“Brad! Where the hell are you going?!” I hear Keeley screech behind me.
Shari's already made it down the stairs and is trying to run towards the sea, but she keeps slipping on the sand. I manage to catch up to her before she slips a third time, but the look on her face kills me. Tears are streaming down her beautiful cheeks and she just looks...broken.
“Blaze, I swear, I would never, ever do that to you! She kissed me and I was trying to push her off, but she had too strong a grip on my neck. I think she might have drawn blood when I finallymanaged to throw her off.” I turn my head for her to see what I'm assuming are raised and raw scratch marks.
Her eyes flick to my neck and her brows come together as she gingerly touches the angry skin there, making me hiss in a breath with the sting. She immediately drops her hand as well as her gaze and shakes her head.
“Love, please talk to me. Tell me that you know I'd never do that to you,” I beg.
“Do what to me, Brad? We're not exactly official, so it's really none of my business who you kiss, or, or...fuck.” She cringes with the last word.
“Shari, we absolutely are official.You’rethe one who won’t commit. I've been all in since day one, so kissing or fucking other people? That would be cheating in my eyes, and I would never cheat on you.Ever.”
She sniffles as she wraps her arms around her waist, reminding me that I never gave her the hoodie that I’m still holding. “Arms up, Blaze. Put this on so you don't freeze.” She looks like she wants to deny me, but I can see her need to be warm win out, so she raises her arms for me to slip it over her head. It absolutely drowns her, but I know that's what she loves about the garment.
We both turn at the sound of what can only be described as cackling, to see the Triple B’s laughing in our direction. Keeley herself is standing at the bottom of the steps with her arms crossed, a cruel smile etched on her face. She fucking planned for Shari to see that kiss. What the hell did she expect to happen, though? Did she really think I’d be overcome and kiss her back?Absolutely off her fucking rocker.
Trey, Torbyn and Elle come jogging over to us. “The fuck was that, man?” Trey asks, completely baffled.
“Fucking Keeley,” I seethe. “She accosted me in the kitchen, spouting deluded nonsense about us being end game, and whenI tried to get away from her she kissed me,” I flick my eyes to Shari, but she's staring at her feet as Elle wraps an arm around her shoulders.
“I know Keeley can be a bit of a bitch and difficult at times?—”
“All the time,” I interrupt, deadpan.
“—but are you sure nothing...happened for her to act like that?” Torbyn asks, looking over his shoulder at the hyenas, uncertainly.
Trey smacks Torbyn on the back of the head. “Are you fucking serious with this shit, man? You know Brad has never given Keeley the time of day. You think he's about to start today? While Shari's here? You need to take off your blinders when it comes to those girls, Tor. I've been telling you for years, they're fucking poisonous.” He turns away, sucking his teeth.
Torbyn at least has the decency to look apologetic. “Sorry, mate. I didn't mean?—”
“You need to get rid of them,” I cut him off. “She’s been pulling this shit all day with me – trying to hold my hand, groping my biceps, pinching my arse, stroking my skin as she walks past. If our genders were reversed, everyone would be in uproar at the blatant harassment!”
He stares at me for a moment, brows pulled together. When Shari and her tear-streaked face catch his gaze, his posture completely softens. “Ok. Ok, let me go...figure something out.” He jogs off towards the campfire.
I look back at Shari to see that the rest of the group have joined our circle and are asking her what's happened. The women have moved several paces away and are talking quietly so I can't hear what they're saying, but they're all glaring at the Barbies. Except Jaime, who is watching me with a look that seems part anger, part sympathy. I don't like what that could mean.
Torbyn reappears in our little gathering, snagging my attention. “I’ve asked Lozza and Jeff to help me usher Keeley and her clique up to the main hotel. I'll get them all settled in a room together there, since we can't exactly drive them home right now.”
He gently touches Shari's elbow, “You ok, Shari?”
Shari forces a smile that melts off just as quickly. “Yeah, no, I'm fine. Thanks.”
Torbyn grimaces, but excuses himself to go and sort the girls out. Thank fuck his dad owns this whole hotel, or we'd be stuck with them all night.
“I think he feels responsible because he's the one who invited them,” Trey offers.
“I don’t know why he’s still so blinkered where they’re involved. They’re such vacuous tramps,” Dave grinds out. He’s never liked any of those girls, has always seen through their bullshit.
I move to stand in Shari’s eyeline since she's spent the last ten minutes avoiding my gaze. “Blaze, can we please talk?” It hurts that she flinches a little, but she nods and tells her friends we'll meet them back at the bonfire in a bit.
We stand in silence for a moment, the quiet whoosh of the waves softly lapping at the sand providing the only soundtrack to this moment. I hold my hand out, praying she'll accept it. “Walk with me?”
She stares at it for the longest five beats of my sinking heart, before delicately placing her hand in mind. It's a very loose hold, but I'll take whatever she's willing to give me right now.
I walk us down to the shore, so the cold waves just lick at our toes before I start, but she gets there first.
“You slept with her?”
