I blow out a sigh. “He’s been blowing up my phone since I got here, asking if I was doing okay. I took the easy way out and ignored him, because I didn’t know how to answer that question. And, at the risk of sounding selfish and insensitive, I was kinda enjoying that I could pretend to be someone else here. Just a regular guy, getting to know a beautiful girl, without all the debilitating baggage, you know? I didn’t want to change that by picking up the phone and being reminded of the reason I’m here in the first place.”
Charlie nods, like my explanation is perfectly reasonable, and I guess if someone understands the need to reinvent herself, it’s her. I throw an arm out when the trail gets too narrow to walk side by side, urging her to go ahead while I fall in line behind her.
“I take it Maddox is not the type of guy you ignore?”
“That he is not, and I should’ve known better. But now that he’s here, I realize how much I missed that pushy bastard. It’s been good having someone to talk to.” Charlie throws me a surprised look over her shoulder.
“You told him about us?”
“I had no choice. He knew something was up when you showed up looking for me this morning. Mads is a well-trained, top-tier operative. He’s as perceptive as a freaking lie detector. You can’t get anything past him, and once he smells blood, he doesn’t stop pestering you until he gets the information he’s looking for. Don’t worry, though. He won’t judge.”
“Wasn’t worried about that,” she mutters so low, I can barely make out the words, giving me the distinct feeling there’s a deeper meaning to her reply. Before I can dig further, we’ve already emerged from the trail, so I let it lie for now. Our friends are sharing a large blanket, sitting way too close for a couple of people who’ve literally just met, as they gaze out over the water and carry on an animated conversation.
When we get there, I unceremoniously drop Maddox’s camping chair at his feet where it lands in the sand with a dull thud. He glares up at me and rises with a groan, making room for Charlie to take his place. Once everyone is comfortable, Charlie hands out our drinks and food, and we dig in. Conversation flows easily, making it feel like the four of us have known each other our whole lives. We soak up the sun for a couple of hours and talk about anything and everything, from Maddox’s job as a special ops soldier to Dee buying up a run-down restaurant and turning it into a hopping goldmine in a matter of weeks.
When Maddox asks Charlie how she came to own a resort in such a remote place, I’m surprised when she barely even hesitates before she lays out the truth for him in a few simple sentences. The mood turns somber when she relays the details surrounding the surprise gift her ex left behind.
“This guy gonna be a problem?” Mads asks, giving me a probing look. He knows I can handle myself, but I’m only one guy in an unfamiliar place without my usual resources, and we know very little about Jason or just how dangerous he is.
“I got it covered for now. I already called up my contact to dig up information on this guy, so I have a better idea of what I’m dealing with. He should get back to me soon.”
Charlie’s surprised gaze snags on mine, and I flash her an indulgent smile.
“I’m a federal agent, Tink. You really think I wouldn’t look into this asshole the second I had the chance, given what you’ve told me about him?”
Charlie chews on her bottom lip, a light blush staining her cheeks. She’s obviously uncomfortable having her dirty laundry aired in front of an audience, but there’s no need for her to be embarrassed. Not a single person here judges her for the situation she’s in. She told me Dee is the only one who knows the full truthabout her past, so I know none of this comes as a surprise to her, and I trust Maddox with my life.
“Well, keep me updated and watch your back. Abusive pieces of shit like that think of their women as nothing but property, and they don’t take too kindly to competition.”
“First off, Charlie’s not his woman. Hasn’t been in a long time. And secondly, I’m banking on him getting pissed. Angry people take stupid risks, and my hope is me moving in on what he thinks of as his territory will shift his focus away from her. But even if he doesn’t take the bait, I’m not leaving until I know the threat has been eliminated.”
“That’s a relief,” Dee chimes in, giving Charlie’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “It never sat right with me knowing she’s all the way out here on her own while some lunatic is looking for her.”
“Sheis right here, so you can all stop talking about me like I’m not. I know you all mean well, but what doesn’t sit right with me is that Cole, whom I really don’t know all that well, feels obligated to act as some kind of personal security. Jason may not make another move for months. I can’t expect him to put his life on hold for me.”
“Don’t worry. He doesn’t have much of a life, anyway. This might actually give him something to focus on, other than feeling sorry for himself.”
“You dick,” I laugh, launching my empty cup and hitting him square in the chest. “Anyway, enough of the doom and gloom. I’m confident Charlie is in good hands for the time being, and we’ll figure the rest out when the time comes. I think what we all need is a night out on the town. I’m wheels up in a little over forty-eight hours, and I’d like to have a little fun before it’s back to business. Does this town have a watering hole?”
“Indeed, it does,” Dee replies, grinning at Maddox, whose eyes flash with excitement.
“Henry’s is the only bar in a thirty-mile radius, so it’s usually pretty packed during the summer months. If we’re lucky, there may even be some live music. I could do with a night out myself. Feels like I haven’t let loose in forever.”
Charlie’s the first to stand, offering her outstretched hand to pull her friend up. “Well,” she drawls while she shakes the sand off the blanket and begins folding it up. “I promised Dee a pitcher of margaritas and some quality girl time, so we’ll be heading back to my place for a bit. We were planning on throwing some burgers on the grill later if you guys want to join us for dinner. We can head into Moose Harbor after.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Maddox claps his hands together and begins collecting our discarded paper cups and food wrappers. “Gives me just enough time to squeeze a nice, long nap in”
“You’ve barely been awake four hours,” I point out, and Maddox hits me with aso whatexpression.
“Guess I’ll just sit in the living room with my thumbs up my ass until it’s time to go,” I mutter, like a petulant toddler who’s upset his friend is not making time for him.
“You’re welcome to join us,” Dee tells me with a mischievous smile that shows off that little gap between her two front teeth. “We’ll probably just watchMean Girlsand recite every line, while painting each other’s toenails and stirring our girly drinks with tiny umbrellas. If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, feel free to tag along.”
I make a show of stretching my arms over my head. “You know what, I’m starting to feel a little tired myself. All this fresh air,” I say around a wide yawn. I don’t bother hiding my grin when Maddox slaps me upside the head, making the girls break into fits of giggles.
twenty-three
Cole
