Page 76 of Tamed to Be Messy

He chuckles, but then he sobers. “Hannah, I’m grateful for all you’re doing for Nick. We really need him here.”

I’m overwhelmed by the sudden rush of emotion from Zane’s praise and my growing feelings for Nick. “It’s my pleasure. Nick’s a good guy.”

Callie’s gaze connects with mine, confirming that she noticed I used her same words about Nick. Then she and Zane exchange a look of silent communication that I’m sure has everything to do with what they believe is developing between Nick and me.

I roll my eyes. “For Nick and the turtles, guys. Okay?”

Callie giggles.

Zane grins. “Sure. For Nick and the turtles.”

But I know neither one of them is buying it.

CHAPTER 27

Nick

Icrouch on one knee by a turtle nest that’s essentially now a large hole with the remains of their egg casings littering the edges. Even if I could convince my parents to approve funding for the cameras, hatching season is almost over. So, maybe by next spring, I can convince them that I’m capable of running my life safely and responsibly.

Being alone out here again last night felt odd, which is strange. I do these shifts on my own all the time, but I was lonely without her. No baby turtles to chase around, either. A few nests haven’t hatched yet, but they’re close.

Kade stands on the other side of the nest, holding his niece’s hand. Shannon dropped Eliana off at the beach this morning on her way to an early job interview so that he could take her to preschool. Not sure what’s going on there, but I can tell it’s weighing on him.

The growing light of dawn illuminates him and Eliana from behind. “We didn’t see any hatchlings further down toward the shore.”

She squats down and stares at the empty nest. “Does that mean they all made it to the water during the night?”

I brush the sand off my knee as I rise. “Probably. It’s possible a bird or raccoon could have eaten some.”

She scrunches her nose, reminding me of Hannah. “Why would they want to eat a tuttle?”

I smile at how she says ‘turtle.’ “Because they’re hungry, and they taste good.”

With an affectionate grin, Kade brushes back tendrils freed by the breeze from Eliana’s face. “Sorry you didn’t get to see any baby turtles, sport. But I bet they’re safe when they reach the water.”

I cringe, debating whether to debunk Kade’s theory in front of his niece. “Fish and crabs like to eat them, too.”

“Ew.” Eliana covers her mouth with her hand.

Kade snorts. “How do any of them survive?”

“That’s why the females lay so many eggs. The odds of survival. But they’re safer once they reach deeper water.”

Lucky turtles. I’m kind of wishing I could disappear into the watery depths at the moment and just ride the waves to new adventures. But I don’t have flippers, and I can’t hold my breath for hours. This trust fund situation with my parents still bothers me. Considering what my father shared, I don’t see how I can convince them I’m careful about not putting myself at undue risk during rescues. But they’ve taken one freak accident and decided that’s the full picture.

And then there’s Hannah. I can’t stop thinking about her…wanting her. I’m stuck between my impatience to make it clear to her how I feel and wanting to take things slow so she’ll know I’m dead serious about her and trust me. I’ve even imagined various scenarios, which result in her either laughing at me or telling me she feels the same way, but then Graham shows up and starts pummeling me in every one of them. I need to talk to him first and soon. Every time I’m with Hannah, the urge to hold and kiss her gets stronger.

Eliana runs ahead of us as we head up the beach toward lifeguard headquarters.

Kade falls into step next to me but stays silent.

“Listen, you don’t have to answer this if you’d rather not, but is everything okay?”

He shoves his hands into his hoodie pockets. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Seems like it is, man. You’re safe here, so spill it.”

Kade, Graham, and Zane are my closest friends. I don’t think I would have weathered the accident as well as I did without them. So naturally, I want to be there for Kade if he needs help.

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