Chapter 10
chapter ten
Summer
present day
“Iguess I just feel like ending things with him is the logical next step. I don’t know why I’m so … numb about it. Shouldn’t a breakup make me cry and want to lie in bed with cupcakes, watching Nicholas Sparks movies?” I’m walking along the beach, phone pressed to my ear.
It’s a cloudless day, so the sun is shining right through the clear turquoise water.
“I mean, normally, yes. I’m just worried you’re making this decision out of sadness, not because you want it to really end with him.
He’s been distant lately, for sure, but he worries about you.
Guys don’t know how to handle this kind of stuff.
He thinks you need space to grieve, and that’s why you moved to the island.
” Sav is breathing heavily into the phone.
It’s eight a.m. in California, and she’s walking to the yoga studio to teach a class.
“But also, I don’t know. You’ve changed since losing your mom.
I miss you like crazy, but I can tell you’re healing.
You might have outgrown him. People change, Sum.
Axel has been living off of his game-show winnings and trying to make the surfer thing work.
You know he’s coming down there for Marg Fest, right? ”
The Margarita Festival is the first kick-off event in Coconut Beach that many locals consider the start of summer. Vendors fly in to sell goods in little tents, and there’s a stage with live music for three days on the beach.
I groan. “I know he is. I’m planning on telling him in person when he gets here.”
Breaking up with Axel is the right decision, but I still feel sad about it. He was the first guy I was in a serious relationship with after my divorce. He’s a fun guy. We get along so well, but I’m realizing now that our relationship may be more platonic than I previously noticed.
“You’re coming too, right?”
“Yes! I can’t wait. I miss you so much. I need some island time. I’ve been working myself to the bone.”
“I miss you too.” My heart squeezes. I’ve missed my best friend, and after breaking it off with Axel, I’m going to need her.
“There’s one more thing I need to tell you.”
“What?”
I sigh, gathering the courage to spill it. “I accidentally sent spicy pictures, wearing lingerie, to Dayton. I’d meant to send them to Axel.” I exhale as soon as the words are out.
She gasps. “You did not! Holy shit, Sum! You always triple-check the message thread before sending spicy pictures! What did he say?”
“He was here. He came barging into my house, looking like he wanted to … I don’t know what, but he was pissed.” I dig my toes into the sand as a wave washes over my feet and ankles.
“Huh, that’s … interesting. Let me see them.”
I pull the phone back and navigate to the photos. I triple-check that I’m actually texting Sav before hitting the Send button. A few seconds later, she whistles through the phone.
“Hot damn, girl. He doesn’t see you as a stepsister anymore, does he?!”
I cover my eyes with my hand, as if that would make Dayton unsee the pictures. “Look, he never saw me that way to begin with. He’s despised me since day one. I just need to go through this renovation and get back to pretending he doesn’t exist.”
“Is he single?”
“Yes. He said he doesn’t have time for a girlfriend.”
“Or maybe he’s been hung up on this cutie he met when he was sixteen! Ha-ha.”
My stomach does a flip. “Shut up. He seriously hates my guts and always has.”
“This development is interesting. I gotta run! Just got to the studio.”
“Bye. See you soon.”
thirteen years earlier
Will is so hot. I couldn’t believe it when a junior asked me to the prom, especially a baseball player.
At first, I thought he might be pranking me, with Dayton’s help. When I jokingly rejected him, he actually looked disappointed. I quickly told him I was kidding and agreed to be his date. We’ve been texting and actually flirting ever since.
I adjust the tiny pink roses tucked into the braid around my head.
My dress was altered to fit my shape perfectly.
The pale yellow silk hugs my curves in all the right places, and with the sheer sides and high split on the thigh, I feel sexy.
I’ve been eating less and trying to lose weight to fit into it for the past month.
I’ve never worn anything so scandalous. My mom has never been strict about the clothes I wear.
She’s always said modesty is a mindset, not a clothing style.
After finishing up our third slow dance, Will leans down to whisper in my ear, “You wanna get some air?”
I nod, taking his arm and walking with him out of the dance floor area and to the open garden, where students are mingling.
I bought the boutonniere he has pinned to his suit.
He’s so handsome and funny. I’ve never had a boyfriend or been kissed.
I’m hoping he’s planning to ask me out at the end of the night.
Butterflies have been fluttering in my belly since he came to pick up.
The school rented out the Grand Palm right on the beach for the prom.
In the corner of my eye, I see Dayton leaning back against the railing by the pool area.
His tie matches the short red dress his date is wearing.
Aurelia is gorgeous and one of the most popular girls in school, so I wasn’t surprised when he asked her.
She has thick, curly black hair. Will hasn’t wanted to hang out with them, thank goodness.
“I really just can’t take my eyes off of you, Summer. I’ve kind of had a thing for you since you started here.” Will traces his fingers down my arm before grasping my hand.
I smile down at my shoes before lifting my gaze to meet his. “I honestly had no idea. I thought you’d asked me because Dayton had put you up to it.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Yeah, well, we’ve always had a healthy competition going. It’s a guy thing, you know? I asked his new stepsister to prom, so he asked my ex.”
“Aurelia is your ex?” I gape at him.
“Yep. Dated since freshman year, up until the week before you moved here. I guess God knew something better was on its way.” He leans down, pressing a kiss to the side of my jawline.
My eyes drift closed. That was almost a real kiss.
I open my eyes to see someone moving toward us. My chest tightens when Dayton approaches Will, holding out two cups of punch. He sets them both down on the balcony railing and reaches into his suit pocket. He pulls out a silver flask and spikes both the drinks.
“Is this your way of saying sorry?” Will asks.
Dayton hands him the cup before tapping the rim of his glass to Will’s.
“You want a handwritten letter instead?”
They both drink. Will laughs as Dayton continues chugging the entire cup.
“You on a diet?” Dayton asks.
Will shakes his head before chugging his. Dayton empties the rest of the flask into both their cups. An uneasy feeling begins to swirl in my gut.
He’s trying to get him drunk.
I cross my arms, letting out a sigh. The night was going so well until Dayton. I don’t know what I could have possibly done for him to want to ruin my prom night.
Will asked me. How is that my fault?
I didn’t ask to be jerked out of my life and moved all the way to an island. I didn’t choose to move into his dad’s house and be forced to share a bathroom with him.
Another flask materializes from Dayton’s suit jacket.
“How many of those did you smuggle in here?” I ask.
Dayton ignores me, pouring two more generous shots.
“You want some?” Will asks.
Dayton’s eyes shoot daggers at him.
I lift my chin stubbornly. “Don’t want to share with me?”
His cold eyes finally shift to meet mine. “You’re not getting a drop.”
Asshole.
Will laughs, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Taking the whole stepbrother thing to another level, don’t you think?”
Aurelia slinks up next to Dayton. Her eyes meet my date’s as she grabs his cup from his hand and takes a sip, placing her lips exactly where his were.
She hums. “Mmm, it tastes so good. Is this from Daddy Copeland’s stash?”
Dayton nods, stretching his arm out and draping it around her shoulders to match Will’s stance. Dayton is so big, even at sixteen. He’s got to be at least six foot two, towering over most of the chaperones.
Will steals his cup back from her before looking down at me. “Let’s get you some punch, pretty girl. I want to dance some more.”
I nod, feeling awkward and out of place. I feel like they’re all having a nonverbal exchange that I’m not privy to.
“Yes, let’s dance.”
After getting some punch, we make our way back to the dance floor and start swaying to the music.
My eyes nearly bug out of my head when my gaze drifts back over to Dayton and Aurelia.
The way he cups her butt and grips her hair seems inappropriate for a school dance, but none of the chaperones seem to make note of them. I gasp when they start making out.
Will’s eyes follow mine. “What the fuck?” he mutters under his breath.
What the fuck is right.