Chapter 14

Sunlight filtered into the pool house as I woke from a dream I couldn't quite recall. I knew it hadn't been a nightmare because those usually left me feeling empty inside. I swung my legs off the sofa and sat on the edge, pressing my palms into my eyes and pushing away sleep. Considering the way the night ended, I'd slept well.

I got up and opened the door. The briny air, the crash of waves, and squawking seagulls greeted me.

"Good to see you're not dead in some ditch."

I stopped, my eyes shifting to the poolside where Crew sat on a lounge chair. He was still in his suit pants and white button-down shirt, and his tousled hair was a testament to the damp night air. "Why would I be dead in a ditch?"

"Because you didn't come home."

"I've been home since Sam dropped me off—five minutes after I left the banquet."

"I looked everywhere for you," he said.

"Well, I guess you didn't look good enough since I've been here all night."

"Yeah. I realized that somewhere around three."

"So, it sounds like we got that sorted out," I said, moving toward the house.

"She means nothing to me," he said.

I didn't stop. "Doesn't matter to me."

"God dammit, Peyton!" he yelled.

Thatstopped me. I turned slowly to look at him with narrowed eyes.

"I know what you think of all of us, and I completely understand why. But I just need you to know it meant nothing. And, nothing happened."

"And I'll say it again. It doesn't matter to me." With that, I turned and walked inside the house.

"Good morning," my father said from a stool at the island.

Ugh. From one asshole to another. "Not really," I muttered as I moved to the refrigerator.

"I saw you dancing with Crew last night. You two getting along?"

Did he seriously not overhear what just happened beyond the door?

"Nope," I said, grabbing a bottle of water and slamming the refrigerator closed. I walked out of the kitchen and made my way toward the stairs. "He's just like the rest of you," I called.

* * *

I walked to the shops, visiting the gift shop where I'd bought my necklace. I reached for the small shells around my neck, brushing my fingers over them for good luck. An hour later I was the newest employee at Hidden Gems and Gifts. My boss couldn't promise me a lot of hours, but she said she could use me for shelf stocking. Today, I was folding Cape Cod sweatshirts.

"If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it," Gina said as soon as she walked inside the shop.

I glanced around, making sure no customers heard her, but they were all busy trying on Cape Cod hats and jewelry at the counter.

"What went down with you and Crew?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I refolded a sweatshirt one of the customers had just tried on and discarded in a ball.

"Well, your cryptic text about getting a job tells me that you're majorly trying to avoid him."

I huffed, embarrassed to have to admit that I lowered my guard and it bit me in the ass. "Let's just say, I plan on keeping myself busy for the rest of the summer."

"You couldn't have just gone to the beach? You had to go and get a job?" she asked.

I shrugged. "It's just all getting to be too much."

"Peyton, you know I'm here for you."

"I know." I lowered my voice. "Did you want to buy something?"

She laughed. "I can take a hint."

"I don't wanna give my boss any reason to fire me on my first day," I whispered.

Gina held up her hands. "I get it. Are you coming to the game tonight? It's an away game, so we have to leave early."

"No."

"Come on," she pleaded. "Don't make me go alone."

"You can sit with the Delaney's," I offered.

"Come to the game. We can sit away from the field and wear disguises if you want. I just need to be there for Cody."

"Disguises?"

"Yeah, remember that summer we wore wigs?" she asked.

"We were six."

"Come on. It'll be fun."

I considered her offer. It could be fun to let loose as someone else. "I'll think about it."

She screeched, causing everyone including my boss to look over.

"You need to go," I urged.

"Going," she said loudly, so everyone in the shop could hear. "Pick you up at four."

"Go!"

"I'll bring the wigs." She laughed as she hurried out of the shop.