Page 37 of Between Periods

FOURTEEN

ADAM

Although it was difficult,taking time off from school was the right choice. Even if my grades are already less than ideal.

Kinesiology has never been my end goal, but it is a stepping stone. Owning my own business has always been my dream, and in a few months, it will finally become a reality.

As soon as I turn twenty-two, I get access to a hefty trust fund set up by my stick-up-the-ass lawyer parents. I’ve kept what I plan to do with that money a secret for the past few years—ever since I first stumbled upon the idea of owning my own hockey training facility—knowing full well they would never approve.

If they knew what I was planning on doing with the lump sum in that account, I would never see a penny of it, and that just won’t do.

Instead, they think I’m going to use it to invest in their law firm.

I’ve never been more excited than I am just thinking about the horror they’ll feel when I drop the bomb on them. It’s karma in the purest form. After years of abandoning me and treating me like I’m less than, they’ll finally feel even a sliver of the devastation that comes with being disappointed by family.

I grin to myself and, for the first time in a long time, feel peace while thinking of my parents.

It’s our last night in Mexico, and we’re all on the beach, sipping fruity drinks under the moon. The ocean laps at the shore and covers my toes before receding again. It’s relaxing—a perfect getaway. Resting against my knees, I look at the people beside me and smile.

Oakley has Ava tucked between his knees in front of him and whispers something in her ear that I definitely don’t want to know. She blushes and pinches him under the arm.

Tyler and Gracie are closer than they should be, but only if you’re looking hard enough. Tyler is frowning at the ocean, almost oblivious to the slight tilt of his body toward our best friend’s sister while said sister is sneaking him looks every two seconds.

The more I see those two together, the more I’m beginning to wonder if their relationship is as simple as I thought. My mind is working hard to figure out what exactly happened between them on this trip and how it’s going to impact what happens when we get home.

Whatever it is, we’ll all figure it out together. That’s what family does. I’ve learned that the hard way.

Our serene moment comes to a screeching halt when a string of curse words comes flying from behind us. All five of us spin around, our eyes wide.

We must all notice the man charging toward me at the same time because I spot Oakley pushing Ava toward Tyler before rushing to his feet while Tyler shifts Gracie behind him. Seconds later, a body collides with mine, and the back of my head is hitting the sand.

The air is forced from my lungs, and I wheeze, “What the fuck?”

My attacker moves to straddle my waist, and before I have a chance to roll out of the way, he punches me square in the face. Stars swim in the air above me as my eye starts to swell, tears flowing down my cheeks.

The man above me leans on my chest, and I start to shove at him. My head is ringing by the time he’s pulled off me. I gulp lungfuls of air and close the eye that isn’t already swollen shut.

“Who the fuck are you?” Tyler roars before a groan rings into the night.

“That fucker fucked my girl!”

I peek open my eye and get my first close-up of the guy. He can’t be much taller than five foot seven, but he’s decently buff. It makes sense as to why my eye is already swollen.

He’s got shoulder-length blond hair and bright blue eyes that hold an innocence that makes me think he’s younger than we are. There’s anger in those eyes, though. The kind you usually find in the depths of a scorned woman’s.

Oakley grabs him by the back of the neck and yanks him back when he tries to come at me again.

“Who’s your girl?” I cough.

“Are you kidding? You don’t even remember?” He bares his teeth like a wild animal.

“Just answer the question,” Tyler snaps.

“You’re going to have to get more specific. We’ve been here for a week,” I add. In that week, I’ve only slept with two women, but he doesn’t have to know that.

“Penny,” he spits. I blink, my mouth pulling into a grimace. “Blonde, short, green eyes.”

“Oh!” I nod. The woman I met zip-lining. “She told me she was on a girls’ trip and newly single. I don’t sleep with taken women, buddy.”

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