“That’s the question of the century right now, isn’t it?” I chugged the rest of my soda before crushing it and tossing it into the recycle bin by the back door.
Uncle Drew left me alone while I grabbed the rest of my bags from my car and brought them inside. The spare room he’d set aside for me wasn’t huge, but it had a full-sized bed and a chest of drawers for me to keep my clothes in. I felt like a kid visiting his grandparents for a week and not an adult staying with his uncle. Maybe I could look into making the space feel a little more personal while I was here. Mom said this was just for the summer, but I wondered if it was going to end up longer than that.
While I finished unpacking my clothes, Max sniffed around the room, and Uncle Drew appeared in the doorway. “Dinner is done if you’re hungry. It’s just spaghetti. Nothing fancy like your mom makes.”
My stomach grumbled at the mention of food. “Yeah, thanks. I’ll be down in just a minute.”
I plugged my phone into the charger and sat on the edge of the bed for a moment. If there was anyone who would know what to do about tonight, it was my friend Andrew. He’d spent the last four years at college pining after his best friend, Brandon. Andrew swore they were never anything more growing up, but a bad break-up our freshman year had Andrew seeing him in a whole new light.
Instead of continuing to think about their situation, I fired off a text. Andrew knew a little about Chase. I’d shared about my summer infatuation that first year I’d failed to return.
Me: He’s still here.
Andrew: Where is here, exactly? Joe and Brandon were getting ready to drag me to another party over in the U district and I can’t do this alone.
It suddenly dawned on me that I’d forgotten to tell my friends about me leaving town for the summer.
Me: I’m back at the beach. Mom got pissed after that last party when I brought that chick home.
Andrew: Shit... dude. What are you going to do?
Me: I don’t know. He’s pissed.
There was a long pause, and I debated going back to the conversation after eating. My uncle was waiting downstairs, and I’d already run out on him once today.
Andrew: So you’ve seen him enough to know that he’s pissed. Did he say anything else?
Me: Yeah... And that’s where I’m confused. Mom sent me out here because she’s tired of the partying while I figure out my life. He’s mad, but he wants me to go to something out by the jetty tonight.
Andrew: It sounds like he realizes he’s stuck. Maybe just see what he wants. Keep your guard up.
I nodded to no one before setting my phone down on the nightstand. Andrew was the smartest out of our group of friends. If only he’d get over his fear and tell Brandon how he felt. Though I understood where he was coming from. There was a lifetime of friendship between them, and he was terrified of messing it all up.
When my stomach growled again, I stood and made my way to the kitchen to join Uncle Drew for dinner. I’d figure out how to handle the situation with Chase later.
Chapter 6
Chase
At eight-forty-five, I anxiously wandered the aisles at the IGA. Art had said the party was BYOB, but I normally didn’t drink a ton, and I didn’t know what type of partier Nathan was. He didn't appear interested in going. Hell, I didn’t even know if he was going to show up. I stood by the beer coolers at the back. My fingers twitched at my sides as my heart rate picked up, thinking through all the scenarios that could happen if he did.
I grabbed a pack from the shelf, and like my body knew whenever he was near, I looked up at the presence next to me. And there he was. God, Nathan had always been hot, but he was even better now. Fluorescent lighting didn’t do anyone any favors, but it made his light brown hair stand out against his slightly tanned skin. His brown eyes trailed the case before he looked at the six-pack in my hand and grabbed another.
“So, do I know the person having this party?”
I shrugged, my throat dry, and closed off at his nearness.
Art met this young couple down at the beach and convinced them to hold the event. When he sent me the address, I recognized it as one of Drew’s properties, which irritated me. It wasn’t unusualto have to clean up after rowdy renters, but I rarely contributed to the mess.
The trip through the store was unbelievably awkward. It didn’t help that I had no clue what to say to him. I was mostly still pissed, but I also wanted to at least figure out how to propose the idea I’d come up with earlier. There was nothing wrong with a little summer fun.
After we paid for the beers, Nathan led me to his car and I slid into the passenger seat. He started the engine, but didn’t pull out of the parking lot. We sat there in continued silence until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“What do you want me to say?”
Nathan laughed, his twinkling eyes turning in my direction. “You have to tell me where we’re going.”
My face heated in embarrassment. Of course, I hadn’t told him. “Right. It’s going to be off Ocean Crest Avenue. It’s literally right next to the jetty.”
