by Blair, E. K.
With the morning sun on my skin and salt in my hair, I jump the small waves, throwing down a few tricks as I wait on Micah. I’m not in the water for too long before I catch his truck pulling into a spot.
“What’s up?” I shout from the water, watching as he grabs his board and jogs my way. “How did the shoot go, pretty boy?”
He elbows me in the ribs. “Don’t give me shit, man.”
“Did I hit a nerve?”
“Fuck off.”
We laugh as we walk down to the shore. I break Micah’s balls often, but it’s all in love. He’s made a name for himself in the local surf scene, and I’m proud of the guy. As we waste away the morning doing what we do best, a few guys join us in the water. It’s nothing but varial flips, back threes, and shiftys. We ride the mellow water, and when I ass slide off a kickflip, everyone razzes me.
“Pow! Right in the kisser.” Micah laughs.
Grabbing my board, I slick my hand through my hair as I brush off the wipeout. “Nothing like chaffing the angel.”
With a careless grin, I leave everyone in the water, drop my board next to my bag, and look up just in time to spot Kate out of the corner of my eye. She and fucking Caleb are standing next to his douche-bag worthy car talking. The stucco wall from the showers obstructs my line of vision, but from what I can see, it looks like they’re arguing.
I’m surprised to even see her here when we haven’t crossed paths in months, but whatever her reason is for showing up today, I’d rather lick a dick than have to share the water with that cocknard.
“Yo,” I yell to Micah. “I’m bailing.”
“What the hell, man?”
“I’ll catch you back at the condo.”
Shouting from the parking lot pulls my attention, and when I look over my shoulder, Caleb is in her face with his hand clutched around her arm. A roiling of anger spikes inside me, and I quickly grab my board and bag, but by the time I make it within earshot of them, he’s already heading in my direction and down to the sand.
“What the fuck, dude?” I sneer as we pass each other, but he gives me no response.
Kate remains at his car, leaning against it with her back facing me. She doesn’t notice as I walk toward her, so I have a second to take in her splotchy, tear-stained face without her trying to hide it.
“What the hell is going on?”
She quickly wipes her tears, appearing shocked to see me. “What are you doing here?”
“Skimming with the guys,” I respond before asking for a second time, “What the hell is going on?”
“What do you mean?”
I step in front of her so I can keep my eyes on the beach, and I don’t miss when Caleb glances our way. He looks pissed, so I shoot him an air kiss.
Kate shoves my shoulder hard enough for me to almost take a step back. “Stop being a dick to him.”
“We need to talk,” I tell her, taking her hand and walking her behind the shower wall so Caleb can’t see us anymore. “Why the fuck did he just grab you?” Not that any reason she could ever give for why he did it would be good enough.
“What are you talking about?”
I take her elbow in my hand, and when she looks at her arm, I snap, “This is what I’m talking about.”
She jerks out of my hold. “He didn’t grab me,” she defends, but it’s bullshit.
“I saw him grab you, so stop lying to me.”
There’s a subtle shift in her eyes that exposes a crack in her façade, and it punches me in the gut.
“Has he done that before?”
“He didn’t do anything.” She tries to lie again, but it falls on deaf ears.
“I know what I saw.”
“Apparently, you don’t.”
The fact that she can hardly look at me pisses me off. Her lying to me pisses me off even more, and I know she can see it written all over my face.
“What do you even see in that guy?”
She huffs and starts walking away, muttering, “I’m not doing this with you.”
In three quick strides, I’m back in front of her, stopping her dead in her tracks. “I’m serious. Any man who puts his hands on you isn’t worth your time. I know what I saw, whether you want to admit it or not, and the fingerprints on your arm are proof enough that I’m not mistaken. That guy is a piece of ass shit.”
“Suddenly, you’re the expert on relationships?” She fake laughs. “How rich coming from you. You’ve never even been in a relationship because you’re too scared.”
“That’s a fuckin’ low blow.”
“Yeah? Well, so is half the shit you say to me.”
Stepping closer to her, I take a slow breath in an attempt to better compose myself because the last thing I want to do is upset her any more than she already is.
“I’m sorry,” I give her softly. “You’re right, I’m not an expert on relationships, but I’d be lying if I said a part of me wasn’t worried about you.”
Her brows cinch in confusion, but I don’t think she’s confused at all. I think she knows exactly what I’m talking about.
“You have no reason to be worried,” she says. “Couples argue all the time, but for you to insinuate that Caleb is anything other than a good man is crossing the line.”
“Is it? Then why can’t you look at me and say that?”
She shrugs.
My eyes drift off as I shake my head.
“You haven’t liked Caleb from the moment you met him, but that has nothing to do with me.”
Her point is on the mark, but my distaste for the guy only increases with each day she ghosts her friends and each excuse she makes for him. After seeing him grab her, there’s no way I’m going to able to be cool with him.
My eyes fall from hers, landing on the diamond around her neck. Ady was right, it’s too much, and it’s all wrong. I can’t control my disgust, and I take a step back from her. “He doesn’t know you at all, does he?”
Her hand slowly rises to her necklace, and she fiddles the diamond between her fingers.
“It doesn’t fit who you are,” I tell her.
“Maybe you’re the one who doesn’t know me.”
“Is that why you’re with him? Because he has deep pockets?”
“Fuck you, Trent,” she snaps, her hand falling from her neck.
Her face is red with anger as she turns on her heel and walks off.
This time, I let her go, watching as she makes her way down the beach to where Caleb is talking to Micah. Even though he just put a mark on her, she doesn’t hesitate before she slips her arm around his waist and sidles up next to him as if nothing happened.
KATE
As I stand in front of the three-way mirror, I run my hands along the smooth fabric of the floor-length dress with a tasteful slit up the thigh and the sleek one-shoulder neckline.
I look at my mother’s reflection in the glass and seek her approval. “What do you think?”
“It’s perfect.” She smiles as she gathers my hair and pulls it away from my face and neck. “I’m wondering if you should wear your hair up tonight.”
“I don’t have time to get into a stylist,” I tell her. “I’ll just wear it down in loose curls.”
“Next time, don’t wait until hours before an event to figure all this out. I’m shocked you aren’t stressed about having to find a dress so last minute.”
“Oh, I’m stressed, but I think I found the dress.”
The sales associate comes to check on me, smiling approvingly of how well it fits.
“I think this will work.”
“Will you be needing any alterations?”
“She doesn’t have time for alterations,” my mother tells the lady. “We will take it as is.”
I step down from the small platform and head back to the fitting room. Tonight is the annual Luminocity Charity Gala in Fort Lauderdale, and since I’ve never been to a black-tie event before, I was excited when Caleb invited me. Then he told me his parents would be flying in for
the occasion, and I started to dread it. Apparently, his father is a major donor to this particular organization, which is the largest in the country and raises money for ovarian cancer research, the very illness Conrad lost his mother to.
If it weren’t for my mother’s willingness to drop everything and drive to Miami to help me find a dress, I wouldn’t stand a chance at getting Conrad to change his mind about me.
“Here you go,” I say, handing the merlot-colored dress to the sales clerk.
“What about shoes?” my mom asks as we walk to the cash registers.
“I was thinking I would wear my black Stuart Weitzman heels with the ankle strap.”
She nods in approval, taking my hand and giving it an enthusiastic squeeze. “You’re going to have so much fun,” she says as she hands over her credit card to pay for the dress. “You’re lucky to have found a guy like Caleb who comes from a prominent and well-respected family.”
I smile because I do feel lucky to have Caleb in my life.
“I wish I could’ve met him today.”
“I know, but he’s at the hotel with his parents right now.”
Once the purchase has been made, the clerk zips the dress into a garment bag and hands it to me. “Thank you.”
The humidity hits hard when we step out into the late September heat, and as we walk to her car, I ask, “Do you have time to help me get ready?”
“I wish I did, dear. I was able to reschedule my showings, but I have a closing that I need to get back for.”
Slipping into the car, she pegs the AC, and starts driving me back to my condo. “I really appreciate you driving all this way to help me find a dress.”
“Nonsense. I really enjoyed stealing this time with you.” As she battles the Miami traffic back to my building, she goes on to tell me, “I’m so happy for you. Caleb seems like quite a catch.”
“You say that as if you’re surprised I could snag a guy like him.”
She smirks. “Not surprised, dear, just . . .”
Her thought drifts off as she searches for the right word, and I start laughing. “Oh my god! You are surprised, aren’t you?”
She joins in on the humor. “Okay, yes. I’m surprised. I mean, you spend half your days on a board with sand in your hair. I just figured you’d find yourself with some surfer dude.” She throws up a shaka when she says the last part.
“Don’t ever do that again.”
“What?”
“Toss up a shaka sign.”
“It’s what you kids do.” She’s not wrong, but she still shouldn’t do it. It’s embarrassing.
After my mom drops me off, I rush up to my place to hop in the shower and start getting ready. As time draws in closer, I take a deep breath and talk myself down from the jitters of having to see Conrad. He’s the type of man you walk on eggshells around, and I constantly feel like I’m under his scrutiny when I’m with him. I’ve never bothered to say anything about it to Caleb because I get the sense that it’s the same with him as well.
When Caleb arrives, he looks insanely hot in his tailored tuxedo and black bowtie.
“Maybe we should ditch the gala,” I tease with a sinful smile he’s quick to kiss.
Wrapping my arms around him, I pull him in tighter, the short scruff on his face lightly grazing against me.
“Don’t tempt me,” he says when our lips part. “Are you almost ready?”
“Almost.”
As I walk back into my bathroom, Caleb sits on my bed while I twist my hair around the barrel of the curling iron. From the corner of my eye, I notice him staring down at his hands, which won’t stop wringing. I know better than to ask him if everything is all right. It seems every time he’s around his parents, they do nothing but ignite his stress, and I hate that for him. Once I’m done with my hair, I swipe on a little lipstick and spritz on some perfume before we head down to his car.
“You look stunning.”
“It isn’t too much?” I ask, second-guessing the floor-length dress.
“No, babe. You’re perfect,” he assures, kissing the back of my hand as he holds it in his.
His rigid grip on me reveals his tension while he drives. Once we arrive in downtown Fort Lauderdale, he navigates through the busy streets that lead us to the event where the local press is set up outside to snap pictures of the city’s upper crust.
When Caleb takes my hand and leads me over to the rolled-out black carpet, I pull back.
“What’s wrong?”
“Do we have to be photographed?”
Chuckling under his breath, he asks, “What’s the big deal?”
“It’s weird,” I tell him and then lower my voice so those around can’t hear when I add, “And super vain.”
He plants a kiss on the top of my head. “My father made it clear that I was to be photographed.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think? It’s publicity.”
“Pompous publicity,” I joke as he walks me over to stand in front of the logo backdrop where his last name appears scattered about the event name.
It’s a nerve-wracking experience to have pictures taken like this, but I swallow my insecurities for Caleb’s sake and smile, knowing it isn’t me they want pictures of. They only care about the son of the man whose name is splashed all over this event.
I make it through, and he leads me into the building and toward the grand ballroom. The space is dimly lit and dripping in the most lavish flowers I’ve ever seen. Everyone mingles and sips champagne as a jazz band plays on the stage. In the back of the room, a silent auction is set up, and that’s where most people are gathered. It’s where Caleb’s father is as well, and we make our way over to him.
“There you are, Son.” His father grins, clapping his hand on to Caleb’s shoulder.
From the outside, you wouldn’t suspect anything other than a normal, functioning father-son relationship.
“Kate,” he greets me kinder than he has in the past. “Don’t you look lovely.” Leaning in, he gives me a gentlemanly kiss to my cheek before turning back to Caleb and introducing him to a few older men.
It doesn’t take long for Caleb’s hand to fall from mine, but a moment later, Rose drifts away from one of the auction tables and joins me. “You made it!” She pulls me in for a hug, warm as always. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you too.”
She then takes my hand, and before I can say anything to Caleb, she pulls me over to where she just came from. “Let’s shop!”
I glance around at some of the items up for auction, but there isn’t a thing I can see that I would be comfortable bidding on without first running it by my parents. As the two of us stroll passed items like Botox and liposuction, a weeklong trip to Italy, and an acoustic guitar autographed by Joe Perry, I sneak peeks at the current bids, which are astronomical.
“Whatever you want, dear,” she says.
“I’m sorry?”
“To bid on,” she clarifies, leaning closer to add, “It’s on Conrad’s dime tonight.”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t.”
“Don’t be silly. This charity is his pride and joy.” She then stops in front of a display, featuring a photo of a world-renowned chef who will come to your home and prepare a tasting menu for up to six people. “Look at this! How much fun would this be for you and Caleb and your friends?”
“I don’t know.” I hesitate, completely uncomfortable spending money that isn’t mine, especially Conrad’s.
Rose picks up the pen and hands it to me. “I insist.”
When I step over to the podium to mark my bid, Rose wanders away, looking at all the other displays. Alone, I look at the bids, and the snarky Kate inside me wants to place a bid that’s ten times the amount of the last one listed just to stick it to Conrad. Petty, yes. But it’s so very tempting.
Reasonable Kate wins, and I place a modest bid, not wanting my defiance to come back and bite me in the ass. Besides, I don’t need to hand him
any ammo that might wind up falling on Caleb.
When I’m done filling out the form, I turn and scan the room for Rose, finding her over by the bar, chatting with a few ladies. At this point, I decide to busy myself by browsing through the rest of the auctions, feigning interest to pass time until Caleb finishes with his father.
I pluck a glass of champagne off a tray as a waiter passes and take a sip. As I come to the last item, I open my beaded clutch and pull out my cellphone to check the time. Thirty minutes is all that has passed since arriving. With a bored sigh, I look over my shoulder to see Caleb in deep conversation with an older gentleman. I debate going over there, but then I figure that whatever it is they’re discussing is probably more boring than standing idle by myself. So, I kill time and shoot Ady a text.
Me: Hey! What are you up to tonight?
Tucking my clutch under my arm, I take another sip of bubbly as I wait for her to respond, which, luckily, doesn’t take too long.
Ady: I’m out with Micah and Trent at the Miami Dolphins game. Micah’s dad came across box seat tickets and gave them to us.
Her text is immediately followed by a picture of the three of them, decked out in Miami gear. They look like they’re having a blast while I’m stuck—practically alone—at this stuffy gala. Honestly, I’d much rather be drinking beer, eating nachos, and watching the game.
Me: That sounds like so much fun. We should hang out soon. I miss you.
Lazily, I stroll about, politely smiling at people as I pass them, feeling completely out of place in a ballroom that is brimming with over-the-top luxury. It’s uncomfortable.
Ady: What about me?
Confused, I stare at the text, wondering what she means when another text pops up.
Ady: It’s Trent, btw. Ady is busy murdering the chocolate fountain.
Me: Oh, hey.
Ady: So, what is it? You miss me too or just Ady?
“There you are.”
Looking up, I find Caleb standing front of me, and I quickly shove my phone back into my clutch.