Chapter 1
Chapter One
TWO MONTHS LATER
Raelyn
The orange glow of the afternoon sunset slowly disappears over the bay’s horizon, as the ocean breeze blows through my hair. The scent of sunscreen and tanning oil lingers in the air from a day in the sun.
I scan the wooden picnic tables scattered around us off the patio in the sand. The wood is rough and weathered against my skin, as I sit at our favorite spot in the sand by the water’s edge at The Flora-Bama Yacht Club. A sticky residue covers a corner of the table, more than likely from a night of too many drinks, and bad decisions that followed.
The wooden structure of the Yacht Club shows scars from hurricanes it’s survived through the years. A warm glow lights up the outside perimeter of the restaurant from strands of lights strung across and throughout the palm trees, while live music fills the air from a small makeshift stage close to the water’s edge. The sand is cool on my feet, as I watch people mingle at the busy bar on the weathered patio deck.
My signature drink, a margarita on the rocks, sweats in my hand, as the waitress reappears.
“Greek Nachos for the appetizer ladies?” the waitress asks.
Tilting my head to the side, I beam at the familiar face. “You know us well, Jo.”
“I watched y’all grow up in this town. Still remember y’all sneaking drinks when I knew you weren’t of age. Those damn fake IDs.” She looks pointedly at us, the soft wrinkles on her face showing from years of working in the sun.
A smile touches my lips. Jo has known us since we were childhood friends. The bond only grew stronger throughout the years.
“What are you doing back working?” Maddie asks, tossing her long, silky, black hair over her tanned shoulder. What I would give to have her olive complexion.
Maddie is right though; Jo is supposed to be enjoying her retirement instead of working.
“They better not be working our favorite girl too hard, or management is going to hear from me,” Rylie adds, narrowing her eyes.
I take in my sister, still dressed in her black nursing scrubs from work. She has beautiful blonde hair with green eyes, so different from my brunette hair with blue eyes, but we otherwise favor each other a lot.
Jo sighs. “Someone called at the last minute, little shits. Probably stayed out partying late last night, so I came in to pick up the slack. I say I’m not coming back to work, but after twenty years of working here I just can’t seem to stay away long.”
I can see the gleam of happiness in her eyes from being able to help out in a time of need. This place was her second home for so long.
“They were probably chasing some ass, Jo.” Brynn’s striking blue eyes dance with mischief as she runs a hand through her long blonde hair.
“Kinda like someone else I know.” Jo nods at Brynn with a hint of amusement before walking away.
Orange Beach, Alabama holds a lot of memories, born through years of love, laughter, and tears.
We’ve been a pack for as long as I can remember. There’s not a memory from childhood up that my girls aren’t a part of in some form or fashion.
Looking around the table, my heart warms. I have stunning girlfriends. My circle is one that lifts me up, motivates me, and adds value to my life. My girls are all beautiful and unique in their own way. My life would be boring without them.
“She’s right,” Brynn says. “You’ve got to get back out there, Raelyn. Hell, you don’t have to have a relationship, but you need a little dick in your life. After a week of getting none, I get real pissy. You know sex releases serotonin and dopamine, which are balancing chemicals in your brain. Also, oxytocin which is the love hormone. It has anti-inflammatory and calming effects. Just think of it as a health regimen.”
Of course, leave it to Brynn to think about dick twenty-four seven.
Stirring my margarita, I give her a pointed look. “Everything doesn’t always revolve around a dick, Brynn—and who are you now? A love expert with all the hormone talk? I have toys that serve the same purpose.”
She shrugs her shoulders. “Just saying all my hormones are perfectly in balance.”
“I still want to castrate him. Just cut his manhood right off.” Rylie grimaces.
Rylie holds grudges, and being on her bad side isn’t a welcoming place. Everyone always thinks she’s the older sister even though she’s a year younger than me. Our personalities are polar opposite though, where I’m calm, she’s fiery.
“He doesn’t deserve to have the right to use that thing anymore. Maybe he’ll get a case of the limp dick or an STD. Preferably an itchy one,” she adds, with a straight face.
She means every word, too. My ride or die girl, always.
Maddie chuckles. “Amen to that sister. Give me a few more drinks, and I’ll really let you know how I feel about him. Jace had me fooled, and that doesn’t happen often. A whole double life. You deserve better, my girl.”
I point my finger at her. “Since when do you need drinks? You have never had a filter, sober or not.”
She makes wide eyes at me like I’ve insulted her, but I know better. Then a grin breaks across her face.
“Yeah, you’re right. I say let’s do something spontaneous. What about a girls’ trip to let loose, and give you a reset, Raelyn. You need it. Plus, we are all on the single-and-ready-to-mingle train. I’m thinking Vegas or Nashville could do the trick!” Maddie exclaims, rubbing her hands together excitedly.
I let the idea run through my head. Maybe that’s exactly what I need. A cleanse from the toxic things in my mind.
Brynn pats the table excitedly. “You are speaking my language, now.”
Maddie sets her margarita down. “We are in our twenties, and not getting any younger. This is our prime!”
She then swings her gaze to me. “I’m tired of you hiding out. It’s time to let go of the past and move forward.”
Rylie tilts her head down and raises her hand in the air. “Preach it sister! You sold me with that pitch, count me in.”
I shake my head at Rylie’s reaction. A detox from the toxic relationship I was in, and a fresh, new start. I’m twenty-three and life can only go up from here. Right? I look at my girls eagerly chatting away about which destination, and weighing the pros and cons. I straighten my shoulders with a new outlook. “Let’s do it!”
“Hell yes!” Brynn exclaims, punching the air. “All new dick in an all new zip code.”
“You are such a slut, Brynn,” Rylie throws in, laughing.
Maddie lets out a hoot of laughter and raises her glass. “Here’s to some strange dick!”
Laughter bubbles out of me as I look at their smiling faces. Our group really is a hot mess. Raising my glass with Maddie, excitement runs through me. “Here’s to new adventures!”