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“You know how it is after the visits, Massey. This day was for you and me. Not you, me, and douchebag.”
“His dad and my dad asked that he shadow me. I didn’t have a choice.” She rests her hands on her hips, slinging her leg out.
“You had a choice,” I scream at her. “You always have a choice!”
Massey and I have never raised our voices at each other, let alone a scream. And here we are. Voices raised, and I screamed at my best friend. At the moment, I can’t help but feel the anger bubbling at the surface just because he is here. I don’t want him to see me like this. Losing control over my emotions. I’m afraid he will see a side of me that is reserved for only a few people that I trust.
“Not when it comes to business. When daddy says to do something…you do it!” She yells back at me.
“Yeah, I see how you give into him. Can’t decide for yourself.” I know I am being an asshat at the moment. This isn’t good for her or me. I don’t mean the things I am saying, but hurt overshadows like a dark cloud before the storm surges. “I needed you today. Just you!”
“Well, I’m here.” Massey throws her arms wide. “Come on, it’s just for today. I’m not going anywhere until we talk.”
Admitting defeat and he will be here for the rest of the day, I duck under her arm and reach into my bag, retrieving the bar of wax. With a not-so-gentle toss to Victor, I bark, “Rub the wax on your board where you place your feet. It will help create traction so you don’t fall off. Put it back in my bag when you’re done using it.”
I turn and stomp away, ungracefully, in the perfect, untouched stand. “Happy?” I yell over my shoulder as I march to the water’s edge. Once my toes touch the ocean’s edge, I continue storming through the small current and throw my board into the water. It slaps at the white cresting waves. I hop on the board and paddle hard, not looking back. I am angrier with myself for popping off at Massey. We both feel the need to take care of the people who take care of us. I know where she is coming from and she understands me in return. I just can’t take him being there.
After a few waves, I am feeling emotionally lighter.
Chapter 7
Victor
Ineeded to escape the beige and lonely apartment. I hate how cold the tile floors feel under my bare feet as I pace throughout the living room. My mind contests the reality that Collins and her brothers live in. They are so unphased by the miniscule dollars they make. It’s chump change, in my opinion, but then again, they were not afforded the same lifestyle.
Hell, I don’t even know that much about her. Collins seemed so reserved when I first met her, but watching her work was almost thrilling. She kept her head down and worked on car after car. Even though she seemed annoyed at my presence, she still took time to explain things to me. And, other than ripping Massey a new one for bringing me to the beach with her, there is an attentive side that intrigues me.
Massey’s dad asked for her to drag my ass around this place and shadow her. But, after working in their garage, I was more confused than before. When something doesn’t make sense in my head, it drowns out any of my other thoughts.
Collins is an anomaly. She is not the type of woman I would normally go for, but I know she isn’t just any woman.
There is one person who can hopefully clear up things for me. I head back to my bedroom and get dressed for work.
I sat in complete silence the entire drive to the office. Morning broadcasts, top hits bellowing from the speakers, did nothing to distract me from my overactive thoughts. In the quiet, I could chastise myself for allowing this woman to dig under my skin. She didn’t even try, she just did. I sat on that uncomfortable hill watching her work on her car. She looked so at home under the hood. Her ratted ponytail hung to the side as she maneuvered her body over the engine. Her greasy shirt lifted slightly showing off the golden tanned flesh of her stomach. I had seen her in fewer clothes, but even this sight was a show. She ran the back of her hand across her forehead, leaving a streak of black grime.
God, she’s exquisite.
Parking in my designated spot, I round to the elevators. The glass wall of the contraption looks out to the street. Pressing the button to the top floor, I turn my body to watch the horizon come to view. The turquoise waters sparkle under the morning sun. Closing my eyes, I pretend to hear the ocean slapping against the shore. It was annoying the first couple of weeks I was here. Now, it’s become white noise that lures me into a tranquil state.
The elevator jerks to a stop. As the metal doors creak open, I look at my watch. The seconds bar of the flashy Rolex watch clicks by. I shake my arm out to loosen the pressed button-up shirt from under my custom-made jacket. Instead of heading to my office, I turn the corner to head toward the marketing department. There is someone I need to see.
Standing outside her office, I rap my knuckles against the faux wood door. Leaning through the door to get a better look at Collins best friend.
“Victor?” Massey scrunches her eyebrows at my presence.
“Can we talk?” I ask, shuffling over the threshold of her office.
She nods, extending her arm toward the chair in front of her desk. I turn and close the door behind me, hoping to keep our conversation on the down low.
“I feel like I’m missing something about Collins and her brothers,” I huff. “I need help.”
Massey laughs at me, which frustrates me. What the actual fuck is with everyone on this godforsaken island? Constantly making fun of me, and talking to me like I’m stupid.
I go to stand before she throws a crumbled-up post it note at me.
“Sit down,” she says. I press my lips together, trying to suppress any sort of shitty response. “I’ve known them for as long as I can remember. Listen, they are a great family who have a lot of pride. Along with the rest of the struggling community, they don’t have a lot. Help wasn’t always offered. And when it was, they always felt the need to pay it back.”
I sit still, listening to every word. Massey leans back in her chair, resting her hands on the armrests. Her jaw tightens, and she gulps before huffing.
