Page 18 of Tell It To The Waves

“Oh, yeah.” They were pretentious. Summer visitors who tried to make Driftwood Bay into something it wasn’t, the next Martha’s Vineyard, trying to run mom and pops out of theirshops, bringing their way too expensive cars into town and kicking people off the beach below their rocky land, even though they didn’t own it. “How the hell did that even happen?” I ask, but not expecting an answer, because I’m shocked. Bohdi hated everything they were and what they wanted to do with his coastal town. And now he’s engaged to their daughter and working for their real-estate company. I’m so confused. I guess people do change…for the worse.

Bay laughs, but it’s nothing to do with me being funny. “We’ve asked ourselves that question. Hell, Kai has asked Bohdi that question, but it never ends well.”

My eyebrows draw up. “I’m sorry, Bay. I hate that.”

She shrugs, but doesn’t look at me. “Maybe one day he’ll find his way back to the family. I hope for his sake. He doesn’t even have anything to do with Mr. and Mrs. Westmore.”

That shocks me. Bohdi was family-oriented. He couldn’t wait to grow older and take over Driftwood Marina, letting his parents retire. And again, I’m hit in the face with how much people can change.

The last five minutes of the drive are quiet. I’m in my head and really don’t know what else to talk about.

Kai’s headlights bounce behind us as we go down the driveway. “Thank you for driving me,” I tell her before getting out.

Walking around the car, she hands me the keys. “You should stop by our house; you’ve always wanted to see inside it.” Her smile grows wide, showing off her pearly teeth. I’m confused for a minute, but then it hits me. “Oh my god, you’re living in Seaside Manor?” We would walk by that house all the time and talk about what it looked like, envision the inside and what went on in there. The Victorian home had so much beauty, but no one wanted to take on the process of fixing it up.

“We do!” She claps her hands together, and all I see is my old friend who wanted that house so badly. The young girl who made up stories about the previous residents.

Tears blur my sight. “I’m so happy for you, Baylee.” And I truly am. She deserves nothing but the best.

I’m crushed to her, her arms squeezing me. “I love you, August. I miss my friend.” Pulling back, she looks me in the eyes and smiles before turning and walking to an awaiting Kai.

I watch their taillights disappear before I head inside the cottage. It’s so quiet inside, stale and lonely. A stark contrast to what it used to be. Changing my mind, I throw my tote on the floor, kick off my sandals, and make my way to the back deck and down to the beach. Walking straight into the water, letting the waves lick my ankles. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” I tell them. “Why does everything seem so confusing now? I just need to get this cottage done and get out of here. Get this done, August, and it’ll be all over with,” I promise myself.

I’m not sure how long I stood there until I grew tired, venturing back into the cottage. The sofa catches me and I pass out.

CHAPTER NINE

The bathroom water is off, forcing me to brush my teeth and wash my face in the kitchen sink. Needing to wake up and get stuff done. Today is my only full day here, so I need to get as much as I can done.

I feel lost standing in the kitchen, looking through the cabinets. “Where is the coffee pot, Dad?” I question the still house. Opening and closing cabinets, I realize even if I do find one, there are probably only expired coffee grounds hiding away in here.

“Ugh.” I can’t function without coffee, so knowing I have to venture into town is like pulling out my toenails, one by one.

Making quick work of slipping out of my dirty clothes in the middle of the living room, I replace my panties with clean ones before slipping on a blue and white sundress, placing my feet back into my sandals from last night.

My curls are untamable without water, so I throw them into a messy bun, dig my sunglasses out of my tote, and head to my car. I don’t even bother locking the cottage.

Main Street is busy for morning, people milling around and stores wide open for business.

Thankfully, the coffee shop has parking only for customers, and I’m met with an empty spot.

Entering Sippy’s, there is a small line. Getting into it, I play on my phone until it’s my turn. Finally, ordering my iced coffee to go, I wait at the pickup station when I hear my name.

“August Graft?”

Closing my eyes for a quick moment, I plaster on a smile, turning around to see who’s calling me.

I look, but don’t notice anyone. When I see a hand waving at the back of the line. Confused, I wave back, inching to turn around. “It’s Molly.”

Her name makes me stop. My eyes slowly glance over her, taking in her outfit, perfect blonde hair, and the smile she’s throwing me. Her smile is anything but friendly. I’ve never really met Molly; we’ve only spoken in passing. She was a few years younger than us, so we didn’t run in the same circle; plus, her family didn’t want her running with the townies.

My eyebrows draw up, but thankfully my name is called, giving me a reason to ignore her.

Taking a huge sip, I sigh and turn to leave.

“What are you even doing back here?” she questions me loudly in front of everyone. I can feel my cheeks heating from the gazes thrown our way.

Sipping, I raise my shoulders, I say. “Finalizing some business.” I take a step, raising my eyebrows. I can see her mind spinning.