Chapter Thirteen
Parker
I t takes several days for the floodwaters to recede fully.
The bridges leading onto and off the island reopened on Wednesday, but several smaller bridges had washed away, making navigating the island streets slow and difficult.
Brew and Van have decided to temporarily close Whiskey Joe’s until next week. A significant number of their employees live on the island and are currently dealing with power outages, flooded vehicles, and property damage. They want to give their staff the time needed to address these issues. Sebastian’s few charters were also canceled due to incoming Sandcastle Cove visitors rescheduling their plans.
In the grand scheme of things, this storm wasn’t devastating. As coastal town residents, we’re conditioned to be able to weather such events. It’ll take a couple of weeks to set things right, but until then, we’ll all pitch in, neighbor helping neighbor.
Storm aftermath is just one of the prices you pay for living in paradise.
With our newfound free time, Anson, Sebastian, and I volunteered at the town hall to assist with community cleanup. We began by helping elderly and disabled homeowners with repairs and debris removal.
It’s been a long week, so we’re all looking forward to spending the evening relaxing at Lennon and Amiya’s home.
They live on the beach at the island’s west end, right across the street from Wade and Eden. It’s a beautiful house that Eden had built next to her parents’ vacation property. She and Wade fell madly in love while the house was still under construction, and she never moved in. When Lennon decided to transfer to the Coast Guard, Eden rented the home to him and Amiya for a steal.
I’m showered and waiting for Anson when my phone chimes with a message.
Audrey: Are you home? I need my car.
We were able to get Audrey and Heather to Heather’s house on Tuesday evening, but her car is still tucked safely in our garage.
Me: I am.
Audrey: Any way my new friend would be willing to come get me?
Me: Anson and I will pick you up in thirty.
Audrey: Thanks. I’ll be waiting.
Me: Bring a swimsuit.
Audrey: ???
Me: We’re going to the barbeque at Lennon and Amiya’s. They have a hot tub.
Audrey: I wasn’t planning on going to the barbeque.
Me: You told Avie you were.
Audrey: No, I said I’d try.
Me: And now, you don’t have to try because we’re coming to get you.
Three dots appear as she types her reply, but I ignore it and stuff the phone in my pocket when Anson walks in.
“Ready to go?” he asks.
“Yep, I’ll drive, but we have a quick stop to make first,” I reply.
When we arrive, Audrey is waiting on the sidewalk outside her apartment. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail with loose waves framing her face. She’s wearing black leggings and a long gray sweater that falls off one shoulder, revealing the intricate full-sleeved tattoo on her left arm.
She tosses a bag into the back seat and slides into the truck.
“Is there a swimsuit in there?” I ask.
She scowls at me in the rearview mirror as she buckles her seat belt.
“Can you swing by and get Heather, please?” she says, ignoring my question.
“Yes, ma’am.”
We pick Heather up on our way to Lennon’s, and she seems much more excited for the evening.
“Did you bring a swimsuit?” I ask as she climbs in beside Audrey.
“I sure did,” Heather replies. “It’s been forever since I soaked in a hot tub.”
“Should we stop for wine or something?” Audrey asks once we are back on Main Street.
“I brought a bottle of Grey Goose I had in my fridge,” Heather says.
“Trust me, Amiya will have everything covered,” Anson says.
“I don’t think I should show up empty-handed. It’s impolite,” Audrey says.
“This isn’t a fancy dinner party. You aren’t expected to bring a hostess gift,” Anson reiterates.
I glance in the mirror and see that she’s frowning.
“Audrey,” I call, and her eyes find mine.
“I’ll stop at the market if you want,” I offer.
She smiles. “Yes, please.”
We park on the street between Wade’s and Lennon’s homes, and Anson and I grab the grocery bags.
Audrey didn’t just pick up a bottle of wine. She grabbed a few bottles, mixers, and cocktail condiments.
Lennon greets us at the door.
“Welcome,” he says, swinging it wide in invitation. “What’s all this?” he asks, eyeing the bags.
“Audrey bought out the alcohol section of the market,” Anson says as he hefts his load onto the living room bar.
Once inside, the girls are quickly whisked off to the kitchen, where Avie, Eden, and Amiya are fluttering around, and Lennon, Anson and I join the boys outside.
Wade is manning a grill while Sebastian and Dillon are seated around a clay firepit. Lennon walks over to help Wade, and we fish beers out of the cooler by the door before taking a seat.
“Smells delicious. What are you cooking?” I ask as I open my bottle.
“Ribs are in the smoker. And chicken is on the grill,” Lennon calls.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Anson belts.
It’s a perfect night for a barbecue. The weather has been beautiful since the storm. During the day, temperatures have been in the high sixties, and at night, they dip to the mid-fifties. There’s a light breeze, and the sky is filled with stars this evening.
“I see you talked Audrey into coming,” Sebastian says.
Anson snorts. “More like he forced her.”
Sebastian raises his brows.
“She asked me to pick her up and take her to get her car. We took a detour first,” I say.
“Smooth,” Sebastian notes. “Though I’m not sure kidnapping is the best way to a girl’s heart.”
I shrug. “Desperate measures, man.”
“What’s the deal between you two?” Wade asks.
I catch sight of her through the glass doors. She has a martini glass in her hand, and her head is thrown back as she laughs at something Amiya said.
“The deal is, we’re friends, and I have three months to convince her that we can be more.”
Wade lets out a whistle. “Three months? That’s not a lot of time.”
“I seem to remember you convincing Eden to fall for your old grumpy ass pretty quickly,” Dillon quips.
He cuts his eyes to his son and starts to offer a retort but stops short.
“True. I guess if I could land that beauty, anything is possible.” He extends his bottle to me. “Good luck.”
“He’s gonna need it. She’s a firecracker,” Anson says.
“Those are the best kind,” Lennon quips.