I blushed again, clenching my jaw. “No, thanks, Nathan. I think I’d rather drown myself in the tub instead.”
“Claire!” Dad snapped, his eyes narrowing. “What’s the matter with you?”
“It’s okay, Jonathan. She must still be annoyed from getting her nap interrupted.”
Dad sighed and shook his head. “Women can be so moody sometimes.”
I wanted to smack both of them. Dad was such a boring, stuck-up, old-school sexist, and Nate was clearly just playing along to annoy me.
“That’s enough, boys,” Lucille cut in suddenly. “No need to gang up on poor Claire.”
I started to eat again, eager for the conversation to move on.
“Speaking of that,” Lucille went on. “What are your plans for this summer, Nathan?”
“I’m on leave, Mother. I plan on relaxing until my next deployment.”
She nodded, sipping her drink. “I was hoping you’d maybe get a job, do something a little less . . . barbaric.”
I could feel Nate tense beside me.
“I have a job. It’s protecting ungrateful civilians like you.”
“Nathan, your mother is just looking out for you. I have plenty of businesses that you could work at, if you wanted to make an extra buck,” Dad cut in, trying to placate the situation.
“Oh, he certainly needs an extra buck,” Lucille continued. “The Army doesn’t exactly pay much, does it, Nate?”
“The Navy,” he said through clenched teeth, “pays just fine.”
“Oh, maybe, but you’re always traveling, running around the world shooting your guns like wild men. Why don’t you give something more respectable a shot, Nathan?”
I thought, for just a second, that Nathan was going to throw something at her. I saw a twitch in his face, but suddenly he took a deep breath and composed himself. I guessed that was his military discipline taking over.
“No, thank you, Lucille.” He pushed his chair out and stood up. “My job is enough for me.” Without another word, he turned and walked away from the house, down toward the beach.
I watched him disappear for a moment as an awkward silence descended on the table. His strong body walked calmly and confidently toward the beach. He kicked off his shoes and continued on, following the water line, out of sight.
“Well,” Lucille said, “that was awkward.”
Dad looked at me. “Claire, honey, why don’t you take him out on the boat tomorrow?”
I sighed. “Why would I do that, Dad?”
“Because I want him to feel welcome, and I want you two to become friends. You’re siblings now.”
“Stepsiblings,” I mumbled.
“Is that a yes?”
“I don’t know. He doesn’t seem that interested.”
“He sure seemed interested when I brought it up. Please, honey, I’m asking you nicely.”
I knew I couldn’t say no. Dad did so much for me, and I was his perfect little princess, after all. I couldn’t possibly disappoint him.
Even though I wanted to. I desperately wanted to rebel against everything he said and did, which was probably part of why I was so excited every time Nate said something sexual right in front of him. I loved how cocky and confident Nate was, even if it was completely over the top and embarrassing. It excited me, and I craved some excitement in my life.
But I couldn’t imagine a day alone with him on a boat. I knew that he would try to get in my pants, or I guess in my swimsuit, all day long. And I wasn’t sure I could keep him off me. Now that we were stepsiblings, though, maybe he would start to back off.
“Okay,” I said reluctantly. “I’ll take him.”
Dad beamed. “That’s my girl. Well, this was delicious, but I have some work to do.” He stood up. “Ladies.”
Lucille blew him a kiss, and I smiled as he left. I took another bite of my lunch and then quickly stood up to follow.
“Be nice to that boy,” Lucille said suddenly.
“Excuse me?”
“Nathan. He doesn’t understand people like us. He’s always been a problem.”
I frowned at her. “He seems like he has it together. He’s a Navy SEAL. That’s a huge deal.”
She shrugged her shoulders and looked out at the ocean. “Maybe in some circles it is. But to me, he’s just one big disappointment.”
I stared at her, shocked that she’d outright admit to that, before turning and walking away without another word.
“Okay, so where’s this thick hunk of sexy-ass muscles at? I want a quick peek at what he’s packing.”
“Come on, Lydie,” I said, giggling. “Calm it with that.”