Myrtle Beach. I hadn’t been there since my mid-20s when my parents owned a timeshare and we’d go once a year for a family vacation. It brought back great memories of walking along the beach with the cool breeze blowing. We always went in the off-season, usually in March; nine times out of ten it was colder than a witch’s tit. We got lucky a few times and it hit the low 70s, but mostly it was windy and overcast. I was excited to see the girls. I was nearing the end of my three-week vacation, having just left Miami after two weeks, before heading up here on my way home.

Every year for the umpteenth year, three of my former college sorority sisters and I meet for a one to two week vacation. This year, we’d planned it for the Fourth of July in Myrtle Beach. Liana’s mother found us an awesome beach house to rent while we were there. It abutted some small sand dunes before opening up to the miles long beach. I knew the girls had a ton of things planned including the Fourth of July fireworks and at least one cookout. I wasn’t much of a planner so I always left it up to the others. This was a time when I didn’t have to make any decisions.

I was the director of nursing for a local hospital where the majority of decisions I made daily were a matter of life or death. Any mistakes on my part regarding the care of a patient in the facility could be costly. So, these vacations were my time to relax and rejuvenate. I eagerly anticipated them. I tacked on the trip to Miami with my best friend as a bonus this year. I’d had an exceptionally shitty year with several of my nurses resigning or retiring and one of my favorite, long-term patients losing her bout with cancer.

Miami had turned out to be more than I’d expected, in more ways than one. My best friend somehow managed to run into the father of her child, even though she hadn’t seen him since the crazy night they’d hooked up. He didn’t even know he was a dad. That’s how I met Kyle.

Kyle was a former SEAL who’d been discharged from the war after he’d been injured in an explosion that took his left leg. I worked with a lot of Veterans that came through my hospital, and since I’d minored in psychology in school, I was always curious to see how Vets were adjusting to the change in status. Most of them found it difficult adjusting to civilian life after living a regimental life for so long. Add in a life-altering injury and the mental adjustments were often overwhelming. We talked for hours at dinner and at the house when he’d taken me home after our friends went their own way.

I wanted to chalk up my boldness to the wine I’d drunk for dinner, but honestly, it was loneliness. As well as recognition of the same loneliness in Kyle’s eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and Kyle’s soul was desperate for human connection. I had no doubts the same could have been said of mine. One thing led to another, and I’d found comfort in his arms that night. And for the rest of the week. He’d pushed me away so I spent my second week there alone after my best friend left early. I hadn’t told her what had happened between Kyle and me. Not that I was ashamed or embarrassed, but she was dealing with her own life. Me hooking up with some guy wasn’t front-page news. Although, for me, it might as well have been.

I tried to tell myself it was just a fling, but I knew he felt the connection between us. Only, Kyle didn’t want to admit it, and any time I broached the topic of seeing each other after I left, I was shut down. So, I gave up. I wasn’t going to force my attention on someone who either wasn’t ready or wasn’t truly interested. We said our good-byes and that was that. I would try and spend this time not thinking about Kyle or how he’d made me feel alive again after all these years.

I finally pulled up to the beach house and parked my car in the carport underneath the house. I got out, needing to stretch my muscles after having sat for so long, and was instantly assaulted with the tang of salt in the air. The humidity was stifling, and immediately, beads of sweat popped out on my forehead. Heat always made me react that way, and I saw a lot of ocean time in the near future. Which suited me just fine.

I loved the smell of the ocean, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, and the chatter of children splashing in the water. I was mid-30s with no kids. I thanked the Lord every day that Travis and I never had them. It had been enough of a challenge getting myself out of that relationship. I can’t imagine how much more difficult it would have been had there been kids involved. He wouldn’t have let them go without a fight. Thankfully, it no longer mattered. It still didn’t mean I didn’t want kids. Sadly, they didn't seem to be in my future. So, I’d settle for being “auntie”.

I grabbed my bags and trudged up the two flights of stairs, cursing myself for skipping my daily workouts the last two weeks. By the time I reached the top of the stairs, I was huffing and puffing, and a trail of sweat trickled between my boobs. I could hear raucous noise coming from inside. Looked like the girls had already started the party. Sounds of laughter filtered through the door, and immediately, my attitude changed. A smile crossed my face, and the anticipation of having a great vacation poured through me. I was looking forward to everything Myrtle Beach had to offer.

I punched in the security code on the keypad on the door and entered the house.

“What’s up, bitches? I’m here.”

Squeals of excitement sounded at my greeting, and I prepared myself for the rounds of hugs. Man, I’d missed these ladies. First, Skye came bounding down the hall, followed by Journey. When no one else came, I guessed Liana hadn’t arrived yet. I’d talked to her earlier so I knew she was on her way. After a roundtable of bear hugs, Skye walked me to my room, and after she left, I freshened up a bit before joining them.

“I’m so happy to see you guys,” I said when Journey handed me a cocktail. I took a tentative sip of the pink, fruity smelling beverage and sighed in pleasure as I swallowed the delicious drink.

“Sooooo, how was Miami?” This came from Skye, who was busy pulling buffalo wings out of the oven.

I wasn’t sure where to start and even though I loved these women, I wasn’t sure I was ready to share what had happened in Miami. Of course, I hesitated too long, and Skye jumped on my silence like a dog on a bone.

“Ok, spill it.”

“Miami was fine. Good. Really.” Even knowing it would be pointless in the end, I didn’t say anything else.

“Oh, no. Not a chance in hell I’m letting you get away with that answer. Something happened. Either talk about it or tell me you don’t want to discuss it. But don’t act like nothing at all happened. We’ve always been honest with each other.”

“God, I hate that you know me so well.” A sigh escaped, and I wet my mouth with my drink before telling most of the story. There were some details I’d rather leave out. “I met a guy. A Vet. We hit it off, spent a week together, but he didn’t seem to want to see where it might lead, and he pushed me away. I let him. Not much more to tell.”

Journey, always the most compassionate one of our group, sat on the couch next to me and put her arm around me in an attempt to comfort me.

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out between you guys. I know you’ve had a rough time since Travis. I wish it had gone differently for you.”

I shrugged under her touch and took another sip of my drink.

“Nothing more I can do. Either way, I’m done thinking about him. I’m ready to get our fabulous vacation started. Here’s to surf and sand.” I saluted the air with my glass before guzzling the rest of it down.