Page 7 of Only Some Stars Fall

Pulling up, I park the golf cart out front. I grab my bag of bed linens and the tray of cleaning supplies and head up the rickety stairs to the front porch. It looks quiet; the small sign next to the door is flipped to the “Gone Fishin’” side, which Rhonda had explained during her very brief and questionable training meant the guests had left.

I open the screen door and push through the front, my tray running into the doorframe and my bag of linens bumping into me as the screen door slams. I stumble a bit but steady myself just in time to freeze as my eyes focus on the naked ass that is moving up and down, hard, on top of someone whose face I can’t see.

Shit, Shit, Shit.

The woman lets out a heavy, pleasurable moan that is cut short by the noise I’ve made clumsily entering the cottage. I notice she doesn’t look much older than me as she quickly twists around and her perfect boobs swing into my full view.

We make direct, intense eye contact.

She screams and rolls off the man she had been happily riding a moment before. I quickly look down, but not before I also get a full show of his erect manhood. “I am so, so sorry, the sign, I thought you had left for the day, I… I…” I stammer.

Oh my God, could this be any more fucking humiliating?

“Get out! Get out! Clearly, this place is occupied!” the woman yells. In the commotion, I drop my cleaning tray, which sends bottles of furniture polish and oven spray rolling around the floor in every direction.

“Of course, yes, again, I’m so sorry!” The intense burning in my cheeks tells me I must be bright red. With shaking hands, I try to collect all my supplies before my body goes into a full-onpanic attack,because wouldn’t that be just fantastic.This may be the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me, including the time I puked all over my middle school crush at my first dance.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, I hear hurried and fast feet coming toward me.Is she going to physically attack me?Would I blame her? Not really.I bring my hands up to shield my face, but instead of fists, I’m met with wet, slobbery kisses from what appears to be a big, brown, furry Labrador.

“Seriously, what is she doing? Is she legit playing with your dog right now?” the woman shrieks at the man beside her. I can hear his uncontrollable laughter, which quickly turns my embarrassment into anger. I look up to glare at the jerk who finds my humiliation so amusing and come face-to-face with familiar blue eyes.

This can’t be happening to me.

Hux Anderson is sitting up, head against the headboard, his tan chest bare, and the tented bed sheet barely covering his lap.

“Trust me, Ash, I wouldn’t expect anything less from this one.”

Did that really just happen?I’ve never been good in embarrassing situations. I hate confrontation, so that? That was next level. I want to jump into the lake and swim back to Boston. There must be a river between the lake and there. It had to be Hux’s cabin, didn’t it? All I know is I’ll be speaking to Rhonda about updating the freaking map when I get back.

I timidly clean the rest of the cabins on my list for the day, knocking multiple times before entering. Walking in on some old folks getting it on is not something I want to experience… like ever. However, I am not sure it could be worse than Hux and his…friend. Fortunately, most guests use the “Gone Fishin’” sign properly, and I have no further humiliating encounters.

As I scrub showers and make beds, the adrenaline spike from the panic and embarrassment fades, and anger takes over. All I can see is that smug smirk he had on his face. What a cocky ass. Clearly, he thinks that just because his dad owns this place, he can do and treat people however he wants. I don’t blame the woman for being upset. I would be mortified too!

After observing the attention Hux attracted on Saturday night, even from the soccer moms, there is no doubt it has all gone straight to his head. I can’t deny that he’s hot, like, extremely hot, which is probably why I turn into a bag of nerves whenever I come near him. Beautiful people have always intimidated me, and now, I’ve seen him naked.Why is that? Why do I always turn to mush in the presence of cocky asshats?

Alex and I have talked about this; the last thing I need is another arrogant love interest who has no interest in anything other than using me and throwing me away. I am officially done with wannabe bad boys who are honestly just douchebags. Not to mention, I’m not his type. That girl is perfect in every single way. As well as much more confident than I ever could be—sex during the day? On top?

My thoughts drift to Austin. That girl is his type too. His eyes would eat her up, and it probably wouldn’t take him long to slide into her DMs. I never was and never will be the first choice for a guy like that.

I stop myself; why am I even comparing myself to her when he’s not an option? Plus, my pure hatred for him right now reminds me to immediately banish all thoughts of his eyes, chest, and all other body parts my mind keeps trying to get me to fantasize about.

After finishing the last cabin, I check my watch and am thrilled to see it’s just about two p.m., and my shift is almostover. I need this day to end. I drive the golf cart back to the main lodge and put away my cleaning supplies. I prepare a few things for tomorrow morning, and right before I turn off the lights, I point my fingers first at my eyes and then at the washing machine, hoping to send it a message that I am not playing around.

Rhonda is sitting at her desk with her back to me. She has a small office behind the front counter. I knock lightly, and her head snaps up. I am ninety-nine percent sure she was asleep, but I’m careful to not let any amusement show.

“How’d it go?” She clears her throat and looks at me with an uninterested expression.

“Great! No issues!” I say probably a little too perky. She eyes me for a moment, my tone clearly sparking a bit of suspicion. She reminds me to clock out and then turns her back to me once again. Rhonda may be prickly, but I have a feeling I will win her over before the summer is finished.

I walk into the bar, and a sigh of relief escapes my body. My first day is over, and I desperately need a drink. The lounge is mostly empty except for a table of presumably college kids all glued to their phones and laptops since Wi-Fi is only offered in the main lodge. I sit down at the far end of the bar as Elle returns from bringing the group their order.

“Hey, babe, what can I get ya?” she asks, with a genuine smile on her face. Elle looks like she’s probably in her mid to late twenties. Her hair is an icy blond with blue highlights woven throughout. It’s a bold look, and Elle pulls it off perfectly, making her light blue eyes even more striking. She has an intricate tattoo of various flowers and vines covering most of her toned left biceps. I immediately like her.

“Rum and Coke?” I’m hoping she will overlook the fact that I am by no means of the legal drinking age. She chuckles and walks away.

I crane my neck, trying to see into the dining room for a glimpse of Alex. I know she’s working a double shift today, and we had talked about having lunch on her break, but there is no sign of her, or anyone in the dining room, for that matter.

“One rum and Coke, minus the rum.” Elle laughs as she puts down the drink. “Sorry, babe, but I need this job.”

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