Page 23 of Sea La Vie (The Outer Banks #1)
Lainey
“ I can’t believe you won the bingo grand prize,” I lament a few days later, as the steam from my coffee curls above my mug, mingling with the steam from Tate’s.
That night we had played bingo until the crowds cleared, then we stayed even longer, talking and goofing off until the clean-up crew kicked us out.
Then Tate danced, laughed, and sang in a terrible voice along with the music playing from the speakers over Water Street until they shut off sometime around eleven.
He even whisked me into the middle of the street, grabbing my hand, and insisting I dance with him for the very last song they played: Beat This Summer by Brad Paisley.
It was almost too perfect—a cliche you’d see only in the movies—but I loved every second of it.
As we swayed together under a flickering lamp post, the bullfrogs croaking and fireflies dancing around us, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time —happiness.
I mean sure, I was happy. I have lived a great life on the coast with my brothers and my dad in a town I love.
But not having to worry about anything or anyone for one carefree night… it was amazing.
Tate seems to bring out the best in me. When I am with him, I can’t help but laugh and smile.
It’s like his personality is contagious, his smiles and laughter infectious.
I want more of this feeling…I want more of Tate.
The walls I've built up around my heart that I thought were so strong are quickly crashing down as we spend more time together. And that is terrifying.
“Well, I did tell you I was a bingo champ,” Tate says and takes a sip of Eden’s special. She’s named this one ‘Smitten Sugar Apple Iced Tea’. She clearly thinks she is hilarious. “Are you ready to go?” he asks.
“I’m going with you?” I ask, secretly pleased he’s asked. The grand prize had been a day of sailing around the Outer Banks this weekend and a picnic catered by a restaurant out of Morehead City.
“Of course you’re coming with me,” he says.
Like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Like it was as easy for him to say that as, “The sky is blue,” or, “The grass is green,” or, “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on.
” Maybe I got a little carried away with that last one, but a girl can dream.
I pretend to think about how busy my schedule is when, in reality, it’s the complete opposite.
The weather has been so weird and the water so choppy, I haven’t been able to fish much, which has put us us even further into the red.
This is the first nice day we’ve had all season, and a rock lodges in my throat at the thought of giving up the potential to bring in some fish for a big paycheck.
Tate looks so excited though, like a puppy whose owner just came home. His eyes are wide, impatient for my answer, and a thrill runs through me that he’s as eager to spend time with me as I am with him.
I swallow hard, push away the thoughts of the family business I’m desperate to revive, and say instead, “Let’s do it.”
Tate is leaving after he finishes restoring his family’s cottage and finds a buyer, after all, and I might not have this chance ever again.
Having a few weeks of carefree fun isn’t so bad, is it?
I can spend time with Tate, no strings attached, and watch him walk away without getting my heart broken again… can’t I?
“Are we all set?” The captain asks and glances between Tate and me. I can tell he’s trying to hide a grin when he looks over at Tate.
Tate’s peering over the edge of the boat so far, his feet are off the deck.
“Lainey! Did you see that?! I swear I just saw a great white.” He rights himself and adjusts the towel slung around his neck.
“This is going to be great,” he says, smiling wide enough for me to see the peppermint gum he’s chewing.
The captain leaves us at the front of the boat and disappears behind the wheel.
“Mhm,” I agree, noticing that he’s left a spot of sunscreen right above his upper lip. Without thinking, I reach my finger out and lightly touch it.
Tate’s breath hitches, and he catches my finger. “You look beautiful, Lainey.”
“Thanks,” I say, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks and wondering how much truth there is in Tate's admission. He must recognize my skepticism because he tips my chin up with his fingers and says, “You truly do.”
I let out a self-deprecating snort and glance down at what I’m wearing. “I’m pretty sure these old faded cutoffs were Huck’s at some point, and this bikini is from four seasons ago.”
The captain maneuvers the boat out of the harbor, and as the wind begins to pick up, the speed of our boat does, too. Tate spreads his towel down and pats the spot next to him for me to sit.
“I don’t think it’s so much about what you’re wearing,” he says.
“I think it’s more about who you are. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you again, Lainey,” he says.
“But you are beautiful, inside and out.” He shoots me a wink, and I find my cheeks heating again, despite the breeze blowing around us.
“Look over there.” I point just below the horizon. Two dolphins are jumping and playing with each other, as if putting on a show for us.
“That’s amazing!” Tate says. “This is practically your backyard. Does it ever get old?”
I consider his question by tapping a finger to my chin. “No, it really doesn’t,” I answer. “I love it here. Even if this town wasn’t my home, I think I’d still love it here. The city just isn’t my thing.” I shrug one shoulder. “Too much noise and hustle and bustle.”
“I get that,” Tate says.
“I enjoy visiting, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t think I could live there. There’s something about the slower pace of life here that fits me more. I think I’d feel too trapped.”
“You’d hate my apartment,” Tate chuckles. “It’s in the middle of the city, overlooking downtown. Wall to wall windows with modern, industrial touches.”
I fake a shudder. “Hmm,” I hum softly. “So basically, what you’re saying is, you live the exact opposite of me.”
“Precisely. It’s never really felt like home though,” he admits. “It feels cold.”
“It sounds miserable,” I tease. “Hey Tate? Can I ask you a serious question?”
His eyebrows knit together in concern. “Of course.”
“I don’t really know how to ask this. But I think it’s really important we get this out in the open.”
Tate’s Adam's Apple bobs as he swallows. “Okay, yeah, anything. What’s up?”
“Do you really change your mattress every three years?”
Tate bursts out in laughter. “Yes, I do.”
“Wow,” I mutter. “Such a city boy thing to do.”
“I have a sensitive back!” He says, throwing his hands up in defense. “Anyway, I’m so glad we got that cleared up.”
“Me too. It was really nagging at me,” I laugh.
The captain reappears. “We’ll be stopping in a few moments. Should I go ahead and bring your lunch up?”
“Let’s take a swim first,” Tate suggests.
“Maybe give us a half hour?” The captain nods then walks away.
Wasting no time once the boat stops moving, Tate cannonballs over the edge, spraying me with salty water.
He resurfaces and shakes his dark hair, more water droplets spraying from him.
“Come on in! Water’s fine,” Tate winks again and I timidly step out of my cut offs.
I swan dive off the edge and pop up a few feet from Tate.
“Impressive,” he says, eyebrows arched.
I give him a playful splash, and we tread water silently for a few moments. “Want to head to the beach?” I ask. Tate eyes the shoreline hesitantly.
“Sure, yeah.”
We are a few minutes in when I hear, “Uhh…Lainey?”
I turn around to find Tate several yards back. “Yeah?”
”I should’ve… probably… told you… I’m still not the strongest swimmer.” Tate gasps for air, eyes wide with the beginning of panic.
I swim back to him and put his hands on my shoulders. “Still? Kick your feet, and hold on, City Boy.”
“Oh thank God,” he says, gasping for air. I can’t see him, but I know he’s smiling. I can hear it in his voice.
We make it to shore, and Tate dramatically kisses the sand. I roll my eyes but sit down next to him, letting the waves wash over my legs. “Can I ask you something else?” I ask Tate.
“You just did,” he says with a goofy grin and knocks his shoulder into mine.
“It’s not any of my business,” I start, chewing on my bottom lip, thinking about how to ask what I want to. “But you haven’t been back here since you were eighteen. What really made you come back?”
Tate sighs and scoops up a handful of sand. He lets it drip through his fingers, then does it again. “I found my girlfriend cheating on me.”
”Oh,” I say through an exhale, an unwelcome feeling rising up in my belly.
“With the guy who owns the yoga studio she goes to.”
I cringe before he continues. “Oh it gets better,” he says, sarcasm lacing every word. “I was going to propose to her the same night I caught her.”
I knew the chances of Tate staying single the past ten years was slim, but it still stings a little to hear he loved someone enough to propose.
It shouldn’t bother me. He has an entire life somewhere else, and I know I shouldn’t let myself get any more attached than I already am.
He could pick up and leave anytime he wanted to.
It’s just been so easy to slip back into the role of Tate’s best friend and confidant and… everything.
”I’m sorry,” I say, because I’m not sure what else to say. “That must be tough.”
Tate gives me a one shoulder shrug then rubs a hand along his jaw. “I’ve thought about it a lot since I’ve been here, and I think I’m partly to blame. I feel like I used her.”
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. She cheated on him but he feels bad. What could be worse than cheating?