There is nothing I love more than being on the beach alone.
Nothing feels better than sitting on the sand, watching as the waves reach the shore then retreat. The murmur of the ocean is the best lullaby, hypnotic and steady. I’ve been a complete mess these days, so coming to the beach has become my routine.
Sighing, I pull my legs into my chest and hug myself tight. It’s almost the middle of August, and I feel lost. Taking a year off to work and cover my sister’s medical bills wasn’t something I expected to happen. I’ve got no plan or even the slightest idea of what I need to do next. Except for one: I desperately need to figure out a way to earn money so I can go back to school next year.
A burst of laughter bolts through the air, and I close my eyes. I love the quiet, but it’s impossible to enjoy it when I have Hayden Hale as my best friend. He’s the life of the party. The second he steps into any room, all eyes are on him. He’s like a magnet, pulling everyone into his orbit. Some days I love him for that, but some days I want to stay away from him.
Hayden and I met when we were five and he and his mom moved back from Spain. We’ve been inseparable ever since. Boys at school couldn’t understand why he preferred my company over theirs, while girls wanted to be friends with me so they could get closer to him. No surprise we mostly kept to ourselves, spending time together and never getting bored. Nothing’s changed, even now when we’re twenty.
If I never meet my soulmate in a lover, I’ll always have one in my best friend.
“Pip!” Hayden yells.
Rolling my eyes, I hide my face in my knees. I hate being a mood-killer. It’s one of the reasons I walked away from our group of friends.
“Piper,” he calls out again.
Rule number one: the silent treatment won’t work with Hayden. Rule number two: if I try it anyway, I need to be ready for his wrath. Tossing me over his shoulder, dragging me places I don’t want to be, or just pushing me into the ocean—he’s already tried plenty of options on me, and he’d be more than happy to repeat any of them.
Hayden lowers himself onto the sand beside me. Cold glass presses to my thigh, and I sit up straight. Glancing to my left, I meet my best friend’s dark green eyes and smile. He has two beer bottles, and he’s handing one of them to me.
“Thought this would cheer you up.”
I take the beer and slowly take a sip, allowing the cold liquid to slide down my throat. “Friday night sucks, so I really needed this. Thanks, Hade.”
“What can I do to help? I hate seeing you so bummed.” He drapes an arm over my shoulders and pulls me to his side. “This isn’t you, Pip.”
“It’s a new version of me: hopeless, jobless, degreeless.” I shake my head at my bad attempt at a joke. “I’ll get over it as soon as I find a job. Don’t worry.”
“Easier said than done.” Hayden kisses my temple. “Do you want me to call my buddies again? Maybe they’ll have something for you.”
“Hade, you’ve already done enough.” I sigh, putting my head on his shoulder. “Hopefully Mr. Russell hires me. My interview with him went well.”
“Russell?”
“Yeah, the owner of the coffee shop. You know, at the corner of—”
“Like Joseph Russell?”
“Yeah, why?” I pull away and peer at Hayden. His green eyes are dark as he stares at me, his eyebrows drawn together.
“He’s not a great dude, Pip. I don’t want you around him.”
“He was nothing but respectful to me. When I was at the shop, I talked to a girl who works there, Uma. She had only nice things to say about him.” I nervously touch my necklace. Two years ago, Hayden asked me to help him pick out a gift for his mom’s birthday. Eventually we ended up in the jewelry store, and I was mesmerized by a silver necklace with a little butterfly pendant. It was simple yet elegant. I wanted it so badly, but there was no way I could afford it since I was saving money for college. Hade caught me staring at it and gave it to me on my eighteenth birthday. I’ve barely taken it off since.
“She’s his friend’s daughter; of course he can’t be an asshole to her.” Hayden frowns. “He’s bad news. I don’t want you to work for him.”
“I’m not even sure I’ll get the job,” I counter. “Do I need to remind you I’ve been looking for a job for a month? A month, Hayden. And all I hear is no. So many small businesses are struggling and can’t hire extra staff. I’m slowly losing my shit. If I want to go back to school, I need a job so I can save money to pay for it.”
“Why can’t I pay for you?”
I’ve heard this question a million times. I know he means well, but I don’t want to be his charity case.
“This conversation is over.” I stand up and stomp away from him. Taking a swig of my beer, I head in the opposite direction of the bonfire and our friends.
“Piper.” Hayden runs after me and grabs my hand, turning me around to face him. “I’m fucking confused. Why can’t I pay for you?”
“Because I don’t want your money. I’m fully capable of earning everything I need, just like I did when we were in high school. How can you—”
“It’ll be a loan, okay? You’ll pay me back.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
I throw my hands in the air, barely avoiding spilling my beer. “I’m not taking your money. That’s final.”
“But I want to help, Piper,” he pleads, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around my waist. “You’re my best friend, and I hate seeing you unhappy.”
How can I ever be angry with him?
“Everything’s going to be alright; I promise. I’ll bounce back, and you’ll see a smile on my face as usual. I’m your sunshine girl for a reason.”
“You are.” Hayden chuckles and kisses the tip of my nose. “Don’t push me away. I hate it.”
“I know.”
His eyes roam over my face, and then he steps back. “Let’s get back to our friends.”
Hade takes my hand and makes me follow him. As soon as we get closer to the bonfire, I meet Kayla’s glare. She’s definitely not my number one fan.
I pull my hand out of Hayden’s grip and go sit with Bo, as far from my best friend and his groupie as possible. She’s not even his girlfriend. Just another girl who follows him everywhere, hoping for a chance to hop into his bed. Hade can’t even remember her name; he calls her “K.” Real boyfriend material, right there.
“You okay?” I shift my gaze to Bo and smile. He’s the drummer in Hayden’s band, Sabotage, and also my friend.
“I’m good,” I say. “I might start a job on Monday.”
“Really? That’s great.” He smiles, and we clink our bottles together. “Where at?”
“I’ll tell you more if I get the offer. I don’t want to jinx it.” And I don’t want him to lecture me if he’s heard anything about Mr. Russell too.
“Cool.” Bo leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His deep brown eyes scrutinize me, and my cheeks warm. He likes me, and it’s obvious to everyone, including Hade. Rule number three of being best friends with Hayden Hale: sleeping with his buddies never ends well for me, so I stopped taking the risk right after my hookup with Bo.
“Do you need a ride home?” Bo asks.
“Thanks. I’ll walk.”
Bo sighs in exasperation. “Hade needs to let you breathe, Piper.”
“It has nothing to do with him.” I tsk and take a sip of my beer.
The problem with me getting involved with Hayden’s friends is simple. He either claims the guys are bad for me or starts cheering for them, encouraging me to give them a chance. Sex with Bo was good, but Hayden following me around and telling me how much his friend likes me was horrible. There’s no way I’ll repeat that mistake again.
“Yo, Hade, how’s your brother? I think I saw his car at your parents’ yesterday,” Jimmy, the guitarist, shouts, drawing everyone’s attention to Hayden.
“Getting used to the city. He hasn’t lived in the US for twenty-three years now, just visited here and there. He’s having a blast.” Hayden snickers, and everyone else laughs too, while I continue to sip my drink.
I look at the ocean again, racking my brain for something I remember about my best friend’s brother. Hunter is thirteen years older than Hayden and me, and he’s been living in Europe since he was ten. Of course, I saw him play soccer when Hade and I would watch his brother’s games on TV, but the last time I saw him in person, I was barely fourteen. I never really talked to him, unless you count “hi” and “bye” as conversation. Hunter Hale is a mystery, one I’m not sure I’ll ever solve. We have nothing in common, and we are from two different worlds.
“I’m sure he’s having a great time,” Kayla says, shoving her boobs in Hayden’s face and sneaking a glance at me. “We’re going to have a lot of fun too. As soon as college starts.”
Her jab isn’t even subtle. She knows I’m taking a year off, and she rubs it in every opportunity she gets.
“Speak for yourself.” Hayden pushes her away a little and meets my gaze. “To have fun, I need my best friend with me. Only her.”
Love you, I mouth to him, and he winks as he stands up.
“Sorry, guys, but your questions about my brother kinda reminded me of something.” Hayden comes over and hauls me to my feet. “I promised to take my niece for a walk around town tomorrow morning. Show her my favorite places.”
“And why do you need Piper with you?” Kayla asks through her teeth.
“Because Pip is coming with me.” He shrugs and drags me away from the bonfire, waving over his shoulder. “See you at the rehearsal, guys.”
“Bye,” I yell, following him with no questions asked.
Once we’re in Hayden’s car, I squint at him. “Why the farce?”
“Farce? I promised to take Story for a walk around town, and you’re coming with us.” His eyes round, and he’s staring at me like Puss in Boots. “Pretty please, Piper? I don’t know anyone better than you to deal with my niece.”
“To deal with her?” My brows knit together as he starts the engine.
“Hunter is looking for a nanny for Story, and so far? He hates everyone,” Hayden mutters. “He has two more interviews tomorrow, and asked me to look after her.”
“What about her mom? Will she come live in the US as well?”
“Amelia’s in Italy right now, filming another movie,” he explains, chewing on his bottom lip. He’s never liked his brother’s wife, and nothing has changed since the divorce was finalized. “I have no idea what she plans to do next, but I hope she’ll keep focusing on herself and her career. Hunter will be fine on his own.”
“But he’s not on his own; he has a daughter,” I correct him, and Hayden snorts.
“That’s exactly why I want you with me. You’ll know what to do, and I’m sure you’re gonna love Story. She’s the cutest little girl in the world.”
“Okay, I’ll go with you.”
“I love when you’re on board with my plans,” he says, and I smile.
“Well, usually your plans don’t disappoint.” I sigh in relief. “God, I didn’t realize I was so tired. But I’m still grateful to you for inviting me tonight.”
“Looks like Friday night doesn’t really suck, huh?” Hayden asks, and we both burst out laughing.
“Definitely not.”
I look out the window; excitement builds inside me. I met my best friend’s niece a long time ago, when she was just a year old. It’s been six years, and I’m super curious about Story. Hayden doesn’t give his love and attention to many people, but he adores this little girl to the moon and back. It’ll be interesting to see her again. I just hope she likes me.
