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That was true. Before he met Ash, he was spiraling. Rhys had been acting like the opposite of the person he was known to be—fighting everyone and barely giving a shit about the team. With his life back together, he was taking more of an interest, and that meant he was seeing everything. Even the stuff I didn’t want him to see.
“Sorry I invited Hunter.”
“You have more issues with him than I do.”
“Somehow I doubt that.” So perceptive.
“I just got myself mixed up with him and his ex. Now she’s someone I won’t let go, and he’s out for revenge.”
“Well barring some crazy scandal, your job is safe.” My wince was all it took for him to sit up and straddle his board. “Tell me now so I can stop whatever it is.”
“I’m not your problem. Captain or not, my personal life isn’t something you need to worry about.” Because I’m not sure he’d understand that I got black-out drunk and let a stranger suck my dick.
“Okay then, do me a favor.”
“What?”
“Keep an eye on his eyes. Pay attention to where he’s focusing his attention.”
Before I could tell him I was doing exactly that, I heard my name being called over the waves. Rhys was already sitting up and saw her first.
“What the…?”
Flipping on my board, I saw Tatum pushing herself past the break in the waves, fully clothed and waving her arms. The distance and the wind made it hard to hear her, but the closer she got to me, the better I could hear the strain in her voice.
“Tripp!”
“Fuck she’s not a good swimmer.” Paddling my board back in, with Rhys right behind me, I got to her just as the water started getting above her head.
“Tatum!” Jumping off the board, I knew I could reach the bottom, and I scooped her into my arms, her legs immediately wrapping around my waist. She started crying into my neck, and I looked at Rhys, who had grabbed my board and was watching us.
“I had to take a cab and I didn’t have enough to pay so I—“
“Slow down.”
Rhys started making his way out of the water as he yelled, “I got the cabbie.”
Tatum was crying inconsolably, and instead of walking her to the shore, I got to the shallow water and knelt down.
“Tell me what’s wrong!”
“I only had $20 on me because I keep it just in case but the cab was $30 and he’s out there—“
“Rhys is taking care of the cab. It’s okay. Why are you taking a cab?”
“My phone is in my car and I was too scared to go back.”
“Scared?”
“He sliced my tires, Tripp.” She took a few deep breaths, trying to get control of her emotions, and then pulled back to look into my eyes. “I ran from the parking garage and came straight here. I knew you'd be here, and I didn't know what else to do.”
“You did good, baby. You came straight to me.”
My words were trying to soothe her, but my body wanted to kill him. Hunter went too far. He was supposed to target me, not her. Not anymore.
Scooping her into my arms, I walked her onto the beach where most everyone else had left for the evening. Rhys came running back to us just as I set her on my board. Her arms wouldn’t let me go, but I needed to look into her eyes and assure her she was okay.
“You’re staying with me tonight. Tomorrow, I’m beating his ass.”
