Page 31

Rad

The problem with lies is they multiply.

Sneaking out of Tealey’s room just as the sun begins to rise, I almost make it to my room before everyone wakes. Almost . . .

“What are you doing up so early?” I whip around like I’m a burglar busted. Cammie’s eyes are still tired, but her smile–unsuspecting, thank God —is there.

“I, uh, wanted to watch the sunrise.”

Looking down the hall through the window, she says, “It’s just rising.”

“Yeah, it was great . . .” I reach for the doorknob to my room. “I’m going back to bed. Seen one, you’ve seen them all. Good night . . . technically morning.” I slip into the room and shut the door, ashamed of all the lies I’m caught up in. What am I doing?

I have this thing with Marlow hanging over my head that needs to play out.

Also, I figured Tealey and I would be taking it slow until we figure out what we’re doing.

I know neither wants to alienate us if things don’t work out.

That means I need to find some time to talk to her privately today before we get carried away, which I’m finding is way too easy to do.

Until we can have that conversation, is it worth lying to everyone to be able to be with Tealey?

Hell-to-the-fucking-yeah.

Okay, Wellington. Settle the fuck down.

That feels like an entirely impossible task, considering I just spent hours kissing my dream girl until our lips went numb.

Not really, but as soon as I had the chance to hold her in my arms, I took it.

I don’t think I’ve slept that well in years.

The short number of hours don’t matter. I found peace wrapped around her.

After climbing in bed, I toss and turn, the bed feeling colder without Tealey next to me. How can such a small thing take up so much room . . . in bed . . . in me?

It’s just not the same without her, so I finally give up, get dressed for the day, and go downstairs.

I see Cammie and Cade are on the back porch through the large windows framing the lawn and ocean in the distance.

My mom is in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on platters of fruits and pastries.

Glancing up, she smiles. It’s the kind that makes me feel like a kid again—loved—and, although I proved her wrong many times, like I can do no wrong. “Good morning, son.”

“Morning, Mom.”

“How’d you sleep?”

Images of Tealey on top of me, her fingers running through my hair, and our bodies against each other come to mind. Fuck. Don’t get hard. I could have come through my clothes, but we’d stop, she’d giggle, and then we’d kiss again, doing it all over again.

“Like a baby.” Coming around the large island, I kiss her on the cheek. “You?”

“I love having you under my roof again. It gives me a sense of peace, knowing you’re safe.”

“I’m always safe even when I’m not here.”

“You’ll understand one day if you decide to settle down and have kids.”

She’s never pressured me to get married or give her grandkids, but she’s not shy about her dreams of it happening one day.

“I need to accomplish a few things first.”

That gets her attention. “First. I like that. Also, you don’t need to accomplish more.

You’re very accomplished already. So, I have a feeling it’s not a need .

It’s a want .” She turns to me and holds a honey bun up to my mouth.

“I want you to leave your troubles in the city and try to relax this weekend.”

I bite the bun and nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

When she starts carrying a platter to the table, I follow with the other and then seek out the caffeine I need.

I pour a cup of coffee, missing the routine I’ve fallen into of choosing a punny mug to make Tealey smile each day.

I didn’t even realize we had a routine to miss until now when faced with a sea of white cups.

The mugs are funny, but it’s the company I’m craving the most. Our mornings begin with a quick chat in the kitchen before work, and most nights, she falls asleep on the couch when it gets late. I don’t wake her right away because I like the sound of her peaceful breaths at midnight.

I don’t want to miss any of it, not even for a weekend. I glance at the stairs, hoping to catch a glimpse of her coming to fill the Grand Canyon–sized hole in my chest again.

When I don’t see her, I walk to the buffet, wondering if eating enough honey buns will do the trick.

“Good morning, Amanda.” From just hearing the sound of Tealey’s voice, I’m smiling before I even look up. When I do, I’m not disappointed.

Wearing a yellow sundress hitting just above her knees, she walks across the marble floors in little white sneakers.

Her hair is loose with soft waves streaming past her shoulders.

Those beautiful blue eyes stare into mine, and if I’m not mistaken, her lips are swollen from our kissing.

I try to act normal, but she makes it damn hard not to stare.

My mom says, “Good morning, Tealey. You look like sunshine today. Yellow is your color.”

Mom’s compliment deepens the pink in Tealey’s cheeks, matching the shade of her lips.

“Good morning, Rad,” Tealey says, tugging at a strap as if she’s suddenly self-conscious. When she joins me at the buffet, she asks, “How’d you sleep?”

“Amazing.” I lean down, resting my forearms on the counter next to where she’s standing at the coffee pot. “How’d you sleep?”

“Like a baby.”

“That’s what Rad said,” my mom says with a bowl of berries in her hands. “Glad you’re enjoying the getaway.” She holds her finger up. “Tealey, can you do me a favor and try to get Rad to forget about work and relax this weekend?”

Tealey smirks while I try to hide my amusement. “It would be my pleasure, Amanda.”

That sly vixen. I whisper, “And mine.”

“How about I take the berries out back and leave you two to chat?”

I turn back, worried I wasn’t sneaky enough. “You don’t have to leave, Mom.”

“I was heading to the back porch anyway.” The door closes behind her, and Tealey and I are alone.

She leans down, matching my position. I cock an eyebrow, and say, “I have an idea.” With our fingers aligned on the cabinet, I move mine to press against hers. It’s not enough because apparently, now when it comes to her, I want more. I lift my little finger and wrap it over hers.

Catching a smile on her face, she laughs. “What is your idea?”

“I know a way you can help me relax.”

“Does it involve a bed, a locked door, and just the two of us?”

I lean a little closer, my eyes locked on her lips. “It does.”

“That—”

“Why are we up so early on a Saturday?” Jackson bellows as he enters the great room. I pull my hand back to my side and stiffen upright.

While I move around the island, putting distance between Tealey and me, she replies, “Because a beautiful day beckoned us to enjoy it.”

Jackson heads straight to the table. “I’m starved.” He glances at us. “Have you guys eaten?”

“No,” I reply. “Go ahead. Anyone up for a walk on the beach?”

“Me.” I expected Tealey, but it’s Cammie, coming in from outside, who takes me up on the offer. “I’d love to go. We never get to talk anymore.”

It’s not like I don’t want to walk with Cammie. She’s great, and I always enjoy spending time with her. I just thought this would go a different way. “It has been a while.”

“All that champagne and . . .” Tealey eyes me. “Activity last night has me famished. I’m going to make a plate and join your mom on the deck.”

Cammie grabs a pair of sunglasses from the counter, anchoring them on her head, and then looks at me. “Let’s go.”

When we start crossing the lawn, Cade cups his hand to the side of his mouth. “Just have her home by curfew, brother.”

I shoot him the bird.

“Inappropriate, Radcliffe,” my mom says just before we’re out of range. I chuckle because sometimes it’s fun to push her buttons.

Stopping to blow him a kiss, Cammie quick steps to catch up with me.

When we reach the beach, she leaves her shoes on the edge of the lawn before dipping her toes in the sand. I kick mine behind me, and ask, “How’s life treating you?”

“Good. You?”

“Good.” She’s a good friend, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say, so I just start talking. “Actually, every time I open my mouth lately, I seem to get caught up in another person’s plan.”

Using her hand as a visor, she looks up at me. “You’re spread too thin.”

“It would help if I could get work under better control.”

“I’m coming to realize I have no control. My whole life revolves around planning this wedding, so much so that I’ve forgotten how I filled my time before this took over. At this stage, I’ll be lucky if Cade marries me. I’ve become a nightmare to live with.”

“He loves you. Crazy in love with you. So I’m sure he doesn’t mind. We should all be as lucky as him. He found his soul mate and his much better half.”

We stop with the wind at our backs and our toes in the water. “Honestly, he’s the better of the two of us. I can’t wait to put this extravaganza behind us and just be married to him.” She looks at me. “Tealey said you’re not working late every night anymore.”

“Some nights. Whatever I can get away with.” I shove my hands in my pockets, unsure of what I want to share versus what I like keeping private for Tealey and me—like last night.

She starts walking again, so I do as well. Approaching a large pile of driftwood, we part and walk around it. Hidden from view of the house, she asks, “Can we talk about the secret you’re hiding?”

My eyes shoot to her. “What secret?”

At the edge of the ocean, she pushes a log toward the water with her foot. “Tealey told me about you.”

“She did? When?” Cammie nods. Fuck . “I assumed we weren’t telling anyone this weekend.” Scratching the back of my neck, I redirect my gaze to the horizon. “It just happened.” When I look back at her, I ask, “We haven’t even had time to discuss it.”