Page 26 of Hard To Stay

The vibration of my phone on my leg pulled me from my thoughts. I reached in the pocket of my cargo shorts and pulled it out to see a text from Sawyer.

Sawyer: Pick up a few cases of beer on your way. Yeah?

I looked up from my phone to see Lexi watching me. I held my phone out so she could see who it was from. “It’s Sawyer. We’re headed out to the Jersey Shore for the rest of the weekend. Looks like I’ve been assigned the task of getting beer on my way to the Cape.”

She smiled. The first genuine smile I’d seen since I’d gotten here. I didn’t realize how much I needed that until she just gave it to me. “The Cape?”

“Yeah, Cape May on the southern tip of the Jersey Shore. His family has a vacation home there. He gets to use it one weekend a month.”

“That’s awesome.” She said then walked over to the table and slowly pulled her breakfast out of the bag. I watched her pull the wrapper away that was clinging to the cheese on the sandwich when an idea popped into my head.

“Hey, listen, I know this is short notice, but I was wondering if you would want to come with me?”

“To Cape May?” She asked, surprised by the invitation. It had caught me off guard too. To be honest, I had mixed feelings about asking her to come along with me, especially after the talk we’d just had. However, the practicality of having her there with me eliminated a lot of worry that I’d be feeling from being so far away. I’d never forgive myself if something happened with her ex and I wasn’t here. The fact that we would be spending more time together was a just bonus.

“Yeah, it’s a two and half hour car ride depending on traffic, so if you’re interested we’d have to leave soon.”

I knew I was pushing my luck, but the more I thought it over, the more it made sense.

Her eyes widened, then she looked down to her outfit. “Like… as in right now?”

“I know it’s short notice, but I think you’ll have a good time. Faith will be there too and I know she’ll be happy to have another female around.” I cringed, thinking maybe I was trying to sell the idea a little too hard.

She pulled on the top of her ponytail and shifted in her seat. Her eyes moved past me across the room while she thought it over. I took it as a good sign that she didn’t shoot me down right off the bat. When her eyes settled back on mine, she looked unsure. “It sounds like a couples thing.”

“You can ask a friend to come along if that will make you more comfortable. Ask Abby if you want.” I answered too quickly, trying to close the deal.

At this point, I just wanted her to be comfortable around me. After the shit I pulled last night and everything going on with Colton, my only priority was making sure she felt safe and secure.

“No, that’s okay. Besides, Abby already has plans for the weekend.”

“Well, you are welcome with or without a friend.” I said, trying to sound casual. I glanced at my phone and noticed it was already 9:30. “Not to rush you, but if you are coming do you think you could get ready in less than an hour?”

I knew what I was asking probably sounded ridiculous, but time was not our friend at the moment. I was hoping to be at the beach by 1:00 pm, so I could enjoy at least a couple of hours in the sun. Just getting through the tunnel to the Garden State parkway on a Saturday was a going to be a real bitch.

“I can be ready in 30 minutes.” She smiled and then picked up her breakfast sandwich, taking a big bite before she sashayed out of the room. Could she be more perfect?

“Okay, great. I’ll be back to pick you up in an hour. Chop! Chop!” I called over my shoulder then walked out.

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