Page 25 of Only Some Stars Fall

“Shit, my dad’s going to be looking for me, he wants to get up there before it gets dark. I’m sure he’s worried about the truck breaking down and us being abducted by the mutant people who live in the wilderness.”

“Trust me, they would return you,” I grumble as the boat slows down and approaches her father’s dock.

When Alex coerced me into taking her shift this morning, I was anything but relaxed. Getting out on the water today proved to be exactly what I needed. Soaking in the sun and exploring the lake with Nick and his friends was really fun. Nobody even seemed shocked at my two-piece, which I quicklyrealize is a sign of how mentally elderly I might be becoming. This place may be in the middle of nowhere, with some of the worst black flies I have ever experienced, but I understand why so many people keep returning summer after summer. The natural beauty, seclusion, and way of life are already starting to feel like home for me.

“Hey, Everly, if you want to grab your work stuff, I can drive you down to Anderson’s dock,” Nick offers as he ties the boat to Alex’s dock.

“Seeing that I have to be there in less than ten minutes, that would be great, Nick!” I jump off the boat and jog up to the house to grab my work shirt and a pair of jeans.

This day has been perfect. I let myself be in the moment for once, and even if only for a few hours, I didn’t allow myself to think about the tension with Hux that’s been putting my nerves in turmoil. After eating lunch on a secluded beach, Nick and I waded out to a large boulder that jutted out from the shore. We sat perched on the rock for a long time, taking in the beautiful view and chatting while getting to know one another better. We talked about our favorite places in Boston and our goals once we graduate. It was nice to talk to someone whose dreams and plans are so similar to mine. I even found myself starting to picture a future with him that doesn’t end when August does.

Still, there was a tiny itch in the back of my brain, reminding me that something wasn’t quite right yet. No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, the itch won’t fade. It’s as if my brain doesn’t want me to be happy. Did Austin damage me so badly that I truly won’t ever be able to feel that all-consuming infatuation with another person ever again? Is this what being jaded does to someone?

What’s worst of all is every time I think about my impending waitressing shift with Hux, it’s not an unwanted itch I get, it’s butterflies, low in my stomach… anticipation, maybe even excitement. And as much as I tried to squash their little wings throughout the day with Nick, the damn things kept fluttering.

After giving Alex a quick squeeze, I dart out the back door and skip back to the boat. I grabbed a small bag which is slung over my shoulder, stuffed with my work clothes, deodorant, and a minimal amount of makeup. I’ll change when I get there, hoping I won’t be in as much trouble for being late and unprepared. Even though I am barely covered in cutoff shorts and a mesh tank top which doesn’t hide my bathing suit one bit, if I am at least in the building, Hux can’t give me too much crap. Nick’s warm smile greets me as if he hadn’t just seen me minutes ago.

I won’t lie, it feels nice to be adored a little.

“Wanna drive?”

“Uh, I have never driven a boat before, let alone even a car as nice as this boat. I don’t think you want me behind the wheel.” I laugh.

“I’ll spot you, come on, it will be fun.” He waves me over.

Hesitantly, I scoot in front of him as he instructs me how to put the boat in reverse. I place my hand on the throttle, and he immediately places his on top of mine. We ease the boat back out into open water.

“All right, let ’er rip. You don’t want to be even more late, do you?” he says, humor in his tone.

He places his hands on the dashboard, keeping me sandwiched in between his arms. I slowly press down on the throttle as the boat picks up speed. The water has turned to glass, so the boat easily cuts through the surface. A slow smile creeps across my face. I feel free as the wind whips my hair across my face and powerfully in control of this machine. Nick sets his chin on my shoulder, his mouth next to my ear.

“Beautiful,” he whispers, and I know he doesn’t mean the view.

My heart rate starts to rise, both with excitement and a little bit of unease,what the hell is wrong with me?But before I overanalyze, Nick’s hand is placed back on mine as he lifts up the throttle, slowing the boat. As the boat comes into dock and the wind ceases, I feel like I have woken up and come back to reality.

“Thanks so much for the ride!” My voice comes out a little squeaky as I duck and slip beneath his arm, throwing my canvas bag back over my shoulder. “And thanks for the driving lesson!” I blush as I meet his kind smile before hurrying up the dock.

The resort is already packed with almost every chair and table outside taken. I hurry inside, waving to Elle, who looks like she’s totally in her element, chatting away as she pours multiple drinks at once.

“I just need to change! Sorry, I’m late!” I yell, looking over my shoulder and exhaling a breath when Hux is nowhere in sight.

“No one is in the office. Be as fast as you can, we are getting slammed out here!” she yells back while handing a tray of drinks to one of the servers.

I hurry down the narrow hallway and close the door of the small manager’s office behind me. The office is rarely used; ransacked boxes of Anderson’s shirts are stacked on the desk, and miscellaneous lost and found items are piled on the chair in the corner.

I quickly whip off my tank top, followed by my still damp bikini top. A shiver ripples across my newly exposed body when the warm restaurant air hits my cool skin. I start to slide off my shorts when I hear loud, hurried footsteps. I lunge for the lock on the door, but I can’t get across the room fast enough.

My eyes lock with Hux’s as he whips open the door, a lookof sheer surprise across his face. His eyes instinctively travel down my barely dressed body. Just seeing his eyes take me in makes my nipples harden, and my breath catches in my throat. I quickly move to cover my exposed breasts with my arms, but I stop, partly embarrassed and terrified, but a bigger part of me likes that he’s drinking me in. The thrill inexplicably turns me on in what should be a distinctly un-sexy situation.

But then a coldness seeps across his face, and his fists clench at his sides. His eyes avert back to the wall. He crosses the room, grabs a stack of freshly printed menus, and walks back to the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he turns, and looking me straight in the eye, I expect a sly smirk, but instead, I feel the anger radiating from him.

“Your shift started ten minutes ago.”

That’s all he says before slamming the door behind him.

I feel the tears hit my trembling hands before I even know they’ve started. I thought I couldn’t be more embarrassed after last night, but right now, standing here still half-dressed, I feel total humiliation, shame, and utter stupidity. What am I doing to myself? Why am I letting him have some kind of magnetic hold over me? Why have I even allowed myself to entertain the idea that I could mean anything to him? What, because he kissed me a few times? From what I have gathered, casual hookups are something Hux has plenty of experience with, but I didn’t know he could be so cruel.

I didn’t come to Silsby looking for hurt, yet here I am, putting trust in some guy I barely know and then acting surprised every time I get run over by him.

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