AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ChapterEleven
GEMMA
Igot up early and left before Felix woke up. I thought about driving back to Drakesville, but then I thought, ‘fuck that, I’m going to enjoy this vacation.’ If we stayed out of each other’s way, I could manage. Besides, I’d be staying far away from Felix today by spending the day on the water fishing. But first I needed some supplies.
I drove into town and went to the local coffee shop for breakfast. The blonde woman behind the counter looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t quite place her.
Her eyes lit up in recognition when she saw me. “Oh my god, Gemma!”
I furrowed my brow until I realized it was Harper.
Harper and I had spent a couple of weeks exploring our sexuality when I was fifteen. She was bi-curious, whereas kissing her made me realize a lot about myself. When I kissed her all those years ago, I’d admit, it confused me. Especially when I kissed a boy the next day. Then my brain went, ‘ooohh.’ I hadn’t seen Harper in a couple of years, but I knew she still lived in town.
“Hey, Harp. How are you?” I asked.
“Great. I didn’t know you were in town. I haven’t seen your dad yet.”
I shook my head. “Just me this time.”
“Well, it’s great to see you. What can I get you?”
“Bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel and a caramel macchiato.”
She gave me a bright smile, the kind I used to long for when I was a teenager. Harper was my past, but it was nice we had no hard feelings. I knew better than anyone that figuring out your sexuality could be a challenge.
I sat at a table in the back and waited for my order. Wi-Fi and cell reception were better in town, so I called my sister.
I didn’t even let her say hello. “You suck, you know that, right?”
Avery laughed on the other line. “You pushed me toward Nolan. I’m returning the favor.”
I groaned. “Avs, I HATE him.”
“Do you really?”
No. Not really. I wanted to. I wanted to hate him for being an asshole, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I even touched myself to the idea of fucking him again last night. It was another reason I left so early this morning and planned to take the boat out fishing all day. I couldn’t look him in the eye, knowing I did that. But good god, he was so hot. With his tattoos and that mischievous smile and the way he practically purred out ‘sweet thing’ to me. I had to keep my distance this week, or I was going to do something reckless, like sleep with him again.
I wouldn’t tell my sister the truth, though. That I only pretended to hate the hot tattooed and pierced bartender because if I didn’t, I’d have to admit how much he hurt me. I shouldn’t have been so crushed by being stood up. Yeah, it sucked, but it shouldn’t have shattered my heart the way it did. And when I slept with him, I knew it didn’t mean anything, but my heart still ached when I woke up alone.
“We don’t need to work out our differences. He’s an asshole, end of story,” I said into my phone instead. Harper brought over my order, and I waved thanks at her as I sipped my coffee.
“So…you’re on your way home, then?” Avery asked.
“No,” I grumbled. “We agreed to a truce. He stays out of my way; I stay out of his.”
“Okay…” Avery trailed off, but in a tone that meant she didn’t believe me. “What are you up to today, then?”
“Gonna take the boat out and fish.”
“Is that safe by yourself?”
I scoffed. I had been taking the boat out with my dad since I was fourteen. I knew what I was doing. I was eccentric and flighty, but I hated that she treated me like her practice kid.
“Yes, Mom!”
“Shut up, you brat! You’re my sister, and I love you. Have fun this week!”
“I don’t enjoy being tricked into a vacation, Avs.”
