Page 41 of Fighting the Tide
My heart shatters in my chest as I watch the tears roll down her cheeks.She says Cape Cod is her home and I’ve been pushing her to leave it, to come with me to live a life she doesn’t want.I’m being selfish because I love her so much and I hadn’t even asked her what she wanted.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her as I walk down the steps and haul her in close to me, resting her head on my chest.“I’m sorry.Come to dinner with me tonight?What time do you get off?”Her arms hang at her sides as I rub her back, trying desperately to diffuse the situation.The finality of us is looming over our heads and I want to soak up every moment I have left with her before time runs out.
“I can’t,” she says quickly as she pulls away and wipes her cheeks.“I can’t tonight.”
“Tomorrow?”I can’t help but feel like she’s pushing me away, and as always, I can’t quite figure out how to make us fit together properly.She feels like home.She makes me whole, but when I press our broken pieces together, they just don’t fit perfectly.
“Meet me tonight at the lighthouse.Midnight.”Then I watch as she rushes out of the room, leaving me alone with the ambient lighting and feeling like I’ve been sent adrift out into the center of the ocean.
The drive back to the cottage is slow as I take my time, watching the tourists walking along the sidewalks.This is just the beginning.When school is officially let out, our small town will be flooded with them.I wonder if Sean Clark will be back this year?And I can’t help but question if he’s the person who makes Brooke feel like she’s found her home.Is that why our pieces don’t quite fit?Is it because I’m in love with her and she’s in love with him?I give myself a shake because that can’t be it.I know how I make her feel.I’ve seen the evidence as it radiates from her face and drips down my cock.
I pull into my driveway and cut the truck’s engine as Mom steps out on the porch, her face a little too pale and her mouth turned down with a frown.I quickly step out and call out, “Are you okay?”
“Avery came by earlier looking for you,” she reveals, making my stomach drop with the look of disappointment on her face.“You can imagine my shock when I thought for sure you said you two were hanging out.”
“Mom—”
“She’s bad news, Nolan,” she cuts me off and steps forward, her arms crossing over her chest.“Brooke Eastham is not who you think she is.She’s been hanging around with a rough group of people, the kind who like to get high and waste the day away.”
“Like Dad?”I say it before I can stop myself, and my mother’s face hardens for a second before it softens.
“Yes, exactly like your father and look where that’s gotten us.”It’s a low blow, and it knocks the air from my lungs as she steps down from the porch to stand in front of me, her arms wrapping around my waist and her head on my chest.“I always saw better for you, son.A life away from here.A successful one.I don’t want the likes of Brooke Eastham shackling you here.”
“I love Cape Cod,” I murmur as I hug her back.I want to tell her I love Brooke too, but I hold it back.I don’t need to be chastised more for being a fool.
“Chase your dreams first.Make them all come true before you decide where you want to lay your roots.That’s all I ask.”She steps back to look up at me, a small smile on her mouth.
“I can do that,” I promise.
“You better go find Avery.She looked a little eager to see you.”She holds out her hand.“I need the keys so I can go to work.”I drop the truck keys into her palm and then she moves around me.“Your father is bringing home some lobster for dinner.Don’t be late.”
I nod as I watch her get up into the truck and drive off, my stomach filled with knots.I didn’t think Mom ever disliked Brooke, but these last few days have shown me something different.I understand why though, and I don’t begrudge her for it.Brooke reminds her of my father and she would never want that for me.
I start down the path toward Avery’s house, knowing I’m about to hear it from the next woman in my life.She’s about as bad as my mother when it comes to my relationship with Brooke, worse even, and she’s been feeling that way for years.I find her on her porch with a cigarette in her hand and I instantly know this is about Monica.
“She’s here?”I ask as she lifts her head and exhales a plume of smoke.
“Where were you?”She flicks the cigarette and stands, her face filled with accusation.
“Fucking Brooke in the theater that her father owns.Did you know that, by the way?Mitch’s Cinemas.Because I didn’t know that.”I slip my hands into my pockets and go for honesty because I’m tired of hiding things from the people I care about.
“First of all, that’s so unhygienic.Do you know how much bodily fluids are spilled at the movies?Not counting kids’ vomit and piss.You’re a dirty pig.Second of all, don’t ever fucking tell me you’re bumping body parts with Brooke again.I will puke in your face.Also, how did you not know that Mitch Eastham, a famousscreenplay writer, owned Mitch’s Cinemas?I feel like your GPA was all a farce and you’re actually dumber than a box of nails.”She sucks in a breath as I stare at her in shock.I have never been so thoroughly berated in my life, and I don’t know if I should laugh or walk away with my tail tucked between my legs.She saves me the effort when she adds, “Monica is here.”
“So… Double date?”
“Did you hear nothing I said to you?Are you slow?”she exclaims as I swallow my laughter.
“Monica’s home is here, Avery.What did you expect?You’ll have to face her sometime.Why don’t you head on over there without smoking the entire pack of cigarettes in your pocket and get it over with?”It’s sound advice and I’m pretty proud of myself when she straightens, a look of strength coming over her face.
“You’re right.”She nods.“I’m going over there and explaining to her why I think we’re not good for each other.”
She starts to walk away when I call out, “When you kiss and make up, come by the beach later for a bonfire!”
She waves me off as I chuckle and head back to my cottage.I hope that fixes whatever is happening between them and then I hope for something similar for myself.I don’t know what will become of Brooke and I, I never truly have.She’s like the breeze, ever-changing and just out of my reach.I will never truly capture her because she’s great at slipping through my fingertips, but I don’t want to trap her.I want her to willingly be with me.
Chapter Eighteen
Withastomachfullof fresh lobster, I head toward the fire pit, hoping I’ll see Avery and Monica there together.My stomach flips when I find just Avery instead, her body curved forward as she watches the flames dance in front of her.
