Bayside Promises

by Stacy Claflin

  “Would that stuff happened to be named Haley?”

  Sullivan groaned.

  “What happened?”

  “We’re through.”

  Logan gave him a double-take. “For real?”

  Sullivan looked out at the water and nodded.

  “I really thought she was the one for you.”

  “You did?” Sullivan turned to him and arched a brow.

  “Yeah. Usually, you pick the spoiled gold-diggers—”

  “Hey!”

  “No offense, but it’s the truth. Haley’s the opposite of all them. You two seemed like the perfect match.”

  Sullivan turned back to the water. “Nope.”

  “What happened?”

  “It just didn’t work out. That’s all.”

  “You should—”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Funny, you don’t look fine.”

  Sullivan scowled at Logan. “Well, I am.”

  “You have the same expression you did when Scooter ran away.”

  “That was when I was ten.”

  Logan shrugged. “Just saying.”

  Sullivan removed his cap and raked his fingers through his hair. “This getaway is exactly what I need to get my mind off everything.”

  “How’s that working for you?”

  “Older brothers can be a real pain in the butt, you know that?”

  Logan laughed. “I’ve heard. But it’s for good reason. What happened with Haley?”

  “Would you leave me alone?”

  “Nope. I’ve got all week, and I’m not catching anything, either.”

  Sullivan watched a beaver drag a large branch on the other side of the river.

  “I’m waiting.” Logan tapped his knee.

  “Turns out she’s not different from the women I usually date. End of story.”

  “How so? She’s a lot sweeter, I can tell you that. Remember when Tara—?”

  “I don’t want to talk about women.”

  They sat in silence for a full five minutes before Logan spoke again. “What did she do?”

  Sullivan turned to Logan and glared at him. “It. Doesn’t. Matter.”

  “Seems like it matters a lot. I’ve never seen you so depressed.”

  “I’m not depressed!” Sullivan rose and stormed away, leaving his fishing rod behind.

  “Clearly!” Logan called. He joined the others.

  “Good.” Sullivan picked up some stones and chucked them into the water.

  “Don’t scare the fish!” Zachary shouted.

  Sullivan dropped the remaining rocks and wandered farther from the guys. The trees grew closer and soon he was in the thick of the forest, following a mossy trail. Again, his mind wandered back to Haley, replaying their argument at the art studio.

  Logan was right about one thing. She was different from the others Sullivan had dated. Though he didn’t understand what had her so upset, it had been hurt in her eyes, not self-entitlement. His stomach tightened.

  Had he accidentally hurt her? He raked his mind, trying to figure out what he might have done. It all seemed to go back to the necklace. Did she hate flowers? Not like the purple stone?

  A thought struck him. What if she’d thought the gift was too much? Since she was so different from the others, that stood a chance of being reality. He thought back to their conversations at the beach. Haley was one of the most kind-hearted people he knew—sensitive and thoughtful. There had to be a reason for her being so upset.

  He needed to find out what that was. Right away. It might be too late, but he had to at least try. He would never be able to live with himself if he didn’t.

  Sullivan pulled his phone out of his pocket. Just as he’d expected—no service. And the battery was almost dead. He ran through the trail and came back to the fishing spot. Logan was tugging on his line like he had something. Sullivan ran past them.

  “Where are you going?” Cruz called.

  “I’ll be back!” Sullivan headed back to the campsite. Still no signal. He went to the parking area. Nothing.

  Sullivan went into his tent and grabbed his wallet and keys. He plugged in his phone and drove toward the road, waiting for a signal. Anxiety built in him. He needed to talk to Haley immediately.

  Once he reached the main highway, he finally had one bar. It was weak, but he could make a call. He pulled over at the first gas station and called Haley.

  It rang twice and then went to voicemail. She was ignoring his call. He called her again. That time, it went straight to voicemail.

  “What did you do, Sullivan?” He had to find out. If she wouldn’t answer his calls, then he had no other choice but to leave a message. Hopefully, she’d listen to it. He called again, and as expected, it went to voicemail right away.

  His pulse pounded throughout his body. He took a deep breath before the beep. “Haley, this is Sullivan. I don’t know what happened between us, but I can’t let things end like this. Whatever I did, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you—I hope you know I would never do that. You’re the last person I’d want to hurt.” He took a deep breath. “My campsite is out of range, and I really want to talk to you. Please call me back soon. I’ll be waiting.” He ended the call.

  The next two minutes dragged on for what felt like hours. He watched his phone, waiting for a call.

  Nothing. He started to fidget. He had to do something.

  Jensyn. They’d exchanged numbers. He could talk to her. Hopefully, Haley hadn’t told her to ignore him, too.

  He sent her a quick text.

  Can u tell Haley 2 call me?

  Sry no. She’s driving.

  Maybe that was why she wasn’t answering his calls.

  I have 2 talk 2 her asap.

  Whats up w/u 2?

  Thats y I need 2 talk 2 her.

  Its gonna b a long time. We’re going 2 Grants Pass.

  All the way down there?!

  Shes taking me 2 Mom then going 2 Portland.

  Dread washed through Sullivan.

  She’s moving back?

  Yep.

  A million thoughts raced through his head.

  Stall her!

  Y?

  I need 2 say sorry. I’m leaving now.

  OK

  U’ll stall her?

  Yah!

  Sullivan took a deep breath and turned the ignition.

  Twenty-Nine

  Haley tried to ignore Jensyn’s furious texting. It was as if she didn’t care that Haley was taking her to Great-Aunt Elma’s down near the California border. Maybe her little sister didn’t understand how far she would be from all her friends until fall. Jensyn was going to be bored and miserable for the rest of her summer, but it would do her a world of good—far more than Haley had been able to do for the girl.

  “Having fun?” Haley asked.

  “Actually, no.”

  Haley glanced at Jensyn. She clutched her stomach. “My period’s starting. It’s early! We have to stop.”

  “Get some ibuprofen from my purse.”

  “You don’t get it. I need protection. I’m going to stain your seat.”

  Haley smacked the steering wheel. “Are you serious?”

  “Did you pack me anything?” Jensyn asked.

  “No!”

  “Oh, that was a big gush. You’d better hurry.”

  “Sit on your hands,” Haley snapped. “It’s two miles before the next exit.” She pressed the gas pedal. “You have some timing.”

  “It’s not my fault,” Jensyn wailed. “Oh, this is gross. Ew. It’s leaking.”

  Anger and dread coursed through Haley. “Do you have something else you can sit on? Is it getting on the seat?”

  “I don’t think so—about both.”

  “One mile,” Haley muttered. “Looks like they have a gas station.”

  “Do you have any money?” Jensyn asked. “I was supposed to get paid today.”

  “Yes,” Haley grumbled.

  They sat in silence for the remai
nder of the mile. Then Haley pulled onto the exit and followed signs to the gas station. She grabbed some cash from her wallet and shoved it in Jensyn’s hand. “Hurry.”

  “Okay.” She got out of the car, walking funny. “Can you unlock the doors? I have to change my pants.”

  Haley pressed the button to unlock the doors. “Hurry!”

  “I will.” Jensyn opened the door, unzipped her suitcase, and rifled through it. It was as though she was being purposefully slow.

  “Did they disappear?” Haley snapped.

  “I’m sure they didn’t. Stop being so impatient. My hands are gross, remember?”

  “Right.” Haley couldn’t see anything from her angle, so she took a deep breath and counted to ten. Then twenty. All the way up to fifty. Jensyn was still digging through her luggage. Haley threw her door open and opened the passenger door behind her. She reached over her own suitcase and grabbed a pair of shorts and underwear. “There you go!” She shoved them in Jensyn’s hands. “Hurry up.”

  Jensyn gave her a sweet smile. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll bet,” Haley mumbled. She slammed the back door shut and climbed back into her seat. But she realized her legs were sore, so she walked around the car and stretched.

  The sun beat down on her as she paced. Time dragged on. Haley wondered what Sullivan wanted, but then reminded herself that she didn’t care. After a while, she went in the car and checked the time.

  Twenty minutes! Who needed that long to buy feminine products and change pants inside of a gas station that only had the clerk inside? There was nothing her sister needed to wait for. Grumbling, Haley grabbed her keys, locked the car, and headed inside. The door dinged above her.

  The bored cashier looked up. “Can I help you?”

  “Did a girl with a nose ring go into the bathroom?”

  “Yeah. She’s still in there.”

  “Thanks,” Haley muttered. She marched down an aisle of chips and magazines, then pounded on the door marked Ladies. “Jensyn! Hurry up!”

  “I’m almost done,” came the muffled reply.

  Haley was thirsty, so she grabbed a bottle of water and paid for it. She expected to turn around from the register and see her sister, but she didn’t, and the bathroom door was still closed. She stormed back to the bathroom. “Let’s go!”

  “Okay, okay.” The lock clicked and the door opened. Jensyn stepped out wearing a different pair of shorts. “All set.”

  “Good. Let’s go. Remember, once we get there, I still have to go all the way back to Portland.”

  Jensyn eyed Haley’s water. “Such a good idea. I’m sooo thirsty.”

  Haley slapped her forehead.

  “Don’t worry. I have some change from what you gave me for the tampons.” Jensyn practically skipped to the refrigerated section.

  Haley followed her, seething. “Are you doing this on purpose?”

  “Doing what?” Jensyn turned and gave her wide, innocent doe eyes.

  “I’m leaving. The car is pulling out in three minutes with or without you.”

  Jensyn grabbed a water bottle without looking and rushed to the cashier. Haley hurried to the car, muttering the whole way. In the car, she pulled out of the spot as soon as Jensyn was inside with the door closed.

  “No more stops,” Haley snapped.

  “What if my cramps get bad again?”

  “You have everything you need.”

  “You’re going ten over the speed limit,” Jensyn pointed out.

  “And you’re worried I’ll get a ticket?”

  “Well, you know how places like this are. They make Enchantment Bay look like a big city, and they’re proud of their speed limits.”

  “Gotten a ticket in one of these towns?”

  Jensyn shrugged. “Maybe.”

  They rode along in silence for a while, and Haley kept an eye on her speed. Her sister didn’t need any more bad influences in her life. If that was all Haley could leave her with, then she’d drive a little slower.

  Before long, Jensyn was back to texting furiously with someone.

  “Got a big date?”

  “What? No.” She didn’t look up from the screen as her thumbs flew across it.

  Haley tried to ignore it. She was already irritated, and it wasn’t from the texting.

  “I’m leaking again!”

  “What?” Haley turned to Jensyn. “You have to be kidding!”

  Jensyn sat on her hands. “They didn’t have my normal brand. I must’ve bought a bad one.”

  “Are you serious?” Haley exclaimed.

  “I need to go to the bathroom!”

  “This is unbelievable.”

  “Hurry,” Jensyn whined. “I don’t want to ruin more clothes.”

  “Are you doing this so I’ll stay the night? Then you’ll try to convince me to stay?”

  “No. I swear.”

  Haley took the next exit and found the nearest gas station. “I’ll pick out the right product this time.”

  Jensyn shook her head. “As gross as they are, I’m going with pads.” She held out her hand for more cash.

  “I hope you appreciate this.” Haley dug into her purse and plopped a twenty onto her palm.

  “Definitely.” Jensyn ran inside.

  A sharp pain ran behind Haley’s left eye and another one ran along her shoulder. She took a deep breath and rubbed her temple, trying to think if there was anything else her sister could possibly need before they made it to Grants Pass. She took two ibuprofen, and then finished her water bottle.

  She closed her eyes and waited, knowing Jensyn would take five times longer than needed. Maybe Haley should stay the night at Great-Aunt Elma’s. After driving about half the length of the state, she wouldn’t feel like turning around and driving nearly its entire distance.

  After what felt like a half hour, Haley pulled herself from the car and went inside, looking all around.

  “Looking for the girl with the face rings and blue hair?” asked the elderly cashier.

  “Yes.”

  “In the bathroom.” He pointed to the back of the store.

  “Thank you.” Haley had to go down a few aisles before reaching the bathroom. “What’s taking so long?”

  “I’m almost done!”

  “What’s the problem?” Haley demanded.

  “Nothing.”

  She threw her hands into the air and paced. “Hurry up. I’m not stopping for anything else. We’re headed straight down there, and nothing’s going to stop us. Nothing!”

  Jensyn squirmed in the seat. “Sounds good. I’m double-protected.”

  “More information than I needed, but good to know.” Haley pulled out of the gas station, eager to get to their destination.

  Her sister went straight back to texting. Haley felt a slight sting of jealousy. She wished she had people in her life that were close enough she could text for hours straight. It might have been possible with Sullivan, but she couldn’t deal with relationships anymore.

  Jensyn turned the radio station to something with a heavy beat and bounced her head as she continued texting.

  Haley tried to relax, though she wasn’t crazy about the music. Her mind wandered back to the property with the warehouses. Everything was about to go through. She needed to make sure Cassidy got the keys. Then there was the matter of—

  “Pull over!” Jensyn cried out.

  “What?” Haley exclaimed.

  “I’m going to be sick!”

  “And I’m never having kids,” Haley muttered.

  “Pull over!” Jensyn gagged.

  Haley pulled over to the side of I-5 and flipped on the hazard lights. Jensyn threw open her door and ran over to some bushes. Cars zoomed by too close to Haley’s door for her to open it. She craned her neck to check on Jensyn, who was far from traffic.

  After a minute, Jensyn sauntered back to the car, clutching her stomach.

  “What happened?” Haley exclaimed. “Are you okay?”

&nbs
p; Jensyn wiped her mouth and got back into the car. “I think the painkillers upset my stomach.”

  “What are we supposed to do now?”

  “I need something to eat.” Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth.

  “We have sandwiches in the cooler.”

  Jensyn shook her head and ran back out to the bushes. Haley took a deep breath and squeezed the steering wheel. A few moments later, Jensyn came back to the car. “I can’t handle sandwiches. I know you want to—” She covered her mouth with one hand and her stomach the other.

  “It’s fine. Buckle up. I’ll find someplace to eat.”

  “Thanks,” Jensyn moaned.

  Luckily, the next exit had several food choices. Haley pulled into a little mom-and-pop diner. “Is this going to be okay?”

  Jensyn brushed some hair from her eyes and nodded. “Fries sound perfect.”

  “For an upset stomach?” Haley arched a brow.

  “Hey, I can’t help what sounds good.”

  “You sound a little too perky for someone who’s supposed to be miserable.”

  “I’m starting to feel better. That’s a good thing.” She sent a quick text and got out of the car.

  Haley was sure her sister was playing her, but she found her irritation waning. How could she be mad at her sister for wanting to spend more time with her before she disappeared to Portland again? The last time she left, it had been for ten years. It probably felt like a lifetime to Jensyn.

  Haley rubbed her temple again before heading inside. Jensyn already sat at a booth, poring over a menu.

  “Anything look good?” Haley sat across from her.

  “Bacon and cheese fries.” Jensyn didn’t look up.

  “Clearly, your stomach is doing better.”

  “Yep.”

  Haley glanced over the menu, not particularly interested in anything. They made small talk for a few minutes.

  “Do we have to tell them we’re ready?” Haley asked.

  “The waitress said she’d be back.”

  Haley glanced at the time. They’d be lucky to reach Grants Pass by dinnertime at this rate. Not that it mattered. She already knew she wouldn’t reach Portland until the following day. Another five minutes passed without the waitress.

  “This is ridiculous.” Haley tapped the table. “Let’s find somewhere else to eat.”

  “Wait, no. I see her.” Jensyn waved furiously, looking behind Haley.