Page 40 of Save Me (The Wolf Hotel Mermaid Beach #2)

T he Bronco jolts and bumps as I hit the countless potholes racing up Sloane’s driveway. Connor would be screaming if he could see me abusing Darla like this, but I don’t give a fuck about his vehicle or my unemployment or anything else.

Sloane is pregnant ?

How the fuck is she pregnant? I mean, I know how , but she said she was on the pill. It had to be that first time, here at the house, during our big seasonal hiring weekend. That embarrassingly quick, twenty-second fuck against the wall.

How long has she known?

When did she find out?

She definitely knew on Tuesday. She spat that pricey champagne out, suggesting it had gone bad. As if we’d be serving spoiled Cristal. How did I not figure it out then?

Probably because I’m twenty-six, I’ve been living the rake life, and fatherhood is the last thing on my mind.

I’m not going to lie, the moment Abbi uttered those words was a gut punch. I nearly doubled over in shock. It was quickly followed by frustration—that Sloane hasn’t told me. She’s had plenty of time and chances. I’ve spent the last two nights in her bed with her.

But she’s afraid to tell me because, according to Abbi, she thinks I’ll bail.

She literally watched me torch my career this morning—for her!—but she thinks I’m that guy? She thinks she needs to deal with this without me?

Why, is it because we barely know each other?

Or is it because this whole thing means way more to me than it does to her?

Fuck that. I need answers. I feel like I’ve shown her all of my cards, and she’s shown me none of hers.

My hands curl tightly around the steering wheel as I reach the house. Her Cherokee is gone, but Frank’s truck is here. Hopping out of the Bronco, I charge for his Airstream, the hens scurrying away as loose gravel scatters with my steps.

A loud thud draws my attention toward the beach, and I quickly change course around the house to where Frank stands next to a pile of rocks, shirtless and wiping sweat off his brow with his forearm.

“Where’s Sloane?”

He peers over his shoulder, his tanned brown skin red-tinged from the heat. His perpetual scowl fades a touch when he sees me. I guess that’s progress. “She’s already at the dock. Probably about to leave.”

I check my watch. “Shit.” Now I’ll have to wait three hours until she’s back in to get answers .

Frank rests his elbow on a propped shovel. “Why, what’s going on?’

“Nothing. I need to talk to her.”

I get a head-to-toe appraisal of my board shorts and T-shirt. The first thing I did when I got to my office to clean it out was change. “So, you know.” It’s not a question.

“I know what?” I ask warily. Does Frank know?

Wait, of course he does. When I told him about Henry’s plans last night, Frank said something along the lines of this being the last thing she needs right now. This is why. Because he knows she’s pregnant.

He shrugs.

I’m not getting anything out of him unless he wants to give it.

Frank ambles about thirty feet over to the fire pit and, after adjusting his work gloves, collects a small boulder with a grunt, his giant, muscular arms straining under the weight.

“You’re moving the fire pit.”

“Figured I’d do it while Sloane’s not here, seeing as it’d break her heart to watch.”

I study the pile of soot-coated rocks. This pit’s been in that exact spot for decades, Sloane said last night. Home to gatherings every night of each high season. Countless memories formed.

If I’m learning anything about Sloane, it’s that she values tradition and family—both blood and found—above all else.

He lugs it over, dropping it next to the others. I hadn’t noticed the orange spray paint before, with lines marking the new pit’s location and whatever else he has planned. He’s marked x’s in the sand around it. I assume to gauge space for chairs.

“Not like we have a choice, unless we want to pay five hundred bucks a day every time your general manager reports us.”

“She’s not my GM anymore.” Which reminds me, I need to grab that ticket off the kitchen counter. I did get a few fat paychecks. The least I can do is cover it while I still can. “I heard there’s been some activity on the other side of the fence? Reporters and things?”

A slow grating sound carries. So, King Kong can laugh. “You should’ve heard the sound that commissioner lady made. Thought she was gonna drop dead.”

“Yeah, that one thinks she’s doing the Lord’s work.”

Frank heads back over to the old pit, where Ralph pecks at scurrying ants, their homes disturbed.

I follow him and collect a few of the smaller stones.

“The mayor tried scaling the chain-link,” Frank goes on, hauling another hefty boulder. “Just after Sloane left.”

That makes me chuckle. “What was he gonna do? Climb the tree?” The guy is, like, five foot three. I’m over six feet tall, and I stood on my tiptoes on top of that wobbly ladder to tie those sheets up there. In the fucking dark. If I never see a ladder again, it’ll be too soon.

“I don’t know what he thought he was doing, but when he noticed me there, he slipped and got his pants caught on the chain.” The ground indents as Frank drops the rock into the sand. “Basically hung himself on his balls. ”

I wince at the visual. But wait— “He missed you sitting there?”

“I got it all on video.”

“You’re kidding me.”

Frank gives me a look. I doubt the guy knows how to kid.

“Do me a favor and text it to me. It could be useful.” I doubt Wilson wants a video like that going viral on social media, which is where it belongs.

“Yeah.” He rolls his shoulders against the strain of his labor. “I told Sloane about the new harborfront. And the new road.”

“ What ? When? ” My anger flares. I didn’t tell Frank so he could be the one to deliver that news. I wanted his advice. I should have been the one to tell her.

I guess Sloane and I are even, then.

“This morning, right after you left. She’s got a lot going on right now, and she needed to see the full picture so she can make the right decisions for her.”

Abbi basically said the same thing to me. “You mean, because she’s pregnant?”

He pauses mid-reach. “Who told you that?”

“ Not Sloane. When’d she tell you?” I don’t know why it bothers me that he knew before me, but it does.

“She didn’t. I figured it out ’cause I know her, and I’m not an idiot.”

I roll my eyes at his dig. “Is she gonna keep it?”

“You need to ask her that.”

“That’s why I came here. To talk to her.”

He tugs off his gloves and wipes his brow again. It’s too hot for this type of manual labor, and yet something tells me he’ll walk through a lava-spewing volcano for her. “And say what?”

“Just …” Good question. What will I say? I was so focused on hearing the words from her mouth that I didn’t think about the “and then” part. “That I’m here, no matter what she decides?”

“Is that true? Are you?” Frank challenges, an edge in his tone.

“Of course I am!” I throw my hands out. “Haven’t I proved that I’m in her corner by now?”

All I get in response is a grunt as he treks back toward the old pit.

I follow him. “Is this not something I planned on happening? Sure.”

“You and her both,” he mutters.

“Yeah. Well … she should have told me.”

“You should have worn a condom,” he throws back.

A wheelbarrow sits nearby. I grab the handles and push it over. “Would you believe me if I told you it’s the first time I haven’t?” Not including Tasha.

“No.”

“I’ve always seen myself having kids, but not until my thirties.”

“Shit happens.”

“When’s she going to be done?”

“Four.” He hoists a boulder, his arms straining. “Are you always this chatty?”

“No, actually, not at all.” I begin tossing smaller rocks into the steel tray. “Do you know which way she’s leaning?”

“Nope.” It’s more of a grunt as he struggles the last few steps, maneuvering around Ralph before letting go of his cargo.

“Come on, man.”

He chugs his water, wipes his mouth with his forearm. “What’s your plan? To stay here and annoy me until Sloane’s done working?”

“Probably. Might take a break to grab a bite.” If I can stomach food. I toss more stones in.

Frank sighs heavily. “We’re not doin’ this. I have a better idea.”