On the Rocks (Last Call #1)(34)

The only other person who may know is Brody. Hunter told me about the conversation he had with him the other day where he pointed out the reason we fought so much was because we had the hots for each other. I still shake my head in wonder thinking of the things that Brody sees, but he hasn’t said a word to me.

I’m on Hunter’s back deck, along with about twenty other people. Casey and Alyssa are here, as is Hunter’s best friend, Wyatt. I invited Savannah, but she took on another gig with the douche photographer to earn some extra money. The only one of our core group that is conspicuously absent is Brody.

When I asked Casey where he is, she just shrugs her shoulders and says, “He tries to stay away from drinking.”

“He works in a bar,” I point out.

“I know… the irony is not lost on me, trust me.”

Everyone is enjoying the warm weather today, the sun hanging low over the Atlantic, and the cold beer Hunter has supplied. I take a few quick peeks at him while he mans the grill, laughing at something Wyatt says to him.

He looks utterly gorgeous, his hair windblown and shining in the late afternoon glow. I know I’m not the only one affected, as evidenced by the three girls that also hang close to him while he flips the burgers. They’re dressed no differently than any of the women here, wearing shorts and bikini tops as demanded by the unseasonable for late April, eighty degree weather, but the fact they are standing close to my man… flirting with him shamelessly, has me clenching my teeth together in anger.

“Geez… who peed in your Wheaties?” Casey asks from beside me.

I turn around to see her staring at me in interest. Shaking my head and giving her a smile, I say, “Nothing. Just thinking of some things I have to do Monday at Last Call.”

Reaching into a nearby bowl of chips, she chews on one thoughtfully. “The project is going well?”

“Very well. On schedule, and it’s coming together nicely.”

“You’ve been busting your ass, girlie. I haven’t even seen you all week. Are we still on for breakfast Monday?”

Even as I nod at her, I flush with a tiny bit of guilt that we haven’t seen each other all week. Not that we would necessarily hang during the weekday. I mean, sometimes we would, but I feel a tad bit guilty because I know, without a doubt, that had Casey invited me to do something, I would have declined so I could spend my evenings with Hunter. I’m such a horrible friend, made even worse by the fact I’m screwing her brother and haven’t told her about it.

I give her a wan smile and take another sip of my beer, sneaking another glance at Hunter. He’s got the grill closed and is propped against the deck railing, leaning in close while one of the girls talks to him. His smile is carefree and he seems to be truly interested in what she’s saying, which pisses me off.

Hunter’s eyes slide briefly to mine, and they crinkle around the edges. He’s amused with me, and I realize that the look on my face must reveal exactly how I’m feeling. I glare at him and turn toward the house, intent on slamming the rest of my beer and getting another. Casey asks me to get her one too, and I just nod in response.

Oh God, this is torture. Being around Hunter, and yet not being with him. I know I’m the one that wanted to keep this secret, but it’s killing me right now to not be able to talk to him. It’s killing me right now not to be able to nudge my way in between him and the beach bimbo, so his eyes are only on me.

But this is my bed and I willingly crawled into it, so I have no choice but to put on my big girl panties and live with my choice.

As soon as I step into Hunter’s house, I run straight into Steve Coursier. He’s a few years old than I am and went to my high school. We occasionally see each other around town. He’s always been friendly, in a goofy sort of way, and he’s really cute on top of that. Steve’s family owns a chain of novelty beach shops called The Shells along the Outer Banks, and he helps to manage them.

“Hey, Gabby,” he says as he bends over to give me a quick hug. “How’ve you been doing?”

I give him a warm smile after he releases me. “I’m good. Busy. How about you?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “Same old. Gearing up for the tourist season.”

“I bet,” I tell him, walking by so I can head into the kitchen. “I’m on my way to get a beer—do you want one?”

He shakes his head, but then he says, “Hey… I’m glad I ran into you. I was wondering if, um… maybe you’d like to go out some time? Dinner—maybe catch a movie or something?”

My eyebrows raise in shock. I mean, I’ve known Steve for years and we’ve always been casual friends. He’s never once indicated any interest in me that way, so I’m more than surprised about him asking me out on a date.

My mind goes blank. The unequivocal answer is no. Not because there’s anything wrong with Steve, but because my heart is already being pulled in a million different directions by Hunter. The problem is, I can’t say that—not out loud—and frankly, it’s hard to admit it using my inside voice.

I open my mouth to start a gentle letdown when I hear, “She’s not interested, Coursier.”

Spinning around, I see Hunter standing just inside the doorway that leads out to his back deck. He has a bland smile on his face, but his eyes are hard as they bore into Steve.