We started to play, but my head wasn’t in it. I still kept trying to wrap my mind around the girl. She reminded me of a song stuck in my head. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Tom shuffled the cards. “So you guys ready to lose again tonight? Kelly really appreciates the donations.”
Of course Tom had to rile us up before starting. We always played winner-takes-all, and he rarely lost. The rest of us hardly cared unless he became too cocky. It was usually only after his fifth beer that the rest of us had a chance, and luckily that didn’t take long.
I took a long swig from my beer. “If you recall, last week I took the winnings.”
“Everyone gets lucky sometimes. That only puts you a couple hundred dollars in the hole over the last few years.”
“Shut up and deal.” I was in no mood to listen to Tom’s ribbing.
Chapter Three
Becca
“I still can’t believe you’re actually here!” Molly said for the third time. We were curled up on her couch drinking hot cocoa. Even though it was easily ninety-five degrees out, we still drank hot chocolate. It was just our thing from college. We’d spent more nights than I could count sitting up late with cocoa talking about every little detail of our lives—except the important parts. Those talks usually happened over a bottle of wine.
“Yup, I’m here.” I smiled.
She leaned over to hug me, almost spilling my cocoa.
“Sorry.” She apologized, still grinning.
I was trying to get used to this bubbly version of Molly. We’d been friends since freshman year of college, and she’d never been the overly happy type. Even when she’d smiled, there was still the hint of sadness. That only got worse the last year she was in Boston with me. Her fiancé’s death practically destroyed her. That’s why, as much as I missed having her around, I knew she was better off where she was—with Ben.
“It’s all right. My super reflexes saved the day.”
“Haha, I’ve missed my superhuman best friend.”
Superhuman. If only.
She must have noticed my frown. “How are you doing? You sounded so down on the phone the other day.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” For once, I let my façade of perpetual optimism fall. I’d been playing the part for so long, but with everything snowballing around me, I didn’t have the strength to keep it up anymore. “I was just going through some stuff for my mom’s estate with the attorney. You’d think, since I was her only family, it would be easy, but it’s still so complicated.” I ran my fingers over the snowflakes on my mug. We’d had similar ones at my house growing up.
My mom’s death hadn’t been unexpected. She’d fought breast cancer for years, but the loneliness I faced after losing my only family rocked me to the core. My grades slipped, and that’s probably why I lost my coveted summer job. I preferred that reasoning to my bosses thinking I wasn’t good enough.
“I bet. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through all of that alone.”
I saw the guilt reflected in her blue eyes. That was the Molly I remembered.
“No, don’t go there. You’re where you should be. I’m doing fine. It’s just nice to get away.” There was no way I was bringing her down with me. If I went under, I was going alone.
“I think you’re going to like it here. The firm you’re working at is ultra-casual, nothing like the firms in Boston.”
“I bet. I still can’t believe they hired me with just a phone interview, though.”
She set down her now empty cup. “They only did that interview to make you feel better.”
“My transcript and recommendation letters were enough?” Sure, my letters were good, but not that good.
“You’re my friend. Mr. Morgan was my Dad’s good friend. It’s just how things work around here.” It felt strange to get a job just because of connections, but I figured it didn’t matter as long as I worked hard and proved myself.
“Well, hopefully I won’t let them down.”
“You won’t. You’re superhuman, remember?”
“Uh huh.”
The front door opened, announcing Ben’s return from rehearsal. The night had flown by.
“Wow, I didn’t expect to find you girls still up.” He put down his guitar, leaning over to kiss Molly.
“We’ve had a lot to catch up on.” Molly beamed up at him.
“So, Jake’s officially out. The pool house is ready.” Ben took a seat on the arm of the sofa beside Molly. He definitely had those boy next door good looks, and considering his tanned skin, he probably loved the sun just as much as Molly.
She smiled. “Oh, great.”
“Pool house?” I sat up straighter.
“Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. I found you a place to stay. I know you didn’t want to stay in my old bedroom all summer.” Molly and Ben had bought her childhood home and were fixing it up in stages. Currently, her bedroom looked the way she’d left it senior year of high school—stuffed animals and all.
“So where’s this pool house exactly?” I didn’t want to play the unwelcome house guest, but I also didn’t want to stay at some random person’s home. This was all stuff I probably should have figured out before leaving Boston, but Molly had assured me she’d take care of it all. I’d needed a break from worrying and listened.
“It’s at my parents’ house. My brother finally moved out, so it’s yours for the summer.” Ben slid down off the arm of the couch, pushing Molly over for a minute before pulling her into his lap. I tried not to feel uncomfortable at the intimate gesture.
“Are you sure? Don’t your parents care?” There had to be a catch. People didn’t just let perfect strangers stay in their homes—or pool houses. It sounded so funny. I hadn’t realized Ben was wealthy enough to have such a nice place. But then again, Molly had told me real estate was really cheap in Clayton Falls.
“Not at all. They’re thrilled. First, it gave them an excuse to kick Jake out, plus Mom is excited to have a girl around. She complains to me constantly that Molly isn’t over enough.”
“I can pay something,” I offered quickly. I didn’t have much, but surely I could contribute a little.
“There’s no way my parents are going to take your money. Really, it’s not a problem.”
I decided to drop it. It would be pointless to argue so much that I annoyed my host. “All right. Well, thanks.”
“It’s our pleasure. You’re family, Becca.” Molly reached over and patted my leg.
Family. A word I wasn’t sure I’d ever say again. It only reminded me that Mom was gone. She’d gotten her breast cancer diagnosis years before, but after treatments and a few remissions, I’d almost forgotten that dying was even a possibility. All of that changed when she had the seizure, and we realized her cancer had spread to her brain. Although the radiation treatments stopped the seizures, she was never the same. The terror of watching someone you love become a different person was something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
“I think I’m going to turn in.” I stood up, picking up both the cocoa mugs to bring them into the kitchen.
Molly nodded. “All right, we’ll move you over tomorrow. Then we’ll go by the garage and check on your car.”
“Sounds good.” I leaned over to hug Molly goodnight.
“If you need anything, just ask.”
“Thanks. I’m so tired I’ll probably just collapse.”
“I bet. Sleep well.”
I walked upstairs and got washed up in the small hall bathroom. It felt funny to be in the house where Molly grew up. As close as Molly and I were in college, this was a piece of her I didn’t know much about. She was always a little closed up about her childhood.
I pulled on my favorite summer PJs, avoiding looking directly at my scars out of habit. There was no reason to upset myself before bed. I’d resisted the urge to check Molly’s front door, but I decided to lock her bedroom door just in case. Satisfied no one could barge in without me knowing, I curled up under
the covers of her old twin bed and tried to sleep.
It was too dark. Weren’t there any street lights? I was used to the constant glow of the city. At home, if I left my blinds up even a smidge, I had a readymade night light. I thought about turning on the lamp, but I decided to wait until Molly went to bed so she wouldn’t notice the light shining from under my door. I tried to keep my mind occupied, silently singing the lyrics to a song I’d heard on the radio at least a dozen times on my drive down.
I heard Molly’s giggles as she came upstairs with Ben awhile later. I waited until I heard their door close before getting out of bed to turn on the lamp. It was only then, when the darkness had been extinguished and I lay awake in the privacy of the illuminated bedroom, that I let myself feel the jealousy that had been under the surface all evening. I was happy for Molly, I really was—but I knew our friendship as I knew it was over. She had Ben now. She didn’t need me the way she used to. And because of that, I wasn’t allowed to need her. I’d never felt that way when she’d been with Adam, her college boyfriend and fiancé, but then again, I don’t think he ever really completed her. I tried to push my selfish thoughts from my head and eventually drifted off to sleep.
***
After breakfast, Molly and Ben drove me over to my new place for the summer. The pool house was really just one big room with a queen sized bed, a sitting area with a huge TV, and a small kitchen. A bathroom rounded off the place. The best part was that, being the pool house, it was right next to the pool.
“It must have been awesome to grow up with a pool in your backyard.” I looked longingly out the window.
“You can definitely use it all you want. My parents will be glad. Most of the time, it just sits unused.” Ben flipped through a pile of old CDs on the counter. I assumed his brother had left them.
“That’s awesome. I’d love to swim some laps in the morning.” I was already itching to get in the water. I’d been starting my morning in the pool since college. If I couldn’t swim, I’d run, but considering the heat, it was nice to know I wouldn’t have to resort to it.
We’d gone by the repair shop to check on my car, but it was going to take at least another day. The guy said something about ordering a part. I didn’t mind waiting, but I hoped it wouldn’t put too much of a dent in my Visa balance. Molly offered to let me borrow her car for work on Monday, and she assured me she didn’t need it. I didn’t doubt her. The Molly I remembered hated driving.
Molly left after I convinced her I was more than capable of unpacking my own clothes. She was supposed to meet with some clients, and I didn’t want to get in the way of her small but thriving photography business. Only Molly would quit law school and end up making money as a photographer. In some ways I envied her. I didn’t have a creative bone in my body.
After putting away the last of my clothes and stowing my suitcases in the closet, I popped in one of the movies I’d brought with me. It was a sunny day out, but it was hot and humid, and I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I wanted to make sure I didn’t smother Molly.
I had just reached the good part of the movie when the door burst open. I jumped, unable to believe I’d forgotten to lock the door after Molly left. It was so unlike me. I panicked, until I saw a guy who looked a lot like Ben standing in the doorway wearing a huge grin. I relaxed. This had to be Ben’s brother. They even had the same smile.
“Oh, hi. Sorry, I didn’t know you were here already.”
“Hey, that’s fine.” I tried to hide just how much his intrusion frightened me. “You must be Jake.”
“That would be me. You’re Becca, right?”
“Uh huh.” I reached for the remote to pause the movie. I’d thrown it off the couch in surprise.
“I’ll get out of your hair in a second. I just realized I forgot a few books.” He closed the door behind him. At least he was good about keeping the cool air inside.
I picked up the two paperbacks that had been on the floor by the TV. “A Ken Follet fan, huh?”
“Yeah, I’m on a kick. What about you?”
“I read a little of everything.”
“You all moved in?” He glanced around, maybe checking for any changes.
“Yeah, I didn’t have much.” I hoped he didn’t blame me for having to move. “Did you move nearby?”
“I’m across town, closer to where Molly and Ben live.”
“Is your place nice?”
“As nice as any rental house is, I guess. It was time for me to get out of here. I like that my parents can’t just stop by all the time.”
I smiled. “That’s a good thing.”
He peered over my shoulder, suddenly noticing the TV. “Is that Dawn of the Dead?”
“Yup.”
“Interesting movie choice.”
“Hey, watching a zombie apocalypse kind of puts your own problems into perspective.”
He laughed. “Very true. Mind if I join you for a bit? I love this movie.” Without waiting for a response, he slumped down next to me on the couch. You could tell he’d been living there. He was right at home.
“Sure,” I answered even though I didn’t need to. I pressed play, starting the movie up again.
Jake grabbed the remote and turned up the volume. As if an afterthought, he glanced over to make sure I didn’t mind.
Molly had described Jake as a class A jerk, but he seemed pretty cool to me. He definitely wasn’t my type, but I could see us becoming friends.
“So what exciting activities does Molly have planned for you tonight?” he asked as the credits rolled.
“Um, she wants to introduce me to some of her friends. She said they all hang out at some bar.”
“Nice. You’re going to experience Clayton Fall’s finest establishment, Gill’s.”
I looked over at him. “Anything I should know before I go?”
“Yeah, expect every drunk guy to hit on you, and don’t take anything people say personally.” His brown hair was shaggy, a contrast to Ben’s buzzed look. He kind of had that surfer boy thing going for him.
“Okay... I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Cool. All right, I’m going to get out of here. I’ll see you tonight?”
“Are you going to be there too?”
“For you, I’ll make an appearance.”
“I appreciate the sacrifice.” I was quite certain he would be going anyway.
“What can I say? I aim to please.”
I laughed. “Thanks for the company.”
“Thanks for the hospitality.”
I smiled as I locked up behind him and wondered what the rest of my first day in town would hold.
Chapter Four
Gavin
I couldn’t believe this is what my life had come to. I sat on a stool at Gill’s blending in with the rest of the usual crowd. I’d never been much of a drinker, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I wasn’t really there for the alcohol. There was just nothing else to do in town. Melissa, a perky blond, sat next to me, constantly pawing at my arm to get my attention. She was a nice enough looking girl, but I never got the sense there was anything going on in that head of hers. I needed at least a semblance of brains. I hoped ignoring her would give her the message.
“Damn, who’s that?” my friend Ronny asked from a few stools down. His eyes nearly bugged out of his head. I followed his gaze.
“Oh hell. I guess this was going to happen eventually.” Becca had just walked in with Molly and Ben, looking around her as if she was entering a foreign country.
“I take it you know her?”
“That’s Molly’s friend from Boston,” I said flatly.
“Oh. She’s hot. I guess good looking girls are usually friends with one another.”
“Not always.”
Ronny chuckled. “Do you know anything about her?”
“She’s in town for the summer to work for Matt and his dad.”
“Really? So she’ll be here all summer then.” I could almost see the wheels
turning in his head.
“Uh huh,” I said disinterestedly, but really I was watching her mile high legs, exposed by her short black skirt, coming closer. I moved my attention up to the t-shirt clinging to her breasts. I shook myself. Becca might be hot, but I wasn’t going there.
“Matt’s in trouble, isn’t he? There’s no way his wife knows he hired someone who looks like that.”
“He’ll blame it on his dad. Besides, I don’t think they could have known how she looked.”
“True, but Nancy will still be pissed.”
“Probably.” I really didn’t care what Matt’s wife thought.
“Have you met her yet?” He eyed Becca like a piece of meat. I couldn’t blame him. Almost no one new ever came to town. I’d done the same thing to Molly a year ago.
“Yeah, I gave her a ride into town when her car broke down.”
“I bet you did.”
I finished my beer and set it on the bar. “I admit the girl’s good looking, but she’s not my type.”
“So you don’t care if I go talk to her?” He got up without waiting for my answer.
“Be my guest.”
I tried to ignore the jealous pang I felt when I watched Becca smile when Ronny introduced himself. It wasn’t any of my business. Melissa, probably noticing my ogling of Becca, gave up and went to find another guy to talk to.
I asked the bartender, Katie, for another beer. She passed me a Miller. “Staring at that girl isn’t going to bring her any closer.”
“I’m not staring.”
“Whatever you say, Gavin.”
“How can I not look at her? Do you see how short that skirt is? I’m not doing anything worse than the rest of the guys in here.”
Katie looked over at Becca. “The skirt’s not that short. Her legs are just that long. Lucky.”
I laughed. “Aw, you getting jealous of the new girl?”
“Why would I? I’ve got Chris. Besides, you’re the one who looks jealous.” She put a hand on her hip as she leaned toward me. “Stop drooling, and go talk to her.”
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