Page 68

“Sun, don’t!” Evie snarled through clenched teeth, her intense stare a silent warning. What she had shared about Stuart was private and not up for public debate. Ever.

“Deny, deny, deny, but every time Hurricane Nikolai whirls into town, I’m left dealing with the bloody wreckage.” Waving a finger, her scowl vaulted to Nick. “She doesn’t need YOU messin’ up her head.”

“He’s not!” Evie hissed.

Nick raised his palms in surrender. “Hey, I would never.”

“She’s got a boyfriend, you know, one who could beat your ass like”—Sunita tried to snap her rubbery fingers twice and failed—“well, like that!”

“Stuart isn’t a secret, Sun. Nick knows—and he’s with Bree.”

“Yeah, Evie and I are just mates,” said Nick, his focus vaulting above the girls’ heads. “She’s said it herself. There’s nothing going on—”

“Evie, you all right?” asked Sam.

Her mouth ran dry. Shit. No ‘Sprout’, no light-heartedness in his voice. Sam’s blunt intrusion meant one thing—his protective big brother mode was in full, cringe-worthy effect. Oh god, kill me now. Looking over her shoulder, Evie caught Sam’s pointed gaze sliding toward Nick. This nonsense had to end. Now.

She flashed a cheery smile. “Hey, Sammy! We’re just discussing—”

“How Nick’s stroking his ego with YOUR sister,” blurted Sunita. “He’s such a fake.”

Nausea swelled in Evie’s belly. She ducked her chin, wishing she could toss the blanket over her head and vanish. Or better yet, run into the bay and drown.

“You’re talking bollocks, Sunita, and you know it!” said Nick.

Evie leaned toward him. “I’m so sorry.”

Sam eyed the bottle in front of her. “Who brought champagne?”

“I did, mate.” Nick peered up, his voice unruffled. “To toast Evie’s exam success. She’s worked damn hard and I thought, you know…she deserves something celebratory.”

Brows drawn and lips in a straight line…Evie knew that look. Sam wasn’t impressed. “Nico, you know I love ya like a brother, but—”

“But?!” Nick interrupted. “There shouldn’t be any but, Sam. My intentions were honorable. I wasn’t trying to get her drunk, I swear.”

“Well, you would say that, wouldn’t you?” Sunita slurred.

“Sunita, look I’m sorry—but you know absolutely nothing about me!” Nick exhaled hard and turned toward Evie’s brother. “Unlike Sam. Mate, you know I’d never hurt your sister—or any girl for that matter. I’m not that bloke.”

“But vintage champagne?” Sam gestured toward the bottle. “C’mon, Nick, it’s a bit over the top. And Evie’s only—”

“Hello?! I’m still here! Can you gimme some credit?!” Mortified, she threw her arms up in the air. “I’ve had like two sips and one can of cider, which Stuart gave me. I’m nowhere near pissed and can prove it.” Evie raised her chin, goading Sam for a challenge. “Go on, ask me: What’s twelve times eleven? What’s the capital of Canada?”

Her brother swatted away a bug. “I’m not gonna sober-quiz you.”

“Well?” Evie squinted as headlight beams swung across the beach, temporarily illuminating their argument for all to see. “Stop being a buzzkill.”

“I’m trying to look out for you.” Sam’s eyes bored into hers with the unspoken You can’t drink like everyone else, a reminder Evie didn’t need or want. She’d always be different, even when her Crohn’s was in check, even when she was being sensible.

“I swear,” said Sunita. “If you dump Stuart for champagne boy—”

“I’m not dumping anyone!” Fury coiled in Evie’s belly, but the damage had been done. It was all too much: Sam’s questioning, Sunita’s drunken meddling, but it was Nick’s presence…watching everyone treat her like a silly, irresponsible child that set her fuse alight.

“I’m sixteen fucking years old!” Evie yelled as car doors thumped in the distance. “I can make my own decisions! I don’t need you or Sam telling me what I can and cannot do!”

“Whoa!” Sunita sat back, allowing Evie’s rant to float away on the breeze, past their friends whispering on the sand.

Sam looked down the beach. “Evie, you need to—”