I thought about Nathan winking at me…
He did it and my brain melted.
“How was it out there?” Brian cut in, directing that question at Jamie. The two of them fell into conversation about currents and wave height.
I looked to Travis and found him already watching me. His eyes were crystal blue. He smiled when I smiled. Sheesh, he was attractive. I felt heat rising up my neck.
“So, are you living here now?” he asked. “Or are you just visiting from Denver?”
“No, we’re here now. Me and my kids.” I pointed over my shoulder at the noise behind me. Olivia giggled on cue, and Travis’s grin brightened. “My parents stayed out in Denver, though. What about you? Are you still local?” Growing up, we all had lived in Emerald Isle, a town about an hour down the coast.
“I’m up in Durham. Just visiting for the weekend.”
“That’s nice. Do you surf too?”
Travis had been off at college when Jamie and Brian were just kids, thirteen years old and entering competitions every weekend.
“I have. It’s just been a while.” He winced and pushed a hand through his hair. “I don’t get to do it that much. I stay pretty busy.”
“Excuses, excuses,” Jamie muttered, straightening up to throw his arm around his brother’s shoulders. They were both tall, practically the same height. Travis had maybe half an inch on Jamie.
“Put a scalpel in my hand, and I’ll figure it out on the first go. Probably win trophies for that too.”
“Is everything a competition to you?” Brian asked.
Jamie looked disrespected. “Yes.”
Scalpel? “Wait, are you a doctor?” I asked Travis.
He nodded lightly.
His modest admission was almost laughable. Whereas his brother would’ve stood taller while he bragged on his accomplishments, Travis was quiet and shy about it. Jamie would’ve shared this information straightaway. He would’ve tagged it along with his greeting, or gone as far as to introduce himself as Dr. McCade. I wasn’t sure Travis would’ve revealed this information without being goaded first. Interesting.
“That’s really great,” I said. “Good for you.”
“Yes, good for him,” Jamie repeated, sounding bored. “And good for me. I killed it today.”
Travis sighed and shrugged out of his brother’s hold. “I need to get going,” he said, patting Jamie on the back, then leaning over and extending his hand to Brian. “Take care, man.”
“See you around.”
When they separated, Travis turned to me and reached for my hand again. He squeezed it gently.
“It was really good to see you, Jenna,” he said. His tone dropped lower and held meaning.
“Yeah.” My voice squeaked. I quickly cleared it and smiled at him. “You too.”
When the door closed behind Travis, I turned back to Brian and Jamie, who were both staring at me.
I gathered my hair over one shoulder and picked at the ends. “What?” I asked.
Jamie smirked, then slowly looked over at Brian as he resumed leaning on his elbow. “You got a problem with me givin’ it to him?”
“Not my business,” Brian mumbled.
“What are you both talking about?” I asked.
“Travis gettin’ your number from me.” Jamie cocked his head and grinned.
I scoffed. They thought Travis was going to ask for my number? From that one interaction? We barely said anything. “Um, okay.”
“First the daddy and now my big bro? Damn, Jenna. You’re gonna need to start beatin’ them off with a stick.”
“Ew.” I slapped Jamie’s arm as he buckled over with laughter. “Don’t call him that! That’s so weird.”
God, delete this conversation from my memory. I never wanted to hear that reference again.
“What?” Jamie straightened up and frowned. “Why’s big bro weird? Oh, you mean daddy…Do you call him that?” He chuckled.
“Man, shut up,” Brian growled.
“You’re ridiculous. Guys! We’re going!” I reached for the bag of tees Oliver had picked out. As I slid the bag off the counter, I noticed a stack of Whitecaps coupons beside the register. They advertised for one free appetizer. “What a great idea,” I said, pointing at the pile.
“Your man didn’t mention that to you?” Jamie asked.
My man? Why was I still here? Move, Jenna!
Grunting, I spun around and gestured for my kids. I was suddenly in a rush to leave, but I wouldn’t let that on. Maybe we had plans? Maybe I had work to do? Nobody knew our schedule today but me.
“Where are we going?” Olivia asked, walking over. Oliver was right behind her.
“Home. I don’t know. We have stuff to do.” I herded the two of them toward the door, smiling over my shoulder at the guys. “See ya!”
“Whose home you goin’ to, Jenna? Yours?” Jamie asked. “Maybe play another game of touch?”
“Ooh, Mom, can we?” Oliver was beaming. “Are we going to Nate’s?”
“I wanna go to Nate’s!” Olivia shrieked. “I love it there!”
I ignored my easily excitable children and narrowed my eyes at Jamie’s smirk before getting us the hell out of there.
I was right. Girl code was so dead.