Page 48 of The Rookie

My stomach sinks, and I resist the urge to jump from his lap and run until I can’t run anymore. Honestly, what did I expect him to say?Oh, Charlie, don’t go. You know right here is where you’re supposed to be—here with me.

I force a smile. “Thanks.”

Why, oh why did I let myself fall for a guy who will be leaving here soon? This is just sex, nothing more. Plus, I think he’s still hung up on his ex, so why would he try to talk me out of Toronto, talk me out of moving away from my beloved town and give up my summer tours on Brier Island—my very own Disneyland, where I’m the happiest. But this isn’t a Disney movie and happily ever after doesn’t exist in this world. If it did, Wes would have taken a deeper interest in me, and understood who I was much like I figured out he was a simple farm boy beneath the jersey. Heck, the first thing out of Jules’ mouth when she heard about Toronto was that I belonged here. Maybe I’m the only one feeling the pull between us, and maybe this was a good reminder of what’s real and what isn’t.

15

Wes

Idon’t want her to go to Toronto. Hell, the only place I want her to go is with me, to Seattle. Not that I think she should leave here, but she’s definitely determined, and I guess I can understand why.

Rider slaps my back as Jules walks ahead, her high heels clicking as she browses the tables lining the shore. It’s Friday afternoon, and Digby Days have started, which means all the local vendors are out selling their products and Jules is having the time of her life. But we’re all dressed to head to the city for dinner after the festivities. Jules is in a form-fitting cocktail dress and Rider and I are in khaki pants and collared shirts.

He casts me a worried glance. “Have you thought any more about what we talked about on the island?”

I nod. “I put a few calls in to the team manager and I’m waiting to hear back. I just don’t want to overstep, you know.” I suck in air, and worry about that. Charlie is an independent woman, but before I say anything to her, I want to make sure my ducks are all in a row.

Rider fixes his ball cap. “You also don’t want her going to Toronto and having a life that doesn’t involve you, right?”

I nod, and adjust my ball cap as well when out-of-towners start pointing at Rider and me.

“Don’t worry,” Rider says. “You’ll get used to all the attention.”

“I don’t think I ever will.”

He grins as a bunch of people come over to us, and we spend the next twenty minutes or so greeting fans and taking pictures. Jules finally arrives with a bag full of jams, jewelry and other local crafts.

“Come on guys.” She checks her watch. “It’s time for Charlie’s shucking contest. I don’t want to miss it.”

The streets are busy as we walk further along the shore, and I glance up to see my cousin Lester. I love the guy, he’s my cousin, but he’s also a huge pain in the ass, not to mention loud and obnoxious. I don’t even want to introduce him to Charlie because he’s such a womanizer. Lester goes off to the beer tent, and we continue on, and as I watch him go, I don’t watch where I’m going, and I smack right into Breton.

“Whoa,” I say and wrap my arms around her before she topples backward and lands on her ass. “Sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

She pushes her hair back and smiles at me. “Just the three of you? Where’s the fourth wheel?” She glances over her shoulder and laughs. “Oh, right, she’s busy shucking scallops. That’s attractive.”

I gesture with a nod for Rider and Jules to head on over to Charlie’s event while I deal with Breton, and they walk off. Breton smooths her hand down her light summer dress, the top two buttons undone to showcase her ample cleavage, but I don’t look. I don’t want to.

She blinks at me, and pushes her breasts into my chest. “Do you want to get together later at the beer tent? Maybe we can play some pool, for old times’ sake.”

“Can’t. Busy.” I glance over Breton’s head, and make eye contact with Charlie, and that’s when I realize I still have my arms around Breton. I pull back, and Breton pouts.

“Just a short game.” She winks. “Winner takes all.”

“I’m with Charlie now.”

Her eyes go venomous, but she quickly blinks it away. “I’m sorry for what happened between us, Wes. I made a big mistake dating Sam, but you and I both still have feelings for each other.”

She’s right about one thing. I do have feelings for her, and they’re based on contempt. “The past is the past, Breton. None of it matters now.”

“Maybe it does matter.”

I have no idea why she’s being coy, but I play along. “Why?”

“The past might not stay in the past, and you should probably be aware of that.”

“What are you talking about.”

“Sam is back for the festival.” She jerks her thumb over her shoulder and sticks her hip out in a seductive move that once drove me wild. “He spent an awfully long time chatting it up with Charlie. I’m not sure I ever heard her laugh so hard. I was almost convinced she wasn’t playing for the other team.”

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