Loving Lies(25)

“Not tonight.”

“That’s what you said last Saturday,” says Kat.

“And the Saturday before that,” pipes in Becca, with a knowing grin. Turns out when I thought I had sneaked out of Blake’s cabin that first night, Becca had been out for a stroll. She was still suffering from jet lag and couldn’t sleep. I tried to ignore her questions all week, but when Blake left and I sort of fell apart with missing him so much and I sort of spilled the beans.

I sense the blackmail behind her knowing look. I flop back to my bed and groan loudly. “Seriously, I just got home. I haven’t even eaten anything in hours and I’m not ready.”

Becca and Kat share a conspiratorial look and I get the distinct impression my night of leisure isn’t going to fly with them.

Twenty minutes later I’ve been talked into my clean jeans, a fancy, off-the-shoulder shirt that’s Becca’s and they’re handing me the other half of a sandwich swiped from the kitchen.

All three of us saunter out of the room and I find their infectious laughter and banter contagious. Maybe this is exactly what I need. Escape from my own thoughts.

My cell gives off a ping, letting me know I’ve got a new text. My heart speeds up and I’m about to dig it out of my pant pockets when Becca says, “Ignore it.”

I really wish I could, but this intense longing has me quickly fishing out my cell to read it and I can’t help grin.

I MISS you.

Three simple words that make me feel all special inside.

I quickly fire off, SAME and am forced to put my cell away when Kat grabs my arm.

“Tonight it’s about having fun.”

“Great,” I say. Another ping from my cell has me feeling antsy and I’m thinking of ways to ditch the girls so I can spend my night texting Blake.

“Seriously, Alyssa. He’s not here. We are and you’re going to enjoy yourself. Text him later or call him. When’s he coming back?”

There’s the million dollar question. “Not sure.”

“Not sure or he hasn’t told you?” asks Becca.

Kat takes a drink of her cooler. “He’ll be back, don’t you worry.”

I accept the beer Becca hands me and force myself to take a drink. “What makes you so sure?”

“Alyssa, get real. The guy’s totally into you. Plus he’s paid up-front for the entire summer,” says Kat, which thrills me to know.

I take another long drink, hoping the alcohol will help mellow my mood. “I’m not so sure.”

“Listen, the only reason he went away was because of his father. God that must have been a shock for him. I feel so bad for him,” says Becca. “I know he’ll be back as soon as he can.”

Soon isn’t soon enough. I hate that I miss the feel of his arms wrapped around my waist as he hauls me to him. I hate that I’m seeking out that leather, cedar smell of him. I hate that I’ve tucked his black briefs I stole under my pillow like a silly girl wishing for the Tooth Fairy to leave her something good—like Blake—in my bed.

“You’re right. He’ll be here when he gets here and if not it’s his loss.”

Becca links her arm in mine. “Now that’s the spirit.”

I fall into the easy laughter and try not to think about the times with my old friends when we did things like this. Funny how when I left my family, I gave up my friends too, but those BFFs turned out not to be the best. I even contacted two of them early on but all they urged me to do was return home. They didn’t care why I’d left. I look back on the two girls in my life and wonder if they hung with me for my money or my dad’s connections and hate myself for thinking that. But those were the words my father threw at me when I told him in no uncertain terms I wouldn’t be a marriage pawn for his business schemes.

By the time we’re at the Cave I’ve finished my beer. We move toward the large bonfire and instantly Noah yanks Kat into his arms.

“Glad you came, Alyssa,” says Noah.

I nod and accept another bottle of beer.

Becca moves to a boulder so she can sit closer to a guy I’ve never seen before. I get the distinct impression they know each other, but I don’t want to intrude. The sweet scent of grass and tobacco smoke fills the air. I claim a spot on a makeshift wooden bench and instantly a guy I don’t know sits beside me.

“I’m Colton.”

“Alyssa,” I mumble, quickly taking a swig of my beer and hoping he’ll get the hint that I’m not in the mood for a hook-up.

He doesn’t speak for a long time so I think I’m off the hook when he says, “You must work at the resort. I’d remember if I saw you in town.” I glance at him, and notice he’s not really looking at me while he takes a large gulp of his own beer.