Chapter One Present Day – Rockport
Chapter One
Present Day – Rockport
Kelsey
The sky lights up with the first blazing firework as I stand on the saltwater-worn back deck of The Rockport Beach Inn.
Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer and the beginning of tourist season.
I never thought ten years later I would still be standing here.
That I would be living in Rockport, running my parents’ inn; but after my dad died five years ago, I knew I couldn’t let it fail.
It was their dream, their livelihood and the one thing I had left of both of them.
But it’s all bittersweet. This weekend, the inn, the worn out deck, the fireworks, all my memories come flooding back as that first tear stings my eye and runs down my cheek.
Beckham O’Loughlin
Even after ten years, I still miss him. But he made his choice and it didn’t include me. I choke back the tears and shake off the thoughts that have clouded my head.
“Damn it, Beck,” I mumble as a knot forms in my stomach. I don’t know if it’s regret or hurt or anger that continually brings him back to me, but whatever it is, I can’t seem to get past it.
I know I need to move on and I’ve tried. I realize he isn’t coming back, but moving on has been harder than I thought.
I run my hands through my hair and exhale a hard breath trying to rid him from my brain.
I take a step backwards and as I turn around, I find myself face to face with my nighttime desk attendant, Abby. A ditzy local girl with dreams of finding a handsome, rich tourist who will take her far away from this sleepy little town.
I was her once, but life has a funny way of uprooting your dreams and making your reality something you never thought it would be.
“Abby, geez, you scared me,” I say, hoping she can’t see the sadness that is written all over my face. I look away quickly, glancing back over my shoulder as the fireworks continue to erupt out over the water.
“Sorry, Kelsey,” she says with her perfectly clueless-about-life smile plastered on her face. “There’s someone at the front desk who wants to see you.”
I roll my eyes and let a small huff escape my lips before acknowledging her comment. “Did you tell them the inn is full? We have no vacancy. Don’t these people know it’s Memorial Day weekend? Damn tourists.”
Abby laughs and I realize how bitchy I sound. Without these people I would have nothing, but that doesn’t mean they don’t drive me crazy.
“No, it’s not like that,” Abby says as we step inside. I can see a twinkle in her eyes and her smile widens as she says, “It’s a guy and he’s hot.”
“What?” I practically shout and Abby laughs again. “He’s looking for me? Are you sure? Did he ask for me by name or just to speak to the owner?” I sound a little too overzealous, a bit too excited for my own good.
Could it really be him? Could it be Beck? My Beck, coming back the same weekend he left so many years ago. He’s always been a hopeless romantic and I’ve always been a dreamer.
I feel myself smiling as my heart begins to race. The excitement that flows through me ignites my entire body with sparks as hot and bold as the fireworks in the sky.
“Yep. That hot boy down there asked for you by name. And he’s got the best Boston accent I’ve ever heard. Like melt your panties hot.” Abby winks at me as I push past her and haul ass down the stairs.
It can only be him.
Beck.
I can’t move fast enough and my nervousness begins to take over. My heartbeat is out of control, pulsing thick and fast in my chest, reverberating through my ears, drowning out any other sounds.
I can picture him, the line of his square jaw, the masculinity of his face, his perfect blue eyes and that small bump on the bridge of his nose from when he broke it during a fight with Tommy Prescott when we were kids.
It all makes him heart-stoppingly beautiful, and coupled with his tanned skin and light brown tousled hair; I can’t stand it any longer.
I imagine his arms around me, his hands exploring my body after all this time.
I feel my nipples harden under my shirt and press achingly against my bra.
Just the thought of his hands makes my body grow weak with need.
Desire pools hot and wet between my legs.
It’s been too long and in this moment I can’t even remember why he left or why I was angry. None of it matters.
I hit the first landing on the staircase and nearly stumble. Catching my balance, I try to compose myself. I can’t see him for the first time in ten years all flushed and looking like all I want is to be fucked by him. Long and hard and desperate. Oh my God, what is wrong with me?
I pull in a few deep breaths and exhale each one slowly before continuing down the stairs. When I hit the main floor, I stop breathing.
My heart stops, the hard beat that had taken over ceases instantly and I suddenly feel like I might vomit. It’s not him. It’s not Beck. It’s my worst nightmare.
My body finally catches up and my heart begins to beat again. Fast and violent as sweat builds throughout my body; my hands are shaking and I swallow hard. I want to scream, I want to run, but my body won’t comply.
He grins at me, that disgusting coy smile, that makes my stomach churn, and as he steps closer, I recoil immediately.
“Kelsey, doll-face, I’ve missed you.” His voice is like slime, smarmy and sick just like him.
“Jason, you can’t be here.” I turn around searching for Abby, the closest phone, something, anything to make me feel safe. I hear Abby’s feet behind me and without turning around, I yell to her, “Call the police!”
“Aw, come on, Kelsey, don’t be that way,” he begs as he takes a step closer.
“Don’t come any closer!” I scream, but the fear slips through and it comes out shaky and feeble.
Jason laughs as he closes the small distance between us.
“Some things never change,” he says smugly.
As he approaches, his chest is out and his eyes are trained on my mine.
His loud voice fills the room and his arrogance is stifling as his mouth twists into an evil smile.
“I always loved when you put up a fight, but I think we both know, I’ll win. ”
“Not this time. You need to leave, Jason. The police will be here any minute.” I try my best, but he’s right, I’m weak and scared. My shaking hands and the tremble in my voice do nothing to hide this and Jason moves closer, until he’s standing directly in front of me.
I can feel his hot breath against my face when he speaks and it causes a shiver to run through my body. His words are laced with disgust and the seriousness in his tone makes me shudder.
“Kelsey, you can’t get rid of me that easily. Did you really think a piece of paper would keep me away? If you did, you’re far more stupid than I thought. Don’t underestimate me.”
Jason takes my face in his hands and a whimper leaves my mouth as tears pool in my eyes. He can’t be this close to me. I was supposed to be safe and protected, but something failed.
Just as Jason tightens his grip on my face, the sound of sirens wail through the quiet of the night, startling me and jarring Jason.
He narrows his eyes and releases my face, but the scowl remains. His words come out in a growl as he moves towards the entrance of the inn. “Don’t think this is the end of this, Kelsey. I know where you work. I know where you live. One day you’ll be alone and I will find you.”
He disappears out the door and I scramble to the front desk, gripping the counter tightly because I feel like my legs might give out.
I close my eyes and pray that what just happened was a dream, a nightmare, anything but real.
But when I take in Abby’s wide-eyed, pale face, I know it all happened and it not only scared the shit out of me, it also shook her to the core.
“Who was that?” she asks, concern and fear filling her voice.
“My ex, Jason Henderson.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Abby questions, but this time she sounds more angry than fearful.
“What was I supposed to do? Post his picture behind the desk with a sign that says, ‘Kelsey’s crazy stalker ex-boyfriend. Beware.’ Like that wouldn’t scare away employees and customers.”
Abby sighs and slaps her hands down on the counter. “Seriously, Kelsey, you should have told me.”
“Sorry. Now you know.” I don’t mean to sound insincere or dismissive, but I need to make light of the situation in order to convince her and myself that our safety and the safety of our guests isn’t compromised.
I give Abby a small forced smile that does nothing to ease my anxiety and judging by the look on her face, she isn’t done with this conversation.
Before Abby can continue her verbal assault, the police enter the inn and the tension in the room goes from high to Defcon One.
Guns are drawn, with at least five of them storming the small lobby of the inn and two standing guard outside.
As much as I love their responsiveness, this town is full of Barney Fifes with far too little to do.
This call is the most excitement they’ve had since that unsolved boat fire back in ‘99. I’m pretty sure the entire force has convened at The Rockport Beach Inn, along with all the tourists that are now returning from the beach after watching the fireworks. This is just great for business.
“Put the guns away, guys,” I call quietly from behind the desk, shaking my head, as I plaster a smile on my face. The guests begin filing through the door, each with the same questioning look on their face. “Sorry folks, just a misunderstanding. No worries.”
I quickly look over at Abby and without speaking she knows exactly what to do.
She picks up the phone and orders a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries for every room at the inn.
Delivered as soon as possible with hopes that each one of the guests disregards the SWAT team that has taken over The Rockport Beach Inn and disrupted their relaxing Memorial Day weekend getaway.
As the crowd is dispersing, the chief of police signals to me from across the room and motions for me to meet him outside. A flick of his head towards the doorway and I’m following him as quickly as possible. I don’t need any more drama.
He stops just short of the road and looks at me with concern.
“Kelsey, are you okay?”
“Of course, Finn. I’m fine. Nothing I can’t handle,” I say smiling through the fear that has settled in my chest. It feels like a vise closing in on me. Squeezing and making it hard to breathe.
“Why don’t you let me take you home? We’ll put a squad car outside your house just to be on the safe side.”
I shake my head and begin to walk back to the inn. I can’t leave now. I can’t leave the guests, Abby, the inn; all unattended and with the constant worry that Jason will return.
“Kelsey!” Finn shouts as I walk away. I ignore him, but he calls again. “Kels!” And that’s what makes me stop dead in my tracks. He sounds just like Beck. So much so it makes my heart break all over again. I shouldn’t be surprised; they are brothers after all.
“Don’t call me that,” I snap back. “You sound just like him.”
Storming back into the inn, I find Abby giggling like a teenager while a young deputy leans up against the desk and shamelessly flirts with her. Finn is right behind me and his voice booms when he calls my name for a third time.
“Kelsey, I really think you should go home and rest. He won’t be coming back tonight.”
“I can take care of myself, Finn. Thanks for your concern, but you can go now,” I say as I begin straightening papers that are strewn on the desk, just looking for something to do.
“Kelsey, you really should go home. I’ll be fine here. Deputy Corcoran told me he’d stay and make sure nothing else happens,” Abby says, as the young cop winks at her and she giggles again.
“Fine, fine,” I say conceding, but still annoyed with the whole situation.
I wish Abby a good night and climb into the front seat of Finn’s squad car. We ride in silence for a few minutes before one of us speaks.
“Kelsey, this is the third time something like this has happened and it’s only been a few months. He’s not going to stop.”
I nod my head in response. I’m not sure what he wants me to say.
I have no control over what Jason does; let alone where he decides to show up.
Of course I’m terrified, but I’m not sure what more I can do.
I filed a restraining order, had him charged with trespassing and got him locked up for a night.
All that did was piss him off even more.
After that, I installed an alarm system on my little cottage and got a dog.
I can’t uproot my entire life because some asshole I dated thinks it was more than that.
“You need to call him,” Finn says firmly as he pulls into my driveway. “He’d be here in a second if he knew you were in trouble.”
“No. I’m not calling him and I’m not in trouble,” I mutter through gritted teeth, angry at just the thought of breaking down and calling Beck. I won’t do it. He’s the one who left me. The one who left my emotions running wild, left me with a broken heart and has yet to return.
And even though the thought of seeing him today sent my body into a tailspin and had me more excited than I’ve been in years, I know it’s wrong. I can’t allow myself to get hurt again. Nothing has changed and it never will. Calling him will only bring more pain into my life.
I slam the door to the cruiser and call a good night to Finn with a dismissive wave of my hand. I hear him shout something about an officer being parked outside my house and in return I let out a quick thank you before closing the door to my cottage.
When I’m finally alone, I realize how much this evening has affected me.
The stress weighing heavy on my shoulders and the fear that Jason will return suddenly consumes me.
I move through the house checking the locks and the windows, setting the alarm and letting Bella, my German Shepherd outside.
I do it all a second time before I finally break down.
Shaking with fear as heaving sobs rack my body, I climb into bed, pulling the covers up over my head as I try to block out all that has happened today.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Beck was supposed to be here. He was my protector, my safety and the love of my life, but all of that is gone now.