Page 45 of Tell It To The Waves

I set everything up for my parents, and the day before signing, Molly talked me into going out of town with her, promising everything was good to go. It was, but for the Williams. I trusted them, and they did the worst thing they could do to people who were struggling. They changed the contract and the price they said they would give my parents. My parents owed the Williams one point five million dollars by the time they signed the papers. I learned this by accident after we got back, and I wanted to get a copy of their contract; they fought me tooth and nail, finally relenting and giving me the file. Their smug expressions stared at me as I panned from them to the folder.

I lose it completely. This marina has been in my family for years. My father is sick. This is their last hope of truly living somewhat normal lives, not drowning in debt. And in turn, they changed the contract price and gave my parents what they originally asked for; they did not know they’d never own that piece again. Because there is no way they’ll be able to pay back the extra they added.

My hands shake as I read those papers; everything turns red, and I rush Todd, pinning him against the wall, as Molly and her mother scream behind me. My hand finds his neck, and I squeeze, seething and spitting words at him.

Grunting out, he says, “You can make it all work for them.” His eyes sparkle with his plans and deceit.

Squeezing a bit tighter, I spew at him, “How’s that, Todd?”

He taps my hand, and I unwillingly remove my hand from his neck.

Molly and her mother are next to him in seconds, wiping tears from their eyes.

I look at Molly. “You knew about this!” I scream at her, watching her wince back.

“No, no, baby, I didn’t know,” she promises me.

Todd straightens up. “She didn’t know.”

“I want these papers changed; I want everything voided. You can’t do this to people, to good people.”

“Here’s the deal: once you marry my daughter, the loan rolls over to your name, your parents' land is free and clear, they get it all back. Only if you sign the prenup and the marriage stays intact. I’ll make sure there is a clause in there.” Pride of pulling one over on someone brightens his face.

I look at Todd, dumbfounded, and I can’t find the right words. Forehead raised and sweat slicked, “why?” is all I can get out because I’m absolutely confused.

“Because we can. You’re going to marry my daughter, give us a grandchild, and work for us. We’ll provide what you need. What you make working will go to the loan, paying it down. But none of this,” he reaches his hand out and Molly hands him the papers, “will be turned over until you say I Do.”

I turn to Molly, and she quickly wipes the smile off her face; she knows. This is her plan. She doesn’t have to say it; I know it.

Six years ago I used Molly to get under August's skin, and here we are all these years later, and now she’s using me. I wounded her that night, and she tried for months to win me, but I ignored her.

And this was her long game, letting her dad use me any way he pleases as long as she gets her way.

Shaking my head, I try to get the memories to clear. August invading them and the Williams’ deceit coming in like a reckoning.

Do I believe that this will ever get paid off? No, it won’t. This is how they’ll make me stay with Molly. A whole family of horrible humans who blackmail to get where they are now. That’s what I’m giving my life to, for my parents. Kai knows nothing about this. He only knows what my parents know. A forced marriage isn’t on their radar. And so I’ve stayed away. Not because of them, but because of the anger I hold for myself, for what I put in their laps. And this is why I can’t say anything about August Cove; there's more at stake than me. Or let myself get drawn back into the tidal wave of August herself.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“It’s beautiful!” I clap my hands excitedly, looking at the door that now welcomes visitors to the cottage. The measurements were a perfect match, which makes me think it was meant to be.

“Thank goodness, I didn’t think it was going to work.” Kai wipes his forehead dramatically.

A few days ago, movers brought my bed, TV, and other large items from my apartment. I’m now officially staying at the cottage, even though I’ve been for a week. Now that those are all here, it feels real.

I have nervous energy flowing through me thinking about this morning's meeting to look at the store in town. They finally messaged me back; my stomach sank when I read that message. Not for fear, but for excitement and the knowledge that if I do this, I’m really staying in Driftwood Bay. This would be permanent.

I still haven’t told Baylee that I reached out about it. I wanted to wait until I knew something.

Saying goodbye to Kai, I make my way to get dressed; my body feels like it’s buzzing. Anxiety or anticipation, I can’t tell the difference at the moment.

Taking my hair out of the bun I put it in last night when I got done showering at Kai and Bay’s; it falls down in waves. The smell of lemons and cloves surrounds me.

Slipping on a pink summer dress, feet slid into sandals and a light dusting of makeup, not covering my freckles that are reappearing from my time in the sun. I give myself one look over, ensuring my breasts are covered, and tell myself, “You got this.”

I’m a nervous wreck the entire drive to Main Street. Scared jitters overtaking my body. It feels like fight-or-flight kicking in, and I want to fly.

Parking in front of the store, I don’t see anyone waiting, but I am ten minutes early.