Page 7 of Her Devils

“Mom...” I try my best to keep the worry out of my voice, because she doesn’t look angry.

“Look, Len, I understand that those guys are gorgeous and they probably remind you of yourpapàbecause of what they do for a living—a little bit like Darrius.”

Shit.

With the way she’s putting it, it makes me sound like I’m the poster child for daddy issues, but I don’t think that’s what Mom means.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you ended up liking and maybe even dating one of them, but I want you to be careful and guard your heart. Remember what I told you the night we ran into each other at the Grand Hotel and you were with Channing?”

I clear my throat, but she stops me from saying anything by looking at me with probing eyes as she zips her case closed.

“You said it wasn’t a date, and I believe you. If that had been anyone else, I wouldn’t even mention it, but you’ve been away all year, and you don’t know how the Cove Devils have been acting around town. Remember when I told you about how everyone in Star Cove and beyond calls them—”

“Yeah, heartbreakers,” I interrupt. “I know, Mom. Look, the guys have been nice to me when things have been...tensehere after I got back from France. I’m not planning on dating them or anything.”

That’s the truth. The guys were adamant that they don’t do girlfriends or relationships, and I’d do well to remember that if I don’t want to get my heart broken even worse than with Darrius.

“Lenley,” Mom says, her expression softening as she looks at me, “try to understand that I’m not telling you what to do. You’re an adult, and so are the guys. If things with one of them turned...romantic, I would never stand in your way, even if you ended up with Peyton and things went wrong between the two of you. I think we’re all grown up enough to keep my relationship with Ken separate from yours.”

I know I should tell her, if not about the deal then at least about what happened between Peyton and me, but it isn’t just up to me. “Mom, Peyton and I are friends.” That is the truth at least.

She smiles. “I know, and like I said, you’re both grown-ups, but I know what I saw. I think Peyton likes you. I just wanted to make sure that you tread carefully in case the guys get caught in their usual whirlwind of wild parties once the competitive season starts. I’m your mother, and I worry about you, baby girl. I also don’t ever want to see you cry again like you did because of Darrius.” There’s bitterness in her tone.

“I know.” I sigh. “He’s been showing a side of himself I never noticed before.”

Mom nods. “You haven’t because you and Darrius have always been thick as thieves, but the kind of behavior you’ve seen lately isn’t new for him. This is why Kyle and I made sure that he earned his spot as the captain of Cove Angels. Yourpapàwould have wanted the best diver to lead the team to worlds, no matter who they were. It would have been the same if you wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

I smile, but there’s no mirth in it, and I miss mypapàmore than ever. “I know. The way he’s been speaking to you is unacceptable, Mom.”

She grabs the handle of her suitcase and heads out of the bedroom. “I guess he feels like the Devils are invading his turf, both at work and by getting close to you, but you know what? I think some competition and a reminder that no one owes him anything will do him good.”

***

Lenley

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“THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHINGand for cleaning up. Dinner was delicious,” I tell the chef Mom hired to cater tonight’s dinner.

He’s young and pretty good looking, with dark brown hair and gray eyes that remind me of Jameson’s.

He smiles. “Glad you liked it, and if you ever hire any chef who leaves a mess behind, then they aren’t doing their job.”

I take the card he hands me.

“Your mom hired me through an agency, but this is my card. Normally I work at a five-star resort on Coral Cove in the summer, but I do a lot more private events in the off season.”

I read his card.Drew Evers. “Thank you, I’ll make sure I give this to Mom. I guess Coral Cove doesn’t get busy until the Fourth of July, like Star Cove,” I remark, remembering the small island off our coast.

Drew smiles, his teeth looking stark white in contrast with his tan face. “It used to be that way, but the resort I work at is under new management, and it’s already working at capacity. Tonight was my night off, and I’m picking up agency jobs to save money to buy my own restaurant.”

I nod, impressed with his hardworking ethics. “That’s great. Good luck with it, and I’ll make sure that Mom gets your card.”

I walk the chef to the front door and then return to the kitchen to have a look at the leftovers. I was so stunned by the news and preoccupied with what happened between Peyton and me that I barely ate anything, and now I’m starving.

“Ready to go?”

Darrius’s voice comes from somewhere behind me, startling me and making me choke on the mini taco I just put in my mouth.

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