Page 32 of Chasing Stars
My aunt pays for her items and Joy makes awkward small talk. I want to ask Jake about Miles’s reputation but what does it matter, really? We’re barely even friends. I’m not staying. In a few weeks, Miles will be nothing more than the guy who helped me sell an old house with ghosts of the past hiding in the walls.
Joy hands Aunt Leona her bag and Jake takes it from her. “Let’s get that lunch, okay?” He cocks his head—like he’s concerned and trying to decide for himself if I’m okay.
“Okay,” I squeak.
Aunt Leona pauses in front of me. “Jenna, dear, please come have dinner with me? We have so much lost time to make up for.” She squeezes my shoulder, and I don’t pull away.
I nod. “Jake has my number. We can set something up.”
“I would love that. Come along, Jake,” she says, and he follows her out the door.
When they’re gone, Joy breaks the silence first. “Oh my God! Whatwasthat?” she demands, an excited curiosity bubbling in her voice.
“That was…my cousin Jake and my estranged aunt that I haven’t seen in twenty-five years.” I suck in a breath, leaning on the countertop with my head in my hands.
“I know Jake. I had the biggest crush on him in high school,” Joy says, and her eyes look starry. She shakes her head, snapping out of it. “And I guess if you’re estranged, you werereallysurprised.” Joy lets out a low whistle.
“I saw Jake the other day at the beach when I was surfing with Miles, but yeah. I wasn’t expecting to see my aunt like that.”
“It could’ve gone worse,” Joy assures me. She scrunches up her face like she’s mulling something over. “Wait back up…surfing with Miles. Miles Corbin?”
“Yeah. He’s my property manager, why?” I ask, suddenly wondering if there really is more to this guy I can’t stop thinking about.
“Well, he’s quite the Casanova.” Joy laughs. “He’s friends with Leo. Just be careful, okay?”
“Yeah, so I’ve heard,” I say wryly. “It’s fine. I’m not staying here anyway.” I wave my hand dismissively.
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Girls who aren’t staying areexactlythe kind of girls Miles likes.” Joy rolls her eyes as she locks the register drawer.
“Whatever. What do you say we hit the brewery?” Suddenly, I desperately need a change of subject and scenery.
“I say, you’re on!” Joy reaches into the cabinet and grabs our jackets, tossing mine to me. “Let’s get you cheered up.”
16
MILES
I’m carrying my shortboard out of the ocean when my Apple Watch starts ringing. It’s Leo. Not exactly who I hoped it would be. I haven’t stopped thinking about Jenna, which is annoying because she is clearly not thinking about me. Every time I reach out, her replies are short, polite, and distant. I haven’t even asked if I can see her again—I’m not sure my ego can take the rejection. I did take Nate’s advice though—I will not try to fix things for her anymore. Not unless she asks. I’ve thought a lot about what she said the other day and I realize if Jenna has spent the last few years taking care of her mom, it probably means she put herself last. She was probably shouldering everything, trying to keep her mom comfortable while her world fell apart, hardening herself in the process. Her independence is her armor. So, while I hate that she wants to do everything on her own, I get why she doesn’t want to let someone in. I’ll just have to let her come to me.
“Yo,” I say, into my watch. “What’s good?”
“What’s up, brother?” Leo’s voice bellows and I get the impression he’s had a few drinks already. “You coming over here?”
“Coming over where?” I set my board down and wipe my dripping brow with a sandy towel.
“The brewery, man. Did you forget about the fall festival?” Leo just keeps shouting louder. I can hear the background music. There must be a DJ. The Cape May Brewery is having a festival where all its fall and Halloween-themed beers are on special. I completely forgot. I know Danny, Jack, and Liam were planning on going too.
“I did forget,” I mutter with a sigh. “I just finished surfing. I’m pretty tired.” I didn’t bring a change of clothes or anything, I’d have to speed home, change, and go back out. And if I accidentally sit down on my couch? Forget it, I’m not going back out. Leo and I are buddies and have been since we were teenagers, but if my other friends aren’t around, I’m not exactly jumping to hang out with just Leo. He's a bit much sometimes, and he’s never really grown up.
“Come on, man. The guys are coming, it’s Saturday night,” Leo pushes. “Joy is on her way with her new friend.”
Jenna.
I sigh. Iamtired. I doubt Jenna wants to see me—she’s barely spoken to me in the last week. And yet, after hearing that, I know I’m going to go, because I desperately want to seeher. If only to see how she is doing. Does she look happy or stressed? Anxious? I have to know she’s doing okay.I’ll keep my distance.
“All right, I’ll be there in an hour or so,” I say, hanging up before he can answer.
An hour later,I am walking into the brewery, and the parking lot is packed. I’m sure it’s mostly locals, but there is always a good number of weekenders down in Cape May for fallfestivities. There’s a chalkboard out front that readsBoos & Brews. I pull open the door and spot them immediately. Joy, Leo, and Jenna are crowded around a small high-top table with three flights in front of them. I swallow hard, collecting myself. Jenna laughs at something one of them says, and her face lights up. She looks completely fine, and now I feel stupid for wanting to check on her.She doesn’t need you.I don’t care though. In this moment, Jenna radiates warmth, and I just want to be near her. I can’t remember the last time I felt this way.
