After dinner and more laughs on my back deck, I pull my phone out, unlocking the screen.
“What are you doing?” Preston glances over at me playing on my phone. We’re sitting beside each other on the two seater patio couch. Where I’m huddled in the corner, Preston is reclined back with a beer in one hand and his other arm thrown behind his head. He looks good like this.
“Calling my dad.” Clicking through my call history, I try to find his name.
“Are you out of your mind?” Preston’s feet drop from the table. He sets his beer on the table and turns to me.
“Don’t worry, you have an in with him.” A chuckle escapes.Am I crazy? Maybe.Preston grabs for my phone but I shift just in time.
“I think you may be a little too optimistic about that.” Raising my arm out to the side, I try to avoid Preston’s reach. He doesn’t give up though, making me laugh harder.
“Think about it,” I screech as he grabs my wrist and we wrestle for the phone. “If he knows you’re with his daughter, who he is already worried about being stranded in a foreign country with no way home, maybe he’ll feel better about someone he knows being with her.”
“Ooor the more likely outcome.” Preston grunts when I elbow him. “He’s pissed that I'm here and even more pissed that I’m here with you.”
“I mean…seriously, did you think—” My words cut off at how close Preston is. I can feel his breath on my face. Our chests bump. His hand is still locked around the wrist holding the phone, but his hold isn’t strong. He’s caging me into the corner. Our eyes meet. My pulse races. Preston’s eyes bounce to my lips when my tongue peeks out to wet them. My hand twitches around the phone.
A ringing fills the air.Shit, I must have hit the call button.Preston jumps off me like he’s been burned. I would be lying if I said that didn’t sting. I don’t have time to react to his action because Dad’s voice booms from the phone.
“Hey, bug. Where are you?”
I groan as silently as possible with the realization I accidentally hit the FaceTime button. Preston is going to kill me after this. I position the phone so I’m the only one in the frame.
“Hey, Dad. Sorry, here I am. I just got finished with dinner.”
“What have you been up to? It’s been what, a week since we talked last?”
“Yep, one week down. Two to go.” I am hyper aware of Preston leaning with his back against the railing. His mouth is covered by a hand. One arm wrapped across his chest. I can’t get a read on him but his brows are drawn.
“How are you holding up?” Dad reads the faux positivity in my voice.
“I’m actually really good. I’ve been relaxing, lounging by the pool, snorkeling, shopping.”
“You went snorkeling? You didn’t go by yourself, did you?” Dad’s eyebrows raise in surprise. Disbelief and concern fight in his tone.
“No, I actually made a friend. He’s also stuck here with the flight situation.”
“Ivory Gwyneth Crenshaw, please tell me you did not just say that you went snorkeling with a strange man on a foreign island where you are currently trapped.”
I cringe. Maybe Preston was right. This is a bad idea.
“I mean, he’s not a perfect stranger.” Preston’s eyes widen. He starts swiping his arms in the universal sign for ‘no’ but my muddled brain doesn’t listen. “You actually know him. Small world, huh?”
“What do you mean I know him?” Dad scowls.Yikes. “How could I possibly know some random person at the same resort as you?”
I try to flip the camera but it isn’t working. Preston must see my struggle because he sighs heavily and pushes off the railing. When he sits on the couch beside me, I hold the phone out so we can both fit into the frame.
Preston gives an awkward wave. “Uh…hey, Coach.”
“FIELDS! What the fuck are you doing there?” His yell is a jolt to my system. My head rears back and my eyes widen. My heart may jump out of my chest it is thumping so hard.
“Crazy, right? The resort Miller picked just happened to be the same one your daughter is staying at.” Preston takes the outburst in stride. I guess he’s used to this in the clubhouse.
“You have got to be kidding me! I can’t believe this. Not only did you go on vacation when I specifically said to stay ready but now you’re telling me you’re in Belize? Let me guess your flight home also isn’t for another two weeks.”
“Umm…” Preston scratches his head, fidgeting in the seat beside me. His leg presses against mine. My breathing slows at the contact. How can he calm me by one simple touch in a situation?
“Unfuckingbelievable. You’re supposed to be my leader on this team, Preston. What am I going to do with this?” Dad is fuming. His face is redder than I have seen and his voice is tight.
