High Tide

by Jill Sanders

  They pulled the two-seater kayak out of the garage and spent almost an hour on the water. Ralph sat between Alan’s legs as they paddled along the shore, watching sea turtles, stingrays, and even sharks swim below them in the clear water.

  When they returned, they settled on the beach and ate the lunch he’d made. Ralph was good-tempered, much more so than any of her father’s dogs.

  He asked about her family, and she filled him in on her three brothers, Sean, Liam, and Walker, who were all older than her. She avoided mentioning her family’s wealth, something many people were curious about, and only mentioned that her family was in the bourbon business.

  “So am I,” Alan joked.

  The subject turned to his family. He was an only child, and his father had recently passed away. She saw sadness creep into his eyes and distracted him with questions about his military past. A different kind of sadness filled his eyes, and she realized just how bad she was at flirting and keeping a man’s attention.

  “Why don’t we head up to the house and take a swim?” She stood up. “I need to cool off.”

  Her cell phone chimed as they walked up the stairs. Reading the text quickly, she sighed.

  “It’s Anna. She’s getting kicked out of the condo again. Says this time her mom is fighting with Ronald.”

  “Her new stepdad?” Alan asked as he shut the gate behind them.

  “Yeah, she’s asking if she can come over.”

  They turned around and she was surprised to see Anna standing along the glass doors, her eyes red and puffy.

  “What’s wrong?” She rushed over to her new friend.

  “It’s… I’m just so tired of my mother picking assholes.” Her eyes moved to Alan. “I… didn’t know you had company.”

  Grace glanced at Alan, who only smiled and nodded at her.

  “It’s okay, we were just going to jump into the water.” She nodded towards the pool. “Why don’t you go put on a suit and join us?”

  “I shouldn’t… You two were on a date.” She closed her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “Anna, it’s okay, really.” She wrapped an arm around her and walked her inside.

  Alan and Ralph stayed outside while she went up with Anna to convince her to change.

  “What kind of friend would I be if I stopped a booty call?”

  “This isn’t…” Grace’s mouth suddenly went dry. “I’m not… ready for something like that.” She closed her own eyes.

  “Hey.” Anna moved over to her, taking her shoulders in her hands until she looked down at her friend. “I doubt Alan is someone who’ll jump you on the first date.” She was joking around, but now the thought was in Grace’s head.

  She’d only been with Corey. Hadn’t really thought of being with anyone other than him.

  She didn’t know what to do with anyone else.

  “Now you look sick. Okay, on the way back outside, we’ll grab some wine. That’ll loosen you up.”

  Her friend changed quickly as she filled her in on what an ass Ronald was and how her mother had a knack for falling for losers.

  They grabbed a chilled bottle of wine and three glasses before stepping back outside. Alan was relaxing on a lounge chair, with Ralph curled up at his feet.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, sitting up a little when they came outside.

  “Yeah.” Grace forced a smile even though her mind was playing over the possibilities of sleeping with a man other than Corey.

  “Here.” Anna shoved a very full glass of wine into her hands, then nudged her to sit next to Alan. “Want?” She held up an empty glass to him.

  “Sure.” He nodded. “Why not?”

  “Do you know what we need?” Anna said some time later, once they had all jumped into the pool.

  “What?” Grace asked, feeling a lot more relaxed with her friend as a buffer.

  “A party.” Anna shifted until she was standing up again, her almost-empty wine glass still in her hand. “Tomorrow night is my last night. Why don’t we throw a big bash? It’ll get your mind off things and maybe you’ll meet a few other people to hang out with until you return home.”

  Grace thought about it and was surprised to find that she thought it was a great idea. “Here?” she asked.

  “Sure, why not? I mean, you have this massive place all to yourself.” Anna drank the rest of her wine and set the glass down along the edge of the pool. “Besides, we already know a bartender.” Anna smiled and splashed water towards Alan.

  “I work tomorrow,” he added.

  “What time do you get off?” Anna replied.

  “Midnight. I could convince someone to cover my shift. If I set out a tip jar at the party, I might make back some of the money.

  “I’d pay you,” Grace blurted out. She felt her cheeks heat when Alan’s eyes zeroed on hers. “I mean,” she stammered, “I don’t know anything about buying drinks. You’d be doing me a big favor.”

  “I’ll handle the food. My mom hired a caterer for her wedding party down here a few husbands ago.” Anna turned to Alan. “There’s this large group I’ve been hanging out with at the condos. I’ll invite them. Think you can get the word out around Boardwalk?”

  “I’ll have Lauren spread the word.” He turned to her. “Are you sure about this?”

  She smiled and nodded. “I’ve never thrown a party before. It’ll be fun.”

  “We can hit the liquor store first thing tomorrow,” Alan said, jumping out of the pool. “How about we head to the Boardwalk and grab some dinner. On me,” he added, wrapping a towel around his waist.

  She’d enjoyed the view of him all day in nothing but swim trunks that hugged his hips. Now she felt her mouth water as he dried himself off. She realized she’d been watching him when Anna elbowed her and mumbled, “Yum,” next to her ear.

  Jumping out of the pool, she wrapped a large beach towel around her body and made an excuse of getting dressed, before darting into the house quickly.

  * * *

  The next morning, Alan picked Grace and Anna up at the house so they could run errands before the party.

  He’d enjoyed dinner with them both. He had never laughed as hard as he did that night or enjoyed a day date more than the one with Grace. He’d hoped that the evening would end differently, but after talking with Grace all day, he realized she wasn’t ready for a relationship, physical or otherwise. All he could really hope for now was friendship, unless she made the move to change that.

  They drove to the liquor store, and he took his time picking out the basics for behind the bar. They stopped at the general store and purchased soda, juice, fresh fruit, Solo cups, and plastic plates.

  It took several loads up the steep stairs to get everything inside the house. He moved the dining room table and chairs around and then shifted a long rectangular high-top table into the space and set up a few crates to set all the liquor on.

  Anna had hired a caterer as well as the DJ who’d been playing the night before in the bar. Alan’s roommate showed up with a few buddies around lunchtime and helped him move some of the furniture around so there was more room.

  They ate cold sandwiches on the deck before Anna and Grace disappeared upstairs to get ready for the first guests to arrive. He’d found someone to cover his shift and had texted a few friends to invite them along.

  It was strange. He’d attended several parties over the few years he’d lived there, but this was the first one he’d had a hand in throwing.

  He’d arranged for Wendy to help him bartend that night, since she was back from Hawaii, where her husband had taken part in another surf competition. Alan had heard he’d won the competition, yet again. Wendy showed up early and helped him finish setting up.

  They’d quickly become best friends a few years back when she’d started working at the Yacht Club, the place they worked before the Boardwalk. She had been supporting her younger sister, Willow, and had needed a lot of help learning the ropes. He’d taken her under his wing, and she’d quickly p
roved to him and to the owners that she was one of the best bartenders along the Gulf Coast. Now she was a manager at the Boardwalk Bar and Grill.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said, giving her a long hug.

  “It’s only been two weeks.” She laughed. “But I’ve missed you too.” She hugged him back. “I’ve got some news.” She leaned back, and her smile grew. “And a proposition.”

  Just then, he felt the hairs on the back on his neck stand up and turned to see Grace and Anna walking down the stairs.

  He noticed that Grace’s eyes were narrowed at the back of Wendy’s head, but he was quickly distracted by the short white lacy dress she was wearing. The straps at her shoulders were narrow, and the mid-section of the dress was see-through lace. She had on cream-colored heels that made her legs look longer, and his mouth went completely dry with want.

  Her long blonde hair flowed over her shoulders. She had on pearl drop earrings with a thin pearl necklace that lay perfectly between the most beautiful breasts he’d ever seen.

  Wendy turned when she realized he’d stopped paying attention to her. Then she turned back to him with a smile and a jab to the stomach.

  “Go.” She nudged him. “We’ll talk later.”

  He didn’t need any more prodding and met Grace at the base of the stairs.

  “You look amazing,” he said, softly.

  “Thanks.” She smiled. Her eyes went to his, then returned to where Wendy stood.

  “That’s Wendy,” he said, as if that would clear things up. “My friend, who’s going to help me bartend tonight.”

  “Right.” Grace nodded. “She works with you?”

  “Yes, she’s been taking some time off. Her husband is pro surfer Cole Grayton.” He took her hand. “Can I get you a drink?” he asked, walking with her towards the makeshift bar area.

  “Sure, I’ll have…” She was silent as she thought about it. “Surprise me.”

  “Okay, this one’s called an Alan.” He smiled as he made his signature drink.

  By the time he was done mixing the drink, the doorbell had rung several times. Anna had stepped in and answered it and shuffled the guests in.

  There was a line behind Grace, and Wendy stepped up to help him as the room grew loud and crowded. He lost track of Grace several times. Each time he did spot her, he was thankful she was talking to either a group of people or other women.

  He took a break two hours later and went to find her. He found her out on an upper-floor balcony, talking to a group of people with an empty drink cup in her hand. He replaced it with another drink and enjoyed his first beer with her as the sun set.

  “Wow, this doesn’t get old.” She sighed and leaned against the railing.

  “Agreed.” He held up his beer and smiled when she tapped her plastic cup against the glass.

  “I’m surprised so many people showed up,” she said after taking another sip of the drink.

  “You send out the word around here, it tends to spread fast.” He shifted so he was looking at her instead of the sunset. “Do you like the drink?”

  “Yes, it’s very good. Not too sweet”—her eyes moved to him—“not too strong. It’s a refreshing change.” Something told him she wasn’t talking about the drink anymore.

  Reaching up, he brushed away a strand of blonde hair that had blown across her lips. “Change is good.” He leaned closer and paused before his lips touched hers, waiting for her approval.

  When she leaned the rest of the way in and placed her lips over his, he held in a groan of pure pleasure.

  5

  She didn’t know where she’d gotten the guts to kiss Alan. Maybe it was the drink and a half she’d enjoyed. The kiss had rocked her and caused her toes to curl, but then it had ended, and he’d had to go back to help Wendy behind the bar. She glanced over at the blonde behind the bar and remembered seeing her husband, Cole Grayton, in several ads wearing nothing but his boxers. The man was a pro at surfing, and was some serious eye candy as well.

  She watched Alan work his magic across the room as women of all sorts tried desperately to flirt with him as he mixed their drinks.

  She could tell was flattered but uninterested, since his eyes kept moving past them and seeking her out in the crowd. She’d met several people and was enjoying herself at the party, but she wanted more time with Alan.

  Two hours into the party, the large group that Anna had invited showed up. It was almost as if they’d been bused there. Suddenly, the room was packed with more than a hundred people. The noise level spiked and she noticed a new keg of beer had been set on top of the bar in the kitchen. More Solo cups were distributed, and new bags of chips, dips, and even fast food had been brought in. The music had been cranked up and the atmosphere turned rowdy.

  There were four guys tossing people in the pool while girls screamed and tried to avoid the area. Other people were hanging out on the balcony, smoking in the far corner. She watched in horror as they tossed their butts over the balcony onto the dunes below.

  Before she could make it over to them, however, there was a loud crash behind her. She turned to see two of the rowdiest guys fighting. It appeared that one of them had tossed the other across the room, and he’d landed on a small glass table, shattering it and sending glass all over the floor.

  Setting her drink down on the countertop, she rushed over to help, but Alan and another guy got there first and tossed both of them out the front door.

  “You okay?” he asked her as he walked by.

  “Yeah, you?”

  He nodded. “Things are getting kind of crazy. Want me to break it up?”

  She glanced down at her watch. It was only ten o’clock. She looked around the crowded room. Anna and a few other people were already picking up the glass. Her friend was laughing and looked like she was enjoying herself. She didn’t want to be the party pooper, so she shook her head.

  “No, it looks like they were the worst of it.” She walked over and picked up her drink again.

  “Need a refresher?” he asked, nodding to her cup.

  She glanced down at the half-full cup.

  “No, I’m good.” She smiled. “Thanks,”

  “Don’t forget to eat something.” He nodded towards the food on the countertop, then went back behind the bar.

  She made her way towards the food and filled a plate, then moved outside to eat under the stars where the music wasn’t so loud.

  “Some party, huh?” someone said. She glanced up as he sat next to her.

  She smiled slightly over at a dark-haired guy she’d seen around the party. He was wearing jeans, where everyone else was in board shorts. He had on a T-shirt that was a size too small for his muscular form. She would have found him attractive, if she liked his type anymore.

  “Yeah, I think the drama is over,” she said before taking a small sip of her drink. Not wanting to be rude, she continued eating her sandwich.

  “You’re accent…?” he asked.

  “Kentucky, yours?” She narrowed her eyes. “Jersey?”

  He laughed. “It’s hard to hide. Been here long?”

  “Almost a week, you?” she asked, finishing off her sandwich and setting her empty plate aside. She held her drink in both hands to keep from fidgeting, a habit she had when she was uncomfortable.

  “We’ve been here for two days. It’s kind of boring.” He nodded to a group of guys who were standing along the railing, smoking. “It’s Rico’s bachelor weekend.” The guy rolled his eyes. “I was hoping he’d take us to Vegas.”

  She tried to hide her emotions by taking another sip of her drink.

  “I like your shoes,” he said out of the blue.

  She glanced down at the heeled sandals she’d purchased for a romantic dinner out with Corey and nodded, then took another sip. If she was drinking, it was only because she didn’t know what to say.

  She sucked at flirting.

  “You going to be around here long?” he asked.

  “Another week,” she said,
finally feeling the effects of the alcohol hitting her.

  “We leave tomorrow night.”

  She took another sip, but suddenly, the alcohol hit her hard. Her vision was blurry, and she felt sick to her stomach. Setting the drink aside, she moved to stand up, but felt dizzy. The guy grabbed her arm, and she sat back down with a plop.

  “Whoa.” He smiled over at her. “Easy, here let me help you.” He stood and helped her stand.

  Instantly, her head spun, and she felt her body lurching forward into the man’s chest. His arms wrapped around her tightly and her head dropped onto his shoulder.

  The lights changed, and she felt as if she was being carried. It was peaceful, and she relaxed slightly, but then suddenly, she was thrown free. She landed on her left hip and heard a small snap as her elbow cracked on the hard tile floor.

  She heard yelling and a few more crunches, then silence as she was once more lifted.

  “I’ve got you,” Alan said softly.

  She heard the word hospital, which shook her out of her daze.

  “No, I just fell.” Her words slurred together. “I’m fine.”

  “I’ll drive,” someone said.

  She was shuffled around and tried to fight, but instead, closed her eyes and sank into darkness.

  * * *

  Alan paced outside the clinic door. His knuckles were red and raw from the few punches he’d gotten in before the scumbag’s friends had jumped in and yanked the guy out from under him. All six of them had bolted.

  He’d wanted to chase them, but seeing Grace laying on the floor, her dress hiked up beyond her hips had shaken him out of his anger. He’d rushed over, righted her dress, and carried her to Wendy’s Jeep.

  Wendy, Anna, and a few other guests were sitting in the chairs just a few feet away. Half an hour after arriving, Cole and his brothers, Marcus and Roman showed up.

  “I texted them. I figured they could help… somehow,” Wendy said.

  “What happened?” Cole asked, taking the seat next to him.