Page 56 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
Tears appear in Serena’s eyes too and she nods her head. “I know and I’m sorry.”
“Why did you do it?” I whisper.
“I was jealous.”
“Jealous?” I say. “Of what?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Yes, Bea, you. You’re kind and beautiful and you’ve always had your head screwed on right. You had this perfect little life planned out and I … I’m going to be 30 in three years’ time, and I haven’t had a relationship that’s lasted more than three months. I wanted what you had so badly and so … so I stole it from you.” She covers her hands and sobs into her palms, her shoulder shaking.
I hesitate for a moment, the sounds of the waves hitting the shore loud in my ears. Then I step towards her and hook my arm around her shoulder.
“My life was never perfect, Serena. It may have looked it from the outside but it wasn’t. It wasn’t at all and I didn’t realize how unhappy I was with Karl until I finally got rid of him.”
“He’s such a jerk,” she mumbles.
“Yes,” I say, although I know it takes two to tango. I miss Serena too. But I don’t know if I can ever forgive her for what she did. Not yet anyway.
“I ruined everything,” Serena moans, “the best friendship I ever had.” She sniffs. “For a stupid man.” She sniffs again. “And everyone back home hates me. I think I’m going to have to follow your lead and move to the city.” She eyes the beach house.
“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be,” I say. “I can’t find a job and no one talks to anyone here. No one even makes eye contact. And the traffic!”
“Oh God, I nearly totaled my car five times cutting through the city to get to you,” Serena says with a laugh. I step away and she wipes at her face. Her mascara is a big old mess. She looks like a freaking panda. I don’t think I’ll tell her.
“It isn’t working out here, then?” she asks. “Why don’t you come back home?”
I peer out to the ocean. Is it? I love it here on the beach. But the city feels tinged with sour memories now. If I left, if I went back home, I’d miss Courtney and Aunt Julia. But at least I’d be able to find a job and I wouldn’t have to worry about this constant threat to my safety every damn moment. I’d have my heat to worry about – but hopefully that wouldn’t be for a while and I could figure something out.
The sand shifts against my ankles and behind Serena I can see Silver trudging towards us. He’s wearing his own pair of marigolds and is carrying a trash bag.
Serena turns to see what I’m looking at and nearly topples over in surprise, her eyes bugging in her head and her mouth falling open.
I guess I’m used to how hot these men are. I almost – almost – don’t notice it anymore. But looking at him now, through Serena’s eyes, I have to confess he’s one of the best-looking men I’ve ever laid eyes on. His strong build, his shoulder length hair ruffled by the breeze and his dark eyes.
“Hi,” Silver says as he comes to a stop in front of us both. Serena tucks a strand of honey blonde hair behind her ear and smiles sweetly at him. I’m extra pleased I didn’t tell her about the mascara.
“Hi,” she answers.
Nobody speaks and Serena gives me a look I know means ‘introduce us’. I decide I’m not going to do that either.
“Thank you for coming,” I tell her. “I appreciate it and I will think about what you’ve said.”
“So you forgive me?” she asks hopefully.
I simply smile at her. I don’t want to die a bitter old maid. I don’t want to carry hatred around in my heart for the rest of my days. But I’m not ready to forgive her yet. The wounds in my heart are still too fresh.
Serena seems to interpret my expression as a yes though and grins back. “Good,” she says. “Come home, Bea, we all miss you.”
“Home?” Silver says and my eyes flick to him. He almost looks alarmed, like me heading back to Naw creek would be the worst thing possible.
It makes me think I should give it more thought.
If I stay here, I can see how slowly these men will worm their way back into my life until I end up a plaything in their games once more.
“I’m thinking about it.”
