Saturday, Santa Monica,

Katie’s Beach House Party

(8 days ago)

“What’s your choice of poison?” the über hot bartender asked, wearing only surfer shorts and a garter bowtie to complete his ultra-surfer look. Hot might be understated, more like scrumptious. Exotic with caramel eyes and a to-die-for smile accompanied by perfect teeth.

I giggled like a schoolgirl. “Um, I’d like a lemon drop and a…” I trailed off glancing at Jen.

“What would you like to drink, Jen?”

“I’ll have sex on the beach, babe,” she said with a wink. I’m sure she just wants that with a little sand and soft waves. Flirt.

He started setting up our drinks as I pulled Jen next to me. She was still looking at the bartender through her eyelashes and I knew right then and there that she had already set her sights on him.

“Jen, we just got here, can the flirting wait? I kind of need you to stick with me tonight. I sort of need armor, or more like a shield,” I said with an antsy smile and pleading tone.

“Doll, you can’t be seriously hung up on Kyle still, are you?” Jen asked accusingly, her brows furrowed.

“Umm… well, I don’t know… I want to talk to him—”

“What do you mean you don’t know? He cheated! You can’t second guess that, sweetie. He’s moved on, and from what I’ve heard, things have been getting steadily serious.”

That did sound like a very good point.

Steady and serious. Huh. Wow. How could he do this to me? To us?

I wanted to scream and lash out at him, but it wouldn’t change what he’d done. I guess he didn’t want to wait; he wanted a change. I was hoping to catch him that night and talk. I didn’t try calling his phone because I wanted to see his face. I needed closure so I could bury the hatchet forever and never look back with regret. I needed a clean slate, no doubts hanging about in my semi-lucid brain.

I knew he was going to show up; he always showed up at parties and I didn’t doubt that his ladylove would be with him, too.

“Whatever, it doesn’t matter… just hang with me for a bit, okay? I promise to take you for fro-yo tomorrow,” I said as I avoided her question. I couldn’t answer that myself at that moment. That had always been our go-to place; second to Starbucks.

“Here you go, ladies! Enjoy!” purred the hot-tender.

“Thanks,” we said, synchronized.

“Okay, I’ll stick with you for a while, but not long. I don’t want someone else snagging that nice piece of meat before I do! God, have you seen that tight body?” Jen delightfully noted, glancing back to the bartender before heading to the beach where some people we knew from high school were located.

“I want to just drag him somewhere dark and see if those lips live up to my imagination! Do you think he’ll be into me?”

I glanced at her like she had two horns on her head. “Have you gone mad, hon? You know you’re a knockout, right? Besides, he was totally checking you out.”

Seriously, sometimes I thought she didn’t really know how beautiful she was. That part of Jen was the doing of a stupid, selfish ex-boyfriend who’d mentally and emotionally derided her and she totally succumbed to the douchebag’s manipulative ways because she had been blinded by love.

In love or not, a person didn’t deserve to be treated like that. That type of abuse could take a long time to recover from. Had I known that in the beginning, I would’ve snatched her away from Tony. However, for three years she’d never said a word about any of it. From the outside, everything seemed undeniably perfect. Everyone had always thought they were perfect for each other. I did, too. I adored Tony. That’s why, when she confessed her dilemma, I took charge and let her stay with me until everything blew over and until Tony realized that she was serious about leaving him. Our senior year, she started to blossom into her own person and had been loving life ever since.

Most men I knew had a hard time resisting Jen when she was on the prowl—there was no chance in hell her chosen man could escape. Who would really want to resist someone who resembled Heidi Klum in the looks department? Apart from Jen having killer looks, she had a sharp mind and she was currently studying at USC to be a lawyer. She’d make a killing out of that one.

“Jen! Sienna! Good of you beautiful ladies to grace us with your presence tonight!”

“Mickey! I’ve missed you!” I laughed, giving him a huge hug and a peck on the cheek.

Mickey’s the kind of guy who was always nice and respectful. He was second generation Samoan and had the size of one, too. He played defense on our football team at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. You’d never catch him talking crap about other people, though. He had never been that kind of jock. Jen and I adored Mickey, everyone did.

“Nice to see you again, Jen!” Mick gave her a quick bear hug and released her with a grin.

“You, too, Mick.” She jokingly punched his arm before she headed toward some other people we used to hang out with. I casually waved at the group and continued to stick with Mick. I didn’t want to go over there and hangout. It would just invite questions and gossip about Kyle that I wasn’t ready to discuss.

I scanned the area for any sightings of Kyle, but it seemed he had yet to arrive. I looked back at Mickey who seemed to be studying me with a twinkle in his eye.

“Looking for someone in particular, Sienna?” Fishing, I see.

“Huh? Oh, no. Just taking in the scene and seeing who else I know here. It feels good to be back home again, Mickey! I forgot how beautiful it was out here during summer time.”

Indeed, it was a magnificent night. The full moon was up high and bright amidst the darkened sky. It was illuminating the ocean and making it look breathtakingly ethereal, serene and peaceful. The waves lapped softly on the shore and I felt calm inside, wishing Blake was there with me. He would have liked it. My trio of friends had offered to come, but I’d refused them. I needed to do this one on my own.

“How are you?” I asked as I sat on the wooden lounger, glancing back to Mickey and enjoying my cold, alcoholic beverage.

“Actually, a lot has been going on, man. I’m leaving for Alaska next week to help out my dad. He’s been feeling exhausted from running the business. So, it’s my turn to step-up and help the family,” he said solemnly.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Mick. I recall you weren’t really fond of that place,” I said, empathizing with his situation.

“Damn right, but I got to help the family out, so there’s no other option.” He took a chug of his Corona, studying the sand on his feet.

There was someone hollering from behind me so I twisted my head to glimpse who the culprit was. Kyle was hugging and high-fiving people along the way. His other right hand was attached to a very attractive blonde who was gazing and smiling lovingly at him.

Perfect. Just bloody fucking perfect.

I felt awkward and anxious. Fuck. Should I go over and say hi? Maybe I should play indifferent? I castigated myself for being idiotic. Come on, Sienna, I scolded myself. Deep breaths and think of something relaxing.

Crap-fuckity-crap.

“’Kay there, doll?” Jen sat next to me with her arm loosely on my shoulder.

“Course! Should we get more drinks?” Might as well get some encouragement from my old pal, The Don, Patron.

“Oooo! Shots?! That should get us going!”

“Hell yeah!”

“Bring on the happy face, doll. Don’t let him see anything else.” I nodded, not wanting to say anything else. She was right, of course.

We got up and headed back to the house. I knew we would be passing Kyle at any moment so I willed myself to play it cool and not take it too seriously. Who cares if we dated two gloriously fun-filled years? Really, who cares? Uh! I was getting idiotic after only one drink.

“Hey, Jen! Sienna, you’re back,” greeted a merry-looking Kyle.

“Hey there! Congratulations on your internship! I’m hearing that they’ll hire you before you even finish school,” Jen playfully said to Kyle. They got on so well back in the day, it was no wonder they were falling back into an easy banter.

Kyle’s was working with his father. He loved music. He’d grown up with it, learning everything and anything music related from his father. His dad owned a major record label company in LA so it was a no brainer that he’d be following in his dad’s footsteps. Most importantly, he loved to scour for musicians that had depth and soul in them in order to help them be successful in the music industry. He was quite passionate with his work and I remembered how he used to light up and get all excited when talking about it.

“Ha ha! How I’ve missed your craziness!” Kyle said with his deep, playful laugh. God, I’ve missed that laugh. Here goes my stupid brain.

I looked like a complete idiot standing there next to Jen while they were catching up. His girlfriend, whom he hadn’t introduced yet, was curiously eyeing Jen and me. Did Kyle talk about me? Is that why she’s eyeing me up and down now? Hah. Bitch.

Kyle turned his attention to me and his laughter died the minute our eyes met. His hazel eyes looked intense and fiery. His face looked calm, but I knew, deep down, he was mad. Damn, he looked gorgeous.

A deep ache settled in my heart. I miss him.

His white v-neck shirt outlined his defined torso and arms. My word, is he more buff and defined or what? My eyes roved all over him. Yes, he’s been working out. His body was a lean, muscular type; different from Blake’s physique, but still downright sexy.

“How long are you here for? I didn’t expect you to be back for your break—would’ve thought you’d be traveling all over Europe or somewhere much more exotic rather than coming back here to plain, old Los Angeles,” he said cuttingly with barely hidden bitterness lacing his words.

“Um, I’ve missed Jen and needed to tie up some loose ends with the conservatorship (outright lie) so, I decided to come back during break. It’s only two weeks anyway so I won’t be staying long.” Shit, I sound so lame. Couldn’t I come up with something better to say? Sigh.

Why was he being all cold, anyway? He was the one who broke-up with me.

“Right, anyway, ladies, I want you to meet my amazing girlfriend, Brooke,” he announced as he hooked his left arm around his amazing girlfriend. She had a huge, cat-like, fake smile and a massive rack. GAG. She looked fake, an absolute Blonde Bimbo.

She was clingy, giggly and used a whiney voice like a little girl—it made me want to scratch the wall with my nails. I hated her already, and from the look of pure disdain she was giving me, the feeling was mutual. Since when was Kyle attracted to BB’s anyway? He’d always made fun of them.

“Hey! Pleasure to meet you people—but we must go and mingle with others. Kyle? I see some of your friends are already in the tub. Let’s go! I can’t wait to get you wet, baby!” she said coaxingly as she grabbed his hand and left for the tub at lightning speed. Nice, she was amazing indeed.

Not.