Page 86 of Fighting the Tide
“That’s the day before our engagement party,” Avery informs me.“Colette will be there too.She’s agreed to watch Elijah for us.”
“That’s nice of her,” I say, because what else is there to say?“I’m going to get some sleep.I’ll come by to see you guys in the morning.”
“Good night!”they both call out before hanging up the phone.I slip mine back into my pocket and open the door just as a hand strikes me on the cheek, nearly sending me back outside.
“What the—?”
“You were sneaking around with someone’s fiancée today?”Colette shrieks, her words slurred as she stumbles, then rights herself.“You fucking dog.I was starting to feel sorry for you too!You deserved my mother’s two-timing ways.”She hiccups, then immediately yawns, her eyes falling closed and not opening again.“I’m going to find Jeremy—”
She crumples into my chest as I bend and pick her up, her soft snores sounding in the now silent cottage.I press my nose into her hair as I cradle her in my arms, taking a deep breath of the scent that’s going to drive me mad.My cheek stings as I walk to the guest room, the strength of her hit impressing me.Colette Eastham has a fire inside of her and I only want to stand in the glow of it, absorbing the heat.
I lay her on the bed and remove her shoes, placing them on the floor, then pull the throw blanket up from the bottom of the bed to cover her.She mumbles something unintelligible as I bend and place a sweet kiss to her forehead, taking one more inhale of her sweet essence.
How will I ever be able to turn these feelings off if the results come back that I’m her father?
The early morning light streams in through the window, rousing me from near death.My stomach rolls as I crack open an eye, making me regret my life choices once again.What is it about Eastham women in Chatham that makes me forget who I am?
Colette.
I sit up as soon as I remember she’s sleeping in the next room over, and my hand subconsciously lifts to press on my cheek.She was listening to my conversation with Monica and Avery last night, and I don’t blame her for reacting the way she did.It sounded terrible with just my side being heard.
With a groan, I get out of bed and grab my shirt hanging on the bench at the end of the bed.She’s probably in need of water and an aspirin too.I slowly open my door and peer out into the cottage, finding it quiet and empty.My bare feet soak up the cool wood floors as I pad to the kitchen and open the fridge, the cool air sweeping over me and hauling a moan from my mouth.I grab two water bottles and close the fridge to open the drawer beside it.I find Ibuprofen and open one of the water bottles, knowing this is the only way I’ll survive the day.
After taking the pills, I head over to the guest room, my heart pounding unnaturally fast.My reaction to the girl who could be my daughter is terrifying.It’s fucking incestuous.If she was any other girl, my biggest worry would be her age.Anger rushes through me as I blame Brooke for her deception.This is her fault and Cassie was right.It’s her final fuck you from the grave.
My knuckles rap softly on the door and when I hear no sound, I slowly open it.I take a step inside and look around, my brows crinkling together with confusion.The bed is made and the room is empty, almost making me doubt last night happened at all.The only thing proving it was real is the folded piece of paper sitting on the pillow.I place the water bottle and pills on the bedside table and reach for the letter, my heart beating somewhere up near my throat.
Sorry if I was a nuisance, and thank you for letting me stay here last night.Call me when you figure out the test thing.
Thanks,
Colette
Her number is scribbled across the bottom of the page and I am almost tempted to grab my phone and send her a teasing text about running out on me before I wake up.Then I give myself a shake because I can feel the way my stomach is warming and my lips are curling upward.It needs to stop because even if she’s not my daughter, she’s young enough to be.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Whatdoyoumeanyou got drunk on the beach with Colette and she stayed the night, Nolan?”Avery shrieks as she finishes washing the dishes.
“I don’t know how to make it any clearer,” I groan as I grip my pulsing skull between my hands.“That’s pretty much all that happened.”
“She’s young enough to be—”
“My daughter?”I ask, cutting her off.“I know.”
“It’s great she agreed to take the test,” Monica chimes in, breaking up the tension between Avery and I.“I got you both in for noon tomorrow.I’ll call her and let her know as well.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, a little disappointed that she’s taking away my only reason for calling Colette.I need to let it go and put some distance between us because this is becoming too much.It’s just an infatuation and I blame it on the year of abstinence.Sex was becoming perfunctory, a means to pass the time, and I was beginning to fear the man I had become.
“We’re heading to the beach this afternoon,” Avery says as she places another sports drink in front of me, my body screaming for the electrolytes.“Did you want to join us?”
I’m here to see them and I feel like I’ve been neglectful in that account.“Sure.How about we do it near the cottage?I’ll fire up the barbeque.”
“Oh!That sounds lovely!”Monica says as she swipes open the screen of her phone.“Let me just call Colette with the change of plans.”
“Wait, what?”I ask as she brushes me off and heads upstairs.
“Elijah wanted to see Colette.He misses her,” Avery explains.“Do you think you can handle another beach romp?”
