Page 27 of Tell It To The Waves

My body trembles; this closeness is too much. He’s too much.

I feel like I can’t get enough air into my lungs when his hand bunches my hair, placing it on my other shoulder as he leans in by my now bare ear. “You can’t come back here and act like you didn’t break my damn heart, Goose.” His lips lightly touch my ear, sending shivers down my body, the hair on my arms rising. I let out a loud sigh.

His hands come around to the handrail, blocking me in front of him.

“Please, Bohdi,” I plead, but what is it even for? For him to let me go or to keep going. And everything floods back; it’s as if the alcohol fog lifts. “Your fiancé is waiting for you at home.” I spit out.

He laughs, his chest vibrating behind me. “Home.” He says the word like it’s foreign. “No one is home, Goose.” There is so much more behind those words, but I’m not sure what they hold.

“Please back up,” I whisper, but it’s not loud.

Bohdi pushes his body against my back, pushing my stomach to the handrail as he leans into me. The way he fits so perfectly, as he slowly grinds himself onto my ass. My head falls back onto his chest, looking up at him. He turns his head, his lips so close to mine. He doesn’t stop moving, and I don’t want him to. His lips ghost over mine, the slightest touch. The feeling sends shocks through me. His hand uncurls from the railing, sliding up my bare legs, over my sundress and up to my neck. I can’t catch my breath. This is too much. This isn’t right. And that thought is like a bucket of cold water thrown on me.

Maneuvering from him and away, my heart pounds, my panties damp. I shake my head. “That shouldn’t have happened. Go home.” My voice quivers. I don’t give him time to reply, turning and running down the pier and across the wharf. I’m too drunk to drive, but I go to my car to sit in it. Fumbling for my phone, I call the one person I can… Baylee.

Her sleepy voice answers on the second ring. “August?” Her voice is concerned even though I just woke her up.

Her name comes out in a cry. “I’m drunk and I can’t drive and I did something stupid,” I say so fast.

“Where are you?”

I tell her and she lets me know Kai will be right there.

I wait, not moving, those moments replaying over and over in my mind. But I’m upset with myself. He isn’t mine; he’s hers. And I’m not like them; I won’t hurt her.

Headlights shine into my eyes. Wincing, Kai stops next to my car, rolling his window down. I step out of mine. “Hi.” It comes out softly.

“Get in, drunkie.” He laughs at me. And that breaks the ice.

Jumping in, I ask, “Could you take me home?”

The dome light goes off. “Of course. Are you okay, though?” His voice is concerned.

Letting my head fall back onto the headrest, “I did something stupid…or should I say I didn’t stop it. Your brother,” I tell him, waiting for his judgment.

He takes off down the road. “I’m not here to judge; I’m just here to make sure you’re okay and to get you home safely.”

Tears spring into my eyes. “I don’t know what he’s trying to do. Torture me. Make me regret coming here. Punish me for leaving?”

Kai grunts.

“I would never hurt someone even though they hurt me,” I tell him honestly.

Looking over to me, he says, “You and me both.” And I know his goes deep with his brother.

Pulling up to the cottage, the place is dark. The only light is from the moon high above.

“You know, just because we're in Driftwood doesn’t mean we have to leave the lights off,” Kai reprimands me.

Laughing, “I know.” I would never do that at my apartment, but here, the only pain that can get to me is from the heart, not by someone’s hands.

“Thanks for saving me,” I tell him before getting out.

“Hey, I’m sure Bay will be calling you bright and early wanting the drama, or hell, showing up to take you to your car. I’m a man; I never bring enough information to her, and she gets mad.”

“If that isn’t the truth. Night.” I close the door.

I’m greeted by complete darkness; the house is cold and luring me to the sofa for bed.