CHAPTER 9

Garret poured the sky blue paint into a tray and found the name of the shade ironic. Sky Blue. Ironic that he had ordered this color two weeks before meeting Skye, he didn’t find it ironic that she was driving him mad. Taunting his mind every second of the day, even in the shade of blue he had selected for his living room. He rolled the paint roller in it and started running it up and down the walls. When he had chosen the color he wanted something that reflected the view, bringing the ocean inside his house. Strange, he hadn’t even thought of furniture or curtains but had immediately known what color he wanted to paint it.

Seeing the interior transform before his eyes, he smiled contently. He was making this house his, putting his mark on it. He could’ve hired a team of decorators, painters and designers, without even thinking about the cost. He had done exactly that when he had purchased the penthouse on Fifth Avenue and the result was modern and minimalistic. There was nothing wrong with it but for his house in the Hamptons Garret wanted something different. Something that reflected his taste. Knowing he didn’t have one yet, it would be interesting to see how it turned out.

Just as interesting as how things would be turning out with Skye. Something was going on there and he wasn’t sure exactly what, the only thing he knew is that he was curious, and attracted-and feeling enough of both to make him want to see her again.

Impulsively he grabbed his phone and googled the number for The Petal and Kettle. Two rings after he dialed the number, he recognized Suki’s perky voice.

“The Petal and Kettle, Suki speaking.”

“Hey Suki, its Garret Roth.”

“Ha! And I’m guessing you’re not looking for flowers or coffee are you?” Suki demanded with a hint of amusement.

“Hmm, that would have to be a no.”

“And this isn’t a ten year high school reunion call either since that was last year.”

“Nope.”

“Well then I know exactly why you’re calling.” Suki said victoriously.

“Is she available?” Garret pulled a hand through his hair nervously. He quickly retracted it. Why did he feel nervous? He wasn’t a teenager calling up a girl. For heaven’s sake, he and Skye had slept together. She was an adult, a consenting one.

“Actually she isn’t, she had to run out quickly, she’ll be back later.”

“Okay, can you please ask her to phone me back?”

“That depends.”

Suki’s reply was firm and Garret found himself fumbling. “Excuse me?”

“Look Garret I know you’ve always been a pretty decent guy, but Skye is my cousin and I feel kind of responsible for her.”

“Okay?” Garret said feeling like a teenager again.

“Just don’t hurt her okay? Just promise me that.”

Garret frowned, why was Suki being so protective. Just more of the mystery he needed to solve. “Suki I can’t promise I won’t hurt her, but I can promise you that isn’t my intention.”

“Good enough for me. Does she have your number?”

“No, I’ll give it to you.”

After giving Suki the number and crossing fingers that she’ll actually give Skye the message Garret put the phone back in his pocket.

He grabbed a beer from the cooler next to the ladder and topped the cap. He took a deep pull. Some might find it wrong to drink beer at 11am in the morning, but it was Saturday and Garret had already done some yard work, gone to pick up the paint and did the marketing for the weekend. If things panned out he might be having a guest over tonight. Not a smart move since the place is going to reek of paint, but Garret hoped the open doors and windows would wash out and dry the worst of it before then.

He placed a sound bud in his ear and turned up the volume and thought of the mysterious Skye as he transformed his living room listening to old school rock.

Maybe tonight she would tell him some of what she was keeping from him. Garret couldn’t help but wonder if the mystery attracted him as much as she did. Last night he had found himself comparing her with Vanessa and yet he couldn’t seem to stay away.

This morning on impulse he had bought steaks, a bottle of descent wine and a bag ‘o salad along with his other groceries. He told himself it was for if Cayden came by, however deep down he knew that was the backup plan. Speaking of the devil he felt a slap on his back before his sound bud was pulled from his ear.

“Thought you might need some help.” Cayden said he surveyed the wall that Garret had just about finished.

“Don’t you have a new recipe to concoct?” Garret asked jokingly as he tossed Cayden a beer from the cooler beside the ladder.

“Nope, sticking to fan favorites for the weekend! If nothing burns down I’m only going back in on Monday and then flying out to Wilmington on Tuesday. I noticed you at the hardware earlier, thought you might’ve picked up the paint. Didn’t know you were going for nursery colors.”

Garret laughed. “Well since most of my friends still belong in a nursery I thought it apt.”

“I must say I have to agree with you on that when it comes to Seth and Stefan.” Garret said affectionately thinking of the two more robust men in their group. Garret and Cayden had met Seth a year after they had become friends at a hotel party in the Hamptons. The hotel was an upscale franchise and hosted a twenty first for a girl Cayden had been seeing. Shortly after the party started she had broken up with Cayden who had proceeded to see how drunk he could get Garret and himself. Seth had been the manager tasked with telling them to keep it down and ended up partying along with them until his father, the owner of the hotel, had thrown them all out in the early hours of the morning. Stefan and Cole joined the threesome a couple of years later. They had both gone to school with Garret and Cayden but they had only started hanging out together a couple of years ago since they were slightly younger. Although they all lived different lives and their personalities differed vastly, their friendship had been cemented through sharing parties, heart aches, hangovers and a love for the Hamptons.

“So are you serious, you want to help?” Garret asked, hoping Cayden said yes. He still had three more walls to go and still wanted to get the place ready if Skye came over.

“That’s what I said. You got an extra roller?”

Garret cocked a brow confidently. “I am always prepared.”

“Prepared for slave labor.” Cayden laughed as he took off his shirt.

Garret knew the real reason Cayden had come. He and Cayden had remained close even after the others had joined and especially when it came to matters of the heart Garret found it easy to talk to him. Thinking he’d surprise Cayden he spoke of the elephant in the room first. “So I saw her last night.”

“Wow! And here I thought I was going to have to drag it from you. How did it go?” Cayden act surprised raising his brows.

“Great! At first… Well basically it was fine until we went to that new bar on the beach.” Garret focused on slowly rolling the paint onto the wall. The blue color soothed him as he spoke.

“I know the one, their specials are awesome! I get a headache just thinking about them.”

“We weren’t exactly in a mood for shooters, any way she kind of freaked out.” Garret avoided eye contact with Cayden, not wanting to see mockery there.

“What do you mean, like bat shit crazy and screaming?” Cayden asked reacting exactly the way Garret had predicted. “Okay bit harsh, but how bad was it?”

Laughing at Cayden’s hopeful expression Garret shook his head. “No bat shit crazy unfortunately, she just like ran out of the place like she was sick or something.”

“Shit, it sounds to me like this girl’s got a running problem. What did you do?”

“I went after her.” Garret shrugged as if it were common sense.

“Man you’ve got it bad. I knew when we spoke on the phone she got to you, but running after her when she runs for the second time?” Cayden’s flabbergasted expression did nothing to make Garret feel bad.

“I had to Cayden, she came with me.”

“Right, that all important badge you got at gentleman scouts. Chivalry.” Cayden mocked.

“It’s called manners. If your mother heard you now she would make you clean the floors of Rossi’s for weeks.”

“Ha! Luckily I’ve employed people to do that while mama’s sipping martinis in Florida.” Sobering Cayden put down his roller and turned to face his friend. “All right so what happened then? Did you ask her why she has a running problem?”

“No.”

“Shit Garret, you can’t keep running after a girl, literally.”

“I took her home and told her I’d call her today.”

Cayden waved his arm indicating the paint and the expanse of the house. “I take it you’ve decided you’re done running?”

“Actually no, I’ve left her message. I’m going to invite her over tonight.”

“I’m trying really hard to follow you man, but I’m finding it like super hard. Why would you want to see the girl if she keeps running from you? She obviously has issues.” Cayden’s brows furrowed as he sincerely asked his friend.

Sighing Garret put his roller down as well. “That’s the thing Cayden. I need to figure out why I want to keep seeing her. I don’t know… it’s just that she’s different.”

“Oh God, now you’re sounding bat shit crazy. Remember when you said this is about Vanessa earlier this week?”

“Yes I do. At the risk of sounding crazy, I’ve noticed some similarities between them. That’s why I am confused. I don’t know if I’m attracted to her for those qualities or the ones that are nothing like Vanessa. The only thing I know is I’m not taking it serious. At least not until I know what’s going on with her.”

“You mean there’s a reason for the running?”

“I think so, a valid one. Last night afterwards she seemed shaken and apologetic. It’s like she can’t help it, and I can’t stay away.” Garret shook his head, hoping his friend understood since he didn’t.

“So she reminds you of Vanessa, has a running problem and puppy dog eyes that makes you want to find out how you can kiss the hurt better?”

“Look if you want to put it in one sentence that’s about it. But that doesn’t cover how interesting she is. She has this way of being sexy without knowing it. Being deep without sounding pretentious. Cayden we sat and talked for hours at the party and again last night. There is something worth exploring between us.”

“I get it man, although I’ve never felt the need to take it slow I think you should. For some reason you always end up getting too involved with the wrong woman. Especially since you’ve been nursing your frozen wall for two years.”

“Wow your faith in me really warms my heart.”

“At least something is. Look I’m not trying to insult you. I’m just saying be careful.”

“I will be.”

“Great and while you’re at it make sure there isn’t a boyfriend or a husband in the picture.”

“I will.” Garret nodded obediently.

“And try and find out what’s with the running.”

“Fine, any other suggestions from Dalai Cayden?”

“Yes, if you’ve asked those questions and you’re satisfied with the questions, stop comparing her to Vanessa and give her a real chance. Let go of the fear of falling in love and see what happens.”

“Thanks Cayden, I knew I could trust you to butcher my love life and my judgment to make me feel positive about tonight. Any way, where do you get all this shit from?”

“Always a pleasure. The waitresses switch the TV to Dr. Phil when I’m not watching.” He held up his hands. “Anyway, the guy has a point.” Cayden smiled goofily as he slapped Garret’s back.

“Can we get back to painting now?” Garret asked picking up the roller. “Before you go Dr. Phil on me again?”

“I’m not the one that bought the runner up?” Cayden laughed. “Get it, runner up?”

“Not funny.” Placing the sound bud back in place Garret turned up the volume and focused on the task at hand.