Page 21 of Searching for Sunshine (Crestbrook Cove #1)

“Excuse me for wanting to make sure all the bills are paid. You’ve been a little more distracted than normal with everything going on the last month, and I just want to make sure there’s nothing else I can do to help everything run smoothly around here,” Trent says.

I suddenly feel a sudden wave of guilt over all the time Wyatt’s been spending at the Hideaway instead of here at work.

Wyatt must notice the look on my face because he holds his hand out at his brother to stop him from talking.

“Stels, I can see that look on your face. My brother’s being a dick but he didn’t mean it that way.

I’m a grown man and I’ve wanted to help you at the Hideaway.

Plus, it’s not like we’ve had a ton of business here anyway. ”

Trent’s eyes widen as he looks at me. “Yeah wait, Stella. No one’s upset with you at all. I was just giving him a hard time.”

I nod at him and look at Wyatt. “For the record, not a damn place in this town has my drinks.”

I know I’m being way grumpier than normal, but the combination of the lack of sleep and the lack of caffeine has me feeling more off-kilter than I’d like to admit.

“Damn, I was afraid of that. I’m sorry, Stels. Maybe you can find a way to get them shipped soon,” he says.

“Maybe. So are y’all ready to get this party started?” I ask, determined to change the subject and get myself in a better mood.

“Hell yeah,” Trent says with a wide grin on his face. “Getting paid to spend the day with a bunch of cute ladies seems like a pretty good way to spend the day.”

“Dude, first of all, you have no idea what they look like. And second of all, I don’t know why you think you’re going. You’ve gotta stay here so you can take the other group that’s coming in two hours. The bachelorette trip booked a four-hour charter so there’s no way we’ll be back in time.”

Trent’s smile falls, and he opens his mouth to argue before accepting defeat. “Fine, but the next time we have a bachelorette trip, I call taking them out,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Uh, yeah, sure whatever,” Wyatt mumbles, rolling his eyes before turning back to me. “Anyway, how much longer until they’re here? I know the schedule says ten minutes, but I’m not sure if everything’s running on time.”

“Avery actually just texted me and said they’re on their way, so it should be any minute now,” I tell him.

“All right. I need to run outside and make sure the Fin and Tonic is ready to go. If you don’t mind, I’ll let you greet them and bring them up,” he suggests.

“Sure, that’s no problem. Go do whatever you need to do. I’ll bring them up,” I confirm, and he nods before heading outside to check on the boat.

I’m about to head outside when Trent stops me.

“Hey, Stella. I know it’s not really my place to say any of this and I know y’all’s relationship didn’t have the most conventional start, but I’m really glad you came back.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Wyatt turned into a little bit of a grump over the last few years trying to manage everything for all of us.

But he’s not like that with you, and I’m starting to feel like he’s going back to how he used to be.

He’d kill me if he knew I was telling you all this, but I just wanted you to know I’m glad you came back. ”

I freeze, unsure of what to say and Trent just smiles at me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just wanted you to know I’ve never seen him act the way he does with you with anyone else. And I know this whole thing started out fake, but just go easy on him, okay?”

“Uh, yeah. I care about Wyatt a lot,” I admit. “I don’t have any intention of hurting him, but I really appreciate what you’re saying.”

Trent waves, gesturing for me to go join his brother on the boat. “Okay, enough of that. Go have fun, and I’ll take care of everything back here.”

“Oh, right, I’ve gotta get going, but I’ll see you later,” I say, before heading outside to meet Avery and the rest of the girls.

As I wait for them, I feel a fresh wave of anxiety rise in my chest at what Trent just told me. I know he meant it as a compliment, but how in the world am I supposed to keep myself from falling for him when people say things like that?

God, how did this become such a mess?

“Is it just me or is this going really well?” Avery whispers, and I nod in response. We’ve been out on the water for a little over an hour, and like she said, things seem to be going even better than we planned.

“Uh, that’s what I was thinking too, but we can’t jinx it,” I whisper, looking out at the front of the boat where the girls are lounging around, tanning, and drinking while ’90s country blasts through the boat’s speakers.

“I think they’ve got everything they need, and Wyatt looks like he’s good to go,” Avery says, gesturing to where Wyatt’s maneuvering the boat through the water with the ghost of a smile on his face.

“Why don’t we go sit in the back for a little bit?

We’ve been so busy with the hotel these last few days, but I need updates on my new favorite married couple. ”

I shoot her a glare and she laughs, grabbing my hand, and leading me to the back of the boat.

“Come on, we can go sit back here for a little while before we check on them again in a bit. There shouldn’t be anyone back—” she starts but she comes to a sudden stop when we round the corner and see one of the bridesmaids sitting back here alone.

I vaguely recognize her from yesterday, but she was so quiet in comparison to all of her loud and vivacious friends that I didn’t notice she wasn’t with the rest of the group.

“Hi,” I say, smiling at her. “Are you okay? Is there anything I can get you?”

“No, no. I’m so sorry I’m in the way. Let me move right now,” she starts, sounding a little panicked.

“Oh my goodness, no. You don’t have to move. We just didn’t realize there was anyone sitting back here. But you’re more than welcome to stay.”

“I’m so sorry,” she says again, starting to stand, but I hold up my hand to stop her.

“Please, just sit. What’s your name?” I ask, trying to make her feel comfortable.

“I’m Hailey,” she answers. “I really can get out of your hair. I was just burning up and needed a minute out of the sun.”

Avery and I share a quick confused look because the girl in front of us has on a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of leggings.

I thought maybe she was using them as a cover up in case the wind was a bit chilly early this morning, but it’s over 95 degrees out here now so it’s no wonder she’s burning up.

“Uh, yeah, it’s a hot one,” I answer, “And we’re Stella and Avery. Do you want a short-sleeved shirt or a cover up? Or I’m sure there’s a swimsuit somewhere here on board if you need one.”

Hailey looks like she’s about to cry, but she just shakes her head. “No, no, it’s fine. I just need a second to cool off and then I promise I’ll go join the other girls and be out of your hair.”

“Okay, that’s no problem. Do you mind if we join you then?” Avery asks and Hailey shakes her head.

“Of course. I’m so sorry, I’m totally in the way,” Hailey frets, and I notice the tears welling up in her eyes.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hailey, it's okay. You’re our guest, and if anything, we’re the ones in the way. You sit here as long as you’d like, okay? Just take a deep breath,” I encourage, and she gives me a weak smile.

“God, I’m such a disaster. I know I’m being so silly right now, but do you know when it just feels like everything is falling apart? I’ve just managed to get myself in this situation, and now, I’m looking back on the last few months and wondering how the hell I got here.”

“Trust me, I think I might understand that more than you know,” I say, and Avery smiles and wraps her arm around me.

“Yeah, you have no idea,” Avery adds. “But do you want to talk about it? There’s no pressure or anything—you just look really upset and sometimes all you need is a chat with someone completely outside of the situation to make you feel better.”

“I don’t want to bother you,” Hailey protests.

“There’s no pressure but you’re definitely not bothering us. I know for me it helps to talk to someone completely removed from the situation when I’m really upset,” I tell her.

“Oh, I hate to make the two of you sit around and listen to me complain about my shitty choices,” Hailey sighs. “I just feel like I’m about to make the worst mistake of my life and I don’t know how to stop it.”

“Okay, that’s it,” Avery interjects, and I don’t miss the concern on her face.

My best friend may have a way of saying some really unhinged things, but she’s also one of the most protective people I know, and I can tell she’s not going to let this go without making sure the girl in front of us is okay.

“I understand if you don’t want to, but I’m actually asking you to try to explain what’s going on. ”

Hailey hesitates across from us and finally, it’s like a dam breaks and words start spilling too fast from her mouth.

“I got engaged two weeks ago, and I know if I marry him it’s going to be a huge mistake.

We met one night in a dive bar when I was in a really bad place, and for a while he was great.

I’d just lost my job, and I didn’t have any family or anything to call so I wasn’t really sure how I was going to make ends meet.

But then Ben and I hit it off, and he offered me a job at his business as a receptionist. After a few weeks of dating, he moved me into his apartment, and I really thought I was finally getting the life I’ve always dreamed of. But then things kinda took a turn.”

My stomach tightens at that, and I try to brace myself for whatever she’s about to tell us.

“Honestly, I’m probably being a little dramatic, but he’s just become kinda controlling.

And I know if I marry him, it’ll just get worse.

But it’s not like I have many options. All of my friends are his friends.

The girls on this trip are all wonderful, but Mia, the bride for this weekend, is Ben’s cousin.

So I feel like if I tried to talk through this to any of them, it just wouldn’t go well. ”

Avery and I both sit quietly for a moment before Avery asks, “Okay, so when you say controlling, can you explain a little bit more about what you mean?”

I can tell my best friend is trying to stay calm, and I pat her leg under the table in silent encouragement and she knocks her knee against mine.

Hailey takes a deep breath before she answers.

“Honestly, it sounds kinda silly, but here it is. It started with him telling me what to wear every day, which was fine because I was so grateful to have a job. And then he quit asking me what I wanted to eat or watch on television, which was such a small thing I didn’t really notice for a few weeks.

But then things kinda escalated from there. ”

I look at her long-sleeved shirt and the sweat pouring from her forehead before asking, “Does that have anything to do with why you’re sweating your ass off right now?”

Hailey gives me a sad smile. “Yeah, Mia posted a picture of us at the pool yesterday on her Instagram and Ben saw it. He called me last night accusing me of whoring around on him and told me that if he saw another picture of me looking like a little slut we’d have problems when I got home.

So I told the girls I was super sunburned and needed to wear something that covered me up, and did what he said.

Don’t get me wrong he doesn’t hit me or anything, so I’m not really worried about that.

But it just feels easier to go with what he wants at this point. ”

“Oh, hell no. Fuck that,” Avery starts, and I kick her hard under the table to shut her up.

“Shit, Stels. That fucking hurt.”

I give her a look, and she sighs, leaning back against the seat despite the fact that I know she’s dying to keep going.

“What Avery means to say is, I completely understand why you would feel that way. But is that really what you want?” I ask, and Hailey sighs.

“Honestly, I don’t know what I want. I love the friends I’ve made through him. I love having a job that I feel like I’m good at. I love knowing that, as long as I don’t fuck it up, I could really have some stability after spending so long fending for myself. But I hate the way he makes me feel.”

“I think that’s all valid,” I say with a small smile. “And it’s honestly none of my business, but I think you deserve all of that and a man that doesn’t make you feel like shit. You shouldn’t have to choose between stability and happiness, Hailey.”

“Damn right,” Avery mutters under her breath, and Hailey lets out a small laugh.

“Yeah, I know you’re right. But it’s just so scary to put myself in a position to lose everything with him. Without even meaning to I kinda let him control my living situation, my job, my friends…everything. So even if I leave, I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“You can come here,” Avery blurts before Hailey can continue. “We’re looking to build a staff over the next few months and you could stay in the Hideaway until you’re back on your feet. You don’t have to marry some controlling asshole just to have your basic needs met.”

I shoot Avery a look telling her to tone it down a little, and she just shrugs unapologetically. I don’t mind that she made the offer, I’m just worried we’re starting to overwhelm the girl sitting in front of us.

Hailey blinks at us both for a second before saying, “You can’t be serious. You’ve literally known me for less than twenty-four hours. Why in the hell would you offer all that?”

Avery opens her mouth to speak, but I hold up my hand and she leans back in her seat, obviously surrendering and letting me take over for a few minutes.

“I’m sorry, Avery can be a little blunt when she’s upset.

We’re not trying to pressure you to make any major life changes.

I know you barely know us, and we can’t possibly understand how you’re feeling.

But if you decide you don’t want to stay in your current situation, then our doors are always open to you, okay? ”

Hailey smiles. “I really appreciate it. I don’t think I’m ready to make a decision like that right now. But, honestly, I feel a little better after talking through it. I’m sorry I’ve kept you both so long, though. I know you have better things to do than sit around and listen to my bull shit.”

“I totally get that, and stop. I’m glad you told us. So, now what do you say we try to have a little more fun on this trip, huh?”