I’ll just have to earn his approval.
“I understand.” I nod, turning to head toward the house so I can change and grab my board before Liv arrives.
“And Wes?” Leo calls as I pass him. “If youdohurt my daughter—in any sense of the word—this opportunity is over for you. There will be no second chances. Understood?”
I turn back at him, anchoring his gaze, keeping my voice even as I respond, “I’ll never hurt Willow, but this opportunity is the least of my reasons why.”
CHAPTER 20
WILLOW
“That fucking sucked.” Allie braces her hands on her knees, sucking in gulps of air.
“Allie, my love, you’ve gotta move your body more,” Dahlia says, rubbing her back. “No way are two old birds like Darby and I in better shape than you.”
“I’m in shape,” she pants. “I’m just filled to the brim with watermelon wine coolers and Malibu lemonade. The water was way too choppy for my stomach to handle this morning.”
I cover a snort with my hand. My mom shoots me a warning glare a moment before Allie lifts her head, brown eyes narrowed at me. “I will vomit all over you.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” I smile.
She groans, holding her stomach as she stands up. “I’ve got to go lie in bed for three days.”
My aunt pulls her shoulder-length blond hair from her face, tying it back before placing her hand on Allie’s shoulder again, guiding her down the beach. “I’ll have Archer come by a little later with dinner for you, okay?”
“Hey!” I call out after her. “You need to ignore Declan’s calls for at least forty-eight hours.”
She tosses me a thumbs up, my mom and aunt both nodding in agreement.
I wasn’t a witness to their blowout last night, but apparently Declan really drove into her after Archer arrived, accusing her of having an affair with him in front of most of the party. It wasn’t until Allie’s dad, Dom, and my uncle Everett essentially threw him out that things finally calmed down.
I think, at this point, we’d all prefer she never speak to Declan again, but Allie has a penchant for toxic relationships, and it typically takes several breakups with the same guy before she calls it quits for good. She never becomes emotionally invested in any of them—in anyone besides Archer. Personally, I think she’s self-sabotaging, buying time until she and my cousin figure their weird fucking relationship out.
In a way, I feel for Declan. I imagine it’d be difficult to date someone and realize that they’re irrevocably in love with someone else, but regardless, the way he speaks to her is despicable and I still hate the guy.
“How are you feeling, baby?” Mom asks as she and I trail Dahlia and Allie, hauling our deflated paddleboards back toward the house.
The morning sun shines down on the mountains to the east, the whipping ocean breeze and beaded saltwater cooling my already heated skin. Though, I think the sun is only a fraction of the cause for the flames erupting over my flesh after that moment with Wes this morning.
I couldfeelhim against my thigh. He was hard. Throbbing. And I have no business thinking about how much I liked it while my mother is standing right beside me.
“I’m feeling fine,” I say as we reach the stairs.
I glance over my shoulder, finding my dad, Liv, and Wes huddled together, talking with their arms crossed. Likely discussing strategy for his first competition. Though, whenWes’s eyes flash to mine, molten and deep blue in the daylight, that heat inside my body surges.
Truthfully, I feel like I could throw up.
I don’t think the alcohol or last night’s breakdown have anything to do with it. I think it has everything to do with the fact that Weston slept outside my tent. On the ground, in the elements, knowing he’d have to wake up this morning and push his body to the brink. Still, he chose me—my safety and comfort over his own. Weston held me while I cried. He didn’t question me, didn’t doubt my feelings or my fears. His touch never made me flinch or freeze.
My chest is so full of butterflies, I fear they may begin spilling from my mouth, showing everyone on this beach how infatuated I’m becoming with that boy.
He looks at me like he may be feeling the same way. Those storms that always seem to be clouding his eyes have become clear. When he studies me now, I could swear there is a desire as potent as my own written in his features.
His stare burns into me the entire ascent up the cliffside.
“I can put these away for you, Mama,” I say when we reach the garage, plucking the strap of her paddleboard from her shoulder. I notice both Allie’s and Dahlia’s are also propped outside the back door.
“You sure?” she asks.
