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“Great. This should be fun.” I roll my eyes and take my bag to my room.
CHAPTER TWO
I wake up as the early morning sun shines angrily through my window. I don’t want to get out of bed. I don’t want to face the day. I don’t want to be the one who’s responsible for cleaning up this house. Only I know the reason for the cleanup and sale, but I’m sure it’ll only be a matter of time before Derek does too.
I rise from my bed and pull on my workout clothes. It’s time to get in a quick run and then a core workout before I start my day. I make my way from my bedroom and down the long hallway to hear that the house is quiet—I’m grateful for that—then take my pre-workout fuel and ready myself for a sweat session.
Most people think I’ve been fed the Kool-Aid or that I’m just trying to help my Beachbody family make more money by drinking all the shakes, taking the workout fuel, and following the eating plans. But I truly believe in their mission. The few online dietitian courses I’ve taken taught me quite a bit, and I know what they’re preaching will help my clients lose weight and feel better about themselves. They just have to trust in themselves, follow the plan, and allow themselves to indulge every once in a while. I’ve written many blog posts on that last part.
The salt air is welcoming as I breathe it in before my run. I try to keep my mind blank and avoid thinking about the issues back home. Instead, I focus on the beach. I remember all the ways we used to play, swim, and build huge castles on it. We even had an annual summer touch football game the whole family played in. Aiden and I always had our friends over for it too. Some of them flew in special for it. My parents made a big deal out of it and made the trip worth their while—the same way they did anytime friends came over to visit.
I have such fond memories of this place, and now I have to pack it all up. The only comfort I have, or at least what I keep telling myself, is that another family can take the house and make their own memories. It’s bittersweet, but it’s what’s best for my family. I’ve considered buying it. I do well enough with my business and my contract at Beachbody, but even this would be a stretch if I bought it at market value. I could ask Aiden to go in on it together, but I’m not sure he would like that. His life is in LA. He’s embraced the fast-paced environment and California surfing.
When I get back to the house, my legs are burning and so are my lungs. It’s already hot outside. I look out at the surf and think about running in to cool off, but I stop when I spot Derek a few feet in front of me. He’s doing push-ups, working hard and sweating, his hair soaked. He must have been out here just as long as I have. Or his workout has been strenuous. Two bottles of water are up on the deck.
I move to head into the house, but he shouts, “One of those is for you, Aud.”
I wave a thank-you and chug it, heading down to the sand so that I can lay out my yoga mat and work my core. We work out in silence, him focusing on his chest and back and me focusing on my abs—doing crunches, sit throughs, mountain climbers, and other moves. At one point, I look over and see he’s doing some of the same things I am.
“Are you trying to get a free workout out of me?” I tease when we’ve both stopped.
He just laughs. “Something like that.”
I sit on my mat and watch the surf come in. He’s sitting directly on the sand. We don’t say a word as the beach comes to life with the other residents who own houses on this strip. So many of them have changed over the years that I don’t recognize many of them. Mom and Dad used to have friends that owned the house beside ours, but the wife died unexpectedly in a car accident and the husband sold it. My parents still see him in the city. It’s too painful for him to be out here. Maybe that’s why Mom is having me pack this place up for her. The memories will just be a bit too much.
“You okay?” he asks me.
“Yeah, just thinking about the task ahead for the day.”
“Ever the dutiful daughter,” he states.
Derek mentioned something similar when I got here. I’m not sure if he knows that something is going on and this is his way of getting it out of me, but I don’t react or reply to him. I just keep looking forward at the horizon, cataloging in my head all the things that need to be packed up and shipped back home. All the things that need to be sent to the secondhand store. It’s too much and yet just enough to help keep my mind off the reality of why I’m here.
I’m almost glad that Derek is here. He’ll be a nice distraction and someone to talk to—or not really talk to. The light, everyday conversation will be a welcome to the silence I usually have in my life. Twenty-four years old and I’m still single. Not necessarily something that makes my parents happy, but they always want me to live my life and my dreams. My schedule with filming and taking clients can be hectic, and I prefer the company of a gym or a good book over hiding out in a bar. The only time I’m heading out is with my castmates after filming or if Crave is in town. But that’s more like watching family.
“What’s got you so quiet?” he asks me.
I look up at those big brown eyes and melt. I want to tell him that it’s him. He has me so quiet. It’s the smell of the sweat mixed with the smell of the sea. It’s his body being so close to me that I want to lick it that has me tongue-tied. But I don’t say any of those things.
“Just lots of things to do today is all. There’s a lot of work and clearing out that needs done with this house. It’s almost a daunting task.”
“I can help where you need me. I just might need some notice to get my butt out of bed,” he says with a chuckle.
Images flash in my head of Derek lying in Aiden’s room. I want to join him in that bed, but I can’t say that. “I’ll remember that. You’ve got your own work, though. Don’t let me keep you from it.”
“I won’t,” he says with a wink. “Just let me know when you wanna tell me what’s bugging you. I can tell something is up. More than worrying about this house.”
“I’m fine,” I lie. Denial isn’t just a place in Egypt, but rather one I’d be happy to live in. I wonder what he would think if he knew what was really plaguing me.
He smirks and shakes his head. “Sure, keep living in denial, if you’d like. I’ll be here when you’re done.” He walks off down the beach and lets the surf lick at his calves.
I watch him walking around down there, enjoying life and being so carefree. Maybe having Derek here will provide the perfect distraction to all my troubles.
CHAPTER THREE
The message on the fridge just read “Beach Day?” I guess he figured since I had been working so hard boxing up some of my parents’ items and readying the house for sale that I would need a beach day. And he was right, as usual.
It’s Sunday, and I was already planning on taking a break from cleaning up and packing. It feels weird being the one doing it. I had hoped my parents would end up wanting to be more involved, but they’ve just asked that I get the house packed up and told me that the movers would come take care of it. The real estate company will be putting some furniture in for staging. I just have to choose it.
