Page 44 of Fast

“Come on, man,” Lev backs him up. “You’re always working. We almost feel like we have to break the law to get your attention. Don’t we, Chance?”

The whole time, I can feel her eyes on me.

She’s all grown up, and prettier than ever.

But she was kissing Chance last night. I saw them. And even if she hadn’t been, I don’t deserve her. I don’t deserve anything until I find out who hurt my brother.

My mind is made up. I can spend my day off running errands, then see if there’s anything new on any of the leads I have on Atlas’s case.

“Come on, Dude.” Chance insists. “Spend the day with us.”

“We hardly ever see you anymore.” Lev and my brother are now flanking me, like I’ve seen them do on the ice with their opponents.

“Fuck off, both of you.” I chuckle. “You haven’t changed at all since you were like, five. I really have a lot to do. Besides, if a water main burst in town, the sheriff's department will probably be called in to help keep everyone safe. My phone might ring at some point today.”

“Then worry about it when it does.” Chance suggests. “In the meantime, spend some time with us.”

I’m tempted. I could go for an invigorating swim, hang out with Chance and Lev, and possibly with Dad later.

I could also find out what Zara’s bathing suit looks like. I can see the strings peaking out from under her black sundress.

“Fine. Let me go get changed for the beach,” I decide. “But you two better not be a pain in my ass. No pranks, no horsing around, or burying me under the sand if I fall asleep.”

“What?” Chance looks like the picture of innocence. “We haven’t done stuff like that since middle school.”

I bark out a laugh. “Bullshit. You haven’t done that stuff since?—”

Since we lost Atlas. I can’t even finish the sentence. We look at each other, letting the sudden silence hanging heavily between us.

“Right.” I sigh, already regretting my decision to stay. “Let’s go. There should be some swimming gear in the changing hut by the cabana.”

It’s a gorgeous day, sunny and with a light breeze that ensures it doesn’t get too hot. The sea is calm, rolling lazily on the golden sand. It looks like the tide is in, so we won’t have to walk for miles to get into the water.

I walk into the wooden changing hut, leaving Zara and the guys to settle down on a group of loungers. There are little wooden tables scattered around and straw umbrellas to provide some shade. If it gets too hot as the morning gives way to the afternoon, there’s a cabana with big padded loungers and a mini bar.

I make quick work of putting on a pair of dark blue swimming trunks. I doubt anyone has been through the stuff we keep in here; there’s a pair with rubber duckies wearing swimming donuts on them that belonged to Atlas.

Breathe, Ares, breathe.

That’s why I moved out, despite Dad’s disappointment. Being here, where everything reminds me of him, is just too painful.

The urge to bail and pretend that I have been called to work is strong, but I fight it. My therapist would be proud of me. I hope.

I open the door of the hut. It’s just a day on the beach with my family. It’s normal. I want normal. I need it.

My eyes immediately find Zara in a red bikini that looks so good on her. It should be illegal. The crazy thing is that it isn’t even that skimpy. I’ve seen much worse at the Country Club or on the public beach by the boardwalk.

It’s just the way she fills it that’s downright scandalous. Zara isn’t fat, but she isn’t a skinny girl. Her petite body has curves in all the right places. And I need to stop staring at her like a creep before my semi turns into a fully fledged boner.

There’s a sudden change in energy, and I turn around to look a couple of seconds before I hear the squeal.

“Oh my God!”

I step to the side just in time to avoid being run over by Heather. Our next-door neighbor—and my twin brother’s old girlfriend—runs to Zara.

“When my dad told me he met Kelly’s daughter, I didn’t think it was possible that it could be you.” Heather screeches. “Zara isn’t a very common name, but your mom’s last name is Smith. I thought you said you were John Fields’s daughter?”

Zara says something about her mom going back to her maiden name after the divorce.

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