Page 62 of Myself

I look over his white polo shirt, flipped-up collar, and khaki shorts. He holds a glass of champagne in his right hand and a cell in the other. His blond hair is combed over to the right, and his teeth are as white as his shirt. He looks like the male model you would see on any given cover of a Manhattan magazine.

“Yes,” I say slowly.

His smile widens, and he walks right up to me. Wrapping his arms around me, he gives me an awkward hug since both of his hands are full. “How have you been?” he asks me.

I pull away. “Good.”

He nods his head at my answer, and his eyes look me up and down. His smile fades, and then his tongue sneaks out and licks his lips. I pull mine back in disgust. “It’s been forever since I’ve seen you,” he says as his eyes still wander.

“Yes, how long has it been?” Jaycent asks him.

He looks over at him as if he just now realizes he’s here, and his smile returns. “Hey, Jaycent. What have you been up to?”

Jaycent takes a step toward me and throws his right arm over my shoulder. I go to shove him off, but his hand squeezes my shoulder, keeping me in place. “Staying busy. You?” Jaycent asks him casually.

The man’s eyes move from mine to Jaycent’s. Then to his hand on my shoulder. He tilts his head to the side and places his phone in his pocket before lifting his now free hand to scratch his neck. He’s obviously confused. Trying to make out what exactly it is he’s seeing. “Yeah. Staying busy.” He nods. “It was, uh, good to see you guys.”

“You too,” Jaycent says tightly, and the guy turns around and walks off.

“What was that about?” I ask, looking up at him.

He removes his arm from my shoulder. “Weston is a little ...”

“That was Weston?” I ask in surprise. My brother and Jaycent hung out with about six guys, and I remember Weston being one of them.

“I always hated the way he looked at you back then.”

His voice is tight, and it makes me frown. “Like what?”

He lifts his glass and takes a drink. “Like if, given the opportunity, he would have taken advantage of you,” he growls.

I try to hide my smile at his jealousy. I wouldn’t call what Conner was jealous, more like controlling. “You watched how other men looked at me back then?” I ask.

He nods. “Of course. I’ve always been protective of you.”

I lean into him as I smile. He kisses the top of my head. “Now he thinks we’re together.” I sigh.

“That was the point.”

“But if he tells Ryder ...”

“He won’t,” he assures me. “Plus, I haven’t even seen Ryder. I think he and Ashlyn went down below.”

“Please, Ryder. You’re supposed to be with me.”

Hearing a woman’s cry has us pulling apart and turning around. We can’t see him from where we stand, but Jaycent grabs my hand and walks toward the front of the boat in the direction we heard it.

We come to a stop, and he releases my hand when Ryder and Vicki come into view. Both are standing on the deck outside the bridge. Vicki stands before him with tears running down her face. My brother’s eyes narrow on her, and he leans his face down to hers, but I can’t make out what he’s saying over the gathering crowd. But I do notice that the boat begins to turn directions. He says something to her, and then she lets out a huff. She then stomps her foot.

“Wait until I tell your mother about this.”

Ryder laughs at that. “Go ahead and run your little fucking mouth.” She gasps, and my eyes widen. Did he just say that? I’ve known my brother can be a dick, but I’ve never seen it firsthand. “And see where it gets you.” He spins and looks around at the partygoers who have been watching the exchange. He hasn’t noticed me and Jaycent yet, though. He raises his hands. “We’re going back to port. If you wanna get off, get off,” he says carelessly.

“What ...?” I ask Jaycent, but then Vicki speaks.

“I will not get off this boat.”

My brother’s eyes land on mine and then Jaycent’s, and he grinds his teeth. He turns around, giving us his back to face her. “Your ass is getting off this boat no matter what you think.”

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