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“We should probably leave before the sun sets,” I say and he nods, opening up the sliding doors to our balcony and we take the staircase down to the beach. I’m not wearing shoes but Troy is, and he gives me a lopsided smile when we land in the sand and it makes my heart flutter.
I know he’s two years younger, so twenty then but he feels more mature, sturdier as if he has some rough experiences under his belt. He’s not as chatty as Robbie either but brooding, and I want to know what goes on inside of his head.
I’m curious about him, want to know more but I have a feeling he’s not the kind who appreciates probing.
“How long will you be staying?” I ask and he turns to me, looking me in the eyes and the intensity in his gaze makes me suck in breath. All right, lesson learned. Apparently I have to prepare mentally before I can hold eye contact with him and I look away.
“As long, as you let me.”
I let out a laugh, and his voice reminds me of dark cinemas and secrets whispered between childhood enemies. It causes shivers down my spine and brutally twists my insides. Without even being fully aware of it, I inch closer to Troy. I can feel his body heat, or maybe it’s just the setting sun.
Then my lids flutter and I know that no,...that warmth is all Troy.
“It depends on how well you behave, you know,” I tease, trying to catch my breath that seems intent on escaping me. “If you eat all my food and occupy the shower, I might just kick you to the curb.”
Troy shrugs casually but there’s some tension around his shoulders. “You wouldn’t be the first.”
Stopping in my tracks, I clasp his elbow then let go immediately when I feel electricity spike my fingertips. “Pardon?”
“Nothing,” he replies, shaking his head. “Come on, let’s keep going.”
He continues walking and I watch his broad back, gasping at the sinking feeling in my gut and run after him. Gulls screech on the sky and a couple of conceited joggers glare at Troy. They can tell he doesn’t belong. He’s not wearing fancy workout gear, or the right brand of denims and it makes me angry that he’s already being judged.
“Wait...did someone, did your parents...?” I stutter, stumbling over my words and Troy glances at me from the corner of his eye.
“Several times, over and over. I was allowed in, then thrown back out, then allowed in again.” He shrugs. “It happens.”
I swallow, not knowing what to say. “I’m sorry but I can’t relate,” I finally whisper, “I had the most amazing upbringing and I’m so tight with my family that I wouldn’t know what to do without them.”
“That’s good,” Troy smiles and his eyes are genuine, “I like that for you.”
Shivering, I inch closer to him and I can’t shake off the feeling of needing to comfort him but I don’t know how. I’m so upset by what he just told me that I now regret saying the thing about kicking him to the curb. So tactless of me, but I didn’t know...
Robbie never told me anything about it, and I’ve met Robbie’s parents several times. They’re wonderful people and it makes me sad that Troy didn’t have the same privileges. I don’t even mean to and yet I can’t help but feel protective over Troy and I have the most intense urge to put my hand in his and give it a squeeze. Show him that I could be there for him.
Be loyal to him, even if others haven’t been.
“What’s that look in your eyes?” Troy rasps, sounding darkly amused. “Is that pity?”
“No,” I reply, shaking my head because I know that if Troy knew I feel sorry for him it would probably make his skin crawl. “I’m just surprised I guess...by how different we are.”
Troy tenses, raising his brows and I feel my cheeks heat.
“You know, seems to me like we come from two different worlds. I’ve been coddled my whole life...and you well, you obviously haven’t.”
“We’re notthatdifferent,” Troy clips and I hurry to explain myself.
“I didn’t mean it in a bad way...”
“Its fine, Charlotte. I know what you meant.”
I bite my lip, shrugging to let Troy know we’re dropping the conversation. And it’s probably for the better because he’s frowning now as if my words insulted him. Maybe he thinks I was trying to differentiate myself from him but that wasn’t my intention at all.
Taking a deep breath, Troy murmurs, “I should probably tell you something because I don’t want you hearing it from Robbie and start thinking the worst of me.”
A nervous flutter rips through me. “Okay?”
He stops for a moment but doesn’t look straight at me. “Look...uh, I’ve done some bad things. They’re not anything you need to worry about but I’m not proud of it and just wanted you to know.” He drags a hand through his hair. “I’m here in town to start over, turn a fresh page and leave the past behind.”
