Page 1 of Make Me Unwind

Chapter One

Piper

“I’m not going anywhere.” I stand in the pristine white living room with my arms crossed over my chest. The cabin my family rented at the resort is just outside the city limits of Magnolia Point.

It’s only because of the central air-conditioning that my black leggings and white midriff-bearing T-shirt aren’t drenched in sweat. It’s the beginning of August in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, which means it’s hot and humid.

“Yes, you are.” My brother, Weston, glares at me as he holds my nephew, Dylan, on his hip. Dylan stares with sleepy eyes and a perfect bow-shaped mouth.

Charlotte, Weston’s wife, places a hand on his shoulder as if she’s saying, ‘Let me take over before you fuck everything up.’ “It’ll be good for you to get out and get some sun.”

“I don’t want to get any sun.” Even though it’s summer, my skin is barely above a milky white. I used to live in the sun, playing sports, running around with my friends, swimming in the pool. But that was before the accident.

My mind shuts down at the thought, effectively separating me from the past. Why think about it? It’s not like I can change anything.

“You know it’s good for you.” Her blue eyes bore into mine, reminding me of the ocean water down at the beach. God, I hate her.

“Fine,” I growl under my breath. “But I intended to watch the kids while you two were here so you could have some time alone.” I shrug nonchalantly, playing my last card. “I know you barely get any time alone without the kids, and you just finished with training camp–”

“Don’t press your luck.”

“Fine.” The word is more defined this time as I punch it out between clenched teeth and march across the room. It was a long shot, anyway.

I’ve progressed both physically and mentally since the accident when I was fourteen, but they still watch me like a hawk. They should be happy that I no longer spend all my time wearing black and staring at the walls.

Besides, there isn’t anything wrong with preferring isolation over hanging out with a bunch of partying people. Right? At least, there isn’t in my opinion. Outside of spending time with my best friend, Lexie, who’s back in Kansas City, I’m basically a hermit.

Too bad she isn’t here. I could have used the moral support or the built-in distraction she’d provide.

“You need to be at the paddleboarding station in ten minutes,” my brother calls out from behind me.

I slap my hands on my hips as I spin to face him. My niece, Rowan, runs through the living room, dragging a stroller behind her. The stroller is on two wheels with a baby doll hanging over the side by its neck.

“What do you mean, I need to be at the paddleboarding station in ten minutes?”

“Morning, Auntie Pip.” She smiles with her perfect pearl white teeth and the baby doll plops onto the floor.

“Good morning, love.” My heart aches over her precious face. Both my niece and nephew have my heart.

“Oops.” She giggles, grasps the lower leg of the baby doll, and shoves it back into the stroller. “Sit.” She glares at the plastic toy. “Now, listen.”

No, my brother needs to listen. I shift my attention from Rowan to glare at Weston. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m not going paddleboarding.”

“You’re learning to paddleboard this morning. You should probably change into your swimsuit.”

I only have one swimsuit, but I have no intention of putting it on and going out in public. Apparently, Lexie stuffed it in my luggage when I wasn’t looking–a skimpy black two-piece bikini. My hands ball into fists on my hips. “Seriously? You got me lessons to do something I have no interest in learning?”

“Yes, we got you paddleboarding lessons. It’ll be fun.” My mom walks out of her adjoining bedroom with her floppy white sunhat atop her head. “I’m going to town to check out the festival setup. I want to make sure I have everything I need for tomorrow.”

After I recovered from my injury and Weston and Charlotte were married, my mother started making handmade pottery. She’s gotten good at it and specializes in vases and dinnerware.

“I’ll go with you. Let me grab my purse.” I take a step toward my bedroom when Charlotte braces her arm out. “Do something fun for once. Stretch yourself. You know that’s what I tell my clients.”

Paddleboarding? Seriously? I spin on my heel, snatch the door open, and stomp outside. A light breeze blows the tendrils of hair that have slipped from my braid. Make your sister-in-law your idol. Dream of following in her footsteps and becoming a sports psychologist.

There’s still time to change my major.

I met Charlotte when she was teaching my brother ballet after an injury to help him strengthen his ankle. She knew ballet could aid with better core strength and balance, as she’d used it to come back from a devastating basketball injury.

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