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Chapter 43
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Seasmoke Friends Chapter 44
Jenny WinterWhen Matt's text pinged my phone saying he was getting off the interstate, my heart pounded so hard it shoved ribs. Up until this moment, I kind of figured he'd back out. Go the safe route and stay in Greensboro. Matt wasn't a coward by any means, but he did like his world neat. Orderly. And a change as big as moving to the coast disrupted that perfect bubble he'd lived in.I was so damn proud of him. I knew his relationship with Summer would never pan out, and I think he did, too. Yet, he'd pursued her anyway. I'd never deluded myself into wishing Ian could ever be mine. We were a seasonal hookup and nothing more. Had I looked forward to Fourth of July week every year? Yes. Ian was a great lover who'd treated me well. He'd never led me on or made what we had feel cheap. But that's all it was. Friends with benefits. Matt, however, had clung to the hope Summer would choose him. I shook my head. Truth be told, Matt loved her, but there wasn't a spark between them. He mig
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 45
JennyJuly-Twelve Years AgoOn shaky legs, I stared at the ocean, hoping the lull would settle me. I squished my toes in the hot sand. Sunlight bounced off the waves and sailboats dotted the horizon. Seagulls squawked and scoured the water for fish. Down the beach a long way and currently out of sight, people were crowded outside the hotels and rental units. It was peak tourist season. My Grampy's tavern was even farther south, not right on the beach but, when I was there, I could see it from our apartment over the bar.After running into Jared earlier at the ice cream shop and encountering his self-righteous smirk, I needed away from my side of the strip and had taken the bus up here, where it was less populated. The homes in this area weren't the ostentatious mansions farther north, but they were beautiful. Simple elegance. Grateful no one was trying to shoo me away from the semi-private beach, I closed my eyes and breathed deep. Sweat beaded down my back and dampened my hairlin
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 46
MattPresentTemples throbbing, I stared around at the chaos and shook my head. While I'd been assembling my bedroom, Jenny had unpacked the kitchen stuff. Boxes were still scattered everywhere, my things mingling with my parents'. The plan had been to pack up whatever of theirs I didn't have room for and ship it to them.Perhaps leaving my furniture in Greensboro had been a mistake. I'd all but forgotten the floral-print couch and loveseat here, not to mention the knick-knacks and books. This place didn't feel any more mine than my house back home. The walls were white, scattered with paintings of flowers.The open floor plan allowed for creativity in furniture placement, but I wasn't creative, and all I could see when I looked around were years of July vacations. The large living room was separated from the kitchen by an island. I liked the distressed white cabinets and blue tile countertops, plus the stainless steel appliances were new. Bare, pale hardwood was throughout the fir
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 47
JennyPresentI'd crashed at Matt's the night before. He'd been adamant I not ride the motorcycle home while tired. I'd slept in the guest room, though very little sleep had been involved. All I kept thinking was he was in the room right next to mine. I wondered if he slept naked.Anyway, I arose early and started a pot of coffee for him, then left a reminder note the Salvation truck would be there at nine. I visited my grandfather-not a good visit-and packed a few items in an overnight bag. None of what I had in mind for Matt's house with regards to decor was difficult, but it would be time-consuming. Best I be prepared for a few late nights.It tore at my chest to see Matt worked up like that yesterday. I knew he ruled by organization, even more so the past couple years, but I was totally unprepared for witnessing it in person. The confident, funny friend I knew had vacated the premises and had been replaced by an unsure, almost frightened person I didn't recognize. Whatever had
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 48
JennyJuly-Ten Years AgoI was so excited to have the Seasmoke crew back in town. This would be our third summer together, and the year seemed to take forever to pass. Matt and I talked once a week by phone and emailed, but it just wasn't the same.We'd done the customary bonfire and roasted marshmallows. We got caught up in chatting about our year and how things were going. They told me about where they'd be headed to college, and I got a little jealous. Grampy didn't have the money to send me to school, and with me inheriting the tavern someday, there wasn't a necessity. I'd enrolled in a tech program for a few business classes, but that's all I'd need besides my bartending license.Ian had been good ole Ian. Flirting and teasing. We hadn't slept together, but I had a feeling that would change this year. He wasn't a bad guy at all. He was charming and sweet and, to be honest, safe. My heart could never engage with Ian, but my body didn't seem to have that trouble. Last year, we'd
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 49
MattI rubbed my lips with my fingers and stared at the water. "Why do you only date tourists? Don't you want long-term someday? Marriage?"Her spine stiffened. "I'm not exactly the kind of girl a guy takes home to meet the family."My gaze jerked to hers, anger pounding my temples. Her profile offered me no insight to that bullshit answer. "What the hell does that mean? I've taken you home countless times. Explain."Pulling her knees to her chest, she rested her chin and wrapped her arms around her calves. Everything about her posture screamed defensive, even her avoidance of my eyes. "We never dated, though, and your view of me is skewed." The hesitant, reserved tone had my stomach knotting. And how I viewed her was not skewed, distorted, or any other effing thing. "Jenny, start talking."She rubbed her forehead in clear frustration. "When you grow up with next to nothing, people treat you like you're nothing. After my mom died and I went to live with Grampy, I was in a better
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 50
MattJuly-Two Years AgoStill shocked at my behavior, I followed Cara's directions to the pier and parked my car. She'd said very little since we'd left the nightclub together, and it was wringing my nerves raw. I was a bit of a good guy, a safe bet. Ergo, I'd never associated with the likes of a woman resembling Cara. I'd been instantly attracted to her and still didn't know why. Without a word, she climbed out of the car and headed toward the dunes. I followed, stepping under the stairs to the massive pier jutting out at least two hundred feet into the ocean. I'd never been down this way, but by the look of it, the pier was used by fisherman. This area was relatively deserted. No one wandered the beach. A few restaurants dotted both directions, but they were closed for the night.Staying under the canopy of the pier, she walked the width of beach until her toes dipped in the ocean. I came up beside her, glancing up at the dark brown painted planks and beams overhead. It offered
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 51
JennyMatt's bedroom door opened with a quiet snitch of a hinge, and I stilled. I'd left my door open because I hated enclosed spaces, especially while asleep and defenseless. I hoped the light or my movements hadn't woken him. He didn't move for several beats, and then his footsteps padded on the hardwood floor.As he came into view, my heart pounded. Stupid, but it was my visceral reaction to him every time. Twelve years and it hadn't evaporated. Especially when he wore nothing but a pair of black nylon shorts and an uncertain expression. He stopped in the hallway outside my door and sighed, not meeting my gaze. He gripped both sides of the doorframe, leaning into his hands. Head hung, he stared at his feet. I took in his lean, athletic build while he wasn't paying attention. My panties grew damp, but that wasn't unusual around him either. He was so damn beautiful. Not rugged or built. No edges or bulges. He was subtly sculpted as if created from stone. Slight ridges of a six pac
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