Chapter 40 #2
He grumbles something unintelligible as I lead him up the winding staircase.
When we reach the top, I twirl around, getting an aerial view of my town and Lake Drummond.
Boats glide across the wide-open water, leaving waves in their wake.
Jet skis race around, their rooster tails hanging feet in the air.
The traffic on Main Street hasn’t slowed since we got here a few hours ago. Now, more cars are coming into town, ready to celebrate the festivities as they prepare for the fireworks show later tonight.
“I love our town.”
Jett scuffles closer to the railing. “I like it better on the ground.”
“You big baby.”
He slides his hands in the pockets of his jeans, shrugging.
“Take a picture with me.”
Shifting closer to him, I dig through my purse for my phone.
“Use mine.” He slides it out of his pocket with ease.
I take it as he slips his arm around me, positioning the phone in the air so the lake is in the background.
As I start to hit the button, Jett turns his head, pressing his lips to my temple.
My cheeks warm as I smile. We have way too many pictures in this exact pose from high school.
I hand him his phone, and he leads us down the stairs.
The closer we get to Sunset Shores, the louder it becomes.
Music pours out first—the unmistakable thrum drifting across the road. The upstairs of the grill is packed, people leaning against the railing with drinks in hand, watching the water ski show. Down below, the restaurant windows are wide open, letting in the aquatic breeze.
The party yard is already a sight as clusters of people sit at the picnic tables and high tops spread over the concrete. Bartenders rush around, popping caps off bottles, mixing drinks, and refilling ice machines.
“It’s packed.”
Jett huffs a laugh. “Every weekend. It's a madhouse.”
We pass the Grill, weaving through the edge of the party yard. Someone brushes my shoulder, muttering a quick sorry as Jett shoots him a death glare. I roll my eyes at Macho Man. He needs a drink…or ten.
As we move toward the marketplace, the vibe shifts slightly—less bar, more backyard cookout with your friends. Strings of lights crisscross above the open space, unlit but waiting to glow at nightfall.
The sand volleyball court is occupied. A sign on the fence advertises a weekend tournament.
“Mine! Mine! Mine!” a familiar voice shouts from the sand as a volleyball soars toward her.
“I didn’t know your sister was playing.”
“I didn’t either.”
Saylor bumps the ball toward her teammate, who spikes it over the net. Her shoulders are sun-kissed, vibrant pink hair piled in a messy bun on top of her head, wearing a yellow crop top and biker shorts.
“Is that my brother?” Her voice carries over the court, causing heads to turn our way. She jogs over to the fence separating the sand court from the boardwalk. “Don’t you two look cute.”
“We would’ve come sooner if we knew you were playing,” I tell her, but she waves me off.
“You’re here now. Go grab a beer and watch us destroy the all-men team.” She points over her shoulder, rolling her eyes. “Their ego is inflated to the point they think women in sports are beneath them.”
I scoff. “The fucking audacity.”
“Tell me about it.”
“I hope you spike one in their face,” Jett adds, glaring at the competition. “That shit hurts like hell.”
She chuckles and blows us a kiss before jogging back to her team.
“Riggsby!”
I turn toward the sound and spot a picnic table behind the sand court, half-hidden by an oversized umbrella. Our friends are sprawled around it, some sitting and some standing, but all with drinks in their hands.
With his hand on the small of my back, Jett guides me toward them. The turf squishes beneath my sneakers as the sun beats down. I’m forever grateful for SPF and sunnies.
“About damn time,” Heath calls out, handing us beers. “We thought you bailed.”
“Yeah, given everything—”
“We’re not talking about that today,” I cut Greer off with a smile.
“Today, we’re living in the now.” Last week, Jett ran into a few of our friends and filled them in on what’s been going on lately.
He didn’t share everything, but wanted to keep them on alert in case Elias approached them trying to get to me.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been slowly telling the girls more of my story, but only subtle hints.
I see the wheels turning in their heads as they piece it all together.
Once again, I’m putting people I love in harm’s way.
“To the now.” Levi holds out his drink, and we all clink bottles.
The condensation slicks my fingers, but I welcome the cold liquid.
Greer scoots down the bench, making a space for me between her and Baker. I don’t miss the way he eyes the now vacant spot.
When are these two going to wake up and realize they’re perfect for each other?
“Love your dress.”
“Thanks,” I say, pressing my dress between my legs as I swing one over the bench.
She chuckles. “I should’ve given you the end spot.”
I shake her off. “I’m used to it. I’m not me without a dress.”
“And speaking of your outfit,” she starts, brushing her fingers against my necklace. “This is gorgeous.”
I feel heat rise to my cheeks. “Jett bought it for me at the craft tents.”
Her eyes widen before she glances toward him. “That was sweet of him.”
My smile widens. “It was.”
“Happiness looks good on you, babe.”
I nudge her shoulder. “When are you going to find your happily ever after?”
Baker splutters beside me and both of us spare him a glance.
“You okay, Bake?” Levi asks, mischievously.
“I’m good,” he rasps, patting his chest.
Greer shakes her head. “It’ll happen when it happens.”
“And it will.”
She rolls her eyes. “Dad is ready to marry me off to the first eligible bachelor.”
Greer’s dad is an asshole. Yes, he’s the mayor of this town and has done a lot for Silo Bay, but from what I’ve heard, the money is getting to his head. He wants bigger and better, to the point he’d rather hurt local businesses than turn down tourist revenue.
“Like some kind of arrangement?”
“If it’ll pad his pockets.”
Baker groans, and this time, I turn to face him.
“Need some Tums? Sounds like you have heartburn.”
He holds out his hand. “Hit me.”
I dig into my purse and pull out the bottle of chewables, dumping a few in his hand before he tosses them back.
Conversation flows easily as my gaze travels from group to group. Jett steps away from the table, finding Crew, Bret, and Carter sitting with his mom. I wave from my spot.
Heath finds a table of women staying at the resort for a bachelorette party. He’s pulling out the moves on all of them, and they’re eating out of the palm of his hand.
The volleyball tournament continues, and Saylor’s team is undefeated, with her spiking the ball in the sand for her team’s final point.
People are gathered, watching, and cheering as the game comes to an end.
Saylor tosses her arms in the air as she lets out a victorious shout.
She looks over, flushed and glowing, as her gaze lands on Levi.
From the corner of my eye, I catch the subtle thumbs-up he gives her.
It’s enough to make her cheeks deepen from a flush pink to a dark red.
Yeah, there’s something between those two.
I’ll take a bucket of popcorn and the front-row seat when this movie hits theaters.
Hours seem to drift by like a butterfly in the summer breeze.
Greer has disappeared among the masses. Baker left before her to set up for his show later this evening.
Heath never came back from the bachelorette crew.
Levi and I have kept our table from being taken.
A table this weekend is a hot commodity; there's no way we were abandoning ship.
“Having fun?” Jett asks quietly. His skin feels like a live wire against mine.
I nod. “So much.”
And I mean it.
This afternoon, I’ve been able to forget about the shitstorm swirling around us.
I know the storm is brewing, but it can wait.
Right now, it’s summer in Silo Bay.
The town is alive, living in the moment.
And for once, so am I.