her cheeks are pink and flushed.
Pink cheeks, pink earlobes, luscious pink lips.
I wonder just how much she’s had to drink.
My lips twitch with amusement. “Why are you nervous?” I haven’t been alone with Jenna in days and to be honest, I’m nervous too.
But this is the last thing I expected to hear from her tonight.
She’s been avoiding me for a week. I’m confused to say the least.
“ You make me nervous, Miles.” Jenna pushes my shoulder with the palm of her hand, sending an electric jolt down my arm.
“Me?” I scoff. “Please. I think you’re just tipsy.
I’m a puppy dog,” I banter back. It’s the only way to swallow the irritation rising in my throat.
I have to make light of it so I’m not a jerk.
I will not be rude to Jenna. I repeat the mantra in my mind.
I just can’t take the hot and cold with her.
It leaves me feeling like I’m floundering.
“I’m not.” She shakes her head.
“You’ve been ignoring me for days, Jenna,” I say carefully. It’s hard to remain coherent when I’m this close to her.
“I have not,” Jenna replies, crossing her arms.
I roll my eyes. “Well, every time I’ve reached out to you, you’ve given me very brief answers.” We step closer to the food truck as the long line moves at a snail’s pace.
“I know,” she admits with a shrug. “You scare me, Miles.” Her voice is quiet.
“Now that’s what every guy wants to hear,” I mumble, throwing my head back with a sarcastic chuckle. Then I meet her gaze and I can’t ignore the warmth that runs through me.
“You scare me in a good way.” Jenna bites her lower lip. “In a terrifyingly good way.” Is she swooning at me?
I groan and rub my forehead. “Jenna, don’t play these games with me.” I feel restless and irritable. But I also want to push her up against the back of the food truck and kiss her senseless. The tension between us is sizzling.
“I–I’m not playing games, Miles,” Jenna says warily. “I guess, I just miss your company.”
At this, I soften, but just a little. This girl is going to drive me insane.
How can I want her so badly and feel so irritated by her hot and cold demeanor at the same time?
It’s a lethal combination—when I finally get my hands on her, I’m going to have my way with her until she screams my name.
“You’ve got a funny way of showing it,” I retort, side-eyeing her.
“Come on, Miles. You miss hanging out with me too, don’t you?” She pushes a lock of brown waves behind her ear.
I eye her cautiously, but before I can answer, it’s our turn to order.
“What do you want?” I ask her, changing the subject.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” Jenna replies, inching closer to me. She puts her hand in the back pocket of my jeans, cupping my ass. My dick moves in response and I feel myself tense.
I suck in a breath and look at her before ordering two pulled pork sandwiches. “Jenna,” I say hoarsely.
“Miles. I miss you.” Jenna leans on me. This has got to be the booze talking. “Despite everyone telling me to stay away from you, I do. I miss you.”
I pull away from her and hand the cashier my card. “Who is telling you to stay away from me?” I frown. She almost had me caving, but now my guard is back up.
Jenna shrugs. “Joy…Jake.” Jenna rocks her neck back and forth, lips pursed in thought. “That’s about it, I guess.”
We step aside to wait for our food. “Yeah? And why are they telling you to stay away from me?” I fold my arms across my chest and lean on the side of the truck, trying to mask my growing irritation.
Jenna steps closer. “It doesn’t matter what they say.” She brushes her fingers along my cheek. “There’s something between us.”
I meet her fiery brown eyes and those fucking lips. All I want to do is grab her face and devour it in frustration, but I don’t.
“I know you feel it too,” Jenna whispers. “I tried to ignore it, but…”
Now I’m completely vexed. I stand up taller and tower over her, looking down. I fight the urge to touch her but let my breath linger on her ear. “Maybe I do,” I rasp. “But you’re probably better off taking your friend’s advice and steering clear of me.”
Our food comes up and I grab it, turning to find a table. Jenna trails behind me.
This is going to be a long night.