In a couple of days, I’d return from my getaway in a better frame of mind. My demons would be locked away… until next year.
As for Madeline? It was best to just leave her alone. I had no business getting involved with a boot-wearing, cookie-baking kindergarten teacher.
A fucked up man like me had no business with an angel.
6
Madeline
I inhaled a deep breath, welcoming the warm sun on my face. Lake Waleska was just as I remembered it. I had hoped this little weekend getaway would be what I needed. A little peace and solitude to replenish my soul. Just me and my thoughts.
Instead, tears pooled in my eyes. Loneliness engulfed my heart as memories of my family’s last time here rolled in like an epic wave.
My brothers were wild and crazy teenagers, along with their friend KC who’d been invited to come with us. I was the little princess back then, a position I relished and abused often. What ten year old wouldn’t milk it?
They were the most protective guys to ever walk the planet. All week I’d heard,Be careful, Maddy. Another can of pop, Maddy girl? Wanna piggyback ride, little Maddy?
God, those guys had spoiled me rotten. Naturally, I’d eaten up every bit of their attention. They were my heroes.
Except KC wasn’t my brother. He was super cute and sharp as a tack. Funnier than my brothers, and stronger too. He gave the best piggyback rides, bouncing me around and spinning us in a circle. I’d giggled so hard my stomach ached. Unlike my brothers, KC never dropped me. He protected me with his life.
All my friends had crushes on KC, like I did. But he hadn’t noticed any of us. Too young to think anything about.
I had loved being at the lake. Dad fished all day while Mom had read by the water. The guys had a blast just goofing off. I had never been happier. That summer was supposed to have been the beginning of a new family tradition.
But tragedy struck my family the following year, changing our lives forever. We never made it back to Lake Waleska.
Days after my brother Tommy’s funeral, KC moved away. When I asked my older brother, Toby, if he’d gone to his mom’s place (KC’s parents were divorced), my brother just shook his head. We never saw KC again. Within ten days, I’d lost two people I loved dearly.
Though I missed my brother terribly, he was gone forever and never coming back. But KC hadn’t died, so losing him hurt more. Knowing he was somewhere in the world and I couldn’t talk to him had broken something in me. I’d cried for years. Still cried every now and then. His leaving had left a hole in my heart that hadn’t found a bit of healing in twelve years. He’d been my first love and always would be. I never got to tell him how I felt.
My chest ached as I carried my beach bag to a spot near the shoreline. The weight of memories threatened to crush me. Images of Tommy filled my mind, like a shot of whiskey burning all the way down my throat. KC’s smile made my insides rot. Maybe coming had been a mistake.
Activity abounded around me. Large inflatable rafts were perched on the water and jet skis whizzed by. Chatter and laughter circulated through the pleasantly warm air. It all felt so familiar.
The only thing missing was my family and KC. We’d had so much fun together. I would do anything to rewind time to have one more day with Tommy and KC.
Blinking back my emotions, I spread my plaid blanket. I dug into my bag, taking out a bottle of water, a bag of loaded oatmeal cookies I’d baked yesterday, sunscreen, and the latest John Grisham novel. No sappy romance books for me. Give me suspense and danger any day of the week. I didn’t want to read about love at first sight—insta-love as Tara called it—or happily ever afters.
I wasn’t opposed to love. Heck, one day, I hoped to meet my perfect match, fall in love, get married, and have a family. But not now. Not for a while. A long while.
Heavy-hearted, I sighed and sent up a quick prayer for peace—like Mom always advised me when I was anxious.You can do this.
I got comfy on my stomach, lost in the sweetest thoughts of my childhood. A laugh broke from me while remembering my brothers and KC’s silly antics. I swiped away tears and cherished the joyous time I’d had with those I loved. They’d live on in my heart forever.
Rolling on my back, I ditched my denim shorts and tank top to soak up the sun in my bikini. It was a glorious June day. The school year was over, and I had all the time in the world and no place to go. All I wanted was to relax and remember the past—the good old days.
Sleeping in the sun, a gravelly voice startled me awake.
“Madeline?”
I jerked, eyes popping open. A tall, crazy-muscular man in royal-blue striped boardshorts loomed above me. I couldn’t make out his face behind dark sunglasses. Well okay, so I wasn’t looking at his face. My eyes were glued to his six-pack abs.
“Sorry?”
“You’re Madeline, right?”
Maybe.