Page 496 of Hate Mates

I grab a few pieces from the bedroom and carry them out to my old blue chevy truck. The rest of the stuff I need is either at the store or in the trunk already, so there’s not much more packing to do. One inhale and I’m already feeling better. The salty air, the warmth from the sun. Hell, even the call from the seagulls is soothing this morning. I get it all put away, the pieces divided by little strips of foam I keep back there just for this, and shut the gate.

The condo next to mine is quiet in the morning sun. It’s one of those perfect mornings that make this place look like paradise, and the condo could still be part of it. There are no signs of the party that went on all goddamn night. No garbage on the lawn. No tipped-over lawn furniture. It looks snug and quaint, like nobody wouldeverkeep their neighbors up with loud-ass music for hours on end, and if they did, they’d keep the evidence inside, where at least that wouldn’t bother anybodyelse. I bought it only a year after buying my place. It was a fixer upper but it didn’t take me long to get it looking like new. Renting it out gave me the funds to take the leap and open up my shop.

I’ve put everything into that place. My brow furrows as a yawn hits me.

I’m annoyed. I’m irritated. And I’m also surprised. The girl I rented the condo to didn’t seem like the type to throw parties like that. Luna seemed sweet when I met her, and I’ve seen her a few times since. We had a nice moment once when she was coming home and I was leaving for work. It felt comfortable, like we’d flirted a few times before, and yeah, I liked it.

Luna is another reason I didn’t call the cops last night. I don’t want her to think I’m the kind of guy who gets upset over nothing, because I’m not that kind of guy. Iama person who needs to be up for work. I didn’t think I would have to ask her to keep her parties quieter when she’s been quiet up til now.

But the reason I’m renting out the condo month to month is to make enough money to float me if the store has a few rough months, which it did over the winter. Last thing I want is to make Luna want to back out of the lease.

If she did that, I wouldn’t get to see her anymore. I’d never get to learn anything about her, and I want to know more about her, damn it.

She was too cute. She was witty too, with quick comebacks. And I liked the sound of her voice. One party wasn’t enough to change that. It was rude, though.

I go around and get into my truck, then turn it on fast, before I can think anything else about the girl next door. I have a job to do. I keep my mind on the beach while I pull out of the driveway and leave the condo behind, even if I’m tired as hell and there’s a petite brunette with large hazel eyes on my mind all day.

Chapter Two

LUNA

The ocean crashes behind me as I leave the water behind. My limbs are tired from the time I spent in the water—maybe an hour, or maybe two. The salt on my skin and in my hair feels like home. For the first time in a long time. I don’t know when I got to the beach, exactly. I was tired when I got up, but my heart felt so heavy Ihadto do something, so I did what I usually do.

I came down to the beach and swam until I couldn’t lift my arms one more time.

Now that I’ve dragged myself out of the water, it’s a strange combination of sensations on my skin. The salt water left over from my swim is cool as it evaporates, but it’s a bright, sunny day, and the heat prickles between the droplets of water.

My bag is still in the sand where I left it, my towel warmed up from the sun, and it feels good to wrap it around my shoulders. For a few minutes, I let the breeze dry me off while I stare out at the waves. They’re not too high today. Even still, in late spring the beach isn’t as packed as I’d think it would be. This area is a little more private though, I remind myself.

I almost want to go back out, just so I can let the current clear my mind.

But thatwouldbe dangerous. I was up all night with my friends, drinking and laughing and trying to feel…

Something other than sadness. I’m lucky to have friends like them. Friends who drive out for hours to a little beach town to chase their friend who’s needing an escape. A beach town my mother used to love.

The shell I picked up on my way back to the sand is smooth in my palm. I turn it over as it dries and shake off the grains of sand that managed to hang on. A piece of my hair blows across my face, but I ignore it, not wanting to reach out from under my towel.

That doesn’t last long. At least my hair is still wet. At least it’s easy to dart my hand out and tuck that stray piece of hair away from my face.

My legs ache. It feels like a long way back to the condo. It’s not that far, really. Only a few blocks through town. It’s even acutewalk, past the little art gallery my landlord owns and cafes and a bookstore that’s home to two cats who hang out in the window. But walking across the sand to get to the sidewalk feels like too much for my weary legs, and then getting all the way home…

Too hard. I need a few minutes to collect myself.

I sit down on the sand instead and pull the towel tighter around myself, then tilt my face up to the sun. It’s still early in the day, especially if you’re planning to stay up all night, which I’m definitely not.

Although I might not have much of a choice. No matter how exhausted I am at the end of the day, sleep doesn’t always come. Sadness meets me instead. It’s this weight on all my bones, crushing my body, and the only way to get through the night is to toss and turn and pace around my bedroom.

Last night should’ve had me asleep until noon, but no luck. I still might be feeling the effects of whatever drink Hazel made last night that she called a cocktail, although by now it’s a pathetic buzz with none of the hope it carried with it last night.

Maybe that wasn’t hope at all. Maybe I only wanted to believe it was hope. Maybe I convinced myself that things were looking up, and I was feeling better. It doesn’t seem like that now. I feel small, sitting on the beach, and incredibly lonely, even though my friends are only a call away. They’re getting ready to leave though. They both have to be at work tomorrow morning so they’re heading home. I had them for one night though and I’ll never forget that. We made the most of it.

I rest my face in my knees and breathe, listening to the rhythmic roll of the waves on the shore. I’ll stay here for a little while longer and let the sun warm me up.

The sound of my phone vibrating in my bag gets my attention.

I fumble in my bag until I come up with my phone.

Hazel: Hey girl, how are you? Woke up and you weren’t here.

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