Chapter 27
Light filtering through the curtains slowly wakes me from a dreamless, restful sleep.
Stretching my arms above my head, the tenderness between my thighs reminds me of the fun from last night.
After a few hours of sleep, Seb woke me up with his tongue between my legs.
He brought me to orgasm, then we went back to sleep.
Rubbing my eyes with a yawn, I blink the room into focus. Both of my boys are still fast asleep on either side of me. Seb's on my left with his arm flung over his eyes, snoring softly. E is on his stomach, a head of golden curls facing me, one arm hanging off the side of the bed.
Shimmying down to the bottom of the bed, I find fresh clothes and slip out of the room. A hot shower and shave help me awaken fully. Slipping on a two piece swimsuit with a tank top and shorts over, I silently head downstairs to the kitchen.
Making a plate for Alex, I walk down the hall to the office. Peeking inside the cracked door, I see him behind the desk. Tiptoeing in, I set the plate beside him, and he smiles in thanks. Winking, I leave him alone, deciding to eat on the patio this morning.
There are already a few families on the beach with kids and people running on the wet sand by the water. I should probably get a run in today or tomorrow myself. Setting my juice on the side table, I kick off my flip flops, bringing my feet up to rest on the edge of the chair.
Breathing the salty air in deeply, I dig into my breakfast. It’s so peaceful here.
Not that home isn’t, but the power of the ocean brings a special something you can’t get anywhere else.
For a girl who grew up in the mountains and thought she would always live there, it still surprises me how drawn I am to the water.
I don’t think I’ll ever want to be far from it.
You could fool yourself into believing you were in the tropics somewhere with the white sand and palm trees. “Want company?”
Looking behind me, I see E standing with his plate and a mug of coffee. “Always,” I smile.
“Thank you for breakfast.” E takes a seat beside me, freshly showered, in his board shorts and a tee.
“Welcome. Looks like a beautiful day today. Are you okay after last night?”
E breaks into a brilliant smile towards me with a nod. Focusing back on the view, we sit in companionable silence as he eats. Alex joins us soon after, not saying anything, just enjoying the view with us.
I can imagine living here full time. Being able to wake up each morning with the sunrise, sipping tea on the deck with my guys. Going for a dip in the ocean after work.
E would be in the kitchen creating new dishes for his restaurant.
Alex would be in his office going over new research and patient files.
Bay would have his head under the hood of a car in the driveway.
Jake, in an office above the garage, would be designing a beautiful new house.
My workspace beside his would be full of herbs and tinctures, with plants drying overhead.
The garage would be converted into a full gym for Nick, and Seb could be found lying on the hammock asleep in the shade.
My thoughts still. Alex and Bay were included in that vision. Surely, just as friends. Yeah, that’s all. Just friends. But adult friends wouldn’t live together like that...
Shuffling interrupts my shocking daydream as Seb steps onto the deck, half asleep. He picks me up and flops back onto my seat, with me on his lap. Burying his head in my neck, he mumbles a good morning. Chuckling, I pat the arm around my waist.
E smiles fondly at us. “Let’s get you some coffee and breakfast, Seb.” Collecting our plates, he encourages Seb to follow him inside, and I stand, so he can get up. Seb kisses my forehead and then follows E.
Sitting back down, I ask Alex how his meeting went. He’s getting part of his inheritance in June upon graduation, so they were discussing the allocation and setting up something for E. “It is a surprise though, so please keep that information to yourself,” Alex says.
Pretending to zip my lips, I smile. That’s so generous and will knock E’s socks off when he finds out. I truly have incredible friends.
A backup beeping sound echoes from the other side of the house. Curious, I raise a brow at Alex. “Ah, that would be the rental I ordered.”
Slipping into my flip-flops, I follow him down through the house and out the back door. A large box truck has stopped close to the house, and two guys are unlatching the back. “What did you rent?” I ask.
Alex doesn’t answer, just jogs down the steps to shake their hands. I follow as he shows them where to put the delivery under the house.
Lowering the truck ramp, they unload wooden boards? Pallets? I have no idea, but I count 12 pieces in total. Alex signs some paperwork and then joins me at the corner of the house. “Any ideas?”
“No. None. What’s the wood for?” He pulls out his phone, bringing up a photo, and hands it to me. It’s some type of walkway. “I don’t understand.”
“It is a walkway over the sand for Jake. I wanted him to be able to wheel himself to the beach and back if needed.”
This guy. I fling myself at him for a hug. What a kind, thoughtful gesture. “You are amazing. Thank you so much.”
Alex returns my hug, pulling me in tight. “You are welcome. We can rent it again the next time we stay here. I do not believe he will need it, though.”
Beaming up at him, I peck him on the cheek before stepping back. “You’re incredible.”
Alex blushes, ushering me back to the stairs. Bay is up, sitting at the island, drinking coffee when we get inside. “Where’d you go, Sunshine?” Seb asks, fully functioning now. I tell them about the walkway that Alex rented for Jake. The guys are also impressed that he was so thoughtful.
When everyone finishes breakfast, we gather snacks, sunscreen, and towels, and then I help the guys haul the canopy and chairs down to the sand.
After we’re done, I spread a towel in the sun to lather up with sunscreen.
After doing the guys’ backs, we relax. Alex has a tablet to read, I brought a book, Bay has a magazine, and Seb and E are sharing earbuds. This is the life.
After a few hours, we’re all getting too hot, so we hit the water. The waves are almost nonexistent today, and the water is cold and refreshing. Like this time last year, there are few people actually in the water. Seb, E, and I float around while Bay and Alex bob in and out.
We get out once we’ve cooled down, navigating the sunbathing masses back to our canopy.
Looking at the sand instead of ahead, I bump into Seb’s back when he stops.
Four girls are lying on our towels, smiling up at my guys.
“Hi ladies. You’re lying on our towels,” Seb says to them as I step up beside him.
“Oh, are we?” A cute brunette bats her eyelashes at him. “We can share.”
Oh my God, really? I forgot the first few weeks are a shark fest down here.
Why can’t they just come up and say hello like normal people?
And who takes someone else’s towels? The girls are wearing floss for underwear.
I’m not using that towel now, just eww. Desperation is still not a good look.
Stepping between E and Seb, I grab their hands. “They’re taken.”
The brunette actually pouts, but it’s fleeting as she sees Bay and Alex approach. She adjusts her boobs in the little triangles she calls a top, right in front of us with no shame. Granted, they’re nice and perky, but come on.
Internally rolling my eyes, her blond friend purrs, “hello boys.” Alex and Bay seem startled, looking up from their conversation. Bay is instantly uncomfortable while Alex lets out a sigh.
“Alexis,” Alex says. “Why are you at our canopy and on our towels?”
The brunette answers. “We came to say hi and visit Alex. It’s been years since you were single; you’re overdue for some fun,” she winks at him. Standing up and flipping her hair behind her. Her friends quickly follow.
“Summer,” Alex calls. When I make eye contact, he grabs my wrist, pulling me towards him. Not expecting the move, I stumble into his body. “Forgive me,” he whispers so low I almost miss it. I’m turned so that my back is to his chest, his arms wrapping around my waist as he nuzzles my neck.
What the fuck? I’m shocked still. Alex nips my ear and then kisses my cheek. My body doesn’t seem to mind one bit. Tingles are pooling in my lower belly as goosebumps break out across my skin. What is happening right now? My muscles relax into him on instinct as I force a smile onto my face.
“As you can see, I am not interested. My friend also has a steady girlfriend. Please move along and do not let me catch you lurking again.” Alex’s tone is bordering on angry. I can’t see the look on his face, but the girls comply, grabbing their bags and scurrying away.
As soon as they disappear, Alex releases me.
I don’t move, still processing what happened.
Did I hallucinate? Did Alex just nibble my earlobe?
Seb steps into my vision, brows furrowed.
“I think you broke her, man.” He envelops me into his warm chest, my arms automatically wrapping around him.
His citrus scent is faint under the sunscreen, but still present, and I inhale it, allowing it to center me.
Alex touched me. Like a girlfriend. After my daydream this morning, it’s far more unsettling than it normally would be.
I get why he did it. It was the easiest way to get those girls off his back.
I’m assuming Alexis is from southern money, so word will get around quickly he’s taken.
Heck, Nick did something similar last summer with me, and I didn’t mind.
Part of me still thinks of him as off limits, as just a friend. I don’t think of him in that way, and never have. The daydream suggests otherwise, though. Some subconscious part of my brain knows he’s single and gorgeous and thoughtful.
I’m warring with myself, and I need to shake it off.
Don’t make it weird, Summer. Too late, I laugh internally.
I’m helping my friend. It can be as simple as that.
He wasn’t inappropriate. His hands on my waist remained still, not wandering.
Yes, he nuzzled me, but it was his nose on my neck, and the kiss on my cheek isn’t a big deal. I kissed his cheek this morning.
Stepping back from Seb, I give him a smile. “I’m good. It’s all good.” Turning, Bay is still blushing, rubbing the back of his neck. “Bay, are you okay?”
“Yeah. Fine. I hate when people do things like that.”
“Me too. Speaking of which, we need to burn or bleach those towels because, yuck.” The guys laugh as E carefully folds them over and volunteers to exchange them for us.
We pull the chairs out into the sun and take seats. “Well, that was eventful,” I joke, the lingering weirdness still clinging to me like static. Seb grabs my hand, offering an earbud. Taking the lifeline, I let the music fill my mind, and Alex and Bay go back to reading.
E joins us with fresh towels soon after. I choose to lie out to dry, and Seb joins me. Handing E my earbud, I go back to reading.
By dinnertime, the awkwardness is gone as we pack up and put the gear away.
E grills steaks while I make sides, and we enjoy dinner on the front deck.
The crowd has decreased little despite the time of day.
None of us are interested in partying tonight, but Seb joins me on the beach to watch the sunset.
We take a seat near the damp sand, and I take pics on my phone, sending a few to Jake.
The sky is stunning, awash with purples, fuschia, and neon reds.
The sparse clouds spread the color far and wide.
As the red ball dips below the horizon, Seb stands.
“Someone wants to talk. See you at the house, Sunshine.”
Confused, I turn my head to see Alex approaching. Ah. Facing the ocean again, I continue to watch the ever changing sky as Alex quietly takes a seat beside me. “I am sorry about this afternoon. I realize I made a poor decision, but I did not intend to hurt you.”
“You didn’t, Alex. Was I surprised? Yes. It’s no different from what Nick did last summer, though. We’re okay.”
When I glance at him, he doesn’t look convinced. “Truly, I was just shocked. It was a smart move. Word will get around you’re no longer single, and you can hopefully have a peaceful summer.”
“Are you certain? I do not wish to damage our relationship.”
“Positive. I shouldn’t have gotten weird.” I smile at him to let him know we’re good. His shoulders relax as we continue to sit and watch the sky. As the bluish-purple dusk allows the stars to come out and sparkle, we walk back to the house.