She adjusts the strap of her beach bag. “Of course,” she replies. “Just thinking.” Her voice is thin, as though she’s testing out the words.
“Fair enough,” I say. “But for the record, you sound nervous.”
Jordan looks at me for a beat, then forces a smile. “I’m fine, Jamie,” she repeats, though it’s more like a quiet plea for me to leave it alone.
I let the moment pass, and a few seconds later, two figures appear down the path. Jordan squeals in delight.
I recognize Hailey immediately, her pale skin nearly blending with the white-sand background. She’s wearing an old-fashioned yellow bathing suit with ruffles, vintage pinup style. Her red hair is twisted in a long braid over her shoulder.
Beside her, Matteo Mancini walks with an easy confidence, his chin raised as he approaches. His eyes scan me briefly, probably judging if I’ll fit in with his group. He reminds me of his father, although not nearly as short. But he has a presence, an ego—an intimidation factor. Over the years, we’ve never really spoken—never had a reason to.
Now, though, I’m very curious as to how well he knows Noa.
Jordan runs up to wrap her arms around him in a hug. Matteo lifts her off her feet, then sets her down gently. She turns back to me, smiling brightly.
“Matteo, you remember Jamie, right?” she announces as if offering me up for approval.
I extend my hand. “How’s it going?” I say to him.
Matteo takes my hand in a firm grip that feels more like a challenge, and it kind of pisses me off. Still, I keep my composure. His dark eyes are steady, not unfriendly, but definitely not warm. It’s a bit tense.
“Brent Matthews’s kid,” he says with a slight nod, his voice low. “Yeah, I know who you are.”
I try to hide my discomfort and flash a smile. “Yep, that’s me,” I say.
He leans back on his heels, getting another look at me. “Wherehave you been the last few years?” he asks. “I haven’t seen you around in a while.”
I keep the tone light. “School,” I say, but the word tastes bitter as it leaves my mouth. It wasn’t exactly my choice to be there. “Out in Virginia,” I add. Tightness crowds my chest, and I flex my hand as if it can distract my body.
Matteo nods, his eyes flickering between me and Jordan. “Good to see you, Jamie,” he says. It’s a neutral statement—no warmth, no coldness. Just there.
“Yeah, you too,” I reply.
Jordan loops her arm through Matteo’s and they continue down the path toward the beach, Hailey trotting behind them and struggling to keep up.
“How are you?” Jordan asks Matteo, her voice softer, more familiar, as she nudges his shoulder.
“Been a crazy few days,” Matteo admits. “I don’t really want to talk about him,” he murmurs, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.
“Your cousin?” Hailey asks, inserting herself into the conversation. Matteo looks back at her, a flash of irritation crossing his face before he notices that I’m watching. He quickly masks it with a more composed expression.
“Yes, Hailey,” he says. “Felix ran off. Right in the middle of the night, he just… left without a word. Didn’t even pack a bag. My aunt is losing her mind, and my father… well, he’s pissed, as you can imagine. He expects more from the family. But…” He shrugs his indifference but it seems calculated. “What can you do?”
Felix ran away? It’s been a few years, but I remember him. I mean, we hung out a bunch of times. He was cool. Neither of us got along with our families, choosing beach life instead. I hope he’s all right.
“In my opinion,” Hailey offers, “your father should have cut him offwhen he started hanging out with that Chaser. Check if there’s money missing, and then he’ll have his answer.”
Jordan nods along, but I’m annoyed at the insinuation. Yes, a group of Chasers stole my boat yesterday—and I’m still mad about it—but it’s unfair to brand an entire community as criminals. Plus, if Felix did, in fact, steal money from Alessandro Mancini, which I doubt, he would need help. Matteo’s father is part owner in the Augustus Resort, same as Jordan’s mother. They have the best security money can buy, so it’s not like someone could just walk in and crack their safe. My father is nothing if not thorough.
Matteo shakes his head. “I don’t want to talk about my cousin,” he says. “What have I missed around here? Please tell me Creed isn’t trying to take over.”
“Of course he is,” Jordan laughs, and the mood shifts as the girls fill him in on the latest gossip. I trail behind them, feeling a little left out. At the same time, I’m not trying to jump in, either.
As we reach the beach, the sound of the waves crashes louder. Instead of turning left toward the open area, they pause there. It’s then that I realize that none of these guys have any equipment with them. No boards. No wet suits.
“You are planning to surf, right?” I ask. “Where are your boards?”
Hailey gives Matteo a sly, almost devious smile, but Jordan looks confused. Matteo glances back me.
