Page 53 of A Second Chance At Forever

“In the cooler outside.”

We made our way back outside and passed out the beer. Everyone seemed a little anxious about the boat ride, it was like we all knew something was going to come out of it.

Dane had high hopes of making Alissa realize she still had feelings for him, while Sarah just wanted to catch up with an old friend. Lennox was staring down Nicole. It looked like she wanted to throw Nicole overboard. I just wanted to make sure the three of us didn’t kill each other.

Once we dropped anchor, Trent turned on the radio and the group seemed a little more laid back. Dane found the bottle of Jack and opened it, throwing the lid into the water.

“What the fuck, Dane?” Trent asked as his eyes followed the cap.

“Now we have to finish it,” he wrapped his arms around mine and Trent’s neck and smiled widely. “Let’s party, boys.”

We passed the bottle around, everyone but Nicole took shot after shot until the bottle was hidden inside the cabin, away from Dane. He was determined to make us all have a good time despite the circumstances.

Everyone was drunk and beginning to relax. Sarah and Lennox were chatting and catching up while Alissa was busy trying to ignore Dane. Nicole sat back looking uncomfortable and out of place. I made my way over to her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t belong here. Everyone here has a history together. Lennox and Sarah used to be best friends, Alissa and Dane used to date, as did you and Lennox. And there’s me. I shouldn’t have come.” She shook her head and tore her eyes away from mine.

“It’s okay, you just have to get to know them. Make an effort. I think we’re going to eat soon. They could probably use your help with that. I know for a fact that Lennox can’t cook.” I smiled remembering Lennox’s story about having the fire department called.

“Go have fun with your friends. You deserve it.” Nicole nudged me in the side.

I looked at her, sad smile and dull green eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“I’m sure.”

I placed a small kiss on her forehead and walked back to the group. Even though I hated the thought of having to spend the rest of my life with Nicole and raise a baby I didn’t want, that didn’t mean I had to be an asshole to her. She didn’t ask for any of the shit she had been dealt either, I had to remind myself of that. She didn’t mean to come between Lennox and me. I couldn’t treat her as such.

“We should probably start cooking, I’m getting hungry,” Sarah said grabbing Lennox by the hand and dragging her into the cabin of the boat.

“I’m going to grab a beer,” I told Trent who was trying to light the grill.

I made my way inside where Sarah and Lennox were busy pulling things out to cook.

“Lennox, can I talk to you?” I asked, grabbing another beer from the mini fridge.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She never looked away from the potatoes she was wrapping in foil.

I leaned in, forcing her to look at me. “This isn’t about us. It’s serious.”

“Fine,” she sat down the potato she was holding and followed me to the back of the boat. “What’s going on?”

Just being in the confined area with Lennox made me want to reach out and touch her. My body hummed like it was charged with electricity. I tried my hardest to push those feelings away.

I looked into her green eyes and hated what I saw. Lennox’s green eyes that usually held so much warmth and love, were cold and full of anger. I knew I was the reason for it. I hated it, but brushed it off before I hated myself more than I already did. “When I left the house this morning, I found an envelope on my truck.”

“What was in it?”

“Pictures. Of us together from last weekend.” That got her attention and her eyes doubled in size. “I don’t know who left them, but I don’t think Nicole knows, at least she’s not acting like it. Is there anyone you could think of that would do this? I don’t know what they plan to do with the pictures, I just know they want me to know they are watching.”

“Chris,” she whispered, looking deep in thought.

“Your ex?”

She nodded.

“Why would he be doing this?” I held up my hands and let them fall at my sides.

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