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“Ugh,” Cole grumbles. “I didn’t think it would be this busy.”
“It’s busy all year round,” I say. The cooler temperatures mean little in a place like Sterling Bay. Kids have money to burn and the pier is one of the places they can do it.
Cole pulls up along a brand new Porsche and Conner lets out a low whistle. “I’m thinking it’s time we talk to James about getting us an upgrade.”
“Fuck that, I don’t want his money.”
“You sound like Ace,” Conner says.
“I mean it, Con. If you want his blood money, then have at it. But I’m—” Cole catches my eye in the rearview mirror and presses his lips into a thin line, swallowing whatever he was going to say.
Conner lets out a heavy sigh. “You need to let this thing with James go before it eats you up. He’s trying his best. Now come on,” he shoulders the door, “I’m ready to beat your ass at foosball since I can’t play real football for shit.”
He gets out of the car, leaving me with Cole who shows no signs of moving.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
The air grows thick around us as Cole continues staring out of the window.
“Cole.” I shuffle forward and rest my hand on his shoulder. His own comes down on mine roughly, but he doesn’t reply.
“I’m here... if you want to talk, I’m here.”
“Come on,” he finally says. “We should go.”
I release a small breath and climb out of the car. Kids eye me, but it’s nothing compared to the way they look at Cole and Conner and their rust bucket of a car. Guys are wary and girls are drooling. I don’t blame them. Even in their ripped jeans, hoodies, and worn sneakers, the Jagger twins are gorgeous.
“Hadley?”
I wince at the sound of Hayden’s voice. Of course he’d be here.
“Hey,” I say, turning to meet his inquisitive gaze.
“You came with Jagger?”
“I... yeah. Conner, Ace, and Remi too.”
“Cool.” There’s no malice in his words, only soft resignation. “Tell Jagger I said hey.”
“I, uh... yeah, okay.”
What is happening right now?
“I know things have been weird between us lately,” he adds, “but I'll always be here for you, Hadley. If you ever need to talk.”
“Thanks.” I nod. “I appreciate that.”
“Hadley, baby, let’s go,” Conner yells.
“I should—" I thumb over to where they’re standing, watching us.
“Yeah, sure thing.”
I walk away from Hayden and toward
Conner and Cole, and although he didn’t say anything untoward, I can’t help but feel a line was just drawn between us; that in some strange way, Cole just claimed me as his without even realizing it.
Foolish Hadley.
