Chapter 18 #2
Tapping the for-sale sign on my hand, I wonder if Craig knew that some way he’d get her back here. Knowing all she needed to do was come home just once and Driftwood Bay would sink itself into her, once again. He knew. I smile.
Locking the store up, I walk down to the pier, needing more time alone.
I’m not sure how I’m supposed to save the marina; I don’t have the slightest clue. I want to tell Kai so badly, but I can’t. I have to fix this, then let him know what actually happened, and try to repair the brokenness of our brotherhood.
The contract states that once the loan is paid, they will remove the lien, and the property will rightfully belong to my parents; or, if I marry Molly, ownership will revert to its previous state.
Leaning on the wooden railing, watching the ocean waves, I want to throw myself into them. How the hell did I get myself and my family into this? I’m so mad at myself. Because we needed help, they pounced. Seizing an opportunity.
As I watch the waves, they try to hypnotize me; I wonder how many other people the Williams have taken, and that makes my stomach curdle.
Driftwood Bay is a small town; we survive off the summer visitors for the three months a year. How many have been forced to relent and give in to them? Anger boils up with just that thought. Poaching on innocent locals, taking what is theirs.
Looking out at the horizon, I have to formulate a plan. I can’t just sit here and act like all is fine, because it isn’t.
I need to get back into their office and copy the original contract that my parents signed.
And once I have those, I can move forward with calling off the wedding.
But I need the contract, just in case. I don’t know what kind of shit they will try once they see I’m not playing their games.
Or can no longer hold anything over my head.
Pushing off the pier, I stride with purpose, the first purpose I’ve felt in years.
I go to the oldest store in Driftwood Bay, Sea Salt Confections. The owner has been a friend of my family for as long as I can remember.
The doorbell rings, announcing my arrival. Bud turns and gives me a small smile. He’s aged so much in the last couple of years; it’s scary to see. These people you grow up around, aging and showing you that life isn’t permanent.
“Hey Bohdi.” Bud waves me over.
The shop is empty, which is perfect for me.
“What's going on, Bud?” How the hell do I open this conversation up?
Leaning next to the counter, I ask, “Are you here alone, Bud?”
His bushy eyebrows raise. “Yeah, why?”
Not having time to dance around, “I need to ask you something, and I’m just going off gut feeling here and from what I’ve seen these last few years, Bud, have you been approached to sell your shop?”
His shaky hand pushes his eyeglasses up to his forehead, squinting at me and saying, "Quite a few of us have been approached. And if I’m being honest, feeling like our arms are being twisted to give in and give up our businesses,” Bud shakes his head, “but this is nothing new, Bohdi. This has been going on for years.”
Confused, “What do you mean?”
“That family you’re marrying into isn’t good.
Not one ounce of them holds good…and that goes for your future wife, too.
Just be careful, Bohdi. You’re a good guy and I don’t want to see you hurt or turn out like them,” he tells me after putting some saltwater in a bag, tying it up, and handing it to me.
Holding my hand up, he pushes it out of the way. “Take them. They used to be your favorite.”
Saying our goodbyes, I walk back out to Main Street, holding a piece of saltwater taffy to my mouth before tossing it in.
The taste brings me back. August always tasted like this when I kissed her, because it was her favorite, so it became mine.
I savor the flavor, bringing me back to a time of complete happiness.
My mind replays Bud’s words, and the sweetness coating my mouth starts to taste like acid. Revelation tasting nothing like sweetness.
Deciding not to go straight to my bike, I turn down the next street, taking me to the small two-story bed-and-breakfast we have here.
I need a room because once I get my hands on those papers, I’m gone.
The wedding is off. I’ll find a way to pay them off.
I can’t be involved with that family any longer, and unearthing who they truly are makes me sick.
Securing a room for two weeks, I don’t turn the way I came, but head the opposite, toward a house I’ve never stepped foot in.
The white picket fence surrounds the perfectly manicured grounds of Seaside Manor. The house is now inviting, not looking like ghosts roamed the halls. I remember Baylee always talking about this house, and I smile knowing my brother gave it to her.
I twist the little knob, and the bell rings.
Standing, my heart pounds as I wait.
The enormous door opens, revealing my brother, standing in sleep pants and nothing else. He glowers at me. “What do you want?”
“Good morning to you too, brother. Can we talk?” I screw my forehead up when he walks out of the house, closing the door behind him, not inviting me in.
“Wow, cool,” I tell him as I turn around and face the road. That stung.
“What do you need, Bo?” He spits out the word "Bo" like it tastes disgusting.
I turn to face him. “Look, I just wanted to come and say I was sorry. I'm sorry for keeping my distance and for being a jerk. I’m sorry, man.”
I watch his face morph, and my ears fill with his laughter. “What changed all of a sudden, Bo? I’m sorry, but at this time in my life, I’m not ready to open my family up to you.”
When he says family, there is more innuendo than just him and Baylee. But I don’t ask.
Holding my hands up, I say, “You have my number whenever you want to talk.” Walking down the steps, I turn to face him. “I’ll be at the bed-and-breakfast for the next two weeks.”
As I get to my bike, my phone buzzes, alerting me to a text message.
Mom and I are heading to the city. I’ll be back tonight.
Molly messages me. I don’t want to reply but do.
Be safe, see you in a bit.
Short and sweet.
Before pocketing my phone, it’s barely twelve o'clock. Knowing they’ll be gone, I’m going to take my chance that he is too, getting copies of the contract and packing my things while she’s gone.
I take the ride slow, winding down the two-way road that connects the town with off-the-beaten-path homes. The Williams estate is all the way at the end of town; the road ends at their property.
I park my bike in front of their house and make my way inside. “Todd?” I call his name, but get no reply, so I beeline it for the office.
Knowing exactly where the file is in the cabinet, I pull it open and search, but come up empty.
My eyes scan the room before inching the filing cabinet closed.
Hurriedly, I go to the desk, searching on top, but there is nothing.
Pulling the drawer in the desk out, files meet my eyes.
Flipping through them, I stop when I see the name August Cove.
Throwing it on the desk, I flip through the papers, stopping when I see an email informing the recipients, Todd and Kate Williams, that the pipe has been damaged.
Standing up straighter, I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
I keep reading, trying to make sure I’m reading it correctly.
And after two passes through, I know I have. They fucked with her cottage.
Closing the file, I shuffle through the rest of the files, finally finding the one titled Driftwood Marina. Breathing deeply, I close the gap between the desk and the printer, lift the lid, place the paper down, and copy. It feels like it takes forever. I decide to copy August’s too, just in case.
Placing the folders back where I found them.
I make my way back to the filing cabinet, letting my finger touch each tab as I read off every name.
There are about eight different stores with folders.
I stop when I see Seaside Manor. I yank my phone out of my back pocket, recording the file as I move each piece of paper to show what is on there.
Shoving it back in, I power walk out of the office.
“Hey, Bo,” Todd’s voice calls to me down the hall.
Briefly closing my eyes, I stop in my tracks, planting on a fake smile. “I was trying to find you,” I tell him.
“Oh yeah. What for?” He doesn’t sound convinced.
“Wanted to let you know I’ll have 250,000 for you tomorrow.”
His lips draw down. “And what’s that for?”
I let out a laugh. “Oh, come on. Let’s not play stupid, because I know you’re not.”
The look on his face is priceless, not believing I just spoke to him like that. I smile. “Well, I’ll see you around.” I leave him standing there, exiting the house and jumping on my bike, papers still rolled up in hand.
Stopping in front of the guest house, I don’t waste time; I find my bag and throw in what’s important, along with my laptop and chargers.
Pushing the papers inside, I don’t give the place a second glance before I’m shutting the door behind me, on my bike once again, driving to what feels like freedom for the first time since I got with Molly.