the time doesn’t even notice me. Yes, Brayden was right. I watch her. And not just because something about her seems off to me, if I’m being honest here.
I nearly couldn’t breathe the first time I met Krystal. She’s that beautiful. And time with her hasn’t improved anything because now I can’t breathe, think, or speak when I’m with her.
I finish off my beer, toss it in the trash, and exit the house onto the back patio.
It’s like a concrete oasis edging the sand. Blue-bottomed pool. Tables with chairs, those plush double loungers brightly decorated with pillows, enormous potted plants, fire pits, all facing the ocean.
Never seen anything like this in Ohio, and this is the house Krystal’s family have because. Janie would be blown away by this. I need to bring her down for a visit soon, if I can get her to come.
My chest contracts.
I push away that thought, and instead take my phone from my pocket, snap a picture, and attach it to a text.
Me: Where I’m sleeping tonight, Sis.
On the far side of the patio, I settle on a lounger with an unobstructed view of the beach. Lights blaze from the houses on either side, but the shoreline is empty.
All this, and these people don’t even care.
I lean back and close my eyes as I listen to the surf. It’s never quiet anywhere in LA like this.
If I keep perspective, maybe this weekend won’t be something I regret. Hell, this part is worth it. As for the girl? She has all this. Why would she even look at me?
Out of my league.
Colossal understatement.
She’s a job.
Don’t foul this up, Jake…
* * *
“Aha. I knew you two were lying to me.”
I jerk awake to find Madison Parker standing close, hands on hips and pretty face damning with suspicion.
I check the beach. People there. By the position of the sun it’s midmorning. Oh crap, I didn’t plan to sleep this late.
“Are you going to tell me the truth now? What’s really going on?”
I glance up at her. “Nothing’s going on.”
One brow shoots up. “Then why didn’t you sleep in Krystal’s room? Why are you out here?”
I turn to sit on the edge of the chair. “We don’t have that kind of a relationship yet and she’s pissed at me.”
“Oh,” she says softly, and I’m not sure why that appeases her, but it does. She sinks down beside me on the chair, nodding. “Should make for an interesting weekend.” She makes an irritating sucking sound with her lips and teeth. “What kind of relationship do you have?”
I shrug. “When I figure it out, I’ll let you know.”
She laughs and springs to her feet. “You hungry? Nick’s making breakfast. No need to wait for Krystal to get back from her run to eat. She never eats. But then you must know that.”
I follow her into the kitchen. Nick is standing at the stove, moving a long wooden spoon through a loaded egg scramble.
Over his shoulder, he glances at me. “Dude, you look like you slept in your clothes.”
Madison’s head slowly tilts. “He did. On the patio.”
Their eyes lock. “Oh.”
Nick turns back to the stove, shaking his head as Madison sinks down on a stool at the breakfast bar.
What was that about?
I have that feeling again, that I’m trapped inside something that could blow up.
Why is Madison so snoopy and suspicious? Is it me? Or is it Krystal? Her level of distrust seems extreme even in this circumstance. Why does she keep digging at it?
I head toward the coffeemaker. “How long will Krystal run?”
Madison makes a short laugh. “Who knows? Until she can’t anymore. Her only limit is the limit. She never stops until she reaches it. But then, you know that, since I’m pretty sure that personality quirk extends to everything.”
The hair on my neck stands up.
What is she suggesting with that?
I pour a cup. “She’s an elite athlete.”
“You consider ballet a sport?” Nick asks.
Shrugging, I lean back against the counter to study them both. “Sure. Don’t you? She trains harder every day
I nearly couldn’t breathe the first time I met Krystal. She’s that beautiful. And time with her hasn’t improved anything because now I can’t breathe, think, or speak when I’m with her.
I finish off my beer, toss it in the trash, and exit the house onto the back patio.
It’s like a concrete oasis edging the sand. Blue-bottomed pool. Tables with chairs, those plush double loungers brightly decorated with pillows, enormous potted plants, fire pits, all facing the ocean.
Never seen anything like this in Ohio, and this is the house Krystal’s family have because. Janie would be blown away by this. I need to bring her down for a visit soon, if I can get her to come.
My chest contracts.
I push away that thought, and instead take my phone from my pocket, snap a picture, and attach it to a text.
Me: Where I’m sleeping tonight, Sis.
On the far side of the patio, I settle on a lounger with an unobstructed view of the beach. Lights blaze from the houses on either side, but the shoreline is empty.
All this, and these people don’t even care.
I lean back and close my eyes as I listen to the surf. It’s never quiet anywhere in LA like this.
If I keep perspective, maybe this weekend won’t be something I regret. Hell, this part is worth it. As for the girl? She has all this. Why would she even look at me?
Out of my league.
Colossal understatement.
She’s a job.
Don’t foul this up, Jake…
* * *
“Aha. I knew you two were lying to me.”
I jerk awake to find Madison Parker standing close, hands on hips and pretty face damning with suspicion.
I check the beach. People there. By the position of the sun it’s midmorning. Oh crap, I didn’t plan to sleep this late.
“Are you going to tell me the truth now? What’s really going on?”
I glance up at her. “Nothing’s going on.”
One brow shoots up. “Then why didn’t you sleep in Krystal’s room? Why are you out here?”
I turn to sit on the edge of the chair. “We don’t have that kind of a relationship yet and she’s pissed at me.”
“Oh,” she says softly, and I’m not sure why that appeases her, but it does. She sinks down beside me on the chair, nodding. “Should make for an interesting weekend.” She makes an irritating sucking sound with her lips and teeth. “What kind of relationship do you have?”
I shrug. “When I figure it out, I’ll let you know.”
She laughs and springs to her feet. “You hungry? Nick’s making breakfast. No need to wait for Krystal to get back from her run to eat. She never eats. But then you must know that.”
I follow her into the kitchen. Nick is standing at the stove, moving a long wooden spoon through a loaded egg scramble.
Over his shoulder, he glances at me. “Dude, you look like you slept in your clothes.”
Madison’s head slowly tilts. “He did. On the patio.”
Their eyes lock. “Oh.”
Nick turns back to the stove, shaking his head as Madison sinks down on a stool at the breakfast bar.
What was that about?
I have that feeling again, that I’m trapped inside something that could blow up.
Why is Madison so snoopy and suspicious? Is it me? Or is it Krystal? Her level of distrust seems extreme even in this circumstance. Why does she keep digging at it?
I head toward the coffeemaker. “How long will Krystal run?”
Madison makes a short laugh. “Who knows? Until she can’t anymore. Her only limit is the limit. She never stops until she reaches it. But then, you know that, since I’m pretty sure that personality quirk extends to everything.”
The hair on my neck stands up.
What is she suggesting with that?
I pour a cup. “She’s an elite athlete.”
“You consider ballet a sport?” Nick asks.
Shrugging, I lean back against the counter to study them both. “Sure. Don’t you? She trains harder every day
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