Page 17 of Tell It To The Waves

Swallowing, I say, “I’ll just head out. It’s okay.”

Standing, grabbing my tote, I rifle through it, pulling out thirty dollars and laying it on the table. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Hey, how are you going to get back?” Baylee asks.

Shrugging, I say, “I’ll be fine.”

Before she can argue, Bohdi emerges at our table; his eyes stare right into me, but he speaks to them, not me. “Wow, I really know how to thin a crowd, don’t I, brother?”

“We were just getting ready to take August home. Next time,” Kai tells Bohdi.

I look at them. “I’ll see you Monday, Kai. Bay, I enjoyed this.” I step around Bohdi and his hand gently brushes my skin, on purpose or an accident, but it leaves a stinging trail. I hurry tomake my way across the restaurant. I can feel his eyes on me, and that just makes my skin turn hot.

Exiting, the night air, cooled from the breeze bouncing off the water, soothes my hot skin. I breathe in the fresh air, trying to get myself under control. Fumbling in my tote for my keys, I make my way down the sidewalk to my parked car.

“Hey!” is yelled from behind me.

I continue walking, ignoring him.

“You’re really going to drive when you’ve been drinking. Smart, August. We’re not kids anymore.” His words are clipped.

I stop in my tracks, turn around. “Why the hell do you care what I do, Bohdi? And I’m not driving; I’m walking.” Also, not calling him Bo. It’s stupid.

His laugh reverberates down my spine. “It’s going to take you at least twenty minutes to walk to the cottage, then you're drunk, so good luck walking down the steep driveway; you’ll roll down it.”

“Hey, August.” I hear Baylee’s voice. “I can take you,” she says as Kai and her walk up to Bohdi. Kai looks at him with a death stare. Their stance makes me uncomfortable.

Kai whispers to him, but I can’t hear it.

Bohdi turns toward me, seething. “You come back into town after eight years and just turn everything upside down.”

I stand there, mouth wide open, no words coming, as I watch his retreating back. I didn’t come here for anything other than to sell the cottage and get the hell away for good.

They walk to me. “I’ll follow in our car while Bay drives in yours. She didn’t drink tonight,” Kai tells me, not giving me an option.

I wanted to say no, I can walk, but I decided to let them help me. “Okay. I’m right down there.” I point toward my car.

Turning, I realize where we're standing: in front of the empty building that’s for sale. I look at it again, but force my attention away. We’re leaving here as soon as possible.

I hold the keys out to Bay, and she smiles at me, taking my offering.

The ride out of town is quiet, not too uncomfortable, but there is still some unease in the air.

“Thank you for taking me.”

“Of course.” Bay takes a quick glance at me before turning back to the road.

Sitting up straighter, “Can I ask you something?” I don’t want to pry, but I’m curious. That whole encounter with those brothers… Something was off. “What’s going on with Bohdi and Kai?”

Baylee clicks her tongue. “Those two, I honestly don’t know if they’re coming or going some days. Their relationship is strained, to say the least.” She raises her shoulder, as if she doesn’t know what else to say.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry for prying.” And I am. I don’t care what's going on between them… I try to lie to myself. Because I do care what happens to them. At one point in my life, they were my family.

“Shit, August.” I turn my head too fast to Bay, as she’s leaning hers back on my headrest, eyes glued to the road. “They haven’t been good for the last two years.” She chooses her words carefully. “His fiancé, Molly, isn’t good for this family. She’s wedged herself between them. She and her whole family aren’t good people.” She looks at me. “You don’t remember a Molly?”

I turn in my seat. “No, I don’t.”

Bay laughs. “The big house on the rocks.”