Chapter 15 Open Water
Chapter fifteen
Open Water
The comfort of my villa at Casa Cruzando Océanos was the only thing keeping my head from spinning.
Outside I could hear the distant rhythmic crash of the Caribbean Sea and the faint sound of the crew laughing by the infinity pool, but I wasn’t ready to join them.
I’d spent the last few hours in a jet lagged haze, hiding out from Dex and his little family unit, and from the looming shadow of my mother and the half siblings I barely knew.
It was going on six o’clock. The sun was starting to dip, turning the sky into a wash of golden orange and violet, and I couldn’t hide in the shadows forever.
Eli and London were hosting a welcome dinner in a private area of the resort’s restaurant, and being the maid of honor meant I had to show my face.
I climbed out of the plush king sized bed and headed for the shower.
The design was wild. No glass, no curtain, just an open air space framed by smooth stone and swaying greenery.
Steam from the warm water curled around me as I stepped onto the textured floor, the jungle scents mingling with the heat.
Each villa was completely enclosed so no one could see in, but still, showering outside with the air on my skin felt new and thrilling.
I caught myself picturing Dex out here with me, his hands moving over my wet skin in the open air, the sound of the ocean covering everything.
I shut the thought down before it went any further.
I hadn’t seen him since check in and he was probably somewhere wrapped up with Amina, which was exactly the reminder I needed.
Stepping out I grabbed my mango scented body cream.
I’d formulated it specifically for this trip.
I wanted to smell like the island. As I massaged the thick buttery cream into my skin the scent of ripe fruit and sunshine filled the stone bathroom and I let myself smile at the thought of it lingering on me all night.
I fluffed my curls, misting them with water before raking through just enough leave in conditioner and gel to lock them into place. Part of me hated how much effort I was putting in.
I wanted to be breathtaking when Dex saw me, but it went deeper than that too. I wanted to look untouchable when my mother laid eyes on me. I wanted her to see that the rose had grown from the concrete.
I went for a full face, bronze and glowing, then slipped into my fitted green maxi dress. The fabric hugged every curve and the back dipped dangerously low, stopping just above my ass. Since the resort was all rocky paths and smoothed stone I swapped heels for gold accented wedges.
I finished with chunky gold bracelets, statement earrings, and a dainty necklace that sat just right on my chest. I checked my reflection in the full length mirror and the green made my skin pop against the neutral earthy tones of the villa.
I looked good.
I took one last breath of mango and salt air, grabbed my clutch, and stepped out onto the torch lit path toward the restaurant. It was time to stop hiding.
Casa Cruzando Océanos wasn’t just a hotel.
It was paradise carved into the jungle, about thirty private villas tucked away like hidden gems with no standard rooms or crowded hallways anywhere in sight.
Eli and London hadn’t just booked a block of rooms. They’d taken over the entire sanctuary.
Every person here was here for them, and we had a private wing of the world renowned restaurant reserved strictly for the wedding party.
The warm glow of the torches reflected off the raw stone walls and oversized palms as I stepped onto the main path. I pulled out my phone to catch the vibe for my story when a familiar deep voice cut through the sound of the ocean.
“Nique? Is that you?”
My heart did a quick double tap expecting Dex’s intensity and that possessive smirk, but the man walking toward me wasn’t Dex.
It was Brandon, standing 6’2” with a smooth peanut butter complexion, looking incredible in a neutral colored two piece set perfectly tailored for the island heat.
I’d met him months ago at the Magic City Classic.
Nel and I had tagged along with London and Eli.
When Eli introduced us to Brandon he made his interest very clear but I was deep in my loyalty to Kel so I shut it down fast.
Now things were different.
“Brandon?” I laughed, lowering my phone. “I didn’t know you were on the guest list.”
“Wouldn’t miss my line brother’s big day,” he said, his eyes traveling slow and appreciative over my dress before finding my face. “And I definitely wouldn’t have missed the chance to see you again. You look incredible. Mexico suits you Nique.”
A flutter moved through me that had nothing to do with Dex for the first time in days. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“Heading to dinner?” he asked, falling into step beside me.
“Yeah, just about to see what London and Eli have put together,” I said, fiddling with my necklace.
Brandon glanced at the path behind me before looking back. “Can I walk with you or are you meeting your girlfriend?”
I felt a small pang at the mention of Kel but shook it off. “I’m actually single now.”
He didn’t even try to hide the interest that crossed his face. “I would say I’m sorry to hear that but her loss is definitely my gain.”
I cut my eyes at him. “Me being single doesn’t mean I like men now Brandon.”
He stopped walking and took a dramatic step back, arms out wide, letting me take in the full view like he was presenting himself as evidence.
“Come on now,” he grinned, teeth bright against the tropical dusk. “Not even a little bit?”
A giggle escaped before I could catch it. He was too fine to be humble and he knew it.
“You look good Brandon,” I admitted as we resumed walking. “But appreciating a view and needing to own it are two different things.”
“Fair enough,” he laughed, the challenge still sitting in his eyes. “I like a woman who makes me work for it. Makes the win feel that much better.”
I smiled but didn’t take the bait. I just kept walking.
As we rounded the final corner toward the private dining wing the ocean sounds gave way to clinking glasses and low laughter. I caught the scent of grilled seafood and butter and as soon as we crossed the threshold my skin prickled.
I didn’t have to look to know Dex was already in the room. I definitely didn’t have to look to know he was watching me walk in beside another man.
Before we made it three steps in Nel materialized out of nowhere, leaning against a carved limestone pillar with that signature I’m about to be messy grin on his face.
“Well well, big sis. I see you’ve reunited with a friend. Brandon, right?”
Brandon extended his hand with a confident smile. “Yeah. You’re Nel?”
“That’s me,” my brother said, shaking his hand while his eyes moved between us like he was already writing the story.
“Good seeing you again man,” Brandon said.
“Likewise,” Nel replied, his smile widening. He looked like he’d just won something.
I cleared my throat. “Nel, stop being weird and show me where we’re sitting.”
“Right over here,” he said, gesturing toward the long candlelit table. “Didn’t know you were bringing a plus one though.”
Brandon laughed, reading the sibling energy immediately. “It’s all good. I’ll find a spot.”
He turned back to me, dropping his voice just enough to make it personal. “I’ll catch up with you later, beautiful.”
He gave my arm a lingering squeeze before heading toward the frat brothers congregated on the other side of the room.
I blew out a breath and followed Nel to our seats, feeling Dex’s eyes on my back the whole way.
“You keep some fine shit sniffing after you,” Nel whispered as we sat down.
“Shut up Nel,” I muttered, my heart hammering.
I let my gaze drift down the table. Dex was sitting there, a glass of dark liquor in his hand, looking like he was pissed at the world. He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t even pretending to listen to whatever his mother was saying beside him. His jaw was set so tight I thought his glass might crack.
“You look beautiful Niecey Pooh,” a warm familiar voice said behind me.
I turned and felt the tension drain out of my shoulders. Aunt Michelle was sweeping in, her eyes bright with that maternal pride she had always saved for me. I stood immediately and wrapped my arms around the woman who had spent my entire life standing in the gap.
Growing up Michelle never let me feel like the extra child.
If London and Paris got new dresses I got one too.
If they were celebrated I was celebrated.
I owed her and Uncle Tevin everything, which was exactly why the secret of my arrest felt like a sin I couldn’t confess.
I couldn’t stand the thought of watching that pride turn into pity.
“Thank you Auntie,” I whispered, holding on a beat longer than necessary.
Uncle Tevin found us through the crowd and pulled me into a hug, but his eyes were already scanning the room with that old school protective heat.
“Baby girl, do you need my sports coat?” he asked, brow furrowed. “Eli’s friends keep staring at your backside.”
Nel leaned in from the table right on cue. “That’s why she has it out Uncle. Total tactical maneuver.”
“Shut up Nel,” I snapped again, fighting my own smile.
Tevin sighed. “I’ve been fighting a losing battle with you three about your wardrobes since the early 2000s.”
“It’s just my back Uncle,” I said sweetly. “It’s hot out here.”
“Umm hmm,” he said, not buying a word of it. Then his expression shifted into something more serious. “Have you seen your mother yet?”
The air in my lungs thinned. “Not yet.”
“She landed about an hour ago. I met her and the family in the lobby. Your siblings have grown so much Nique. They’re looking forward to seeing you.”
“Oh wow,” I said, my voice dripping with a fake enthusiasm that wouldn’t fool anyone. “I’m so excited.”
Tevin didn’t even blink. “No you’re not. But I’m determined to get this family on neutral ground before this trip is over.”
Before I could form an escape plan a cheer erupted from the entrance. The room shifted as London and Eli walked in and for a moment I forgot about everything else.
London was stunning. She was draped in a floor length white dress with an asymmetrical one shoulder cut, one long sleeve on the left side, fabric hugging her perfectly.
Her hair was styled in voluminous dark waves cascading over her shoulder and the nude pumps she was wearing made her legs look like they went on for miles.
She looked polished, powerful and completely in love.
Seeing her that way made me hopeful that I’d have my own love story one day.
Beside her Eli looked like a man who had won everything that mattered.
“Thank you all so much for being here,” Eli began, his hand resting on the small of London’s back.
“I know Tulum isn’t a quick drive down the interstate so we really wanted to make sure you felt our appreciation the moment you stepped onto this sand.
Whether you came from Mobile, Huntsville, Birmingham, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, or Georgia, having our village in one place means everything.
My beautiful wife to be has been working with the chef on a four course meal that’s just as incredible as this view. Baby, anything you want to add?”
London beamed. “Just thank you all. The tab is open so have fun, drink responsibly. We don’t want any accidents.”
“We don’t have to drive!” Kam shouted from the back, and the room erupted.
London shook her head laughing. “In that case, what happens in Tulum stays in Tulum.”
The room cheered as the couple began making their way around the table greeting everyone while the waitstaff moved with precision taking drink orders. I’d just asked for a pina colada when the air in the room shifted in a way that had nothing to do with the breeze coming off the water.
The laughter didn’t stop but for me the world went quiet.
Walking through the arched entrance was Stella. Polished as ever, trailing her husband Wendell and my two half siblings. Whitley had grown into a stunning young woman and Deuce looked like a completely different person from the last family photo I’d forced myself to look at.
They moved like a unit. Another perfect family portrait to add to the collection I’d been dodging all day.
Nel stiffened beside me, his playful energy gone in an instant. My heart which had been racing over Dex and Brandon now felt like it had dropped straight to the floor. I smoothed the green fabric over my thighs, my palms suddenly damp.
Stella’s eyes moved quickly across the room until they landed on Nel and me. A hopeful light sparked in her face, the look of a woman who had been counting down to this moment for a long time.
She stepped forward, Wendell’s hand steady on her lower back. She looked radiant in a soft cream dress, but she moved with a humility I didn’t remember.
“Dominique. Donnel,” she breathed when she reached us, her voice thick like she’d been rehearsing it the whole flight.
She hugged Nel first, pressed a kiss to his cheek, then turned to me.
“Look at you,” she whispered, her eyes misty. “You are absolutely stunning Nique. Just beautiful.”
I stood up, my knees soft. “Thank you, Stella.”
She reached out and let her fingers graze my arm, light and careful, like she was checking to make sure I was real and wouldn’t disappear. “I’ve missed you both so much. I know it’s been a long time. I’m just so grateful we’re all here.”
Whitley and Deuce stepped up behind her, a little shy but eager.
“Hey big sis,” Whitley said, her smile wide and genuine. She looked so much like a younger version of us it was almost startling.
“Hey Whitley. Deuce,” I said, offering a small smile. “You’ve both grown so much. I barely recognized you.”
Deuce grinned, that youthful energy cutting right through the heaviness of the moment. “I’m almost taller than Nel now. I think I can take him.”
Nel barked out a laugh, his stiff posture finally easing. “In your dreams kid. Sit down before I have to show you who the real athlete in this family is.”
The tension didn’t vanish but it shifted into something more breathable. As they settled into the nearby seats I felt Dex’s gaze from across the table. Our eyes met for just a second and the look on his face told me he knew exactly what this moment was costing me.
The waiters arrived with the first course and the room filled back up with noise and movement, but sitting there with my mother a few feet away and Dex’s eyes still finding mine across the candlelight, I felt like I was balanced on the edge of a cliff and I knew if I fell life as I knew it would be over.