Page 62 of Beyond The Break

As we approach The Cove, we see groups of people scattered around talking, small fires already started. They welcome us with enthusiastic cheering and jumping. After docking the boat at an old and weathered down dock, the boys work tounload the alcohol while Maliah and Kairi set up the music from the boat’s speakers.

The dock creaks from the weight of everyone walking on it, and I eye it suspiciously.

The heatfrom the bonfire warms me up as I stand nearby with Griffin and Koa. Everyone here is already some level of intoxicated.

Some more than others.

I watch as Zale strips down to his boxers, beating his chest like a gorilla before he runs into the water with a few other macho guys. Maliah and Kairi glance in his direction with embarrassed expressions.

“I’ll go get us some drinks,” Griffin says, taking my empty red cup from my hand and walking to a nearby cooler.

Koa stands by my side, hands in pocket, as he people watches. Or I should sayMaliahwatches.

“You’re not drinking tonight?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “I don’t drink.”

“You used to,” a voice says from behind us.

We both turn around and come face to face with the girl from Griffin’s photo strip.

Meghan.

“What are you doing here, Meghan?” Koa asks, taking a step so that I’m partially behind him.

The movement sends off warning bells in my head as I peek at her from behind him. She eyes me curiously.

“I figured my invitation got lost in the mail.” she purrs.

“No, not inviting you was intentional.” Her smile falls.

“Who’s this?” She nods her head in my direction.

“None of your business.” he replies.

She cackles. “I can make it my business, and you know it.”

She holds her hand out for me to shake, but before I decide what I’m going to do, Griffin walks up beside us and shoves my cup into her open hand instead. I glance at him and notice his clenched jaw as he watches her.

“Welcome back, baby,” she purrs.

“Let’s talk, Meghan,” he replies, holding his hand out for her.

She takes it and winks at me over her shoulder as I watch them walk away towards a fallen tree trunk. My heart beats loudly in my chest as my gaze drops to their connected hands.

Why is he holding her hand?

EIGHTEEN

GRIFFIN

I wasn’t expectingto see Meghan at this party. Even if she had heard about it, I didn’t think she’d have the guts to show up, but here she is. She looks the same, except she has a fringe now. The light of the bonfire reflects off her brown skin. Despite looking the same, everything feels different.

I feared that I would see her again after all this time and despite everything she’s done to me, I’d still feel love. But, as she stares at me through her large square glasses, I realize that I feel nothing at all except fear that she’ll find a way to hurt Eliana.

I finally let go of her clammy hand once we reach the dead tree log and we sit down, side by side. My eyes flicker up to Eliana who is watching us with a curious expression. I feel guilty for leaving her behind and taking Meghan’s hand in front of her, but I needed to get her away from Eliana. She’s proven to be a dangerous person and I won’t take any chances when it comes to her.

“Why are you here, Meghan?”

---