“REMEMBER THAT REDHEAD I mentioned the other day?” Theo watched me work my triceps on one of the machines. “I think she’s stalking me. She was supposed to leave after the weekend, but it’s been another week, and she’s still here. And I keep seeing her everywhere.”
“Are you really complaining?” My voice was laced with skepticism.
“Yeah. It’s weird. She’s obsessed or something.”
“Obsessed?”
“I dunno. Maybe? I’ve seen her at work, at Starbucks, the drugstore, the freaking gas station.”
“It’s a small island,” I pointed out. “Maybe it’s coincidence?”
“I think this is the only place she hasn’t tracked me yet,” he said, muscling through a set of chin-ups on the machine next to me. “And that’s only because I parked two blocks away, in front of the Starbucks.”
“So, will she be at the resort today? And does she have a name? I feel bad calling her ‘the redhead.’”
“Probably. And it’s Chelsea.”
“Well, that should be easy enough to deal with. Just tell her that you and I started seeing each other in the meantime, and that I’m the jealous type. If she shows up, we can flirt like crazy until she gets the message.”
“You think that’ll work?” Theo sounded dubious.
“What? I’m not good enough for you?” I teased.
“No, no, it’s not that. I just don’t want her going after you or anything. It’s bad enough that I keep bumping into her everywhere.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Do I need to be worried?”
Theo shrugged. “Maybe. She even knows what kind of shampoo and deodorant I use. She followed me around the grocery store the other day and bought some so I’d have it ‘at her place.’ Who does that after a one-night stand?”
“Was it really only one night?” I crossed my arms and stared him down.
Theo face reddened. “Well, I mean, she was willing . . . and she followed me home.”
“Theo!” I said, groaning.
“What?”
“Just on principle, I should refuse to help you.”
“Okay, then just on principle, these sessions cost fifty bucks each from now on. So you owe me roughly . . .”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Fine. But drinks are on you this week.”
Theo grunted and threw a medicine ball at me. “Crunches. Two sets of thirty. Then we’re done.”
After our workout, we headed back to the cottage in my Wrangler for breakfast, leaving Theo’s clunker abandoned at Starbucks. He made us egg white omelets with cheese and tomatoes, while I blended up some mango, pineapple, and spinach smoothies. As yummy as the food was, I barely tasted it. Being back at home reminded me of West all over again.
On the way to the Edge, I worked up the nerve to ask him for insight. “So, Theo, if I ask you something, can you keep it just between us?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“It’s about West, and I know the guy code, bros before hoes, and all that.”
“Nah, I wouldn’t do that to you.”
Hesitating, I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel. “What’s the story with him and Aubrey?”
Theo hesitated. “I’m not sure I know the whole story. I know his parents and her parents are close, like, really close. And they always hoped Aubrey and West would end up together. I think Aubrey did too. And West just kind of seemed to go along with the whole thing. Like, he was usually her date for the gala at the end of the summer, or if there was some big social event. But I haven’t seen them together since he moved down here from Chicago last year. So who knows? Plus, I heard she was dating some football player.”
I swallowed uncomfortably. Aubrey and West had a history together. A pretty long history, it sounded like. And Aubrey didn’t strike me as the type to not get what she wanted. West’s story about the football player seemed to check out, but maybe Aubrey was hoping to rekindle things with West on the rebound?
Theo watched me. “Does that mean there’s something going on with you two? Did you hook up with him more than once?”
“No! But I worked with Aubrey on . . . a little project, and she threw out that West was hers.”
“Bitch was marking her territory, huh?”
“Theo!”
“Well, wasn’t she?” Theo sounded unrepentant. “She’s manipulative, so be careful around her.”
“She do something to you?” His anger sounded a little personal.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he muttered, looking out the window.
“Did you and her. . . . ever?”
“What? Hell, no. I wouldn’t touch her if my life depended on it.”
Curious about his strong reaction, I studied him. There was a story there, but I’d respect his privacy for now. Besides, we were almost at work. I didn’t have time to pry it out of him. “You know I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
He nodded.
“What’s the deal with West? When I asked who was a good hook-up the other night, you didn’t mention him.”
“’Cause he’s not a good choice. Girls fall for him. Often and hard. And he’s nice enough about it, doesn’t lead anyone on or anything, but something about him makes girls go nuts. They chase him until it’s just embarrassing. I’ve heard the bathroom at the Wreck is a shrine to him. Not that I’ve investigated that particular claim.”
I wrinkled my nose.
Theo glanced at me. “No one would be surprised if you went for him again. Like I said, lots of girls do. It’s ridiculous. I just don’t want to see the aftermath. It’s never pretty.”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. Note to self—no turning into a West zombie.
Pulling into the employee lot, we grabbed our bags and headed toward the locker rooms. “Hey, Theo, when we get out there, make me an iced coffee, will ya? I need some caffeine.”
He grinned. “I’ll make it a double.”
WORK SUCKED. KENDRA called in sick, and the pool was packed. The only time I had a spare second to even think about anything other than lifeguarding duties was during the adult swim break every hour, when I blew the whistle and everyone under sixteen had to clear the pool for ten minutes. And during those breaks, I was trying to help poor Theo.
Chelsea had shown up, all right, and hadn’t budged from her stool by Theo’s hut the whole morning. It was like she was chaperoning him or something. I came over every chance I got, but at this point, I was about to float away from all the drinks he kept making me. We were acting like a flirty couple, but Chelsea did not seem to be taking the hint. Or maybe she just didn’t care. It was hard to tell.
Around one, I was trying to quickly eat the turkey sandwich Theo handed me during my break. “Thanks, babe,” I said, leaning over to brush his hair off his forehead. I could hear Chelsea hiss on the other side of the bar.
Theo pressed his lips together and leaned over the bar toward me. “Why isn’t she leaving? I’ve done my best to ignore her and flirt with you. What am I doing wrong?”
I peeked around him. Chelsea’s eyes were glued to us. “She’s stubborn, isn’t she? We’ll just have to up our game.” Speaking louder, I arched my spine. “Sweetie, my back has a knot in it. Could you help me out?”
Theo rolled his eyes, since Chelsea couldn’t see his face, but managed to make his answer sound suggestive. “Sure thing, Sadie.”
Coming around from behind the bar, he slid up close to me and dug his thumbs into the tender flesh along my spine, rubbing in circles. I arched more and groaned, trying to play it up. “Oh yeah, right there. Your hands are amazing.”
Theo ducked his head and whispered in my ear. “I can’t take much more. I’m going to bend you over the bar and shove my tongue down your throat in a minute if she doesn’t leave soon. Think that’ll get the point across?”
Chelsea fumed at me, the flames from her eyes almost searing me with their intensity. “Theo!” I squealed, swatting his hip. “Not at work.” I giggled and pressed my hands to my cheeks, like he had said something naughty.
With a huff, Chelsea slid off her stool and marched away, shooting one last glare in my direction.
Theo froze behind me, his hands still on my back. “It worked, didn’t it?”
I smiled at him smugly. “What’d I tell you?”
Giving me a quick hug, Theo resumed his position behind the bar. “You’re the best. I owe you.”
Nodding my emphatic agreement, I wadded up the wax paper with the remains of my lunch.
As I walked to the trash can, I almost ran smack into Aubrey, who was rounding the corner with three other perfectly-coiffed clones of hers. I stepped back, indicating for them to go ahead.
Aubrey stopped and removed her sunglasses, looking me over. I crossed my arms self-consciously, well aware that her chic resort-wear looked a lot more polished than my modest red two-piece bikini, messy bun, and bare feet. Her friends stopped behind her.
“Girls,” Aubrey started, tipping her head to one side. “This is Sadie. The photographer I told you about.”
“Sadie? I had a dog named Sadie once,” one of them sniffed. She had on mirrored sunglasses, so I couldn’t see her eyes.
My blood boiled, but I bit my tongue and waited, curious what this was all about.
“Those photos of Aubrey came out really nice,” another one said, elbowing the other girl in the side.
Aubrey smiled. “Of course they did. She might be rather plain-looking herself, but she knows how to capture real beauty with a camera. It’s truly a gift. And I told her I’d help spread the word so she could expand her business. I’m sure she’d like to have a real job by now, instead of just playing lifeguard at her age. You ladies will help me with that, won’t you?”
Reaching out, she patted my arm. “Good to see you again, Sadie.” As she pulled her arm back, she rubbed her fingers together like I’d soiled her. Slipping her sunglasses back on, she sailed past without waiting for a response, her friends following dutifully in her wake.
I stood there, dumbfounded.
What. A. Bitch.
She’d just insulted me to my face. Yeah, she sort of wrapped it in a compliment, but, damn. And I hadn’t even tried to speak up for myself, which pissed me off just as much. Not that there was anything I could say with the way she worded it without sounding ungrateful. Plus, she was a hotel guest, and I was an employee. I was here to serve her weasily little ass. I forced my fingers to relax from the tight fists I had made and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She wanted to get a rise out of me, and I didn’t plan on giving her the satisfaction.
Aubrey could go to hell. And if West wanted me, he could have me, regardless of his status with Aubrey. It would serve her right either way. Pushing her from my mind, I dumped my trash and got back to work, spending the rest of the afternoon being the bad guy to a bunch of kids intent on playing water volleyball without a net.
By the time my last break of the day rolled around, Chelsea had reappeared and was once again fixated on all things Theo. I rested my elbows on the counter, watching Theo make me yet another lemonade. Chelsea eyed me and then turned back to Theo, reaching out to touch his hand. “Doesn’t this place close soon, baby?”
Theo shot me a desperate look. “Yeah, but—”
“But we have plans,” I interrupted, adjusting my bikini straps and batting my eyes at Theo. “Don’t we, baby?” I mimicked Chelsea’s tone on the last word. She scowled at me.
“Right! So, as much as I’d like to, I can’t hang with you tonight.” Theo tried to let her down easy.
I was annoyed. It had been a freaking long day, and she wasn’t one for subtlety. He’d ignored her most of the day, giving her one-word answers to her questions, and she seemed oblivious to all the times he and I had flirted and touched. Chelsea was alone in her own little Theo bubble, and he needed to pop it, stat. From what I had gathered during my breaks, she had about as much substance as her fake boobs, and he was going to have to spell it out for her, or this would never end.
“Where are y’all going?” she purred, leaning forward so most of her chest spilled out of her bikini top.
I shook my head at him, trying to warn him off, but he answered, “The Wreck,” before I could stop him. Fuck! I hadn’t told him I was planning to go to the Wreck tonight to meet West, and I didn’t want him showing up there too. This day just kept getting better.
“Where’s that?” Chelsea asked, looking puzzled.
“It’s kind of a far drive,” I interrupted, shooting Theo a hard look. “Back roads with no names, things like that.”
He finally seemed to pick up on my clues. “Yeah, it’s just this hole in the wall. Not your style at all.”
She looked thrilled that Theo knew her style. I wanted to bang my head on the countertop. Taking my lemonade from him, I headed back to my lifeguard stand. “See you in an hour, honey!” I called back over my shoulder, blowing him a kiss for good measure. He so owed me.
BY THE TIME I dropped Theo back at Starbucks and got home after work, it was six-thirty. Taking a quick shower, I debated the wisdom of even meeting West. My gut warned me that he wasn’t going to be easy to forget when this was over, regardless of his baggage with Aubrey. Should I risk it? Maybe I was better off just sticking with tourists for the summer, like Rue did. But then I looked at my bed and remembered our night together. Who wouldn’t want more of that?
Besides, it would be rude to cancel at the last minute.
Ugh. I wasn’t normally like this. Indecisive. Unsure. Questioning my own motives. West just stirred me up inside, like shaking a soda bottle and opening it up too soon. I was a soggy mess, and it was all his fault.
Wishing I had time to do my hair and makeup up right, I ended up going super casual, knowing I was already running late. It was better this way, anyway. I didn’t want to seem desperate. After throwing on a skinny olive green tank, an oversized white v-neck t-shirt that fell off one shoulder, cutoffs, and leather flip flops, I sprayed my hair with a massive amount of my favorite sea spray and hoped it didn’t look horrible when I arrived. I swiped on a quick coat of mascara, grabbed my bag, and ran out the door.
The clock on the dash read seven twenty-six as I pulled into the Wreck’s parking lot. I glanced in my rearview mirror and cringed. Yeah, my hair had seen better days. Sighing, I twisted it up into a loose bun, so at least the mess would look like it was on purpose.
When I walked in, I spotted West immediately. He was sitting at one of the picnic tables between the door and the pool tables, a small mountain of peanut shells in front of him. He looked up as I slid onto the bench across from him.
He looked at his watch. “I was starting to think you weren’t gonna show.”
“I thought about it.”
His eyes roamed my face. “I’m glad you did.”
I shrugged. I still wasn’t sure if this whole thing was a smart idea. But West looked good tonight, relaxed in a faded tee and dark jeans, his nose a little sunburned.
He stood and gestured toward the bar. “Can I get you something to drink?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t come here for drinks. This isn’t a date.”
West looked wounded. “Why did you come then?”
“I’m . . . not sure. Why did you leave the note? I figured I wouldn’t hear from you again after our . . . one-night stand.” My voice trailed off at the end to an embarrassed whisper.
“Who said anything about a one-night stand?” He growled.
I scrunched my eyebrows, confused. What would he have called it? I picked a peanut from the bucket and cracked it open to give my hands something to do. “I just didn’t expect to hear from you again, that’s all.”
Didn’t expect to, but had crossed my fingers and toes and wished on a star for good measure. Until Aubrey had ruined my fantasy.
“So, you were just using me?” He sounded amused by the idea.
I almost choked on my peanut. “Not any more than you were using me!”
His eyes darkened, the gray more prevalent than the blue. “I’d like to use you again.” His eyes dropped to my lips. “And again and again.”
I forgot to breathe for a long moment, the look in his eyes so similar to the way they’d looked the other night. But I reminded myself who I was dealing with—and Theo’s warning—and steeled my resolve. I cocked my head at him and pretended to consider his offer. “You got any tricks left up your sleeve?”
“Not my sleeve. Lower.” He gave a wicked grin. “Go out with me this weekend.”
I was annoyed that he didn’t make it a question. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. What about Aubrey?”
“You want her to come too?”
“No!”
He smirked. “But you do want to go.”
Again, it wasn’t a request. “You seem like trouble,” I told him. “Maybe more trouble than you’re worth. I’m just looking to chill and have fun this summer.”
“I’m fun,” he countered. “Let me prove it to you. This weekend.”
“You could try asking, you know.” I was exasperated.
“I am.”
“No. You’re telling me. I don’t like to be told what to do.”
He leaned back, crossing his arms across his chest. “How ’bout this? We play for it. If I win, I get to take you out this weekend. If I lose, I can just be your back-up booty call, and we’ll leave it at that.”
I copied his stance. “What game?”
“Lady’s choice.”
I sucked at pool. “How are you at air hockey?”
“Hopefully better than you.”
“Doubt it.” Losing to Boone the other day had been a fluke. I had mad air hockey skills. “And I’ll take that drink now.”
“What can I get you?”
So he did know what a question was. “Rum and coke . . . and cherries.”
He groaned and looked at my mouth before standing up. “Be right back.”
While West was at the bar getting our drinks, Theo showed up and made a beeline for me.
“You came! I wasn’t sure if you would.” He plopped down next to me and grabbed a handful of peanuts.
“I came to meet West, not you.” I pointed to the bar.
Theo did a quick scan of the room. “That’s fine, I don’t see Chelsea anyway.” He cracked a peanut and popped it in his mouth. “So, you and West? Things are over for sure between him and Aubrey?”
“Either that or he’s blatantly cheating on her with me. I’m not sure I care if he is. Aubrey’s a piece of—”
“Shit,” Theo finished for me. “And West wouldn’t cheat.”
“How do you know?”
“West doesn’t do girlfriends. Can’t cheat if you’re not together.”
Before I could reply, West returned and handed me my drink.
“Theo. What’s up, man?” West and Theo bumped fists.
“Not much. Listen, if this redheaded chick shows up later, I might have to borrow Sadie.”
“As long as you give her back at the end of the night.” West took a drink from his longneck.
I glared at both of them. “I’m not a library book! You can’t just pass me around.”
West cocked an eyebrow. “No? ’Cause there sure are a lot of guys here checking you out.”
“Did you steal that off one of the dollar bills? That was bad, man.” Theo shook his head.
“It wasn’t that bad. It was funny.”
“It was that bad,” I confirmed. I picked up the stem of one of the maraschino cherries and put the fruit in my mouth, tugging on the stem until it broke free.
West paused in the act of lifting his beer again. “If they weren’t watching before, they sure as hell are now.”
I flushed and took a quick peek around. There were a few guys looking my way.
“We’re up next.” West nodded toward the air hockey table.
“Any stakes?” Theo asked.
“She has to go out with me if I win.” West smiled.
“And if you lose?”
“I won’t lose.”
“You sure?” I appreciated Theo having faith in me at least.
“Yeah. Sadie doesn’t really want to win this one.” West winked, infuriating me.
Oh, hell no. He did not just challenge me like that. “You don’t think I can beat you?”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t. I’m saying you won’t.”
“Finish your beer, West. I’m taking you down.”
“Oh yeah? Right here?” West’s arm swept across the table, clearing it of peanut shells. “I’m not usually one for exhibitionism, but I’m willing to try anything once.” He patted the picnic table.
“Not here,” I said. “On the air hockey table.”
“I can work with that too. It’s just about the right height, if I took you and laid you back, for me to—”
“I think I’ll leave you two alone,” Theo cut in, hopping to his feet.
I couldn’t look at him as he left. West took one last swallow and set his bottle down. “Ready when you are.”
I picked up my other cherry and looked right at West. I put it into my mouth and pulled it back out, licking off the rum and Coke. Lifting the cherry high, I extended my tongue and sucked the cherry back in, twirling the stem a few times before popping it off. When I finished, I licked my lips. “Sure you’re ready?”
He cursed under his breath and glanced at his lap. “Well, if I wasn’t before, I damn sure am now. Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll be there in a minute.”
Smiling victoriously, I sauntered over to the air hockey table, picking the same side I had played on last time. Sliding the puck across the table, I got a feel for how much resistance there was. I’d bent over to retrieve it when I sensed West lean over behind me, pressing his chest to my back, and letting me feel his hard length against my ass.
“Sure you don’t just want to forfeit?” he whispered against my ear.
I was not going to fall all over his feet like every other girl did. If he wanted me, he was going to have to work for it.
I pushed against him as I stood up. “I’m sure. I got this.”
He stayed plastered to my back. “I have no problem with the woman coming out on top, just so you know.” He squeezed my hip before moving around to the opposite side of the table and gripped the other mallet. “Game on, Sadie.”
I hit the puck with a sharp snap, bouncing it off the side and toward his goal. With a lightning fast flick of his wrist, he slammed it back my direction, straight into my goal. He glanced up from the table, a smirk on his face. “I think I just scored.”
Taking a deep breath, I placed the puck on the table and decided this was serious. My pride was at stake, if nothing else. I narrowed my eyes and sent the puck flying his way.
The score was tied six to six. A big hand settled on the small of my back. Startled, I twisted to the side and heard the distinctive thunk as the puck slid into my goal. Damn it! I glared at Theo and got the puck out of the tray. “Sorry, sweetheart,” Theo said, stepping close. “She showed up a few minutes ago.”
Closing my eyes and praying for patience, I counted to ten. When I opened them, Chelsea was standing next to Theo wearing what might generously be described as a dress. It looked more like a partially buttoned long shirt she forgot to wear pants with. Noticing West eyeing the newcomer, I took the opportunity to power the puck straight down the table, right into his goal. West looked surprised at the noise.
“I think I just scored,” I mocked, batting my eyes at him.
Chelsea looked from me to West and then back again. “I thought you were with Theo.”
“I am,” I said. “West is . . . an ex. I get a kick out of taunting him.”
“Oh.” Chelsea looked West over. “So, Theo’s taken, but he’s available?”
“Yeah, Sadie, am I available?” West stood up straight, pausing our game.
I scowled at Theo, shooting daggers at him with my eyes. “He’s not with me.”
Chelsea scooted closer to West.
“But he’s gay,” I added. “I ruined him for women. Now he’s only into dicks. I don’t take it personally, though.”
I bit my lip to keep from smiling as West shot me a look of pure disbelief.
I pointed across the room. “See that big guy playing pool over there? The one covered in tats? That’s his boyfriend. What’s it been now, West, two years?”
West looked down and shook his head before grinning at me. “Yup. And I thank my stars every day that the good Lord brought him into my life. I am so, so blessed.”
I could barely hold back my giggle at the disappointment on Chelsea’s face.
“Oh, and Sadie? You better believe the stakes just went higher.” West’s face was pure innocence.
Chelsea looked at him. “What are y’all playing for?”
Theo cleared his throat. “Who has to pay for the next round. Me or him. I guess the next two rounds, now.”
West didn’t take his eyes off me. “Because someone will have to pay for this, you know.”
I tried to hide my laugh, and turned into Theo’s side to compose myself, wrapping my arm around his waist. “Honey, I could use another rum and coke. Would you mind . . . ?”
Grateful to escape, Theo started for the bar. West called after him, “Sweet cheeks, I’ll take another beer!”
After he made sure Chelsea wasn’t watching, Theo flipped West off as he walked away.
West turned back to me. “Seven to seven. You ready for this?”
“I’ve been taking it easy on you,” I scoffed.
“That’s nice and all, but I’m gay. Don’t you know I like it hard and rough?”
Dampness pooled in my core. I shifted my weight to rub my thighs together, trying to find some relief. West noticed the movement and smiled broadly.
Ten minutes later, it was match point in his favor, and West was running the table, the puck flying so fast I couldn’t connect with it at all. I settled for blocking my goal, trying to keep my puck centered over the opening to protect as much of it as I could. The puck ricocheted so quick it was hard to keep up with it, until suddenly it disappeared. Confused, I looked at the table and then at my goal. He had scored.
West had won.