Chapter Six

Perry

She's here. Of course she's here. Because to have her out of sight and out of mind is just too big of an ask, apparently. I blow out a harsh breath as I stand back against the wall, willing my body to sink into the shadowed corner.

King walks around the table, figuring out his best angle, while Duke stands with his hands hanging over the edge of his pool stick. His eyes collide with mine. "Why do you look mad? That was a great shot."

Beck chuckles. "That's her, isn't it?"

I don't respond. Don't need to. Because all three guys turn around and stare at Jerica and Lola in the most obvious way possible. I roll my eyes. "Is that necessary?"

"What?" King says with a shrug before lining up his shot. "We just wanted to get a glimpse of the tiny hurricane you mentioned earlier."

"She doesn't look so bad." Coop pushes off the wall from where he's been standing next to me. "Maybe we should go introduce ourselves." His eyebrows jump playfully.

"Don't."

Four sets of eyes land on me. "Why not?" Duke asks.

"Because." I mentally scramble for a reason as I grip the pool stick so tightly it feels as if it's going to bow under my hands. "I already have to see her every day since she's living on my property." I glance toward where she's laughing at something Jerica said. "She's practically besties with my sister now. I don't want to have to hang out with her here too. Let's just play some pool."

King nods, then takes his shot. "Fine with me." He blows out a breath as he straightens. "Though I'm curious to know why she's got you so riled. So what, she showed up on your boat with an offer? That's not a crime."

Maybe not, but I still felt violated.

"And it's actually helping you out," Beck adds. "Aren't you going to use the money for that shop you keep talking about?"

I nod. "I'd like to, yeah."

"So she's actually helping you." Coop says, eyes brimming with thinly veiled amusement.

"No," I correct him immediately. "I'm helping her ." He chuckles but doesn't argue with me. "Your turn."

He steps up to the table and eyes it, looking for his best chance to get us ahead. We play teams sometimes when there's only four of us, which was how this night started until Beck showed up after one of his handyman jobs. Supposedly, Mayor Dobbs had an emergency leak at the courthouse that just couldn't wait until tomorrow's regular working hours.

"I think she's cute," Duke says, leaning a hip against the pool table. "Pink hair and all."

I'm about to respond when Beck adds, "You're not the only one who thinks so. Look who's shooting his shot."

My gaze flies to Lola and…Weston—Willow Cove's biggest idiot. The guy who had the audacity to promise forever to my sister while he was actively seeing two other women. A growl builds in my chest before I can stop it. I swear I hear the wooden pool stick splinter under my grip.

"Dude, doesn't he have anything better to do than harass the tourists?" Coop shakes his head. "Sad part is, most of them fall for it."

"You might need to save her, man." King nudges me with his elbow. "Unless you want one of us to."

"No." My voice comes out harsher than I intended. I swallow and hand my stick to King. "I'll take care of him. Beck, take my place."

"Got it."

I stalk toward Lola, my sister, and the low-life playboy who not only broke Jerica's heart once upon a time but also has the brazenness to now flirt with another woman right in front of her. It's nothing new to see Weston sidled up to a new girl in town. But doing so while his old flame has a front-row seat seems a little callous, even for him.

As I make my way over, I wrack my brain for something to say. Something natural that won't make it seem like my only job in coming over here was to get Weston away from Lola, and by default, Jerica. Even if that's exactly what this is. Being protective of my sister is one thing, but Lola isn't related to me, or even a friend. Still, I can't let her get tangled up with the likes of Weston Gilly.

Because I'm socially stunted, nothing other than rude words and bodily harm come to mind when I try to think of a good opener. Thankfully, I'm saved when Jerica looks up and sees me coming.

"Hey, you. ‘Bout time you came over and said hello to your new boss."

I flinch at her announcement. Not exactly the show of force I planned on using to get Weston away from them.

"Yeah, hey," I say, running a hand through my hair. "What are you guys up to tonight?" I purposely ignore Weston and his dark beady eyes boring into the side of my head.

"Just grabbing some dinner, then probably checking out the shops that are open late. Lola wants to scope out the town."

"Nice," Weston says, interjecting himself. "You know, I could take you out for brunch tomorrow. Then maybe we could go sailing, sunbathe on the deck." He waggles his eyebrows as his gaze skitters over Lola like she's as juicy a burger as the one sitting in front of her.

"She can't," I say with all the smoothness of a wrecking ball. "She's working with me all day, or didn't you hear that part of the conversation?"

Weston blinks, his head rearing back. "She's working with you ?"

"Yeah, actually." Finally, Lola speaks. "You know how I said I'm here to investigate Prater's shipwreck?" She hitches her thumb toward me. "Well, this guy is my taxi there and back."

Weston gives her a slow nod as his eyes narrow on me. "I see. Staking your claim, huh, Ford?"

What? No, of course not.

"Yep," I say instead, clearly possessed by some jealous demon. Why I'm suddenly jealous of him even looking Lola's way is beyond me, but I can't ignore that the feeling's there.

A derisive chuckle leaks from Weston's slimy lips. "That's a shame." Aiming what he probably thinks is a megawatt smile Lola's way, he adds, "It's too bad the Dutch-ess is a pile of junk. If you ever want to experience a true sailing vessel in all its glory, look me up. I'm at the tourist center until five most days." He knocks two knuckles on the bar top, then dips his chin toward my sister. "Good seeing you, Jerica."

"Yeah," she says. "You, too." As soon as he's out of ear shot, she mumbles, "Not."

"Well," Lola chimes in with a bright smile. "He was charming."

"Please tell me you're kidding." It's impossible to hold back my irritation, and by the way her lips stretch even wider, she knows it.

"I guess I should've clarified. He certainly thinks he's charming."

"Got that right." Jerica takes a sip of her soda, then points to where the guys are still playing pool. "Are you going to introduce Lola to your posse?" She raises one dark eyebrow in a dare.

"They're not my posse ."

But Lola's already waving to my friends, who raise their hands with tight smiles. Well, all but Coop. He lifts his drink with a big smile and winks like the flirt he is.

"Oh, come on," Jerica says, goading me. "You already ‘staked your claim' in front of Weston." The way she looks at me and puts the phrase he used in air quotes has me giving her a look that promises retribution later.

I force an even breath and rub the back of my neck as I face Lola. Her lips are pressed together like she's trying her hardest not to laugh. "I only did that because Weston wouldn't have left otherwise."

She nods, schooling her features. "Right. Of course."

I sigh. "Um. Did you…want to be introduced?" The words feel wrong coming out of my mouth. Probably because I have no interest in inviting her into my personal life. And who knows what these guys will say to her? I never know if they'll be chill or embarrass me just because.

"I'd love to be introduced!" She pops off the bar stool and heads their way before I even have the chance to agree to it. Jerica laughs and pats my stomach as she passes by me.

"She's a firecracker, Per. Good luck with that one."

I sigh, resigned to my fate. Because my sister is right. I'll need all the luck I can possibly get while dealing with Lola Brighton.