Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sally
Why are so many shops closed?
The last few times I’ve walked these streets, it felt like people were constantly coming and going. Most of the stores near the beach get good business, especially this time of year with tourists.
Alliance appeals to the summer vibes many people crave during these warmer months. You have the beaches that line the whole town and attract the most people.
Can’t really say I blame them.
The city feels the same but also so different from my childhood.
Before, I wasn’t allowed to do much. I went to school and then went home. Damian said it cost too much money for me to do anything.
It was his sneaky way of telling me I cost too much.
Sweat caresses my forehead, and I can feel my clothes stick to my skin. A dip in the lake sounds pretty good.
I could go back to the house, but Oliver is currently there fixing our roof and anything else that’s broken in the house. I asked him how much I owe him, but he didn’t answer—not that I blame him with how I’ve been acting the past few days.
The street seems to be truly empty until my eyes land on a little flower boutique with a little red neon sign telling me it’s open.
I look over the assortment of flowers planted outside the shop before walking inside.
The second I’m inside, a wash of mist hits my head, sending a euphoric chill down my spine. The heat rolls off my back.
God bless AC.
The flower shop isn’t large, but the walls of fresh flowers and plants fill the air with a myriad of distinct scents, both earthy and floral.
I should bring Mimi here. She’d love seeing something like this. Might even give her some inspiration because my she has been struggling with writer’s block.
With that thought, I explore the rest of the shop. It’s small, with only a few center displays of roses, lilies, and even some orchids. The right side houses mostly leafy green plants and even a cactus or two.
The other side has rarer plants most people wouldn’t get a full bouquet of. My eyes wander aimlessly until they land on my favorite flowers—sweet peas.
Admiring the variety of colors—pink, blue, purple, red—their sweet scent fills my nostrils.
“Oh,” a surprised voice fills the room. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to come in. Everyone’s usually at the beach this time of day.”
My shoulders tense at the sudden voice.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to surprise you.”
I turn my head, looking over at a middle-aged man standing at the counter that was empty before.
He gives me a smile before taking the bouquet of white roses in his hand and attaching a little note inside.
“Are those your favorites?” he asks.
My brow ratchets up in confusion before he gives a head nod toward the sweet peas I was smelling earlier.
“You aren’t talkative, are you?” Normally, I’d think someone meant that as an insult, but one look at his kind smile washes that accusation away. “They say the sweet pea flower is associated with thoughts of goodbye. They make lovely funeral flowers.”
My eyes shoot wide open like somehow he knows about my birth parents’ death, and that’s why I’m here.
I slam my mouth closed because it would be impossible for him to know that. I don’t remember this man at all, so he wasn’t close with the Gordons.
“I just think they are pretty,” I croak out.
He nods, fiddling with something below the desk. I have to fight the urge to walk over and lean over it.
“Those light-pink ones match your hair.” He gets up with a sheet of plastic and walks over to the assortment of roses in the center of the room. I notice the slight limp in his walk. “They can also mean thank you and pleasure.”
Thank you, and pleasure.
Maybe I should get some for Ma and Mama before I leave for Grace Hill.
I watch as he gathers a full assortment of red roses. But instead of picking them all at once, he’s picking different ones after inspecting them.
“Is that bouquet going to just be red roses?”
“Oh, she speaks.” He grins at me as my cheeks flush red. He lets out a laugh. “Yes, I’m making two bouquets for some close friends.”
Before thinking, I ask, “Who are the friends?”
“Are you from around here? I haven’t seen you before. Tourist?” he asks.
“Technically,” I answer with a half-truth.
With a turn, he eyes me suspiciously before walking over to the counter again and rolling the roses into their assortment.
“There’s a story to that, but I won’t pry.” He gives me a tender smile before finishing up the bouquet. “The bouquets are for two of my friends, Karena and Daisy.” He eyes me for a second. “They are celebrating their six-month anniversary this weekend. I officiated their wedding.”
Realization dawns on me as I remember the two ladies Oliver had pointed out. I walk over to the front counter, and out of the corner of my eye, I see a little trans pride flag.
My advance stops with my feet glued to the floor. I don’t know what emotion comes over me, but I meet the man’s gaze, and he looks hesitant.
I shouldn’t be still like this. I should be jumping for joy because if anyone in this town would ever understand me, it’d be this man.
He’s passing but also proud enough to put on display who he is and what’s important to him.
My moms offered to get me a trans flag, but I always said no because the concept of passing was all-consuming. If someone saw, then I’d suddenly be outed.
“Are you supportive?” I ask.
He looks me up and down and then at the little pink, blue, and white flag. “That’s an interesting way of asking, but yes, I am trans.”
“I’m trans too,” I blurt out before my hand flies to my mouth.
The same realization I had a moment ago dawns on him, but then a tender smile plays on his lips. His shoulders relax.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I cuss, feeling panic start to take over. I frantically look over the shop like someone could have snuck in without me noticing. “I can’t believe I just said that.”
A hand lands on the side of my shoulder, gripping it tightly enough to pull my attention away from the door but not enough to cause any pain.
“Breathe.”
I take a deep breath while the man eyes the door before looking back at me.
“Sorry.”
“You have no reason to apologize.” He rubs his hand again over his bald head. “Was that your first time telling someone?”
His question doesn’t come off as judgmental.
“Yeah,” I answer. “Well technically no. I told my family, but this is my first time telling a stranger.”
Then I tell him everything I can think of and about why I’m here.
After taking a breath again, my shoulders feel loose, like a literal weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t realize the amount of strain that lying to everyone here has put on my body.
“I’m sorry you had to go through all of this so young,” he says. “Would you like to take a seat?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m good now.”
The shopkeeper looks over the shop again. “If you ever need to talk, my shop is always open.”
A well of emotions start to prick my eyes. “Thank you.”
“You know, I didn’t get to transition until college, and let’s say I definitely had some run-ins with bullies.”
I instinctively look at his leg, which was limping before. “Is that why…”
“Yes, but joke’s on them because they just got uglier with age, and I landed the most beautiful girl—my wife, Isla.”
A euphoric feeling washes over me like my body didn’t realize I could have both. I could be proud of who I am and find someone that loves me.
“Thank you,” I say simply.
“Anytime.” He walks me over to the door. “Are you sure you are okay?”
I wipe the little mist around my eyes. “Yeah, I am.” I stand there awkwardly for a second. This is when I’d leave, but I don’t. “What’s your name?”
“Well, most people call me Mr. Grimes.” He lets out a chuckle. “But my friends call me Adrien. I’ll answer to either.”
With that, I walk out of the flower shop and back into the heat.
My mind is whirling from what just happened and the fact that I’ve officially come out to my first person ever that wasn’t family.
“Is that Sally?” a voice calls behind me. I turn around to find Casey and Piper walking down the street in just bikinis and shorts. They are holding a cooler between them. “Oh my god, it is!”
“Don’t scare her away,” Piper chastises.
“Why aren’t you at the cove, Sal gal?”
I furrow my brow at Casey. That’s a first.
“Why would I be at the cove?” I question.
The girls exchange a look before Piper answers, “Because it’s the Cove Bash, and everyone that’s not an old person is at the cove for the party.”
“Oh.” That’s all I got in me.
“We were just picking some stuff up for the group because they didn’t bring enough.”
“You’re coming, right?” Casey grins at me.
“I’m not sure—”
“Come on. We haven’t gone to party together since the first cove fire. Oliver always takes you away from us, and we need more girlfriends.” Casey motions between herself and Piper.
“I got a text from Jaxon that your siblings are already there, so you might as well come,” Piper adds, and I lower my head but still nod.
“Yes!” Casey exclaims, grabbing my hand and then her cooler. “This is gonna be the best Cove Bash yet!”
The Cove Bash.
That’s what Casey told me on the way over. It is another tradition here in Alliance. While not as big as the first cove fire, the Cove Bash is an all-day event where everyone who’s not considered a functioning adult shows up, gets drunk, and plays different games.
I’m kind of impressed with how organized it looks. There are pong tables, corn hole, and even a makeshift volleyball court.
According to Piper, this is one of the few times lakefront and riverfront actually work together because everyone loves a good party.
My eyes land on my sister, sending a ball over the net and past her hopeless opponents.
I can’t help the grin on my face as she high-fives one of her partners. His shaggy, dirty-blond hair is a dead giveaway that she’s playing with Jaxon. I hope he can keep up with her.
My sister is normally stoic. But put a volleyball in her hand, and you get to see her competitive side. I wish I had her confidence.
Ella walks over to her second partner since they are playing three-on-three.
My pulse picks up as Ella fist-bumps a shirtless Oliver. His defined, tan skin glows in the sunlight. He wipes the sheen of sweat from his forehead.
I’ve seen him shirtless before, but this is a reminder that I’m not prepared for. I wasn’t ready when he swiped his shirt off at his mom’s, and I’m not ready now.
“You good, girl?” Casey asks.
I force my mouth shut before turning to an amused Casey and Piper.
“Yeah, I’m good.” They don’t look like they believe me at all. “I’m going to relax in the shade. I can take the cooler.”
Casey lets out a low chuckle. “Sure. I have rounds to make. Pipe?”
“Actually, I see Tyler over by the pong table. He’s probably losing without me.”
“Make sure to save a game for me. We can’t have a party where we don’t wipe the floors with these boys.”
“Are you sure you want to take the cooler?” Piper asks nicely, but I just nod as they take drinks out. “I’ll see y’all in a bit.”
Piper treads through the sand to her boyfriend, who seems absolutely smitten with her.
“Just so you know, I’m not forgetting about that look you were giving Oliver. We are catching up about that.” Casey offers a sweet but devious smile before walking off and greeting another group of people.
This can’t be good. Especially since they are his friends, and I’m sure he’s told them all about the bitch I’ve been.
But, then why would they even invite me? Did Oliver not tell them anything? I can’t imagine him lying to his friends on my behalf.
I hate mistreating him, but if I don’t, he might actually do something he regrets, and then I’ll do something stupid…because I always do.
The cooler is much heavier than I was anticipating. I only take a few steps before having to set it down and rest.
“Do you need some help?” I look up to see a shirtless guy with dark curly hair that frames his face nicely. He’s wearing glasses and has a book in his hand. He continues when I don’t answer because my cheeks feel flush. “I just saw you struggling, and it’s not right to let a girl struggle.”
“Sure,” I whisper as he sends me a beaming smile.
“Plus, I was feeling lonely since no one wanted to just relax. Everyone wants to hammer down shots.” He grabs the cooler from the spot in front of me and walks over to the shaded area.
My eyes wander over the beach in search of the one person I shouldn't be looking for. Oliver stands to the side of the volleyball court, watching Ella and Jaxon play doubles this time around. I feel my heart beat faster as I take him in. Oliver has a physical effect on me that I can’t control. Maybe I shouldn’t have come.
Then, a petite blonde girl settles beside him. It’s the same girl from the party and at the beach. A beach babe that’s perfect for Oliver. They are both gorgeous, with sun-kissed skin and perfect blonde hair.
They look perfect together.
Gunk forms in my stomach, making me feel sick.
Jealousy really is an ugly thing.