I nod, taking another bite of my banana snow cone. The bottom is coconut ice cream. Waves crash on the shore at Sunrise Beach Park, where we’ve been all afternoon.
“I mean, how much money are we talking, babe? Are you sure selling now isn’t the right move? You live in California, not here.” Axel’s tanned brow is furrowed.
For some reason, I don’t want to talk numbers with either of them yet. I’ve never had much money, even when I lived at home with Russell and Mom. We were always comfortable, but my mom didn’t splurge. Finding out they had bought the beachfront house in Coconut Beach with cash shocked me. I hadn’t known they had that kind of money. They traveled a lot, but my mom was never the type to carry designer handbags or drive a luxury car.
“I don’t really know any specific amounts yet until we talk to the builder and see a financial spreadsheet.”
Axel nods. Savannah is still deep in thought, but she doesn’t voice whatever it is. I exhale, stretching my arms overhead to try and release the tension in my shoulders.
“Whatever. Either way, I’m stuck here, figuring all this out for the time being. I know you guys have to head home tomorrow, so let’s make the best of it tonight!”
The outdoor tiki bar I used to sneak into overlooks the pier. I don’t need a fake ID to get into Cocktails and Chaos anymore, but I still live for the bartender, Cal’s, Sex on the Beach, which is strong as hell.
A storm is brewing in the distant clouds. The three of ustake a seat at a table near the railing, where we can see the sun that’s just about to dip down behind the horizon.
A dark-haired waitress approaches the table. “Hello. What can I get for you?”
When I look up at her, both of us break into a grin.
“Marina!”
“Summer! Girl, you look gorgeous!” She wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. “I heard about your mom. I’m so sorry.”
I nod, pulling back from her, because I don’t want to start crying again if I respond with words. Part of me wishes I were tucked into bed at home, wallowing in grief and eating buckets of ice cream. The other part of me needs to be around people, to not be left alone and think about the gaping hole in my life.
“This is my boyfriend, Axel, and my best friend, Savannah.”
They shake hands and say hello to her.
“Nice to meet you. Let me take your order and then that new table’s order over there before we get too caught up with what’s been going on since I last saw you.”
I nod, requesting a Sex on the Beach. Savannah orders the same, and Axel gets a margarita. I turn my face toward the water, still fighting tears that want to spill.
I need a distraction.
As if answering my plea, I hear a commotion from the entrance to the bar. I turn to see what’s going on, only for my stomach to drop when Dayton’s face comes into view. He’s dressed down for the first time since we’ve been here in a pale blue tank top and white swim trunks. The corded muscles in his arm look almost fake.
Maybe he’s on steroids.
“Holy shit,” Savannah murmurs, her eyes on the newcomer.
I clench my teeth.
Marina returns with our drinks, setting them in front of eachof us. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t even think about how Dayton would be in town too.” She gapes at him, her cheeks turning pink. “Do you two still hate each other’s guts?”
Savannah’s eyes widen. “You’re kidding me.That’syour evil stepbrother?”
Now I really need to get out of here. The old, familiar high-school feeling of all my friends wanting to fuck Dayton is flooding back. He parks himself at the bar and shakes Cal’s hand. A guy sitting at the bar moves over to him, clapping him on the shoulder and signaling to Cal to get them a round.
“You must be new around here. Dayton Copeland is a legend on this island. I haven’t seen him in what, ten years? How has he gotten that much hotter?”
I roll my eyes before gulping down half of my drink. “Consider those ten years a blessing. Trust me, Sav, he’s not worth the trouble. He’s a member of the dark realm, a servant of evil.”
Savannah is drooling on the table, unable to peel her eyes away. I snap my fingers in front of her face. She straightens, red staining her cheeks.
“Sorry. I, uh … I hate him a lot. Like, a lot.” She combs her fingers through her copper-red hair, clearly trying to make sure she looks her best in case he glances this way.
I shake my head. “You’re not my best friend anymore.”