“Well, if you need some convincing, come see me down at my bar, Shipwreck. We guarantee to leave you smashed.” He winked.
I grinned, taking an immediate liking to the guy. “Thanks. Maybe I’ll do just that.”
With a nod, he called the boys who’d gone off to say goodbye to their friends. “Let’s go, Jesse, Griff, we’re having dinner at the Red Lobster.” They high fived each other and rushed toward the truck. Caleb walked away then turned around. “You’re welcome to join us, if you’re up to it. You can meet my fiancée.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder at the truck. “Well, we haven’t ironed out the specifics yet, but she’s agreed to let me call her my fiancée.” He chuckled.
I laughed, liking his relaxed mannerisms. He and I could be friends, if I stayed and that notion was looking pretty good, right about now even though I’d hastily texted the estate agent about my interest. “Thanks, I’ll take a raincheck if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure. You know where to find me.” With that, he walked away.
I watched until he reached the truck and climbed in. About to move, I caught a glimpse of silvery blonde hair in the passenger seat. Laughing at something one of the boys said, the woman turned toward me.
I was a soldier. I’d been to war and back. Been shot at and ambushed. I’d killed and was almost killed. Yet, nothing, not a single emotion running through my veins could’ve prepared me for those memorable tropical eyes staring back at me.
“Blue,” it was a whisper but her widening eyes told me that somehow, she’d heard me.
Tempted to stop Caleb and confirm it was just my imagination playing a fool’s game with me, I remained paralyzed and watched him drive away with the one woman who owned my fucking soul.
Stunned, I took a few minutes to breathe. A moment later, I sent Brax a text to come fetch me, pocketed my phone and started walking. By the time I reached Frank’s house, I was sweating. Not from exertion but anger.
Six fucking years I hadn’t seen that woman and now she left me standing in an empty playground like I was a stranger, someone who knew nothing about her. That’s where she was wrong. I knew every fucking thing there was to know about her. Personality, strengths, weaknesses. I knew it all.
Most importantly, the glimpse of us, every fucking time I looked into those beautiful eyes that stole my heart from the day she was born and kept it prisoner until this moment.
“I wondered what happened to you.” Brax leaned out the window. I was sitting on the curb when he pulled up in front of me. Silently, I rose and moved around to the passenger side of the truck. When I got in, I stared straight ahead but felt his eyes on me. “You okay, Shay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
My laugh was cynical at best. “I just might have, Brax.” I looked at his wide-eyed stare. “Problem is, sometimes ghosts possess the bodies of loved ones, turning them into someone we don’t know.”
“What the fuck?” He laughed. “Did you encounter the old man’s ghost or something, bro?” Shaking his head, he turned the truck around and headed back to the hotel.
“Feel like dinner? I heard there’s a restaurant called the Red Lobster in town.”
“I’ll ask Ry—”
“Just you and me,” I cut him off without looking at him, my mind lost in a haven of blue eyes I wanted to see again. The irony of the town’s name not lost on me.
“Okay.” He didn’t argue and I appreciated that while Brax had fucked Ryleigh behind my back, he genuinely cared for the both of us. Perhaps it was his way of making amends.
“I’m taking the house.” I glanced at him, and his brow creased in confusion, he was staring at me. “What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Good. I need a shower first.” If I wanted to come across as a smitten teen, I would’ve driven straight to the restaurant.
If only patience wasn’t virtuous...
