Madison and I sit in the sand together and watch the sunset while Lennox and Everleigh dance around the beach bonfire. When we got here, a group of people from our dorm were having a little beach party.
They invited us over to sit around the fire. Music, drinks, and even some hot dogs are on a makeshift grill.
Mads wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Isn’t it beautiful? All the different colors.”
“It is. Especially over the ocean.”
“You know, I always dreamed of living here as a kid. I know, my hometown is only a few towns over from here, but this place always seemed… out of reach, so to speak. Like ooh, Sierra Cove with its gorgeous beaches and hiking trails, amazing college, and fun people. Or that’s what it seemed like to me as a kid. You know how you blow things up in your head.” She keeps going, and I rest my head on her shoulder as I listen. “Now here I am, and it feels surreal. Like I’m not really here even though I am.”
“I feel that way, too. Sierra Cove has mesmerized me for what feels like forever, and that was from across the country.”
“Isn’t it crazy? This place is like a drug.”
“Well, it hasn’t disappointed me yet. So I’d say all the hype is real.”
“It is, huh,” Madison agrees.
Just then, Lennox and Everleigh grab our hands and pull us to a stand. “Come on, let’s dance, bitches!” Lennox yells.
Didn’t someone once say it’s always the fiery redheads who are trouble?
We laugh and dance the night away, and I forget all about the boy who still holds my heart.
ChapterThree
Tyler
Why?
Why can’t I just fucking stay away?
I tried.
I tried for two days.
But yesterday, I broke down and went, unable to hold back any longer. I saw her from a distance, and she looked so… so… happy.
Fuck, it hurts.
But here I am.
Back in the Uber. On my way to the damn campus.
I just want to see her. Grab a glance at her.
Besides, I needed to get out of the house before I exploded on Levi or, worse, his girlfriend, Raina. She doesn’t deserve one bit of my wrath. But I’m telling you, one more question about what I do or where I go, and I might snap.
He’s trying to be nice, trying to do the brotherly thing, but what? I’m supposed to just jump into best brother mode when there’s lots of shit unsaid between us? No. Life doesn’t work that way.
We can’t just brush shit under the rug and pretend all is well. Maybe I should be more forgiving, but he needs to start with an apology, then we can possibly get there.
I head to the cafe on campus, my stomach growling, empty since last night. The place isn’t too busy, but I suspect it will be when classes let out. I grab a coffee and blueberry muffin and park myself in a booth. It’s near the back with a perfect view looking toward the door.
My heart beats harder at the thought of possibly seeing her.
Her long blond hair.
Her sweet scent.