Because of Low (Sea Breeze #2)(13)

I lifted my gaze from my glass and smiled at him. “Thanks. But I have family issues often and I know privacy is always best.”

He frowned and took a long sip of his drink that I was pretty sure was mixed with whisky. “Well I’ll be having a lot of family issues over the next few months so don’t worry about me. If Manda shows up crying or is tucked away in my room don’t ever feel like you have to leave. Stay. I’d rather you stay than run off somewhere.”

Had he come looking for me? Surely not.

“Thanks,” I wasn’t going to argue with him. Although if that happened again I would not stick around and make them uncomfortable. But there was no point in arguing.

“Hey bro! I didn’t know you were here. Day-um it feels good to have you showing up on a weekday. I miss your ugly mug when it’s off at college.” Dewayne slapped Marcus on the back and took the chair beside me grinning. Dewayne, Rock, Marcus and Preston had grown up together. According to Cage they were all really tight. A strange combination if you ask me. Marcus was the rich man’s son although he sure didn’t live like it and Rock owned his own parasailing company, Preston had no purpose in life but surfing, baseball and girls, then Dewayne was well.... I wasn’t sure what he was. He looked dark and dangerous with tats and dreds, but his personality reminded me of a big teddy bear. He was always so nice and easy to talk to .

“I needed to get out and my roomies had both left me for the night so I followed the pretty one here.”

Did Marcus just call me pretty?

Dewayne chuckled, “Don’t let Cage hear you call her pretty. He goes ape shit when guys mention Miss Willow’s attractiveness,” Dewayne winked at me and lit up a cigarette leaning back in his chair.

“Cage is full of hot air,” I assured them both but mostly Marcus who I did not want to scare off if there was any chance at all he might be interested in me.

Dewayne let out a laugh as smoke wafted out his noise and mouth. “Naw, baby, he’s dead serious. I’ve seen him in action when someone said something about you. It ain’t pretty.”

Shut up Dewayne. I glanced over at Marcus and he was frowning again. Dangit, I needed to stop Dewayne and his mouth.

“Marcus! Hey you! I had no idea you were back in town. Why haven’t you called me? I’m hurt.” She was gorgeous. Figures, tall blond and all willowy. Just like the girls Cage is so fond of.

“Jess,” Marcus stood up and hugged the girl. My insides cringed.

“Come dance with me,” she pleaded not letting go of her hold on him. She looked around him and smiled brightly at Dewayne. “Hey D! How ya doin’ baby?”

He nodded, “Good Jess. You broke up with that wanker again?”

She scowled, “Yes for over a month. He got someone pregnant this time. I can’t forgive that.”

Dewayne let out a low whistle, “Ouch... guess not. Daddy Hank. Never thought I’d hear that one.”

She shrugged and pulled Marcus closer. “It’s okay, I got me a handful of Marcus Hardy to make it all better,” she cooed.

Marcus glanced down at me and I forced a smile then turned my attention to the stage that Jackdown had just returned to after their break. I couldn’t watch him walk away with her. Seeing him with someone like her just reminded me of how out of my reach he was. “One dance,” I heard Marcus say.

Jess squealed and led him into the crowd.

I would not think about it. I would not think about it.

“She’s Rock’s cousin. He couldn’t turn her down.” Dewayne’s voice interrupted my mental chant. My face instantly heated at his words. He could tell it bothered me. Well that was freaking perfect. Now I was really pathetic. The low class plain jane crushing on Marcus Hardy. Suddenly I wanted to leave. I wanted Cage. I needed to feel safe.

“Doesn’t bother me. I didn’t come here with him.”

That didn’t even sound believable. My voice had cracked for crying out loud.

“Hmmmm,” was all Dewayne said through drags off his cigarette.

“I need some fresh air and I need to make a phone call,” I said standing up. Dewayne raised his eyebrows and then nodded. I didn’t need his all-knowing eyes on me. I headed for the door. Away from the warmth of the overcrowded bar and Dewayne’s cigarette smoke blowing in my face.





Chapter Five





The night air was still cool. Even though our super short spring weather was almost gone our nights hadn’t begun to warm up yet. I took a deep cleansing breath of ocean air and stepped into the white sand wishing I hadn’t worn boots. I could have slipped off heels easily and felt the sand between my toes.

My phone rang in my purse and I pulled it out. It was Cage.

“Hey you,” I said holding the phone pressed between my ear and shoulder as I walked down the beach toward our apartment.

“Where are you?”

Figures this would be his question. Knowing Cage he was in the middle of sex and realized he didn’t know where I was tonight and grabbed the phone to call me in between thrust. Gross, bad mental image.

“Currently I’m outside Live Bay on the beach getting some fresh air. Jackdown is playing tonight.”

“Who’s with you?”

“Well, I was with Preston but he left with a girl and Marcus said he would give me a ride home.”