Chapter 17

Iwoke up the next morning wrapped in Crew's arms. "Shit." I scrambled away from him and jumped off the sofa.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his eyes not even open yet.

"It's morning."

"So?"

"So." I grabbed my panties and cutoffs from the floor and shimmied them on. "I don't want my father to find us in here." I grabbed my T-shirt and pulled it over my head.

Crew pressed his palms into his eyes. "He has never once caught us in bed together inside the house. Why would he find us out here?"

"I don't know," I said, knowing I was overreacting because I was embarrassed—and nervous that our one night was over, despite his reassurances last night.

"And do you actually care what he thinks?" Crew asked, slipping on his bathing trunks and standing up.

I paused. "No."

He moved closer to me and wrapped his arms around my hips. "Then, what are we doing up?"

I laughed uncomfortably, finding it difficult to maintain eye contact. Last night in the dark after some drinks it seemed like a good idea. But, now, in broad daylight, I wondered if we'd made a colossal mistake.

"You're not regretting last night are you?"

"Why would I regret it?" I asked, hating that he always seemed to be able to read my thoughts.

He shrugged. "Just making sure."

"Do you plan on avoiding me?"

He scrunched his nose. "Why would I do that?"

"Keeping up your reputation."

His brows lifted. "My reputation?"

I nodded. "Your one-night stand reputation."

He lifted me off my feet and I yelped. "I guess not since I'm keeping you locked in here all day with me."

"I have to work," I laughed as he sat down on the sofa with me now straddling his lap.

"Work?"

I nodded, not wanting to explain he was part of the reason I'd gotten the job in the first place.

"We have less than a month left here, and you seriously plan to work?" he asked.

Ripples rolled through my belly. Had everything he said last night not just been lines to get me naked?

"Fine," he sighed. "But, I want all of your free time."

I tried to stifle a smile but the damn thing sprang free.

"Will you at least be at my games?" he asked, watching my eyes closely for the truth.

"Will you be hitting me any more homers?"

A smooth smile swept across his lips. "Maybe."

"How many times have you pulled something like that?"

"Something like what?"

"Calling your home run for a girl's sake."

"Just once," he explained.

I rolled my eyes.

"You don't believe me?" he asked.

I shrugged.

"Big mistake doubting me." He stood, picking me right up with him.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I clutched onto him.

He walked us right out of the pool house and to the path to the beach.

"Crew!" I screeched. "What are you doing?"

"Making you believe me."

"I believe you!" I cried, looking around the vacant beach as he stormed toward the water.

"No, please," I begged. "It's going to be cold."

"Well, then you better get ready." He rushed into the water, his arms tightening around me.

The rush of sixty-degree water sent goosebumps scampering over my skin as he moved us into deeper water until we were up to our chins.

He didn't release me, just held me. "This feels nice."

"What does?"

"Being out here knowing not a soul can see us."

"I knew you planned to keep me a secret."

He laughed. "You know what I meant."

Did I?

He pressed his lips to mine and kissed me slowly, the saltwater mixing with our tongues. He was right. There wasn't a soul around, and the fact that we were all alone out there made it more special. We were in our own little bubble and no one could ruin it.

Breathless, I pulled out of the kiss. "Let's go shower."

His brows shot up. "Together?"

"I hope so."

He kissed me hard. "Oh, you are even more incredible than I thought."

I laughed.

"I'll meet you upstairs in five minutes," he said as he released me. "Wouldn't want Marty getting suspicious."

I rolled my eyes at him before making my way out of the water, grabbing a towel on my way by the pool house, and wrapping it around me on my way into the kitchen.

"Where were you?" my father asked, standing by the sink.

"Excuse me?"

"Did you come home last night?"

"Yes."

"You weren't in the guest room," he challenged.

"I fell asleep in the pool house."

"Common decency would've been to text me if you weren't coming in the house."

"Please don't get me started on common decency," I said.

"I fucked up, Peyton!"

I stilled, surprised by his outburst.

"How many God damned times do I have to apologize for it?"

My surprise quickly morphed into anger. "How many times? Until I don't have to replay that day over and over again in my head." Breathe. "Until it stops plaguing every one of my nightmares." Breathe. "Until I can stand the sight of you without it giving me a pit in my stomach." Breathe. "Until I say you've apologized enough!" I spun away from him and raced upstairs with my heartbeat pounding in my temples. I reached the guest room and dropped to the edge of the bed, my hands shaking frantically and my chest growing heavier.

How dare he make this my fault?

Breathe.

A door downstairs slammed.

Breathe.

A car out front started.

Breathe.

Tires screeched over the gravel driveway.

Breathe.

There was soft tapping on my door as it slowly opened and Crew peeked inside. "Are you okay?"

I didn't respond because I knew I was far from it.

He slipped inside and closed the door. "I heard what happened."

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to stop myself from breaking down in front of him.

He sat beside me on the edge of the bed, the weight of him dipping the mattress and pulling me against him. He wrapped his arm around me. "I'm proud of you for standing up to him."

Tears glazed my eyes so I closed them, hating that every run-in with my father sent my emotions so out of whack. I dropped my head to Crew's shoulder. "Why am I like this?"

"Like what?" he asked.

"Damaged."

"You're not damaged. You're hurt. There's a difference."

"What's the difference?"

"Damaged comes that way. Hurt is done to you."

"You're making that up," I challenged.

"I am, but look at it this way. Something damaged might not be fixable. Something hurt definitely is."

"I still don't believe you," I said.

He pressed his lips to the top of my head. "Then I guess I'm just gonna have to show you."