Grey looked almost edible in his T-shirt and jeans. I watched as he tightened the straps on his leg brace. His crutches leaned against the bed. I had vowed to make things easier for him until he was completely healed, but all I could think about right now was crawling on top of him and kissing him like there was no tomorrow.
“What’s wrong, pretty girl?” He pulled himself up from the bed, and arranged the crutches for support.
I fastened the clasp on my necklace. “Nothing. I’m ready. Are you?”
“Yep. Let’s go.”
I held the door for him to the deck so he could maneuver out of our room. I couldn’t wait for those crutches to be history. Surely, they would be gone by the wedding.
Taylor was waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. She had walked from the Palm.
“Hey, girl. Hey, Grey.”
“Hey.” I hugged her when I reached the sandy landing. “Ready to meet cowboys?”
“You bet I am. If you could meet one on this beach, I figure I can too.”
I heard Grey laugh behind us. It was true. The night on the beach at the local bonfire had changed everything for us. It was the first time he kissed me, and the first time I realized I couldn’t ignore my feelings for him no matter how hard I tried.
The fire was roaring by the time we approached the crowd. There weren’t as many people circled around as spring break, but it was during the week and people had jobs and school. I wanted Taylor to have a good time.
Marin and Pick were standing near the coolers. “Carolina!” Pick shouted and headed in our direction.
“There are two of us now.” I laughed. “Pick, this is my friend, Taylor. We were roommates at Carolina.”
He grinned. “Oh yeah, Marin made me invite all my friends for you. Welcome to our little beach party.”
Taylor giggled. “Thanks for the party. Ok, point out your hottest friends.” She was on a mission.
She surveyed the crowd in front of us. A small group was gathered around the speaker and another was pouring drinks into red cups.
Taylor tapped Pick on the shoulder. “Who is he?” She nodded across the fire.
Before I could steer her or Grey in another direction, I heard him mutter.
“Who invited that son of a bitch?” He started around the circle.
“Grey, wait.” I tried to hold him back, but he was already on his way to confront Mason.
Taylor looked at me. “What’s going on? Who is that guy?”
I rolled my eyes. “Trouble.”
“Wait. Is that the uncle?”
I nodded, but didn’t stay to rehash details. I had to get over there. Grey anchored his crutches in the sand.
“What in the hell are you doing here?” He almost spit the words. I stood a few inches behind him.
Mason smiled like a pirate and held up his cup. “Good party, nephew.” He chugged a few sips.
“I asked you what you’re doing here. You’re not welcome at this party.”
Mason’s eyes widened. “Is that so? Because that girl over there invited me.” He pointed to a brunette I had never seen before.
“She’s new.” Grey tipped forward, his chest expanding.
“Come on, I don’t see why we can’t all just get along.” Mason chuckled. “Eden doesn’t feel that way about me. She likes having me around.”
My cheeks burned from the instant embarrassment.
Grey lunged forward, his chest inching closer to Mason. “You think she likes the daily lists and insults you shove under the door?”
“Aww, she knows I’m trying to help her. Right, Eden?”
Grey’s deep voice growled over the waves. “Leave her out of this. It’s between you and me. You shouldn’t be at the Palm and you shouldn’t be here.”
“Look, nephew. You don’t own the whole beach or all the women.”
I could see the vein in Grey’s neck pulsing. Mason was lucky Grey was on crutches, or he would have been decked by now. I knew nothing would make Grey happier than to see Mason flat on his back. The tops of Grey’s knuckles were turning white from the death grip he had on the handles.
“Hey, I brought a round of drinks.” Taylor skipped toward us with a stack of red cups in her arms. The interruption cut the growing tension.
“Thanks.” I took one from her arm and held one for Grey.
“I’m Taylor.” She extended her hand to Mason, her eyes glowing. I had seen that look at too many parties and mixers to count.
“Mason. Nice to meet you.” I saw the devilish light in his expression. This was not good. “Would you be interested in a walk on the beach? My nephew and I need some space.”
Taylor looked like she might devour him on the spot. “Lead the way.”
I watched as they walked into the dark closer to the shore, Mason tucking a hand around Taylor’s waist.
“Dammit.” Grey held out his crutches to sit on one of the logs. “See what I mean about him?” He searched my eyes.
I sat next to him and handed him his cup. After last night’s stay on the bathroom floor, I didn’t think I’d ever drink again, but the limey beer mix tasted good.
“Grey, he’s trying to get to you. It’s obvious. And you let him.” I didn’t want to be too hard on him. Mason was like an immortal mosquito to Grey, and he always took the bait.