Page 6 of When You Had Me Adapting

“And why is she coming? I thought we were going to have a little double date.” He pretends to pout. My face must say exactly what I’m thinking because his frown quickly turns into a big goofy grin. “Don’t look so disgusted,” he says through fits of laughter. “You’re too easy to tease. You know that?”

“Ugh. You see? This is precisely why I invited her.”

I glance over at Poppy and Logan. Logan moves a piece of fallen hair behind Poppy’s ear before leaning down to whisper something only she can hear. She giggles. They’re completelylost in their own little love bubble. I exhale and look back at Tanner.

“Those two over there,” I gesture in our friends’ direction, “are going to be so enamored with each other today that the last thing I need is to only have you to talk to.”

“And what if Gray isenamoredby me?” He wiggles his eyebrows.

“Highly doubtful.”

“Well, like I said, always doing wonders for my ego,” he chuckles. “Y’all ready to head out?”

The four of us head down to Logan’s truck. I guess Iamgoing on a boat today.

CHAPTER TWO: FLAMINGO COVE

JACE

“Poppy is Logan’s girlfriend and he’s whipped as fuck, if she doesn’t want you there, then I don’t think you should come.”

The conversation I had with Tanner this morning plays over and over in my head like a bad commercial jingle.

How the fuck did I end up here?

I run my hand down my short beard and take an extra long sip of my coffee. One week ago, I saw Lacey for the first time in nine years, and she looked stunning. Her long blonde hair was in loose curls cascading around her shoulders. She was wearing a green dress that hugged her hips and dipped low enough to show off the perfect curve of her tits. Her lips were plump, pink, and looked as kissable as they did the last time I saw her. She was pretty at eighteen, but in that green dress she was a fucking knock-out.

When her eyes met mine, it felt like maybe fate had finally intervened, which is a weird thought, but if anyone could make me believe in fate and wishing on stars, it’s Lacey.

Instead of running towards me, she ran away and then Logan asked me to leave.

“If Poppy doesn’t want you there, then I don’t think you should come.”That’s what Tanner said this morning. If I’m honest, I’m not surprised. She made it clear she took Lacey’s side over mine and she no longer wanted me in her life. Ten years of friendship out the window in one text message. I just still don’t understand why I’m being painted as the bad guy.

I don’t have many people in my inner circle, but five years ago Tanner forced himself to be my friend and introduced me to Logan, Donovan, and Enzo. Our group of five was formed and the rest is history. I’m not going to let what happened a decade ago ruin the friendships I have now.

I jump up from the table and head to my room. I dig through the drawers until I find a bathing suit and pull it on. I grab my keys and head to the marina.

I realize my plan is full of holes as soon as I turn into the parking lot. Tanner headed out a full hour ago, which means they’re probably already floating in some cove somewhere, and I have no way of knowing which one. I shoot him a text, but it won’t deliver. Wherever they are, there must be no service.

Lake Allatoona is huge and the marina is packed with people renting boats and water sports equipment. I walk up to the counter where a kid no older than sixteen stands.

“Hey, man, I need to get out on the lake. Do you have anything left to rent?” He clicks through the computer.

“Um, it looks like we have one more pontoon. It seats eight. How many people are in your party?”

“Anything smaller? My friends left an hour ago and I was hoping to go meet them. It’s just me.”

“Oh, um, I have a pedal boat.”

“Nothing faster? I don’t know where they are and I’m going to have to look for them. Maybe a jet ski?” He looks at me like I’m insane.I feel insane.

“No, sir, all the jet skis have been rented, but I could possibly find their boat. All of our rentals have trackers on them. What’s the name of the person who rented it?”

“Logan Peterson or Tanner Mitchell.” He taps on the keyboard and then radios to someone. I drum my fingers on the counter impatiently. I know I look completely unhinged, but with every passing minute I want nothing more than to be on the boat I was told to stay away from.

“We located the boat in Flamingo Cove, which is like a thirty minute pedal boat ride from here. I can rent it to you for $55 an hour.”

“$55 an hour? You’re joking.”

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