Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Skylar

The Drunken Worm sat dockside in a small strip of touristy buildings, sandwiched between Dirty Dockers and the fittingly named Tourist Trap, a store full of all the merchandise with catchphrases people wouldn't want to leave without— Swallower for Life, I like Buoys, Let's Get Nauti , S hore Daddy, and more.

I dropped Brooks by his cousin's house before heading to the restaurant to meet Poppy. On the way, I passed a deteriorating building with a faded sign out front: Golden Sands Caribbean Resort. I did a double-take. Caribbean? In the Midwest?

I was still musing over the silly name when I stepped inside the tequila bar and garishly bright orange-and-teal walls assaulted my senses. A long bar took up one side of the room, with barstools in an array of Southwestern decor colors: yellow, green, turquoise, and red.

"Skylar!" Poppy waved from a table tucked in a darker corner. "Over here."

I joined her, pulling out a green chair. "Wow, this place is colorful, huh?"

She smirked. "Yeah, they went all-out, but the margaritas are amazing. They have a whole menu."

There was already a bowl of tortilla chips and salsa on the table, so I scooped up a bite while I scanned the menu. I wasn't a big drinker, but when you went to a place with a dozen tequila bottles on display and an entire menu for margaritas, you had to try, right?

"I was surprised you called to meet up," Poppy said. "I figured you'd be at the pub with Brooks."

"Yeah, I'll go over later. He took time off to go check on Fisher."

Her brow creased with concern. "Is something wrong? I hope the resort plan is still going okay."

"Resort plan?"

"Yeah, that eyesore down the shore? He's working with developers to come in and make it all shiny and pretty again. Pretty exciting, huh?" She dropped her voice. "Although a lot of the old coots in town disagree."

"The ‘Caribbean' place?" I said, using air quotes because it was so ridiculous.

She giggled. "I know. The name needs work."

"I guess it's similar to how this place is so garish." I eyed a painting of a Day of the Dead figure with a sugar skull and a fishing rod in hand. "They went all-in on tacky tourism."

"Yeah, it's kind of our thing in the Ozarks," she said with a little laugh.

"It wasn't about the resort," I said, returning to the question of why Brooks was checking on Fisher. "I don't know exactly what's up. It was personal, so I didn't want to pry."

"That's nice of you. Most of us are super nosy, so props to you." She pulled out her phone. "I'll just text him while you figure out what to order. 'Cause like I said, I'm super nosy."

I chuckled and scanned the menu. There were fruity margaritas, smokey-ritas that featured a Mezcal liquor, beer-ritas made with Corona, spicy margaritas made with jalapeno and habanero tequilas. The list went on and on.

But for the sake of my tastebuds, I went for a mangarita when the server arrived. Poppy ordered a frozen passion fruit and asked for a taco sampler platter for two.

"It's a variety of their specialty tacos," she said. "It's easier than choosing just one kind. They only do tacos here, and they do them really well."

I nodded. "Sounds good."

When the platter arrived, it was massive. There had to be a dozen tacos on it. There was ground beef, steak, chicken, and taco—all with different sauces and toppings. I had just taken a bite of steak with a diablo sauce when Poppy nudged my ankle under the table.

"That guy is staring at you."

I looked over, and sure enough, Blaize was watching me. As soon as I caught his eye, he smirked and wrapped an arm around a beefy man beside him. He leaned in, whispering in his ear, then turned his face and kissed him in an uncomfortably X-rated fashion for a touristy lunch spot.

Even with all the tequila on the menu, The Drunken Worm catered more to families at this hour.

"Shit, it's my ex."

I grabbed my mangarita and took an extra-large swallow.

"Oh, wow, is he from around here? I didn't think you lived in the area."

I chuckled darkly. "Oh, I don't. He followed me here."

"That's not creepy or anything," she muttered.

"Technically, he's working on something in Swallow Beach, but…" I cast another glance across the bar, where Blaize's tongue was in that poor guy's throat. "Well, at least he appears to have moved on."

"It doesn't bother you?"

"God no." I grabbed my taco, taking another bite because I was determined not to let Blaize ruin the delightful flavors dancing on my tongue. "Better that guy than me."

Poppy laughed. "Well, I'd offer to let you kiss me and make him jealous in return, but that's not really my thing."

"No worries," I said without thinking. "Brooks has it covered."

Her eyes widened. "Does he?"

I nearly choked on my latest bite and had to guzzle more mangarita. Turned out, I needed tequila for this lunch a lot more than I'd expected.

"He, uh, told Blaize he was my boyfriend. Just so he'd leave me alone."

"So, he didn't kiss you…and make Blaize act like a jealous fool over there?"

"Um… Plead the fifth?"

She laughed. "Okay."

"Please don't mention it to anyone," I said. "It's not my place to tell Brooks's friends, you know? It's just temporary while I'm here, so—"

"Okay, just breathe," Poppy said. "We've all had our suspicions about what's up with you two. You're spending a lot of time together. But it's your business."

"What happened to you guys being super nosy?"

"Well, we are, which is why I put you on the spot. Sorry about that." She smiled sheepishly. "But now I know, and there's a difference between being nosy and spreading gossip. Fisher trusted us to keep quiet about his personal life, and I'll do the same for you and Brooks."

I exhaled. "Thanks. I just don't know how he'd feel, and you're his friends, not mine."

She raised her eyebrows at me. "I don't eat tacos with just anyone, Sky. You're my friend too."

"Wow, I didn't know tacos were a key friendship ritual."

She grinned. "Well, now you know."

We stuffed ourselves silly, and thankfully Blaize remained content to act gross and sleazy across the room, rather than approach me. By the time we'd finished, I was regretting the sixth taco.

"If I die, it will be worth it."

"You're such a lightweight," she teased. "I could have eaten at least two more."

"Why didn't you then? You could have saved me from myself!"

Poppy laughed at my drama, her red curls bouncing around her face. "Want to go walk off the calories? The area out by that resort is really pretty."

I was pretty sure we'd eaten way too many calories to walk off, but it was better than wallowing in my overindulgence. "Sure. Let me just text Brooks and make sure he doesn't need me."

Poppy, to her credit, didn't even smirk when I checked in like a worried boyfriend.

Are you good? I was going to take a walk with Poppy, but I can go to the pub if you need.

Go. I got to work a while ago, and it's nothing I can't handle.

Brooks would probably say that even if they were slammed, but I took him at his word. He could probably use a break from my constant presence, anyway.

"All's good," I said, throwing down some cash for my half of the meal. "Let's go."

Our path to the door took us too close to Blaize, and he called out. "Hey, Sky!"

I glanced over reluctantly. "Hey."

"I guess you missed your chance," he said, then sloppily kissed the man beside him. "This is Philip, and he's a real man. No girly lingerie for him."

My face heated, but Poppy stepped up beside me, linking our arms. "Sounds boring. Kind of like this conversation."

Blaize reddened. "You keep the shittiest company these days."

I smiled over at Poppy. "I'm just learning the value of real friends. Have a good day, Blaize. I'm happy we've both figured out what we really want."

Blaize looked confused, then annoyed, but I didn't stick around to indulge his desire to make me jealous or regretful. At least he was no longer trying to persuade me to come home as if nothing had happened. It was progress.

It was a little disconcerting how much this dude resembled Brooks, though. Not that he was anywhere near as good-looking, but the build, the coloring? All the same. It made me wonder if Blaize had ever truly been attracted to me. Did he choose this guy to look more like Brooks to get to me, or did he do it because macho was more his type?

Either way, it no longer mattered.

While Blaize was still sputtering indignantly, Poppy and I went out the door. The sun was so bright after the dim interior that we both had to pause to let our eyes adjust.

She nodded her head to the left. "The resort is this way. There's a trail that runs behind it."

I followed her lead. It was blazing hot, but as we made our way behind the resort, there were trees to provide more shade.

The resort building looked to be in okay shape, though the paint was peeling, the landscaping was an overgrown wreck, and the place was littered with empty beer cans and bottles. Horrible fake palm trees surrounded an empty swimming pool, and the remnant of what I assume was once a tiki bar lay on its side, its straw-like awning spread all over the ground.

"It's a mess, huh?" Poppy said, catching sight of my expression. "Those developers have their work cut out for them."

"Hmm, maybe," I mused. "It's mostly cosmetic. Landscaping, paint, decor. Easy fixes. It really depends on the condition of the building."

"Well, I can tell you it was in need of an update about a decade ago. Plus, there's been some partiers breaking into it since it closed."

"The location is amazing, though. You can't beat that view of the lake."

We stopped to take it in, the dark green-blue water gently rippling with breeze, the turquoise sky above, the green trees and shrubs giving the spot a feeling of oasis, a little sheltered cove tucked away from the busier lake traffic.

A few voices drifted to us on the wind.

"That was my last beer, damn it."

"No, it was mine, you greedy old coot! And even if it was yours, and I'm not saying it was, you used half my bait this morning, so you owe me."

I glanced sidelong at Poppy. "Another one of those parties?"

She grinned. "No, that's the Weekend Hookers."

"The what?"

She laughed and tugged me toward the water. "Come on. I'll introduce you."

We made our way down an overgrown but well-worn trail to the water, and once we got closer, I spotted two men and a woman set up with lawn chairs and coolers.

"Hey, how are the fish biting?" Poppy called.

"They're not!" an older man with a beer gut and a ball cap that read Weekend Hookers said. "It's too dang hot at this hour. We're just shootin' the shit."

"And drinking up all my beer," the other guy said in a crabby voice.

The sole woman in the group laughed. "Lighten up, Ansel, and I'll buy you a beer when we leave."

"You can swing by The Rusty Hook," Poppy said. "This is Skylar Addison. His family owns the place."

"I thought you looked familiar," Ansel said.

I nodded. I'd seen both the older guys at the pub fairly often, though the woman was unfamiliar to me.

"I'm Judy Nash," she said, giving a little wave. "You've stumbled on our favorite fishing spot, though I guess we need to find a new one if they're going to redevelop this place."

Ansel scowled. "We oughta start a petition to stop them."

I tilted my head. "Why? It seems a sad waste for this building to just crumble where it stands."

Chester scoffed. "This resort ruined one of the best spots in Swallow Cove. The place will be overrun by idiot tourists who don't appreciate or take care of the nature around here."

Judy leaned forward with a smile. "Also, this is our favorite fishing hole, and Chester is a bit cranky about losing it to the project."

"I'm not cranky, " he protested…crankily. "It's a damn shame because…"

He railed on about how the development project was sure to ruin the fishing, the natural beauty of the area, the town's peace and quiet, and anything else he could come up with.

I exchanged a look with Poppy, and she interrupted when Chester paused to breathe.

"Well, we should be going! I just wanted you all to meet Skylar since he's becoming a good friend."

Ansel nodded. "Sure, sure."

Chester blinked a few times, as if thrown by the conversation change.

Judy smiled with genuine warmth. "Real nice to meet another outsider. My son and I have been here five years, and in Swallow Cove time, that means we're practically still strangers."

I chuckled. "Well, you look at home in that chair."

Judy smiled. "I know the way to these men's hearts." She stood. "Come on, boys. I'll buy you both a beer."

Poppy and I made our way back toward the restaurant.

"Sorry, didn't mean to get you embroiled in the local politics. Fisher sure has his work cut out for him."

"What exactly is Fisher doing for the resort?"

"He's taking community input."

I winced. "Ouch."

"Yeah," she said with a grimace. "He's got a community meeting to lead soon, too. It might not be pretty."

"That's too bad. The place has real potential."

Poppy gazed at it with a conflicted expression. "Chester isn't all hot air. The wrong kind of tourism is hard on the region. If you think we have tacky places, you should see Swallow Beach. It's like a mini Vegas strip on the lake."

"That must be why Blaize has a project there," I muttered.

She snorted. "No offense, but he does have a sleazy vibe."

"Yeah." I sighed. "What was I thinking, right? I wonder every day."

She nudged me. "Well, hey, at least your taste is getting better. Brooks is a great guy."

She didn't know the half of it. Brooks wasn't just a good guy who treated me ten times better than Blaize ever had. He was a guy who liked me for me, who respected my choices and found me beautiful—in the lingerie or out of it.

Brooks had offered me everything I wanted on my terms so I could feel safe—and selfish or not, I couldn't resist taking it.