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“I don’t know what I believe. It’s hard to make soul-crushing decisions on a hunch when things might play out in a positive way.”
“I mean, I’m not a psychic, but all signs point to everything going to shit.”
“But, why?” I demanded, frustration fueling me. “Why is this so wrong? We’re both consenting adults. Sure, there’s an age gap, but so what? Why does everything have to be so hard?”
A new presence warmed my skin at the same time Scotty’s eyes flicked over my shoulder and he took a step away from me, pushing a hand through his hair. My heartbeats jackknifed as my mouth snapped closed, despite being too cowardly to turn around. I flinched when two gift-wrapped packages plopped down on the picnic table beside me, but I kept my eyes on the sand and my heart in my chest so it wouldn’t give us both away.
Tara’s voice floated over to me, her footsteps following. “Hey, Dad!” she called out, jogging closer in her ruby-red one-piece.
Cautiously, I pivoted around, my arms crossed over my bikini top. Reed turned toward Tara as she entered the tent and threw her arms around her father for a hug.
“Hey, Squirt.” A smile flickered to life the moment she was in his arms. “Having fun?”
“Sure am.” She stepped back and did a little curtsy. “I’m trying to get Halley in the water, but she’s allergic to fun today. Maybe you can convince her.”
I willed a spontaneous lightning bolt to strike the tent and bury my shame in a fatal avalanche. Forcing an awkward chuckle, I choked out a hello to Reed. “Hey.”
He stared at me, his smile faltering, as he palmed the back of his neck. “How’s it going, Halley?”
So casual.
He offered no indication of being inside of me only a week ago, bringing me to double orgasm, as he’d thrusted and moaned and chanted my name like it was his greatest undoing.
Tara was completely oblivious, and I wasn’t sure if that made everything better or worse.
Scotty intervened, shaking Reed’s hand in greeting. “Good to see you, Coach.”
“Yeah. You, too.”
My eyes instinctively panned back to Reed’s when he glanced at me again, and the brief contact felt like a moderate earthquake rumbling in my chest.
Looking away, he nodded at Tara. “I was just stopping by with gifts. Can’t stay.”
“Keys to a new convertible, I’m guessing?” Tara snatched up a blue-foiled box and shook it. “Sounds like socks. I’ll definitely be gifting you that apron for your birthday. Hot pink.”
I was still staring at Reed, completely checked out, when Scotty reached for my hand. “I’m gonna go for a swim. Join me?”
Blinking away from the obscenely attractive source of my turmoil, I tried to center my unruly thoughts. “Sure.” Anything was better than this blistering corner of hell.
Waving them off with a weak goodbye, I followed Scotty over to the water, no words passing between us. There was nothing more to say. He linked our fingers together, and the gesture was a small comfort as we waded into the shallow water and my toes burrowed into cool sludge.
My gaze skated across the beach as the breeze caught my hair and draped it over my face. Reed stood just outside the tent, watching me from afar, looking plagued and haunted. He couldn’t shutter the curtains, couldn’t drop the blinds over his eyes.
I saw it all. Felt it.
We didn’t smile, didn’t blink.
We just stared at each other.
Me on one side of the waterline, and him on the other.
CHAPTER 24
Tara skipped beside me through the sand, her braids drenched with lake water. “Sorry to call you back here,” she said to Reed. “We’re out of pop and chips. Can you make a store run?”
I stared at my nails attached to prune-like fingers as Tara dragged me over to her father, who had just returned to the beach after excessive pages from Tara.
Two hours had rolled by and I was mentally exhausted. Scotty had taken off a few minutes ago, leaving me drained and limp as I stewed in my brief interaction with Reed from earlier. Sunset was approaching, carving out a canvas of vibrant colors in the sky that did little to brighten my spirits.