Page 7 of Anchored

“Rented it out to who?”

Holt’s smirk is back and just as potent. “Me.”

Gracie’s diary

(62 years ago)

Dear Diary,

Tonight was outta sight!

The boys built a groovy bonfire by the lake. The music was swinging. Some of the boys passed around flasks. I didn’t ask what was in them, nor did I partake in any of it. The last thing we needed was the fuzz showing up and taking us all home to our parents! Sure, I just turned eighteen, but my parents would still kill me if they caught me drinking with boys.

The moon was bright in the dark sky and the heat pumped off the flames, adding to the humidity in the air. It was sure to be a hot summer here at the lake. Only three more weeks of school and then we’d be free! “The Twist” came on the radio and someone turned it up. All of us girls and most of the boys were dancing away and laughing. Sand flew everywhere but we didn’t care. My shirt sleeve slid off my shoulder and it felt so good to get cool air on my skin. Right as the song ended, a boy slid in beside me.

Hank.

He’s so dreamy. Blond hair. Blue eyes. His threads were always a bit grungy, but his good looks and broad shoulders made up for it.

“Gracie,” he said simply.

I tried to say hi as my friends left me there in a fit of giggles. We hadn’t yet spoken at school. Just a few glances where our eyes would meet and one of us would look away in a mad blush.

Hank lifted his arm, his finger making contact with my exposed skin. I bit my bottom lip as tingles coursed through me. Then he smoothed my sleeve back up my shoulder. I was disappointed when his arm dropped back down to his side.

“You look foxy, Gracie.”

I licked my lips and Hank followed the motion with his eyes. “Thank you, Hank. You’re not so bad yourself.”

His smile grew and so did mine. I forgot about everyone else around us. All I cared about was this tall boy who showed up after the start of senior year of high school as a new kid and made my heart beat wildly. He leaned in and my eyes went wide. His lips landed on mine with a soft groan. He tasted like something much stronger than soda.

I snapped my eyes shut and felt his hands come up to my hips. He pulled me into his body and I thought my heart might explode right out of my chest. The kiss only lasted for a few seconds of heaven. All of a sudden Hank pushed me away, his eyes wild. His hands flew away from my hips like I’d burned him.

A siren lit the night sky, echoing off the trees louder than the music.

“Pigs incoming!” one boy shouted.

Everyone started to yell and run in opposite directions. Hank got swept up with a group of boys and my friends grabbed my arm, dragging me further into the tree line toward my parents’ cabin.

“Come on, Gracie! Let’s split!”

We ran for what felt like a mile over pine cones and dirt lots, giggling and whispering so loudly it’s a wonder the police didn’t find us. We ended the night all piled in my room for a sleepover. The girls made me tell them every detail of the kiss over and over again. It wasn’t until they’d all fallen asleep that I could break out my diary and tell you all about it. It was unreal, just like I told the girls. But it was so much more than that.

I think I’m in love with Hank.

ChapterFour

Holt

“How about this? I’ll call Driftwood Inn while you search for rentals.”

I feel kind of bad. All the blood drained from Maple’s face when I told her I’m living in her grandma’s cabin. Honestly, I was just going along with the teasing nicknames and engagement plot line that she started. As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized it can’t be easy learning your grandmother is ill and then finding out you have no place to stay. Based on the way Maple bites her lip to the point of drawing blood, I’m guessing we both know there won’t be any vacancy.

Maple still fumbles for her phone and starts frantically thumbing out words, followed by manic swiping. I click on Driftwood Inn’s number and put the phone to my ear. The woman who answers is pleasant while also speaking quickly when she tells me they’re all booked up. I hang up and watch Maple pace Gracie’s living room.

I haven’t seen Maple in twenty years, but she’s somehow just as hot as the girl I worked up the courage to kiss that night around the bonfire. Her pale blue gauzy skirt is long, covering legs I really wish I could see. I wonder if she’s as pale everywhere as she is on her slender arms. There’s just a hint of a back tattoo coming from beneath her tank top. Her long hair keeps flicking over it, so I haven’t gotten a close enough look to see what the tattoo might be. Maple’s thin, her waist so tiny I wonder if I could close my fingers around it and have them touching. But holy fuck, the gods have blessed her with a pair of boobs that you’d expect to find on someone a little heavier. Not that this has any bearing on anything happening right now, but my brain circles the question on whether they’re real or not.

Maple makes a little whimper, like Mookie when I don’t get food in her bowl fast enough. I squeeze my eyes shut for a minute and focus. I’m resigned to what has to be done here. I’m not a complete jackass.

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