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Chapter Sixteen

LACIE

We’ve just gotten back from weapons training when I find two pieces of scrap material lying on my bunk.

“ Briar , you have got to be kidding me! There is no way I’m wearing this.

I swear you designed this for a toddler because my junk is hanging out everywhere. Were they out of fabric or something?”

“ Oh , stop it. That’s not any smaller than any other bathing suit. You are fully covered, just like you asked. Lace , you’re young and beautiful, so you need to show that shit off while you still can.”

“ Not all of us are comfortable with our butt cheeks hanging out Briar , unlike you with your perfect bubble butt. I mean, look at this! If I turn too quickly, my nipples are gonna fall out of this top.”

“ Just remember that when tall, dark, and grouchy shows up. I love watching the way his runes flash when you’re around. I can’t imagine how he will light up the world if your boobs fall out!”

“ Don’t read too much into that, Briar . He’s not allowed to like me, or anyone else for that matter, unless mommy dearest approves.”

“ What in the hell are you talking about? He’s a grown-ass man. Oh , and before I forget, I made you a cover-up as well. You can leave it on if it makes you more comfortable, but you are wearing that bathing suit. I will not be the only hoe on the beach, do you understand me?

“ Yes mooommm, I completely understand you want me to use my body to further myself in life. You are really setting the standards for me.”

“ Yes , we will simply jump off the bridge together if need be. Ok , enough is enough, you look like someone kicked your dog. There’s a new rule that just went into effect … no frowning on beach days. What on earth did that man say to you?”

“ Pretty much that his life and choices are not his own, and that his mother makes most of them.”

“ Wow , talk about a momma’s boy, huh? Well , if he’s that stupid, it’s his loss, honey.

You don’t want a man who can’t stand up for what or who he wants, no matter the adversary.

And how could you ever trust a man who won’t have your back?

Am I right or wrong? Anyway , if he wants to be a pantywaist, then that’s on him. There are other fish in the sea.”

“ Yeah , I know you’re right. I’ve told myself that over and over, but like a dumbass, I’m crushing hard.

I have no idea where I thought it would lead with us being so different and all, but I just really liked him, growls and all.

It seems like the first moment I laid eyes on him, all others disappeared.

But I do believe I’m reaching a little high …

he’s a big shot, and I’m a girl from nowhere. ”

Quickly , I find myself wrapped up in Briar’s arms, and I have to fight back the sudden tears. “ Come on, today there are no boy problems. Just sunshine or planet shine if we want to be technical, and the beach.”

Untangling myself from her, I still grab one of my old t-shirts and slide on my shorts over the glorified underwear Briar picked out.

Gathering the rest of my stuff, I’m determined to smile no matter what occurs today.

The moment the dropships arrive, I hold my breath, my heart hoping that he’ll be standing at the bottom of the ramp like yesterday, …

but he isn’t. I tell myself that he had no reason to be here, but my mind and heart seem to be firmly at war right now.

Distracted , I almost miss everyone gathering at the edge of the tree line until Briar links her arm in mine, pulling me forward. My eyes scan the area for MeK , but I know he isn’t going to participate. It’s against his must-work-all-the-time mentality.

“ I can’t wait until you see all the games and things Kira came up with.

BuK , Owen , and Ricky spent most of the evening setting up the area while I helped pack towels and other goodies.

DaR and KyT grabbed large rakes and used them to clear debris from the sand.

Oh Lord , I’m sorry you missed it but there were muscles everywhere.

I tried to catch you in the pavilion before you left to see if you wanted to stay and help, but Kira said she saw you headed toward the dropship, and several were already gone by then. ”

Before I can say anything, Briar has to let go of my arm for us to walk through the fairy gate, and then we’re on the beach.

To say I’m floored is an understatement.

There are large beach towels lying everywhere, umbrellas, coolers …

If you ignored the shimmering water and the orange trees, you’d never know we weren’t home.

Kira waves for everyone to come closer to the tables in front, but when she starts talking, most of us can’t hear her.

Just as I’m about to say something, I laugh as DaR picks her up and places her on his shoulder.

She waves playfully to all of us while DaR walks around like she’s a pet bird on his shoulder.

“ Hi guys, can you hear me better?”

“ Yessss ”, sounds all around.

“ Awesome ! When we discovered this little paradise, I knew I had to plan something familiar. Amid all the work that needed to be done, I was unsure how to convince DaR and the others to take a day off. However , one thing I’ve learned is that the happier a group is, the better things go.

With that being said, I pushed for us to have a day of rest, and the beach is the perfect place for that.

So , when DaR announced giving your new home a name, I knew that was the perfect reason to hold a celebration, and so, with a little bit of persuasion, here we are. ”

I have to laugh when Briar yells out…. “ Thanks for taking another one for the team, Kira .”

Kira shakes her head while DaR smirks. “ Anyway … there’s food, games, sunshine, and plenty of places to relax. I hope I’ve created a little piece of home for y’all and welcome to Ethra , the official name of your new homeworld.” Everyone cheers as she blows us a kiss as DaR sets her back down.

“ Come on, Lace . I set us up our own little paradise over this way so that we can watch everyone.” Briar pulls me across the sand to a nice, level, sunny spot.

“ Oh , I like your choice of real estate, Briar .”

“ I’m glad you approve. Now get those clothes off, and let’s soak up some reflective rays from Etherium .”

Half naked, we’ve just laid down and gotten comfortable when a large shadow hovers over us. Raising up the new sunglasses Briar made me, I see BuK standing over her with his tongue practically hanging out.

“ You want to play this game, Briar ? They said they need a few more players, but I do not know the rules.”

He’s like a puppy eager to play with his master, and it’s so obvious he’s really into Briar . “ Go on, I’m just going to lay here for a while.”

BuK holds his hand out to help her up, and I can’t help but laugh when he pulls too hard, and she almost flies past him only to end up in his large, pink arms. The blush on his cheeks shows that he didn’t mean to do that, but he isn’t letting go of her either.

She pats him on the shoulder playfully, and they run off together.

Leaning up on my elbows, I take a minute to look around.

James and Carla are sitting at the water’s edge under a large umbrella, their feet in the water.

She’s reading a book while he appears to be napping.

The volleyball game is quickly gathering a cheering team as DaR and KyT join opposite sides.

Vedece and Kira are both yelling out instructions as they try to teach everyone the game.

At least they both have decent bathing suits on, unlike me.

Their swimming shorts and tank tops cover them completely but still look adorable.

Kira’s long hair blows around her like a halo of golden light, while Vedece’s ebony skin shimmers as the wind carries a light mist their way.

Her beautiful amber eyes are bright and cheerful for a change, the ghosts in her eyes temporarily pushed back as she enjoys a rare moment of peace.

Briar , who has more confidence than any other female I’ve ever met, is in a tickling war with BuK .

Everyone seems to be all smiles and even Ricky is here.

Shockingly , he comes my way with his towel in his hand.

“ Hey Lacie , just wanted to congratulate you on that outstanding performance this morning. You were the only girl who passed every simulation the first time around. I was impressed. That was some fine shooting for someone without proper training.”

“ Oh , I had proper training since I was Papaw approved!” We both laugh, and I can’t help but admire how well Ricky is built, even though he’s slightly older than the majority of us. “ There’s plenty of room here if you want to throw your stuff down.”

“ Thanks , but I’m headed toward the water.

I’ll see you at the next class.” He runs to the water, where Owen and a few others are fighting over whose team he’s going to be on since someone has found a football.

I watch as several girls approach Ricky , he’s always polite but never allows their flirting to go any further.

He smiles often, but it never really reaches his eyes.

That wife of his was a lucky woman, and he’s still convinced she’s out there somewhere. For his sake, I hope he’s right.

I have no idea where Kira came up with all of this stuff, but my mind and heart needed it. As my eyes scan the area, I know who I’m really looking for, but he would never willingly come. Laying back down, I’ve almost dozed off when I feel sand hit my legs.

“ Hey beautiful, what’re you doing over here all alone? Wow Lacie , I knew you were cute, but I had no idea you were hiding that rocking body under all those baggy clothes.”

I barely stop the groan that wants to leave my lips. Sitting up, I pull my cover-up over my lap. “ Why aren’t you frolicking with everyone else, Eric ?”

“ Oh , we both know you were just waiting for me to make my move. You knew I was watching when you shimmied out of those shorts you had on.”

“ Nope , I think you’re mistaken. To be honest, I’m not all that comfortable showing this much skin.”

He reaches a hand toward me, “ How about me and you sneak off for a little bit and get to know each other better?”

Before I can respond, I feel HIM headed my way. “ You need to remove yourself, or I will.” And there he is … six foot plus of pissed-off male.

“ Who the fuck do you think you are? Back off, alien … you have your own women. Leave ours alone.”

I swear I watch MeK grow as his runes flash wildly. I’m on my feet between them instantly. “ Ok , everybody cool it. Eric , your buddies are yelling for you. Why don’t you head their way?”

“ Yeah whatever … big alien gotta have a female fight your battles for you? Lacie , this conversation is not over.” He walks backward, literally taunting MeK like he’s some kind of badass or something. We all know that MeK could break him in half, but Eric is trying to impress.

“ Eric , no one needs this shit today, just go on.”

Without realizing it, I had pressed my hand against MeK’s chest, and when he started to move forward, I did my best to hold him back.

“ MeK , look at me, he’s not worth it. He’s just trying to push your buttons because bullies are like that.

” What I’m not prepared for is for him to truly look at me. “ Oh , shit!”