Fall: A Seaside Novel (The Seaside Series) (17 page)

Wow. They really belonged together. It was almost as bad as watching Demetri and Jaymeson interact. I swear when men bonded it was like taking ten years off their age.

“Sorry to disappoint.” I tapped the countertop with my hand. “No costumes. No masks.”

“Pity.” Jaymeson sighed.

“You have the rest of the boxes?” Evan asked.

“Yup in my car.”

“Jaymeson, go get the boxes,” he ordered.

“Why me?”

“Because you’re donating your time to The Goodwill and lovely city of Seaside, and because I’m your boss.”

Jaymeson made a big show of taking off his pirate patch and setting his sword down then with a sweeping motion bowed in front of me. “My lady awaits.”

“You guys been drinking?” I asked curiously.

Evan snorted. “No.”

Jaymeson patted him on the back, then walked around the counter, and offered me his arm. I didn’t want to take it because that meant touching him again.

Maybe I should just accept the fact that he’d never be mine. If I accepted it, I could enjoy the little moments, store them up in my brain, and then when it was time to move on with reality and life, I’d have at least those memories to keep me warm at night.

Wow. Depressing.

We walked arm in arm to my car. I unlocked the doors as Jaymeson walked around and grabbed two of the boxes.

“Am I too late to help?” Smith’s voice broke my concentration and I pulled my eyes away from studying Jaymeson’s biceps.

I pivoted on my heel. “Not at all! We have two more boxes.”

“Perfect!” Smith leaned in and kissed my mouth before I could stop him, then went over and grabbed the other two boxes. I could have sworn I heard Jaymeson say ‘jackass’ under his breath, but then again, I was probably imagining his jealousy.

Movie stars didn’t get jealous of mortals.

I closed the doors and locked the car, following them both into the store as they deposited the boxes near the counter.

“So…” Smith wiped his hands on his ripped jeans. “I’ve been thinking.”

“Doubtful,” Evan muttered under his breath. Jaymeson hit him across the chest while Smith glared.

“We should go out tonight.”

“Again?” Jaymeson and I said in unison.

I laughed it off and sent a seething glare toward Jaymeson.

“What did you have in mind?”

Smith wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest. It felt wrong. Physical contact with him felt… cold.

He cupped my face. “Bonfire.”

“I like fires.”

“Good.” He smiled that beautiful blinding smile. “How about I pick you up around seven? We can toast marshmallows and tell ghosts stories.”

“She’s scared of ghosts,” Jaymeson piped up.

“I’ll be fine.” I gave Smith my best smile as he bent down and brushed a kiss across my lips.

“Great. See you in a bit.”

“‘Kay.”

He waved goodbye and sauntered out.

I watched him the entire way — only because I couldn’t face Jaymeson. I felt embarrassed, like I somehow betrayed him even though I was doing exactly what he’d asked me to do.

When I finally looked back at him and Evan, they were both wearing the same worried expression.

“What?” I stuffed my hands in my back pocket.

“He’s too old for you,” Evan blurted.

At the same time, Jaymeson said. “It’s going to freeze tonight.”

“Thanks, Dads.” I saluted. “But I think I’ll be okay.”

Evan nodded. “Just… promise me you’ll be careful, okay, Pris?”

“Evan, he’s your brother.”

“My point exactly.” He squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed them with his hand. “Just promise you’ll be careful. Like I said, he’s older.”

“And that’s code word for what? He has wrinkles?”

Jaymeson swore. “It’s code word for he’s probably a lot more experienced, Pris. Don’t let him take advantage of you.”

My heart sunk. So that was it. I was still a hormonal teenager in Jaymeson’s eyes, a plaything. A friend, but not his equal, never his equal.

“What if I want him to?” I shrugged innocently. “I’m eighteen. I’m not a child, and you guys can’t stop me. Thanks for the warning though. I’ll be sure to bring my pepper spray in case he pulls down his pants.”

They winced.

“After all, I’m so innocent to the ways of the world. We don’t want the nice pastor’s daughter getting taken advantage of on the beach.”

I shook my head and walked toward the door. “Have a nice night, boys. I know I will.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jaymeson

I watched Pris leave. I was drowning with worry, as she took steps away from me and toward him.

“Is he bad news?” I asked Evan. “Tell me the truth.”

Evan was silent a minute then shook his head. “I wouldn’t say he’s bad news. He’s just used to getting what he wants.”

“And he wants Pris,” I said dryly.

“It would appear so.” Evan yawned. “But I wouldn’t worry. I mean, he just broke up with his last girlfriend. It’s not like he’s going to want to jump into anything.”

“Is that code for he‘s going to go slow with Pris?”

“No offense.” Evan held up his hands. “But should you really throw stones in that glass house of yours?”

I ground my teeth together. “I don’t screw virgins — or take advantage of them.”

Evan’s eyes widened. “So that’s what’s bothering you?” He burst out laughing. “Wow, do the guys know?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Evan’s smile grew wider. “That you’re obsessed with the local pastor’s daughter. Wow, that’s awesome. You want her but can’t have her? How’s it feel? I mean, have you ever even faced rejection before?”

“Don’t you have work to do?” Glaring at him, I changed the subject.

“Nope.” He pointed to the boxes. “But you do. So work, bitch. I have some forms to fill out.”

“Great.”

“And Jaymeson?”

I looked up.

“I wouldn’t worry too much. It’s not like Smith has the same background you do. He doesn’t screw girls for sport. If there’s anyone you should be worried about, it’s yourself.”

Ouch
. “What the hell, man?” The guy barely knew me.

He shrugged. “There’s nothing worse than wanting something you can’t have. It’s like waving a red flag in front of a bull.”

“I do possess self control,” I seethed. “Believe me, I’ve been doing nothing but exercising that self control for the past week!”

“My point exactly.” Evan picked up his sword from the floor. “Pretty soon you’re going to run out, then what happens?”

My entire body deflated as the breath left my body.

“Right.” He gave a firm nod. “I’ll be in back if you need me.”

I smacked the countertop with my palm. I could do it. I had to do it. Because she deserved better, though I wasn’t totally convinced better was Smith. At least she was dating someone who could give her what she needed.

And that someone? Not me.

A scowl pinched my forehead as I started unpacking the boxes. Three hours later, they were emptied, and I was tempted to burn secondhand donations. People really didn’t know how to give good stuff. A lot of the things had to be tossed because they either couldn’t be cleaned or they were partially used.

I grabbed the last empty box and started to pull it apart when I noticed a twenty-dollar bill at the bottom.

Pris must have accidently dropped it, either that or someone wanted to make a donation to the church.

I explained to Evan that I was taking a break and drove over to the church to drop off the bill. Ridiculous that my heart sank when I didn’t notice Pris’s car in the parking lot.

With a grunt, I got out of my car and walked briskly through the doors, this time not pausing under the light — you know, just in case it decided to fall on me again.

“Hello?” I called.

I heard talking toward the end of the hall where the office was located. Sighing, I headed in that direction, but stopped when I heard crying.

“No, I understand, pastor.” More sniffling. “It’s just, are you sure there’s not enough money to fix it?” She stopped talking, her agitated breathing the only sound for a few moments.

When she spoke again, she sounded defeated. “I see. No, but, surely if you tell the church members they’ll want to help.” More silence. “I know times are tough but maybe if you explain—” She let out a heavy sigh. “So where will Pris stay? You can’t sell the house in that condition.”

More sniffling followed. “Alright, sir. I’ll keep an eye on her until you return. I’ll sport my best smile, but know that I don’t agree. Not one bit. Nothing wrong with asking for help. Yes, well you have a good evening as well.”

When I was sure the conversation was over, I rounded the corner and walked into the brightly-lit office.

“Oh, hello.” The lady smiled, wiping stray tears from underneath her eyes. “Sorry, allergies. How can I help you?”

I gave her a kind smile and approached her desk. “This was in one of the donation boxes, I wasn’t sure if it was Pris’s or if someone was donating money to the church, so I thought I’d drop it off.” I slid the twenty-dollar bill across the desk.

“Oh, my! Thank you, dear. We’ll just put it in the offering for this week.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She was stressed about the phone call.

I took a seat.

Her eyes narrowed. “Was there something else?”

“How bad is it?” I asked.

“I don’t know what you’re—”

“The damage to their house,” I interrupted. “How bad?”

She still didn’t answer. I looked at her nameplate and smiled. “Stella, you can tell me.”

“Bad,” she blurted. “The poor pastor can’t afford to fix it, especially not after flying to the Philippines for mission work and Pris is talking nonsense about using her college fund. And the house is not even livable! They can’t live in a house with smoke damage! Why the entire basement is destroyed, never mind the electrical! They need to re-wire the entire house!” She burst into tears again, then apologized as she blew her nose into a tissue.

“No insurance?”

“They have flood insurance.” She sniffled. “Not fire insurance.”

“Damn Seaside,” I muttered.

She glared.

“Sorry, er, it slipped.”

“I don’t know how they’ll manage, though they always do. Well, Seaside is a good community. Our only hope is that people help out, but with the economy the way it is…” She shook her head. “That girl deserves to go to college. She’s worked so hard.”

“She will,” I vowed. “I promise.”

I stood and held out my hand. “This stays between us?”

Stella eyed my hand then shook it. “Of course, young man.”

“Good.” I smiled. “Thank you, love.”

I could have sworn she melted into her chair as she gave me a giggling wave.

Storming out of the room, I pulled out my cell and dialed Peter’s number.

He answered on the third ring.

“What?”

“I need help.”

“Shit. Are you in trouble?”

“I’m in Seaside, what the hell kind of trouble do you think I could get into? Humping a whale?”

“Jaymeson, I don’t have time for this. I—“

“Look, I just need one of your assistants to look up the best electrician in Seaside, a good carpenter, and homeowner’s insurance that covers everything.”

“Are you buying a house?” His voice was stunned.

“No.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m saving one.”

I hung up and got into my car. Pris didn’t have to know it was me — nobody did — to them it would be the community. I knew how much she hated charity, but this way she could go to school. And at least when I left Seaside, I’d be leaving a part of myself behind.

Not that that wasn’t my reality already. Because I was pretty sure Pris already owned a piece of my black heart, and damn if I wanted to take it back.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Priscilla

Smith was late.

Which meant I was pacing in the condo, wearing clothes I wasn’t totally sure looked good.

Fashion hadn’t always been my thing. I mean, I dressed fine, but Alyssa’s style was a bit louder than mine.

With a huff, I pulled out my phone and clicked on the conversation that had been going on between me and Jamie all day.

Me:
Can you tell me if I look okay?

I attached a selfie and waited.

Jamie Hudson:
Go change.

Me:
That bad?

Jamie Hudson:
No. That good. I don’t want him ripping your clothes off like some bad sex scene in a movie. Don’t you own a sweater?

Me:
They aren’t my clothes. They’re my
cousin
Alyssa’s. She has a different style than I do.

Jamie Hudson:
Hmm, put us on video chat.

I panicked. I mean, we’d never chatted before. I wasn’t sure it was such a good idea.

Jamie Hudson:
Stop over analyzing, I want you to take me into your closet.

Me:
This feels weird.

Jamie Hudson:
Video chat. Now.

I turned on the video chat but couldn’t really see him, the room was dark, he was wearing a baseball cap, a hoody, and nerdy glasses that made him look like a teenager.

“Okay,” I said out loud, feeling like an idiot. “Can you hear me?”

“Loud and clear.” He chuckled, his voice was smooth, really clear, almost too perfect, like he was taking special care with each word.

“So here’s the closet.”

“Does she own a mall?” He laughed. “Okay, take me to the right.”

Giggling, I faced the phone to the right where her sweaters were located. “I vote the loose necked striped hoody with leggings, boots, warm socks, and a hat.”

“So you want me to be completely covered from head to toe?”

“That’s the idea,” he said. “What? Did you want my help or not?”

“Yes,” I grumbled, reaching for the clothes.

“Okay.” He drew out the
ay
. “Now set me down, go change and show me again.”

Rolling my eyes, I set the phone down. “Give me a few minutes.”