Page 45 of Forged Forever

When everyone finishes breakfast, we gather snacks, sunscreen, and towels, and then I help the guys haul the canopy and chairs down to the sand. After we’re done, I spread a towel in the sun to lather up with sunscreen. After doing the guys’ backs, we relax. Alex has a tablet to read, I brought a book, Bay has a magazine, and Seb and E are sharing earbuds. This is the life.

After a few hours, we’re all getting too hot, so we hit the water. The waves are almost nonexistent today, and the water is cold and refreshing. Like this time last year, there are few people actually in the water. Seb, E, and I float around while Bay and Alex bob in and out.

We get out once we’ve cooled down, navigating the sunbathing masses back to our canopy. Looking at the sand instead of ahead, I bump into Seb’s back when he stops. Four girls are lying on our towels, smiling up at my guys. “Hi ladies. You’re lying on our towels,” Seb says to them as I step up beside him.

“Oh, are we?” A cute brunette bats her eyelashes at him. “We can share.”

Oh my God, really? I forgot the first few weeks are a shark fest down here. Why can’t they just come up and say hello like normal people? And who takes someone else’s towels? The girls are wearing floss for underwear. I’m not using that towel now, just eww. Desperation is still not a good look. Stepping between E and Seb, I grab their hands. “They’re taken.”

The brunette actually pouts, but it’s fleeting as she sees Bay and Alex approach. She adjusts her boobs in the little triangles she calls a top, right in front of us with no shame. Granted, they’re nice and perky, but come on.

Internally rolling my eyes, her blond friend purrs, “hello boys.” Alex and Bay seem startled, looking up from their conversation. Bay is instantly uncomfortable while Alex lets out a sigh.

“Alexis,” Alex says. “Why are you at our canopy and on our towels?”

The brunette answers. “We came to say hi and visit Alex. It’s been years since you were single; you’re overdue for some fun,” she winks at him. Standing up and flipping her hair behind her. Her friends quickly follow.

“Summer,” Alex calls. When I make eye contact, he grabs my wrist, pulling me towards him. Not expecting the move, I stumble into his body. “Forgive me,” he whispers so low I almost miss it. I’m turned so that my back is to his chest, his arms wrapping around my waist as he nuzzles my neck.

What the fuck? I’m shocked still. Alex nips my ear and then kisses my cheek. My body doesn’t seem to mind one bit. Tingles are pooling in my lower belly as goosebumps break out across my skin. What is happening right now? My muscles relax into him on instinct as I force a smile onto my face.

“As you can see, I am not interested. My friend also has a steady girlfriend. Please move along and do not let me catch you lurking again.” Alex’s tone is bordering on angry. I can’t see the look on his face, but the girls comply, grabbing their bags and scurrying away.

As soon as they disappear, Alex releases me. I don’t move, still processing what happened. Did I hallucinate? Did Alex just nibble my earlobe? Seb steps into my vision, brows furrowed. “I think you broke her, man.” He envelops me into his warm chest, my arms automatically wrapping around him. His citrus scent is faint under the sunscreen, but still present, and I inhale it, allowing it to center me.

Alex touched me. Like a girlfriend. After my daydream this morning, it’s far more unsettling than it normally would be. I get why he did it. It was the easiest way to get those girls off his back. I’m assuming Alexis is from southern money, so word will get around quickly he’s taken. Heck, Nick did something similar last summer with me, and I didn’t mind.

Part of me still thinks of him as off limits, as just a friend. I don’t think of him in that way, and never have. The daydream suggests otherwise, though. Some subconscious part of my brain knows he’s single and gorgeous and thoughtful.

I’m warring with myself, and I need to shake it off. Don’t make it weird, Summer. Too late, I laugh internally. I’m helping my friend. It can be as simple as that. He wasn’t inappropriate. His hands on my waist remained still, not wandering. Yes, he nuzzled me, but it was his nose on my neck, and the kiss on my cheek isn’t a big deal. I kissed his cheek this morning.

Stepping back from Seb, I give him a smile. “I’m good. It’s all good.” Turning, Bay is still blushing, rubbing the back of his neck. “Bay, are you okay?”

“Yeah. Fine. I hate when people do things like that.”

“Me too. Speaking of which, we need to burn or bleach those towels because, yuck.” The guys laugh as E carefully folds them over and volunteers to exchange them for us.

We pull the chairs out into the sun and take seats. “Well, that was eventful,” I joke, the lingering weirdness still clinging to me like static. Seb grabs my hand, offering an earbud. Taking the lifeline, I let the music fill my mind, and Alex and Bay go back to reading.

E joins us with fresh towels soon after. I choose to lie out to dry, and Seb joins me. Handing E my earbud, I go back to reading.

By dinnertime, the awkwardness is gone as we pack up and put the gear away. E grills steaks while I make sides, and we enjoy dinner on the front deck. The crowd has decreased little despite the time of day. None of us are interested in partying tonight, but Seb joins me on the beach to watch the sunset.

We take a seat near the damp sand, and I take pics on my phone, sending a few to Jake. The sky is stunning, awash with purples, fuschia, and neon reds. The sparse clouds spread the color far and wide. As the red ball dips below the horizon, Seb stands. “Someone wants to talk. See you at the house, Sunshine.”

Confused, I turn my head to see Alex approaching. Ah. Facing the ocean again, I continue to watch the ever changing sky as Alex quietly takes a seat beside me. “I am sorry about this afternoon. I realize I made a poor decision, but I did not intend to hurt you.”

“You didn’t, Alex. Was I surprised? Yes. It’s no different from what Nick did last summer, though. We’re okay.”

When I glance at him, he doesn’t look convinced. “Truly, I was just shocked. It was a smart move. Word will get around you’re no longer single, and you can hopefully have a peaceful summer.”

“Are you certain? I do not wish to damage our relationship.”

“Positive. I shouldn’t have gotten weird.” I smile at him to let him know we’re good. His shoulders relax as we continue to sit and watch the sky. As the bluish-purple dusk allows the stars to come out and sparkle, we walk back to the house.

Chapter 28

Sunday morning, after talking to Sue and Dad, E and I make breakfast as the others put the walkway together. We are also baking a chocolate cake since it’s Nick’s birthday. We set up the canopy again, along with the barbecue and cooler, for lunch. The walkway leaves less than 10ft for Jake to walk to the canopy. I thank Alex again for his kindness, but he brushes me off.