Page 3 of Xavier

“Are you sure?”

Mom chimes in. “Yes, honey, we’re sure. Go have fun with Candace. Be safe. Call if you need a ride home.”

“Thanks, Mom, but I’m only having one drink.” With one last glance around, I run inside to grab my phone, keys, and wallet before hopping in my convertible and driving toward the south end of the island.

By the time I park in Zach’s Seafood Shack’s parking lot, the bonfire party is in full swing. The sun is setting, but the last of the sun’s rays still cannot peek through the clouds.

I follow the crowd across the street to the beach and down the steps before heading straight to the beer cooler.

“Hey, Sheriff.” I greet before grabbing an ice cold beer from his cooler.

He takes a swig of his beer and nods his head toward me. “Evening, Bri. Did your family get all secured?”

“Almost. Mom and Dad are just finishing up. They might join us a little later.” I open my beer and toss the cap into the recycling bin.

The sheriff glances around as partygoers laugh and dance around the fire. “Be safe tonight. The storm has brought in a lot of out-of-towners.”

“Will do, sheriff. Enjoy your night, too.”

I head towards the enormous bonfire, stepping over one of the empty logs that were placed for sitting. No one ever sits at the bonfire. They always huddle in their cliques.

The sheriff was right, though. There’s more people here than ever before.

Why would they come to the island when the hurricane is expected to hit in a couple of days?

The town has been throwing a bonfire before the first hurricane of the season for five years now, but this one feels different.

Could it be because I’m newly single?

Austin always came to these with me in the past. It was always a romantic date night for us.

I shake my head. No, that’s stupid. I can enjoy the bonfire if I’m single or in a relationship.

Wanting to be away from the large crowd, I head toward the water’s edge. I sit down in the sand and take a large sip of my beer.

I get lost in the ebb and flow of the waves until loud cheering grabs my attention.

Turning around, I see Andy walking toward me with a sympathetic look on his face. Glancing behind him, my gaze locks onto Austin and Candace wrapped all around each other in a passionate embrace.

My mouth falls open as I let out a loud gasp.

Before I know what I’m doing, I’m on my feet and stomping my way past Andy.

“Brianna, wait.” Andy calls after me, but I set my eyes on the target.

Candace and Austin don’t even break apart when I get to them. “What the fuck?”

Austin pulls away from Candace, and without looking at me, he says, “You broke up with me, Brianna.”

Is he fucking for real right now?

“Yeah, less than an hour ago!” I yell, grabbing the attention of everyone nearby.

He turns his head slightly to look at me. “You still did it. I’m single, so I can kiss and fuck whoever I want.”

Ignoring him, I turn my attention to my best friend. “So, this just happened?”

Neither one of them answers me, and I know this thing between them didn’t just start. They’ve been together, and from the look of things, they’ve been together for a while.

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