Addicted to You(64)

“Fishing.”

“And what about it?”

“I don’t know if I want to anymore.”

“Then maybe you should take a break.”

His knees had been pulled up to his chest, his arms casually draped over them, but with a big sigh he stretched his legs and rested his hands in the sand behind him.

“And then where does that leave me?” He stared at the ocean, never blinking, like his mind was a million miles away. “It would be so much easier to leave my problems behind rather than face them. They have no solution, so why bother?”

“So what are you thinking?”

“Well, fishing season is dead in the winter. Business at the store slows as well. Dad doesn’t need me around for a few weeks so maybe I’ll visit my cousin Mason. I’d only be three hours away. Close enough to come home if needed.”

“That’s not a bad idea. You could clear your head.”

“Exactly.”

“I think you should do it.”

He pulled his legs back in and turned to me. “Thanks, Isla. I guess I just needed someone to tell me it was okay.”

“There’s nothing wrong with taking a break. And you never know, maybe you’ll even find something you love more than fishing.”

He stared at me, his eyes set on mine, then nodded. “You’re right.”

“Okay, I’m really cold now and my cup is empty. So I’m going to head in and get a refill. You want to join me?”

“I’m going to hang here a little longer, but if you’re cold just grab the sweatshirt from my room. It’s on my bed.”

“Thanks.” I stood, dusted the sand from my dress, then smiled at Colby. “I’ll be around if you want to talk.”

His gaze had lowered to my dress but popped back up. “Oh, yeah, thanks.”

Once back inside, I made my way to the kitchen for my refill. I didn’t quite make it back out because I got stopped by one of the guys, who had a ton of questions about nursing school. He was interested in going one day, and I loved being able to offer him suggestions and guidance. Before I knew it my cup was empty again, so I refilled it and finally ventured into the living room.

Taylor came up to me looking upset and informed me that she and Matt had gotten into an argument. It was their first, so it was apparently monumental. I listened to her but before I even really had a chance to say anything, Matt appeared, wanting to make amends.

That was easy enough. And my drink was good. But empty. Back in the kitchen, I filled my cup and was dragged into a random conversation about beer brands. I didn’t have much of an opinion but I had to cast my vote. When I finally was able to escape the masses, I realized somewhere along the way I’d skipped over buzzed. I’d failed to heed Landon’s advice and I drank way too quickly. The alcohol had finally made its way through my bloodstream and I was drunk. Oops.

Maybe fresh air would help. But it was cold so I squeezed past Matt and Taylor, who’d made up, and then some, in the hallway and went to Colby’s room to grab the sweatshirt.

I saw the muscles in his back that came from years of working on his dad’s boat flex as he tugged off his shirt. And it was hot.

He turned just then to grab a new shirt from the bed and saw me.

“Hey, some dumbass spilled their entire drink on me.”

I nodded, or at least meant to, but I was now admiring his stomach and the way the slightest hint of muscle appeared when he moved. He wasn’t like Landon, who worked out to have muscle—nope, he just worked hard and got them. And I most definitely appreciated the difference.

“Isla?”

“Mmm?” It was supposed to be a question, like “Yeah?” But came out more like I’d just been served a delicious dessert.

His mouth cocked into that super sexy half grin. “You okay?”

Everything about him was divine. From the messy hair, to the smirk, to the body…“Perfect.”

“You look a little drunk.”

I shrugged.

He looked amused. “Why are you closing the door?”

Good question. “Because you’re changing?”

“Oh? But I’m done.”

“Yeah.” I walked to his bed and pointed at the sweatshirt. “I came to borrow this.”

“Help yourself.” He grinned and sat on the edge of the bed. Totally inviting. “You’re staring.”

And I was. I was staring right at him because the logical part of my brain that reminded me not to do stupid stuff like that had been shut off. I looked away. “Sorry.”

“I don’t mind.”

I looked back. “We should have sex,” I blurted.

He pressed his lips together like it was the only thing containing his laughter, which completely frustrated me. It wasn’t a laughable notion to me.