I make a mental note to replace it first thing this week so nobody gets a splinter from the old wood. The back deck has seen better days, but we weren’t planning to start the outdoor renovations yet. The space will have string lights overhead, a large space for tables and chairs, and an outdoor kitchen with a flat screen TV mounted above it on the wall of the house. It’ll be two stories, one on the ground level and one on the upper floor, connected to the master bedroom with a killer view of the Atlantic.
“No one told me we were having a cookout, but I’ll get it going.”
Cheri raises a brow. “Well, when you told me it was Summer’s birthday tomorrow, you failed to mention you’d be visiting this evening, but it’s a lovely surprise.”
“So, you and Summer were planning to hang out?”
“I haven’t seen the bungalow yet. You’re the one who told me she’s been here all alone and I should try to reach out. I have to work tomorrow, so I came tonight instead.”
Yeah, and I don’t want her to know I told you that.
I asked Cheri to keep Summer company before deciding to fly in myself.
A car pulls into the driveway. I don’t have to turn to know it really is Summer this time. I clench my jaw as I hear her quick footsteps on the gravel.
“Hi! Oh my gosh, so sorry I’m late. I was stuck behind a bus, making all the stops! Ugh. How are you, beautiful?” Summer coos to Amelia, who leaps from my arms down to the grass and bounds toward her.
She crushes her in a hug. Summer laughs, filling the night air with her melodious sound.
Her hair is in two French braids. She’s wearing a white miniskirt and a pale blue tube top with all her usual jewelry. She looks good in everything, all the time, but tonight, all I can think about is if she found a fireman or a tourist to help expand her sexual horizons. The idea fills me with violent, unhinged desires to track them down and deliver a message with my fists about how I feel about it.
It’s like I’m fucking sixteen years old all over again.
When I moved away from Coconut Beach, I was able to get Summer out of my system and continue a somewhat-normal life. I dated a few women, but I mostly focused on building my business. Now that she’s back in my life, stirring alivefeelings I buried a long time ago, I’m like a hormonal teenager again.
“You’re fine. We just got here. Happy early birthday.” Cheri crushes her in a hug.
I move over to the picnic table to set down the bags before pulling the grill out from under the awning and removing the cover. The propane tank feels half full, so I light up the flames.
“What are we having, ladies?”
“I got burger patties and hot dogs. The burgers are pre-seasoned.” Cheri pulls them out of one of the bags and begins pulling off the plastic wrap. “So, what did you two do today?”
God bless you, cousin.
I wait for Summer to answer.
She shrugs while unpacking the groceries. “I went down to the Rusty Anchor and met some new people. Did some shopping. People-watched at the park.”
So, she did meet someone.
My fist tightens around the grill spatula.
“Better than Cocktails and Chaos?” Cheri asks.
Summer shakes her head. “No, but the bartender was a local I’d never met, and he said they use rum from the Bahamas and make the foam for their mai tais in-house. Those were amazing. I don’t know how to describe it, but you need to go try them.”
“Was this a cute bartender?” Cheri asks.
“He was decently good-looking. He had that surfer vibe.”
“Did you pay for these mai tais?” Cheri wiggles her brows.
Summer laughs before shaking her head.
“I knew it! Will you be seeing him again then?”
I stand there, helpless and pissed off and unable to do shit about it except for take out my frustration by roughly scraping the grill clean while they talk about the bartender Summer met. My skin feels like it’s on fire.
