Page 47 of Kyle

He scans his phone. “A thousand bucks? Jesus.”

“That’s why we don’t have one,” Cole says, sipping on his own.

Angel leans against his side. “We should come up here sometime and visit that place we once stayed at, remember?”

Cole dips his head, rubbing his jaw against her forehead. “You mean that place in Rockaway, overlooking the water?”

She nods. “That’s the one. And we could eat at Nick’s. I loved that place.”

“Sure, baby doll. You figure out a weekend, and we’ll do it.” He kisses her forehead and squeezes her thigh.

“I want a love like they have,” Sutton whispers, and I turn toward her.

“It’s lasted decades, and there’s nothing gonna pull those two apart,” I reply.

Rafe walks up and passes her a frozen strawberry margarita, then takes his seat and looks at the view, kicking his legs out. “This is the life, huh?”

“Yep, this is the life,” I reply, glancing at Sutton, and she smiles. I turn my attention to the ocean and listen to the wavesrolling on the beach's edge. Seagulls float in the wind and play amid the glittering white waves. I feel myself unwind in the warmth of the sun.

A moment later, my phone goes off. I don’t recognize the number, and let it go, setting it on the table. A minute later, it dings, notifying me I have a voicemail. I frown and put it to my ear.

Then I set the phone down and stare at Sutton.

Seeing my expression, she frowns. “What is it?”

My mouth drops open. “They just offered me a spot at Tribe.”

“What’s Tribe?” she asks.

Green answers for me. “Tribe is awesome. It’s that music festival out in the Mohave desert. I went there when I was a youngster like you. I don’t know if it still does, but back then, that thing lasted a week.”

“Now it’s three days.”

Sutton turns to me. “They offered you a spot for the food truck?”

“That was one of the festival organizers. He saw the review.” I meet her eyes. “Do you know how hard it is to get a spot at Tribe?”

“That’s awesome, bro. Congratulations,” Rafe says.

I toss my phone on the table. “I can’t go.”

“Why not?” Green asks.

“I’d never be able to run the truck by myself. The crowds are epic there.”

Green lifts his chin to Sutton. “So, take her. She works for ya, don’t she?”

I meet Rafe’s eyes.

He appears caught off guard.

Green notices the vibe that passes between us. “Aw, come on, man. This is his dream. You gonna stand in his way?”

“I guess not,” Rafe replies. “If she wants to go, that’s up to her.”

Sutton’s jaw works, and I’m not sure she likes his answer.

I shake the remnants of the frozen drink in the bottom of my plastic cup and toss it back, then stand. “I’m gonna get another one.” I head inside. Green tears into Rafe as I go.

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