The Last Song(95)
Ronnie wondered what his parents would think about that, but she said nothing.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “Don’t you even want to try?”
“Of course I want to try.”
“Then we’ll find a way to make it work, okay?” He paused. “I want to be with you as much as possible, Ronnie. You’re smart and funny and you’re honest. I trust you. I trust us. Yeah, I’m leaving and you’re going back home. But neither of those things changes the way I feel about you. And my feelings aren’t going to change simply because I’m going to Vanderbilt. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
She knew he was sincere, but a nagging voice inside her asked how many summer romances actually withstood the test of time. Not many, and it had nothing to do with feelings. People changed. Interests changed. All she had to do was glance in the mirror to recognize that.
Yet losing him seemed unbearable. He was the one she loved, the one she would always love, and as he leaned in to kiss her, she gave herself over to him. While he held her close, she ran her hands over his shoulders and back, feeling the strength in his arms. She knew he’d wanted more in their relationship than she’d been willing to offer, but here and now, she suddenly knew she had no other choice. There was only this moment, and it was theirs.
When he spoke, his voice was at once tentative and urgent. “Do you want to come with me to my dad’s boat?”
She could feel herself trembling, uncertain whether she was ready for what was coming next. At the same time, she felt a powerful urge to move forward. “Okay,” she whispered.
Will squeezed her hand, and she had the impression that he was as nervous as she felt as he led her toward the boat. She knew she could still change her mind, but she didn’t want to stop. She wanted her first time to mean something, to happen with someone she cared deeply about. As they drew near the boat, she only vaguely registered her surroundings; the air was cooling, and from the corner of her eye, she could see guests moving on the dance floor. Off to the side, she saw Susan talking to the elderly man who’d been watching her earlier and was again struck by the nagging thought that she knew him from somewhere.
“That was such a sweet speech, I wish I could have recorded it,” she heard someone drawl.
Will flinched. The voice came from the far side of the dock. Though he remained hidden in the darkness, Ronnie knew exactly who it was. Blaze had warned her something like this might be coming. Marcus stepped out from behind a pole and lit a fireball.
“I mean it, Richie Rich. You really charmed the pants off her.” He grinned. “Almost, anyway.”
Will took a step forward. “Get the hell out of here.”
Marcus moved the fireball, rotating it between his fingers. “Or what? You’ll call the cops? I know you better than that.”
Will tensed. Marcus had somehow struck a nerve, though she didn’t know why.
“This is private property,” Will said, but he didn’t sound as sure of himself as he should have.
“I love this part of town, don’t you? Everyone down here is so country club chummy, they built this nice walkway that follows the water from one house to the next. I just love coming out here, you know? To enjoy the views, I mean.”
“This is my sister’s wedding,” Will hissed.
“I always thought your sister was beautiful,” Marcus said. “I even asked her out once. But the tramp turned me down. Can you believe that?” He didn’t give Will a chance to respond before he motioned to the crowd. “I saw Scott earlier, up there acting like he doesn’t have a care in the world. You gotta wonder about his conscience, huh? Then again, yours isn’t so clear, either, is it? I’ll bet you haven’t even told your mommy that your little hooker girlfriend here is probably going to jail.”
Will’s body felt as taut as a bowstring.
“I’ll bet the judge is setting her straight, though, huh?”
The judge…
Suddenly, Ronnie knew why the older man had looked so familiar… and now the judge was talking to Susan…
She felt her own breath catch in her throat.
Oh… God…
The realization came in the same instant that Will let go of her hand. As he charged toward Marcus, Marcus threw the fireball at him and leapt from the dock to the walkway. He scrambled up into the yard, near the corner of the tent, but he was no match for Will. Will easily closed the distance, but when Marcus glanced over his shoulder, Ronnie saw something in his face that told her this was exactly what he’d wanted from Will.
She had barely a split second to wonder why before she saw Marcus diving toward the ropes that supported the tent…