Chapter 5

Irolled over and flopped right onto my stomach. I cracked my eyes to discover sunlight filling my room and Crew not in the bed. I lifted my head, but he wasn't in the room or the bathroom. Had he gone to the guest room after I fell asleep? Had he woken before me and slipped out?

I climbed out from under the sheets and sat on the edge of the bed. The amount of alcohol I consumed left a dull ache in my temples and fuzziness in my brain. I pushed myself to my feet and padded my way over to the bathroom. I flinched when I caught sight of myself in the mirror. My mascara had smudged around my eyes, and my hair was matted to one side of my head. Nice.

From the sink vanity, I grabbed his tube of toothpaste, squirted some on my finger, and swished it around in my mouth with some sink water. As I spit it out, I noticed a pair of tweezers. Of course, Crew was the type of guy to manscape.

I shed my clothes and stepped into my shower. The spray of water and steam worked wonders to relieve my headache. And, after a nice long shower, I stepped out, wrapped a towel around me, and grabbed my dirty clothes as I made my way into the hallway.

"Peyton?"

I spun around to find my father standing there.

"What are you doing in there?" he asked.

"Crew wasn't here so I figured I'd use my shower." It wasn't all a lie.

"He's out for a run, but I told you the guest bathroom is finished," he said.

I shrugged. "I chose not to listen. Are you gonna punish me?"

He huffed his frustration. "Is that what you want?"

"I don't want anything from you. I just need a place to stay until school starts."

"Oh, you mean the school your mother and I pay for?" He scoffed as if his intent wasn't clear enough.

"Are we done here?"

He stepped to the side of the hall so I could pass by.

I walked around him, careful not to touch any part of him.

"I'm not the enemy," he mumbled once I was past him.

"Yes, you are," I said as I slipped into the guest room and flopped down onto the bed. The pit in my stomach grew every time we spoke. Every time I remembered the type of man he really was.

My phone buzzed and a text appeared on my screen.

Gina: Bonfire tonight after the game. You in?

Me: I take it things went well with you and the ball player?

She sent a heart emoji back.

I laughed to myself. She'd always been corny. It was one of the things I adored about her.

Me:You know I hate baseball players.

Gina: Pleeeeeeaase.

If I said no, I'd be hurting Gina. If I said yes, the night was gonna suck. I sighed.

Me: Fine.

She sent back a kissy face emoji.

I tossed my phone down and climbed under the sheets. I'd avoid the world until I needed to leave for the stupid bonfire.

* * *

"Peyton!" Gina called.

I twisted from my spot on the sand to see her approaching from the path down to the beach. I'd spent the last hour watching the waves under the light of the full moon. I'd only left my room after I heard my father leaving for the game.

"Have you been out here long?" she asked, tucking her sundress under her before sitting beside me.

I shrugged. "Time stands still out here."

She smiled in agreement.

"I'm surprised you didn't go to the game," I said.

"I thought it might seem too desperate," she admitted.

"He seemed into you," I said, letting my hand drift over the cool grains of sand.

"We've been texting all day," she admitted.

"He obviously realizes you're gorgeous, sweet, funny, and you know baseball. You're the total package."

She glanced up. "You are too."

I shrugged. "Not looking for a prince to sweep me away. Especially a ball player."

She frowned.

I knew they weren't all untrustworthy. But since the man I was supposed to trust implicitly proved to be a deceitful cheater, how would I ever trust some random guy who could crush me without another thought. Especially, when they were only passing through town for a few months. "I'll make you a deal. I'll go to the game tomorrow night, if I can leave the bonfire once the two of you take off to be alone."

She stifled a smile. "Who said we'd take off to be alone?"

I cocked my head.

She smiled. "Deal."

Gina got word that the game ended, so we knew the guys would be arriving to the bonfire site at the other end of the beach within the hour. We stayed where we were for a while then headed down the beach. I slipped off my flip-flops and walked along the surf while Gina walked barefoot, keeping her feet dry.

The bonfire was ablaze when we reached the far side of the beach. Ball players walked around with red cups and girls sat on blankets. I knew the fire would be short-lived. The Cape League instilled a midnight curfew for all players. They played almost every night, so it helped ensure that they didn't go wild while they were here for the summer. That wasn't only out of respect for their host families, but it ensured they wouldn't hurt their performance on the field or their chance of being drafted into the big leagues—if that was in the cards for them.

"Hey!" Gina's baseball player called as he approached us. His smile faded slightly when he noticed me with her. "Glad you came," he said to Gina.

"I hope you don't mind I brought Peyton," Gina said, likely noticing his displeasure with seeing me there.

"Not at all," he lied.

"I didn't catch your name at the bar," I said, not wanting it to look like Gina had been talking about him.

"Cody," he said. "Can I get you guys a drink?"

Gina nodded. "Sure."

He looked to me.

"Sure."

He ticked his head. "Come on over while I get the drinks."

We followed him to the coolers. I did a quick sweep of the other people there while he poured beer into red cups for us. I recognized some of the guys and girls from the bar. My nemesis was there in a beach chair with a girl on his lap. Because of the smoky haze of the fire, I couldn't tell if she was the one from the bar or the one from my balcony.

"Here you go," Cody said.

"Thanks," I said, taking the red cup from him and staring into the foam of the beer.

"Don't worry. I didn't slip anything into it," he said.

I lifted my eyes to his. "Oh, I didn't think you did."

He smiled. "Totally kidding."

I forced a smile.

He slipped his hand into Gina's. "Come on. I wanna show you something."

She glanced to me guiltily.

"Go," I assured her. "I'm fine."

She smiled her appreciation then let him tug her down to the water.

I stood awkwardly alone, sipping my beer as I watched a couple of guys throw a football while others mingled with local girls I'd recognized from my time there each summer. If they recognized me, they didn't let on—or even look my way. I spotted Crew kissing the girl in his lap. I wondered if she knew he slept in my bed last night. Ugh. I hated that the thought even crossed my mind. It wasn't like either one of us liked it. We both were stubbornly doing what stubborn people did. Push buttons. Stand their ground. Remain unfazed.

"Hey, aren't you Marty Richmond's daughter?" A guy stepped up beside me. He stood at about six four, so I raised my gaze to meet his.

"Uh-huh."

"You don't sound impressed," he said.

"What's your dad's name?" I asked him.

"What?"

"What's your dad's name?" I repeated.

"Buck."

"I hear you're Buck's son," I said.

His eyes narrowed.

"My name's Peyton, and I am far more interesting than who my father is. Just like you are far more interesting than being just Buck's son."

"Touché."

I shrugged. "Just gets old."

"Sorry to bring it up, Peyton," he said, stressing my name.

"What's your name, Buck's son?"

He chuckled. "Sam."

"Nice to meet you, Sam. You play for the Sharks?"

He glanced down at himself. "Did my athletic physique give me away?"

"Totally," I said, playing along since I could sense he wasn't a total douche. "What position do you play?"

"Is this a test?"

My brows lifted. "A test?"

"Yeah. Like if I'm the right-fielder, are you gonna walk away?"

"Well, are you the right-fielder?" I asked.

"Yes."

I sipped my beer as he awaited my response. "You passed. I can talk to you."

He laughed. "What position do you have something against?"

"Pitchers and shortstops."

He threw back his head and laughed. "What's wrong with them?"

"We both know what's wrong with them," I said.

"They're more arrogant than the rest of us?" he asked.

"Your words, not mine."

He sipped his drink. "I like you."

"Well, that's unfortunate because I hate baseball players."

"Doesn't seem like you hate me," Sam said.

"I don't hate you right now," I said. "But, when you get rich and famous, I will."

"You think I'm good enough to be rich and famous?"

I lifted a shoulder. "Haven't seen you play."

His eyes narrowed. "Wait. You haven't been to any of our games?"

I shook my head. "I just got back from Europe."

"Oh, I think I heard that," he said.

"From who?" I asked.

"Guys gossip more than girls. And, I hear you've got an attitude."

"Then why in the world did you come over here and talk to me?"

"Because I am not opposed to girls with attitudes."

For the first time since arriving in town, laughter rushed out of me. "Oh, so you're that guy?"

"I am definitely that guy," he assured me.

"And not even the shortstop," I mused.

"Not even the shortstop," he agreed.

A comfortable silence passed between us. My eyes shifted down to the water where Cody and Gina stood in the moonlight. Gina was laughing as Cody spoke, and I wondered what he said to make her so happy. "So, what's up with Cody," I asked Sam. "Is he a good guy?"

"Yeah. He's got sisters. Guys with sisters tend to be better guys."

"Do you have a sister?"

"Nope."

We both laughed.

He glanced to my cup. "Need another drink?"

I tipped my cup upside down and nothing came out. "Sure."

He hitched his head toward the coolers. I followed him, passing by Crew and a girl I didn't recognize on his lap. I'd like to say I didn't initiate…but I couldn't help myself.

"Just curious," I said, slowing to look the girl in the eyes. "Can you still smell my perfume?"

"What?" she asked, looking me up and down.

I looked to Crew. I expected rage but instead found amusement.

I shrugged. "The guy gets around. And snores." I looked to Sam standing confused beside me. "I'll have that drink now."

"You're not hooking up with Burke, are you?" Sam asked.

"God, no. I just like pissing him off."

We grabbed another beer and spent the rest of the night hanging with Gina and Cody away from the others.

Cody checked his phone and panicked. "Shit!"

I looked at my phone and saw it was nearing midnight. "Looks like Cinderella needs to get home." As soon as the words left my lips, my eyes shot to where Crew had been sitting. Dammit.

I jumped to my feet. "I gotta go, too."

"Cody's gonna bring me home," Gina explained.

"I can drive you," Sam offered.

"Would you mind?" I asked, knowing he'd get me home faster than if I walked.

"Not at all."

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said to Gina before rushing toward the parking lot.

Sam opened the passenger door of an expensive sports car. "Is this yours?" I asked as I slipped into the front seat.

"Nah. My host family's loaded, and they let me use their car," he explained as he shut my door. "Where to?" he asked once he settled into the driver's seat.

"I'm just on the other end of the beach."

He pulled out of the parking lot and we were on our way. "It's beautiful here."

"This is your first time on the Cape League?"

His eyes moved between me and the road. "Yeah. I sucked last year and didn't get invited."

"Ah, so you admit you're not always awesome."

He chuckled. "When are we hanging out again?"

My head swiveled to meet his gaze. "Did I say we were hanging out again?"

"No. But I know we will."

"You know?"

He nodded. "You hate baseball players and I'm not looking for anything with anyone. We're the perfect bromance."

"I'm not a bro."

He laughed. "You know what I mean."

I pointed to my road on the right. "It's that one. But it's a dead end, so don't bother turning. I can hop out here."

"You sure?" he asked as he pulled to a stop.

"Yeah. Thanks for an unexpectedly fun night."

He smirked. "I knew you liked me."

I pushed open the door and stepped out. I leaned back in. "See ya around, Sam."

"We've got another home game tomorrow night. I'll look for you."

I laughed as I shut the door and hurried down my road. I glanced up at my dark house and slipped inside the front door. I tiptoed up the stairs and saw that my door was closed. I held my breath and turned the knob, hoping Crew hadn't beaten me home. Inside, Crew lay in bed, and he appeared to be asleep.

I contemplated my next move. I didn't need to keep up this ridiculous game, but he'd left early to no doubt get home before me. He wanted to know what I'd do. Would I back down now that I had to make the decision? Or, would I rise to the challenge?

No-brainer.

I shed my shoes and shorts so I was in my panties and T-shirt. I padded to the side of the bed that had the most room and placed my phone on the nightstand. I lifted the sheet and climbed underneath carefully, rolling onto my side away from him and tucking my hands beneath my pillow.

I'd give Crew one thing. His annoying presence was keeping my mind off my father.

I thought back to the bonfire. It hadn't been as bad as I thought it would be. I had fun hanging with Sam, Gina, and Cody. And, I got to know Cody more and could see what Gina saw in him. He was a country boy who loved his mama and sisters. He had us laughing all night with stories about mishaps on their farm. Sam too seemed to be a good guy. He was in tears when Cody told his goat story, and it just made me like him more. Maybe I would go check out one of their games.

"You sounded jealous," Crew murmured beside me.

I stilled.

"Were you trying to scare other girls away from me?"

"Just thought she should know who she's getting involved with," I replied.

"And who's that?" he challenged.

"A guy who moves from girl to girl," I said.

"Then why imply you were one of those girls?"

"I implied nothing. You sleep in my room that inevitably smells like me. It's not my fault if that's not how she took it."

A long stretch of silence passed.

The crashing of the ocean waves beyond my French doors brought me such comfort. It was my own personal lullaby. And nothing—not my father or jerky baseball players—could ruin that for me.

"Who hurt you?" Crew asked, breaking the quiet in the room.

"What?"

"Your walls are so damn tall and thick. Someone had to have hurt you," he said.

"Why don't you worry about you, and I'll worry about me," I snapped.

He shifted, and though I couldn't see him, I could tell he turned onto his side to face me. "I'm not the asshole you think I am."

"Watch yourself. If any part of your body touches mine—"

"What's wrong? Scared you'll like it?"

I didn't give him the satisfaction of a response.

"We don't have to be enemies."

I let his words hang in the night. Of course we had to be enemies. It was the only way to leave this summer less unscathed than when I arrived.