“Are you talking a political story for the election?”
I shook my head. “No, something about why she’s an environmentalist. How is she so connected to these groups? Where does she find them?”
“Hmm. Doesn’t sound very interesting to me.”
“But she’s the only one on the board who is anti-development.”
“Covington, if you find something new and interesting then let me know. In the meantime, I need the name of the contractor starting work on the resort. We are a business journal. A contract like that is going to impact this area.”
My stomach rolled. I knew Blake had narrowed the search to two companies. He had met with both of them in San Antonio. He had purposely kept me from the information. My eyes narrowed. He kept me distracted from a lot of things.
She strolled into her office, closing the door behind her. I could see Christine from where I sat. There was a glass window separating the editor from the pods of cubicles in the center of the room.
I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder. I wasn’t going to find out the names of the contractors by sitting here. I headed out of the office.
My steering wheel was hot. The seats were hot. Everything in Texas was hot. I waited for the air conditioning to switch from blasts of heated air to something resembling cool before I headed to City Hall. My hope was that whichever contractor had been awarded the bid had already submitted their information to my new friend in the development office.
I clicked the seatbelt when I heard my phone ring.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hey, it’s Lea Anderson. How are you?”
“Lea? Oh, hey.”
“Sorry I haven’t been in touch since last week.”
I tried to figure out where this was going. “It’s fine.” I still had her number folded on the napkin in my purse.
“I told you I’d let you know when we could get together. There’s a bonfire tonight on the beach. I think you should come. You can meet some of our friends.”
I thought back to the night at Buddy’s. The night that led to me sleeping with Blake. There was a knot in my stomach.
“Is Blake going to be there?” I had to ask.
“I haven’t seen Blake today. I really want you to come. You can meet my friend Madison, and her girlfriends are in town. It’s going to be fun. You said you needed to meet people on the island, not just tourists. There is nothing better than a Padre bonfire.”
I chewed on the end of my sunglasses. The tips were chipped and jagged from the abuse I gave them. “I want to go, really, but I think it would be awkward if I ran into Blake.”
She huffed. “I haven’t invited him. Bonfires aren’t really his scene. I’ll text you the time, and I can meet you on the boardwalk at the Escape.”
“All right. If you’re sure he’s not going to be there. I think it sounds fun.” It had to be safe. It didn’t sound like Blake’s kind of event.
“Awesome.” I could hear the smile in Lea’s voice. “See you tonight. You can tell me what happened between you and Blake.”
“Thanks, Lea. It’s not really a great story.”
“He won’t say anything,” she added.
I didn’t know what that meant. I wanted to analyze it, but I didn’t have time to try to decipher his mind games.
I finally felt cool air breeze over my face. I tucked the phone back in my bag. Maybe things were starting to turn around. My boss had noticed my work. I had my first social invitation since moving to South Padre, and I was about to shake down a source. I smiled, pulling out of the parking lot.
***
“Hey, Doug.” The intern was bobbing in his chair.
He looked up from the computer. I thought I saw him quickly exit out of a game of solitaire.
“What’s up, reporter girl?”
“Not much. Thought I’d stop by and see if you have anything new for me.” I glanced over his desk. It was just as messy as last week.
He shrugged. “Nothing really. Hey, did you hear about the concert at Bongos? I’m going with a bunch of my buddies. You should check it out.”
“Oh wow.” I pulled the strap on my bag. “Maybe I’ll do that. When is it?”
“Tonight.”
I made my best disappointed face. “Aww, I have plans tonight. I’ll have to check them out another time.”
It didn’t seem to faze him. “Yeah, do it for sure.”
I slid one of the manila envelopes to the side. “Have you had any contractor applications come through for the Davenport resort?”
Doug swiveled in his chair, lifting his feet off the ground. I was starting to think he was in middle school instead of college. “Got a stack of applications back here.” He handed a pile to me. “I haven’t opened them yet.”
“Clearly.” I smiled. I wondered how many days this stack of mail had been sitting unopened. “Maybe I can help you with it.” I held the letter opener in my hand and began to slice through the tops of the envelopes.
There were applications for fences and new driveway pads. Homeowners building extensions to their houses or adding a garage. I flipped through each one, making a new pile for Doug. Somewhere near the bottom I found it.
“Hattman and Jones,” I whispered.
“You’re pretty awesome. You just saved me a ton of work.” Doug threw the discarded envelopes in the trash.
I smiled. “Glad I could help.” I read through the application. It was a standard general contractor assignment. I couldn’t believe I was the first one to land the information. I scribbled the details on my reporter’s pad and handed the form to Doug.
“Hope you have a great time at the concert tonight.”
“Dude, you know it.” He bobbed in his seat.
Any fear I had that he was going to pursue me had vanished. This was a kid without a care in the world, or one ounce of focus.
“Thanks for the help. See you soon.” I waved as I dashed to my car. I had calls to make to the Hattman and Jones office, research to do on their hiring practices, and a story to finish before five. If Christine was happy with me earlier today, this was going to make her ecstatic.
***
I filed my story right before deadline. It was nice not to scramble. I had three stories in the books today.
As I was packing up to leave, Christine’s door opened.
“Covington, stop by on your way out,” she barked.
“Ok.”
I turned off my computer and clipped my bag closed. I tapped on her door, and opened it slightly.
“Have a seat,” she directed.
I took one of the two chairs facing her desk. Her office was cramped. She barely had enough room to make the turn from the door into her leather chair. There was a tall, skinny window on one side, the other the window to the reporters’ world.
“You’ve had quite the day,” she mused.
“Yes. A busy one.”
“First there was the commissioner’s press conference, followed by the trailer park feature, and now the scoop on the resort contractor. I’d say it’s taken three months, but you’ve finally found your groove here.” She smiled at me.
“I’d like to think so.”
“My philosophy is when something is working you don’t interfere with it. I want you on everything and anything to do with the resort development. I don’t know how you got that Blake Davenport interview, but get another one. Dig into Hattman and Jones. Track down more residents who will be displaced. Everything. All of it. It’s your baby.”
I looked at her, unsure of what to say.
“If you think there is something with the Fernandez story, go after it. Follow your instincts. They seem to be right so far. I shouldn’t have held you back earlier today.”
“My instincts?”
I thought about what damage my instincts had done. They had betrayed me. I had fallen into the arms of a serial player. Lulled by his insanely piercing eyes and his deep voice. Seduced by his hands and his lips. My insti
ncts told me I could trust him with my secret. I had thought if he held me it meant he was listening. He cared. What I knew is that my instincts were total crap. I couldn’t trust Blake. His agenda was clear.
“Yes, those go-getter, follow-the-story instincts. Your writing is strong. I wouldn’t have hired you otherwise, but since you’ve been here I’ve seen how you’ve struggled with what story to chase, what angle to write. You’ve got those instincts. The past week proves it. Turn out more pieces like you have, and I’ll let you write whatever features you want.”
“Are you serious?” My mouth had to be agape. I reminded myself I was in a meeting with my boss and tried to rearrange it into a smile.
“Have a good night, Covington.” She dismissed me quickly. Christine wasn’t the type of boss to sit around after work and chat. She had too much on her plate.
“You too.” I wiggled out of the seat and maneuvered to the door. “Thank you, Christine.”
“Just keep bringing it.”
“I will.” I closed the door behind me.
I walked to the car, my feet barely touching the asphalt. I wasn’t going to think about the subject or how long I would have to follow the resort story. If I could give Christine what she wanted, then I could focus on something other than Blake’s grand resort. I smiled. Suddenly, the sun didn’t feel blistering, and the steering wheel was bearable. I turned the radio up to seven and let my hair blow in the wind as I steered home.
***
I didn’t consider myself a beach novice, but I had never been to a bonfire party. Maybe tonight would be the first of many. I held up a pair of cutoff shorts and then a sundress. I opted for the shorts and a shirt with a wide collar that hung off my shoulder.
I fastened a pair of hoops on my ears and grabbed my bag. I was already running late. I sent Lea a quick text. I didn’t want her to leave without me.
Five minutes later I parked in front of the Dune Escape office. I tried to pretend it didn’t bother me. Who was I kidding? My eyes were fixed on Blake’s door. My heart beat rapidly when I walked closer to his staircase. I didn’t want him to walk out and see me, and yet at the same time he was all I could think about.
I shook my head. The light was on. He was probably buried over a stack of financials. Or worse, he had someone with him.
Lea waved from the top of the boardwalk. “Hey, you made it!”
“Yes. Sorry I was running late. I didn’t really know what to wear.”
“That is perfect. It’s still hot on the beach even when the sun goes down. Caleb’s already there helping Pick and Conner get set up.”
“Is it a lot of work?”
She shook her head and I followed her steps onto the beach. We sank into the sand. Lea immediately shed her flip flops and carried them in her hand. I did the same.
“The guys collect driftwood and save it for nights like this one. I hope you ate.” She looked over her shoulder at me. “No food, only beer and some lime drink Madison makes. I have no idea what’s in it, but it’s my favorite.”
“I had something before I left my apartment.”
“Good.” She pointed next to us. “That’s where Caleb and I live.”
I took in the blue beach house. It looked like an ideal place to live with the man you were madly in love with. There was no doubt they were crazy about each other. “It’s cute. I want to see inside some time.”
“Definitely. The front room is crammed with wedding stuff, but I’d love for you to come over one night. Do you watch Hiatus or Zombie Island?”
“My DVR is overwhelmed with both,” I admitted. What else did I have in the way of a social life?
“Awesome. Caleb barely tolerates them. It would be fun to have someone watch them with me. TV night this week?”
“I’m in. I can bring the wine.”
I could see the beginnings of a small flame as we walked closer. The sand was still warm between my toes. If I dug deep enough with my heel I would graze over a cool patch. There was a small circle of people scattered next to a line of coolers.
“I’ll introduce you to everyone. By the time you leave here you’ll know half of South Padre.”
“I need to meet people.” I said it with more sadness than I intended.
“Come on, drinks first.” She tugged me toward the cooler.
Within seconds I had a red cup in my hand and was sipping Lea’s favorite drink.
“Ok, you have to meet Cody and Aaron. Cody is married, but Aaron is single. Again.” She whispered the last word.
“All right.”
I didn’t come to the bonfire to meet guys. I wouldn’t admit it out loud, but Blake had wrecked my interest in dating for a while. When I fell asleep I could still smell his skin, feel the warmth under my hands, shiver from the look in his eyes. He wasn’t easy to forget no matter how much I wanted to stop missing him.
“Carolina, who is this?” A lanky guy, with round eyes and a high forehead stepped toward us.
“Aaron, this is Alyson. She just moved here.”
“Nice to meet you. Are you one of Lea’s friends from back home?” He tipped the corner of his Stetson. I realized I was meeting an authentic Texas boy.
“No, we only met last week,” I explained.
“Who do we have here?” A guy almost a head shorter than Aaron slung an arm around the cowboy’s shoulder.
“Cody, meet Alyson.”
I smiled at him. He was cute and athletic, but if I had my stories straight, this was the guy Lea said was married. “Nice to meet you. Welcome to our little part of heaven.”
He tipped his hat. I was starting to think there was a kind of guy I had been missing out on. The hat trick was nice.
I couldn’t help but blush. They were sweet. “Thanks. Glad I could make it tonight.”
“Have either of you seen Caleb?” Lea scanned their faces. “He said he would be here before me working on the fire.”
“Oh yeah,” Aaron offered. “He should be back in a sec. He and Blake went to bring another cooler of ice. No one brought ice.” Aaron started laughing. It quickly turned to a snort.
Lea looked at me. It was probably written on my face. I was analyzing my escape routes. There was no way I was staying if Blake was on his way back here.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he would be here. He usually stays home and does work.”
I handed my cup to her. “It’s ok. He’s family and he lives here. I’ll just go before things get awkward.”
“Good lord,” Aaron slapped the top of his head. “What is it with pretty girls and Davenport boys?”
I looked at him, not sure I understood what he referenced, only picking up on his frustration.
“Thanks, Lea. Really. Maybe another time when he’s out of town?” I suggested.
“You don’t have to go. I’ll text Caleb and see where they are. Maybe he changed his mind.”
I considered it for a second. But I knew it wasn’t right for me to stay. I didn’t want to see him and the longer I stayed the more I risked that happening.
“Come on, girl. Stay for one song.” Aaron shoved the red cup back into my hand. “If Blake gives you any trouble I’ll take care of him.”
I stifled a laugh. The most Aaron could do to Blake was wrinkle his clothes. The lean cowboy was lacking the muscle and shoulders. I looked around the circle. Whether I wanted it to happen or not, it had become awkward. They were waiting to see how I would handle the situation.
“Ok. I’ll stay and finish my drink.” I looked at Aaron. “And for at least one song.”
He looked happy. “All right. Now you’re talking.”
I wanted to stick next to Lea. “Did you text Caleb?” I asked.
“He didn’t answer.” She scrunched up her nose. “Sorry.”
“Codyford?” A girl with dark hair shuffled through the sand. Her eyes landed on Cody, and he tossed her in the air as if she were a feather. She started giggling.
Lea leaned toward my ear. “Madison. They’ve been marr
ied less than a year, but it’s like a constant honeymoon. I apologize ahead of time if they make you want to vomit.”
I laughed. “It’s fine.”
She wasn’t kidding. Cody’s arms were wrapped around Madison, while her legs hooked against his waist. They seemed oblivious to the rest of the party.
“I’ll introduce you in a minute.”
“Yeah, I’ll just wait on that one.” I turned away from the couple. “I’m going to feel the water. I’ll be right back.”
I walked toward the surf. There was enough light from the bonfire to illuminate a path to the waves. I felt the water splash around my feet. It tickled at first, but I sunk into the wet sand when the waves pulled hard with the current.
I sipped the drink. The lime drink reminded me of the margaritas in San Antonio. The night of tequila shots at Buddy’s. The lime tasted too much like Blake’s lips. I closed my eyes, wishing for a second I could let the waves pull me out too. I could float on top of the swells. My body listless and light, carried by something stronger than me.
My hair blew across my face, but I kept my eyes closed. I didn’t want to open them and face the party. I wanted to imagine for a few more minutes what it would feel like to let go of everything and wash out to sea.
Chapter Fifteen
Blake
“There is a hell of a lot of ice in this cooler,” Caleb grumbled.
He held one handle, and I lugged the other over the sand. It shuffled under our feet, making a path to the fire pit ask if it had been formed by a couple of sea turtles.
“Can’t drink warm beer though.” I nodded at him.
“Oh no. Not doing that.”
We had to make two stops before we had the cooler full. We weren’t the only ones in search of ice on Friday night. It had been a long time since I went to one of these parties. They always had a good time on the beach. Music. Drinks. Pretty girls. Someone usually ended up in the ocean before the night was over.
We dropped the ice cooler near the end of the row, as the crowd parted for us. The chatter quieted the closer we got. Something was up. No one was dancing, and it looked as if they had forgotten to throw wood on the fire.
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