“Thanks for dinner, Lucas!” Libby says as she helps to clear the dinner plates.
“What’s on the agenda for tonight?” Bren asks, squirming in her seat with a frenetic excitement, “Please tell me it includes going to the beach bar I think I saw earlier while exploring the beach.”
“Beach bar? I hope that means bikinis count as shirts,” Tyler mutters.
A very audible “Ew” and “Gross” come from the girls at the table. I swear Tyler has become more and more of a fuckboy lately. I would expect a crass comment like that to come out of Blaine’s mouth but not Tyler’s.
“It was just a joke!” Tyler starts to defend himself.
“Well if you talk like that, none of the girls will be interested in you enough for it to matter anyways,” I chirp, unable to hold my tongue.
“Damn. She’s feisty, Donato,” Ryder says with a laugh as he playfully shoves Lucas. “I’m down for a beach bar.”
Part of me is very tempted to comment that he’s not even of age. He wouldn’t be able to come to the bar, but before I can say anything of the sort, Lucas starts to talk about a workout regime.
“I was planning to work out in about an hour. Some of you” —he scowls looking at Tyler and Blake— “don’t seem to care enough and have started drinking already.” A sigh escapes him, and he runs his hands through his hair. “But if anyone wants to join me, we can use the athletic club down the beach for weight training and run sprints in the sand for cardio.”
“Perfect. I didn’t get a full workout this morning before hitting the road,” Ryder declares. He seems genuinely chipper about working out.
All the guys, except Tyler and Blake, agree to meet out back by the pool in an hour before heading over to the athletic club. Lucas hasn’t said anything to Tyler but by the incredibly subtle hint of frustration in his gaze and the slight curl of his knuckles, I know he’s pissed off. Tyler isn’t setting a pristine example by getting tipsy and skipping workouts. Even if this is a vacation and the team technically doesn’t have any mandatory scheduled workouts this week, it doesn’t look good.
Finalizing the plan, we decide that the guys working out will meet us out at the bar after they’ve finished. I’m still curious how Ryder will get in, but that’s a problem for later. Should Lucas even be allowing Ryder at bars when he can get in serious legal trouble? Before I can bring it up, he kisses me on the cheek and tells me he is going upstairs for a bit, hinting at him needing his alone time.
All the guys seem to be doing their own thing before their workout. Tyler and Blake crack beers by the pool. Ryder comes back from putting his stuff in his room shirtless with his abs on full display, all freaking eight of them. This kid must work out twenty times a day.
“Can we sit on the beach with some drinks and watch them do their sprints? Then head to the beach bar after?” Libby whispers in awe, drool practically spilling out of her mouth.
Her wide eyes are far from innocent as she takes in Ryder’s body before he dives into the pool. A burst of laughter escapes me, quickly echoed by Bren’s. Libby found a new obsession.
“How could we have missed it!” Libby groans as the girls get ready for the beach bar. Blake easily talked us into playing Kings Cup with him and Tyler. We were too engrossed in the drinking game; we didn’t notice the rest of the guys working out on the beach.
“Don’t worry, Lib.” I smack my lips together putting a little bit of color on them. “I’m sure Lucas will have them working out every day we’re here.”
Libby’s face lights up, a small squeal of enthusiasm slips through her lips. If Bren wasn’t moving for her big girl job, Libby might give her a run for her money in the woo-girl department. My hands twist through my hair as I braid it to the side. I throw on a cover up over my bikini to pair with jean shorts.
Sand squishes between my toes walking down the beach to the bar. The warm air mixed with the sound of the waves crashing brings back memories of the beach with my family. Closing my eyes, images of Nick and me building sandcastles fill my head. Nick would instruct me on where the castle towers should go, always determined to build the biggest sandcastle on the beach. My eyes sting, tears threatening to come.
Shrieks from Libby break my trance as Tyler chases her along the beach like a pair of teenagers, both wobbly on their feet from alcohol. So much for the low-key night before getting back to reviewing applications tomorrow.
Tiki torches line the various vibrantly colored outdoor seating areas. A glass garage door opens into the bar and houses a small indoor area, decorated with the same tiki theme.
Tyler walks in with Libby thrown over his shoulder. Their laughter echoes throughout the massive open air venue, complete with multiple bars and even a DJ booth. He paints a coy smile on his face, turning on his charm before he apologizes to the mid-forties female bartender, who’s furiously eyeing him and Libby. His allure works on her, and her annoyed glare melts away.
Sitting down at a bright blue table, I take in the beautiful sunset view. With the bar right up on the beachfront, I’m envious of having this immaculate view every night.
“Free shot from the bartender.” Pride fills Tyler’s voice from securing a few free drinks. He hands me one, but I shake my head. Everyone else but Bren gulps down the shots like water.
“Bar?” Bren asks, her tone noticeably melancholy—well at least noticeable to me. Realization washes over me that Bren’s been unusually quiet. She flashes me a brittle smile. Something is off . . . she isn’t her usual bubbly self. Grabbing her hand, we walk to the bar and look at the specialty drink menu.
“I’m feeling something fruity,” Bren declares and lets out a long sigh. “I bet they have incredible Mai Tais at this place.”
“What’s wrong Brennie Bean?” A crease furrows between my brows.
“I just miss Liam. The distance is a bigger strain than I imagined. I knew it would be hard, but I didn’t expect to feel so . . .” Bren pauses searching for the right word. “I’m not even sure how I feel. I just don’t feel whole. It sounds silly . . .”
“It doesn’t sound silly at all, Bren.” I take her hand in mine, reassuring her. “You and Liam have been together a long time, it’s understandable. I wish I could be more helpful.”
“Two Mai Tais please,” Bren orders, dropping my hand. “I’ll be okay.”
