Chapter 7
Caleb
It’s obvious from the get-go that my northern big tipper is confused. Finding out there are two of us has to have thrown her a loop. It happens often, especially in circumstances like this. I didn’t even have to be here for Cooper to play the part. He’s so used to it going both ways that there’s no longer a need to practice or plan ahead.
While the obvious truth sinks in her pretty little head, I take the liberty of ordering her another of whatever she’s drinking. She smiles when it’s presented in front of her and finishes off the remainder of the one she’s currently nursing.
While I casually scan the room for friends and more trouble I can get into, I notice Coop is talking to Evie and another chick I vaguely recognize. It doesn’t happen very often, so I wonder if we’ve met in passing, or maybe she only comes to the island for work. Either way, I’d like to take the two of them back to the apartment one day for a little private party, unless Coop calls dibs. We don’t share. It’s the only thing I refuse to do with my brother. If I wanted to sleep with that weirdo, I’d climb in his bed at night and cuddle, which I’ve never done, by the way.
After a few moments the female gets my attention by thanking me. “You didn’t have to buy me a drink, but it was very nice of you.”
“I’m a nice guy,” I say in a reminding sort of manner.
“I’m sorry for my friends today.”
“I’d be careful who you call friends. I don’t know your deal, maybe you’re related, but I’d look to finding better company. People like that are just evil.”
“Do you get many of them on the island?”
“That was the worst display of humanity that I’ve ever seen up close and personal. That chick you were with has probably gotten in touch with the local government to have our business license suspended.”
She’s quiet for a few seconds before nodding. “You might be right. She’s not a nice person, and I’m embarrassed to say we’re friends at this point. What she did to you was wrong. How she acted in general was terrible. You were doing your job while she continuously ridiculed you. It was vile. I’m ashamed to admit how long I’ve known her.”
“Family?” I question again since she ignored me the first time.
“No. We’re not related at all. I’m an only child, and my cousins live in other states. Davina and the rest of the people I’m here with all went to school together.”
“I’m guessing it was some fancy place like Hogwarts or some shit.”
My comment causes her to laugh, and I can’t help but wonder how many drinks it’s taken for her to lighten up and not be so serious. Maybe she’s naturally a fun person, but her personality was shielded by her friends’ lack of compassion regarding life and peers. I wonder how many times she’s had to apologize for the bitch.
“How come you’re not out with your crew?”
“All they do is argue. It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, but it’s been one thing after another, which is such a shame, because I happen to love this island. It has so much to offer, and you don’t know how refreshing it feels to be able to step back in time where people are still so kind and welcoming. We don’t get that often in the Hamptons. Everyone just expects things. Prices are triple what they are here for less product. I could never get a full glass of wine like this at home. It’s usually a third of the glass. This is the kind of place people should want to be. There’s no hustle and bustle.”
I take it upon myself to correct her. “The people on the island work hard for what they have, but we appreciate the little things. Like this bar, for instance, it belongs to my family, my father and his wife. My brothers’ run the best seafood boats around, and we work our asses off to stay afloat.”
“I wasn’t implying that you don’t work hard.”
“Just clarifying in case you were wondering.”
“So you don’t work with your family?” She asks.
“Oh, I do. The kayak tours only run during peak season usually. During the winter I’m on the boats. If there are events on the island, I’m chipping in downstairs at the restaurant. You may not know this yet, but I’m very, very skilled with my hands.”
She snickers while taking a drink. “I bet you say that to all the visiting women.”
“Only the sexy ones,” I admit.
“Oh my god, you’re so honest.”
“Why lie? When I see something I want, I work for it. There’s no shame in admitting it. Why waste time being someone I’m not?”
“Some of us aren’t privy to being able to live so vicariously. I admire your ability to work for what you desire.”
The way the word desire rolls off her tongue does something to me. I find myself drawn to know more about her. “And what do you desire?” I pause. “Sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
“Kadence, with a K.”
“Caleb, with a C.” I taunt.
“I’m guessing you’re always this forward.”
I wink, gulping down the rest of my brew and waving Jocelyn, the bartender, down for another round. “It gets me what I want.”
“Just so we’re on the same page, I thought you were a great tour guide, and would have enjoyed being able to finish without drama. That being said, I’m probably the last person on the island that you’d want to get to know, if that’s what you’re doing at all. I’m not the type of woman to allow total strangers into my bed.”
I literally spit beer all over the place. Talk about being direct. This chick knows what she wants and we’re not on the same page, at least not yet. What she doesn’t understand is that telling me I can’t have or do something, only makes me want it more. Now she’s got my undivided attention whether she wants it or not.
While wiping up the beer from the counter, I let her know what’s going to happen next. “Do you prefer pool or darts?”
“Neither if I’m being honest.”
“You have to pick one,” I tell her with an adamant stare.
She plays with her wine glass as she contemplates how to answer. “I don’t think I’d like either.”
“Darts it is,” I announce. Without asking permission, I take her by the arm and gradually pull her from the bar stool. She’s trying to get away, but I’m eager to prove rejection isn’t in the cards for me tonight.
“The object of this game is to get as close to the bulls eye as you can.”
“I thought you had to hit a different number each time?” She questions, telling me she knows more than she’s leading on.
“We’re going to be playing for time, beautiful, so just focus on the center.”
“Time? As in, you want me to spend time with you?”
“Perhaps.”
“That’s not fair. You could be really good at this.”
“Oh, I am. Lucky for you, I’m going to play left-handed, with my eyes shut.”
“Well that’s stupid. Why would you handicap your favor?”
“Because it’s worth the opportunity to spend time with you right now.”
I almost laugh at myself as the words leave my mouth. It’s so corny and also a bit of bullshit. I’m ambidextrous, so using my left hand isn’t any different than my right. I’ve also played this game so many times with my brother that I know I can hit the bulls eyes with or without the ability to see my target. For now, I want this woman to assume I’m desperate, so if she happens to beat me, she’ll still feel obligated out of pity.
“What if I win?” She questions.
“If you win, you get to decide my punishment. Just so you know, I’m not opposed to light spanking and whipped cream in the bed.”
Another bout of laughter breaks the seriousness. At least she seems to enjoy my sense of humor. It’s usually my best attribute when trying to seal the deal.
“Has anyone ever said you were hilarious?”
“Not today.”
“Well, you are, but I’ll play your little game. It’s not like I’m doing anything else on this island tonight.”
I lean close to her ear as she takes the first dart and starts to aim for her target. “The night is just getting started.”
Her first shot clips the top part of the twenty and bounces off the metal frame, landing on the floor at our feet. She jumps to make sure it doesn’t hit her, and that’s when I notice her feet. They’re petite framed and manicured with intricate designs on them. I don’t necessarily have a foot fetish, but it is a turnoff when toenails are unkept. Her feet are like a masterpiece. Someone spent a lot of time and money on them. For a second I wonder if she has a boyfriend, but then I reconsider since I don’t care either way.
Taking my first dart, I aim before looking directly at her instead of the target, and with a sly smile, I deliver my first shot. I let her reel in defeat as she sees where it’s landed, before checking it out myself.
At the lowest part of the twenty, closest to the bulls-eye, my dart shines against the overhead light. “Wow, must have been luck.”
She playfully shoves me with a bright smile that just about lights up the room. “I should’ve known.”
“We have two more shots left. You have the opportunity to win.”
She curls her lip before turning back to the board and firing her next shot without aiming. It hits the inner ring so precisely it’s almost unbelievable.
Her face beams with achievement when she turns to me and shrugs. “Beginner’s luck.”
There’s a tingle from deep within when I start to understand what’s going on. This isn’t some stupid broad I can manipulate with charm or wit. She’s already one step ahead. Not even the alcohol is going to help me in this scenario. “Oh it’s on now.”
She taunts me when I take my shot and hit the inner ring slightly next to hers. Normally this wouldn’t be a fair competition. In all honesty, I’m going to have to pull out all my skills if she makes another bulls eye.
She wastes no time firing her dart at the board. This time she hits the outer ring of the center mark. I swallow a lump of defeat as I consider what will happen if I lose. I can’t remember feeling this nervous about something so simple. When I take my shot my dart hits the metal and ricochets back onto the floor.
I cover my face in embarrassment. “Shit. Lay it on me, beautiful. How bad will this hurt my ego?”
She narrows in her gaze with elation. “Oh, it’s going to be bad.”