I didn't want to cause any issues between them. As much as I was looking forward to a summer alone, it was better to have company. For a short time last night, I'd forgotten about my worries and the pain of Flynn's betrayal.
I was starting to think that walking in on him screwing another woman would have been easier to accept than the secret relationship that he hid for months. It was the unverified suspicions that slowly drove me crazy. When I confronted him, he denied everything. Then he turned the tables on me, accusing me of being unfaithful.
It was the worst form of betrayal. He'd slowly chipped away at my trust and my sanity. Now I was scared to ever trust my judgement again.
My relationship with Marshall had been easy, but it had to be because we were young, and neither of us had been in a serious relationship before.
We hadn't made promises to each other outside of that summer, which made it feel magical. And I'd lived in this very room, dreaming about a future with Marshall but too scared to ask for one. That's why it was weird to be living with him here now.
The smell of bacon and eggs drifted up the stairs and into my room, causing my stomach to rumble. I brushed my hair and teeth, throwing on a T-shirt and shorts before padding downstairs to find something to eat.
Marshall was in the kitchen, wearing a white T that stretched over his biceps and clung to his hard chest. He braced his hands on the counter, causing his muscles to flex. "I was hoping the smell would wake people up."
I smiled as my face heated. "It worked on me."
"It hasn't worked on Hayden so far." He inclined his head toward the hall that led to her bedroom.
My stomach rumbled again. "I don't expect you to cook for me."
"Sit down, and I'll grab you a plate. I made way too much anyway."
I wasn't going to argue with that logic. I poured myself a cup of coffee, then sat on one of the stools at the island.
He slid a plate of eggs and bacon in my direction.
"This looks delicious. Thank you."
"You're welcome." He stood by the counter, eating from his plate.
It was weird seeing him in my grandmother's kitchen, even though all her personal effects had been moved to her new place. I kept expecting to see Grandma come around the corner, talking about the latest gossip around the island. Instead, Marshall filled the space with his masculine energy.
"What are your plans for the day?" I managed between bites. I couldn't remember the last time anyone had cooked me breakfast, probably my parents or even Grandma. I racked my brain for any time when Flynn would have done something like that, and I couldn't locate a memory.
"I was hoping to go to the beach with Hayden. What are the odds she'll say no and act like it's the dumbest suggestion ever?" he asked conspiratorially, as if we knew each other so well after one night.
I laughed. "Pretty good."
He sighed, lowering his now-empty plate to the counter. "That's what I was worried about."
"What will you do until she wakes up then?" I asked him.
He looked around the space. "I'll clean the kitchen and take a look around for any beach stuff, like chairs or boogie boards."
"Grandma keeps those in the small storage shed out back for the guests."
He nodded. "Thanks for the heads-up."
"Of course."
"Maybe I'll take a dip in the pool. Get some laps in. Normally, I'd run, but I don't want to be gone when she wakes up."
"I can stick around if you want to go for a run."
"You wouldn't mind? Maybe Hayden would think I'm cooler if I'm not hovering around her all the time."
I laughed. "Probably."
"I think I'm getting the hang of this teenager thing. I need to act like I don't care but wait for the moments when she wants my attention."
