Page 20 of The Girl I Once Loved

“We have all summer,” Daisy retorts hopefully. “You’re here now. Consider it the first step of your rehabilitation journey.”

“You’re making me sound like an addict or something.” I can’t help but chuckle.

“We all have our vices.” She shrugs. “Holding onto hate feels like a pretty big one.”

I take in her words and truly let them sink in.

Maybe Daisy is right.

Maybe me being back at Thatcher’s Bay is a good thing. Cathartic even, just like Daisy said.

Maybe this is what I need to put old ghosts to rest.

But if coming here is my first step, then I know what the second one needs to be.

I’ll have to confront my sickness head on.

Daisy was right in comparing me to an addict.

I can already feel the adrenaline pumping in my veins with just the idea of getting another hit.

Another hit of his ruthless hate.

And how I’ll savor it.

Chapter Five

Noah

“How come I just knew I’d find you here on your day off?” Derrick greets with a smug smile as he steps onto the deck of the monohull.

“Hmm, I don’t know, D? Could it have anything to do with the fact that I need to get the Royal Shank ready for the big Fourth of July race you’re organizing in two weeks?” I reply, not lifting my eyes from the clipboard in my hands, too absorbed with the giant list of things I still have to do to get this boat ready in time.

“Nah, that’s not it,” he muses with a smirk. “This beauty is a winner. She doesn’t need any more bells and whistles than she already has,” he adds assuredly, running his fingers through the smooth varnished rim before plopping onto the white leather two-seater. “All this baby needs is a good captain with his head on straight, to win the trophy and the hundred-k prize money that comes along with it.”

“Then maybe you should leave said captain alone to handle his business instead of disturbing him with your unwarranted advice,” I retort, annoyed that he’s determined to pull my focus off my list of chores.

“I see that you’re in a mood,” he states, his scrutinizing gaze eyeing me up and down.

“I’m always in a mood. Part of my fucking charm, D. You should be used to it by now.”

“True, but today your inner asshole is coming out extra potent. It wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain someone being back on the island, would it?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I grumble with a clenched jaw, doing a piss poor job of pretending I have no clue what he’s referencing.

“Right,” the fucker has the audacity to chuckle.

I swear, if he wasn’t my best friend, I’d have sucker punched the rich prick a long time ago.

When his intrusive stare starts to get under my skin, I have no choice but to pull my gaze off the clipboard and onto him.

“Why the fuck are you here, Derrick? Is it only to bust my balls, or does this visit actually have a purpose to it?”

“Can’t a guy just pop in on his friend to see how he’s doing?”

“If this was a chick flick, sure. But since it’s not, how about you make yourself useful and help me with the pile of things I still need to do to get ready?” I throw him the clipboard, making sure it lands on his lap with a harsh thud.

Derrick doesn’t so much as flinch at the small aggression, easily discarding the clipboard to the side, his stare never wavering from mine. I stay rooted to my spot as he leans forward, with his hands clasped in front of his knees, as his light green eyes take on a darker, more serious shade.

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