Page 11 of When Our Stars Aligned

“Oh, come on, Michelle, they’re magically delicious.” Carter grins as he pours the milk over his cereal.

“Breakfast of champions!” Alex saunters over to Carter for a fist bump.

“And to think we trust this guy to save us from a fire.” Michelle glares at Alex.

“You’re a firefighter?” I ask Alex.

“Firefighter, hero, whatever you prefer.” He winks. I respond by rolling my eyes.

“What about you, Carter? Are you a firefighter also?”

“No, but I’ve accidentally started a few fires.” He gives a sheepish grin. “I’m an electrician.”

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting that one.” I study him a little more. He certainly doesn’t put out electrician vibes. Do electricians put out vibes? That probably wouldn’t be good for them. Maybe that’s how the accidental fires start.

“No one does.” Alex snorts. “The guy should be a pro surfer, but instead he plays with wires and circuits and shit.”

“The market for professional surfers is very small. The market for knowledgeable electricians is very high. I started my own business so I could make my own hours…so I can surf whenever I want.” Carter shoves a spoonful of sugary cereal in his mouth.

“Smart, but what are you doing in Oregon? Shouldn’t you be somewhere a little warmer?”

“I didn’t want to be too far from my family.” Carter shrugs.

That makes one of us, I think. My parents don’t even know I’m living on the other side of the country. I tried to build a relationship with them, especially after the Parkers moved away. I desperately wanted to fill that void in my heart, but in the end, they chose their careers over me. So, I developed my life plan and stayed on course…until everything derailed. Now, I have no idea what life has in store for me.

8

Jax

There are only two bars in Starboard Beach, The Local and Bruno’s. The Local has a friendly vibe to it. The décor is light with a nautical theme. They have a huge dance floor, plenty of pool tables, plus great burgers and wings. Bruno’s is the opposite. It’s much smaller, with dark décor, loud music, and sticky tables. You don’t go to Bruno’s to hang out with friends; you go to Bruno’s to wash away your sorrows or find a one-night stand. Sometimes both. Tonight, Alex and I are at our usual sticky table at Bruno’s.

“Slim picking tonight.” Alex shakes his head.

“What about the two over there, the blonde and the brunette at four o’clock?” I subtly aim my gaze over to the corner of the bar.

Alex squints his eyes. “Nah, the brunette’s eyebrows are drawn on. I don’t like women with fake eyebrows.”

“Are you serious right now? I swear you’re getting worse every time we come here.” I shake my head in frustration. Alex has been my wingman for a little over a year. He sleeps around just as much as I do, but lately, something has been up with him.

“I think I’m getting too old for this shit, man,” Alex announces as if he just read my mind.

“You’re twenty-eight.”

“My birthday is next month. Do you know what that means?”

“That you’ll be twenty-nine?”

“Yes! I’m about to be in my last year of my twenties. That means in one year and one month from now I will be thirty. Thirty, Jax! I can’t take it.”

“I’m already past thirty, so what does that make me?”

“Old!” Alex yells. I flip him off. “I’m not ready to be like you.”

“What am I like?”

“Alone!”

“I choose to be alone!” I say defensively. I haven’t been in a relationship since I was eighteen and I’m completely fine with that.

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