Page 2 of After You Returned

Rhett quickly refills our glasses. “To bad ideas that turned into good stories, to moonshine that burned just right, and to the fools who keep coming back for more. May the new year find you not older, but wiser.”

“To good stories!”

The moonshine burns as I drink the second shot but it doesn’t stop me from holding out my glass for a refill.

“To another year of bad ideas, good liquor, and the kind of family you can’t outrun — no matter how far you surf!” I shout before downing the third shot.

“I’m done,” Kai announces. “I’m helping Harper at theRumrunnerbooth.”

I roll my eyes. Of course, he is. Harper is his girlfriend. She’s also the owner of the speakeasy –Rumrunner.But the bar isn’t open tonight since everyone on the island is on the beach. Instead, she set up a booth near the boardwalk to sell liquor until the crowd gets too rowdy and she shuts it down.

Eli rubs his hands together. “Time to light the bonfire.”

I glance behind me at the fire structure. It’s piled high with Christmas trees. It’s tradition to take down your tree on the thirty-first of December and bring it to the beach. I didn’t bring my tree. Mostly because I didn’t have a Christmas tree. There’s no sense decorating for the holiday when you’re alone.

My stomach sours. Being alone is not my choice. Unfortunately, there’s only one woman for me and she won’t give me the time of day.

I really screwed up with Hazel. We were high school sweethearts, but when the chance arose to participate in a pro surfing event in Hawaii, I couldn’t dump her fast enough. I didn’t want to be tied down to this island.

Joke’s on me. I ended up injured and returned to the island with my tail between my legs. I should have run to her and begged her for forgiveness. But I was a fool. Too ashamedof my behavior and upset about losing the career I’d always dreamed of to do the right thing.

The crowd begins to chant, and I force thoughts of the past away.

“Blaze it! Raise it! Rum can’t faze it!” The crowd repeats as Eli makes his way to the pile of Christmas trees and driftwood.

“I’m getting my baby girl home before it gets dangerous,” Zane announces before stomping toward theRumrunnerbooth, where his girlfriend, Sloane, is helping Harper set up with his baby, Adele, strapped to her front.

At least, Eli, Rhett, and Jaxon aren’t running away – yet. Someone hands Eli a wooden torch, and Rhett helps him light it.

“All right, you glorious bunch of rum-soaked misfits.” Eli lifts the lit torch in the air. “It’s time to torch the past and toast the future. Here’s to bad ideas, good stories, and one hell of a hangover. Let’s set this year on fire!”

“Set the year on fire! Set the year on fire!” the crowd chants as Eli throws the torch at the pile. It catches fire, and within seconds, Smugglers’ Blaze is burning bright.

“Welp. I’ve done my duty. Time to get my family home.” Eli searches the beach. He smiles when his gaze lands on Paisley and their baby daughter, Stephanie. He doesn’t bother to say goodbye before making a beeline to them.

“If you get arrested, I’m not bailing you out until tomorrow morning,” Rhett declares before making his way toward Dakota and their two children – Pearl and Mira.

“Yes, well.” Jaxon clears his throat before backing away.

“I thought Blossom would enjoy the bonfire.”

Unlike Jaxon, whose face can be found next to the entry for ‘introvert’ in the dictionary, his wife, Blossom, is an extrovert who loves fun. The two couldn’t be more opposite.

“She didn’t come. She isn’t feeling well.”

“She’s not pregnant, is she?”

Jaxon fiddles with his glasses.

“Oh shit. I was joking.” I hold out my hand. “Congrats, brother.”

He shakes his head. “She’s not pregnant. Yet.”

I drop my hand. “I didn’t know you were trying.”

He shrugs. “We’re not, not trying.” He nods toward the boardwalk. “Anyway, I’m off. And you should get out of your wetsuit.”

I glance down. I forgot I was wearing a wetsuit. I wear one so often, it’s practically a second skin to me. But it’s no fun having to pee while wearing one. And since I’m planning to do more drinking tonight, I should probably change.