Page 99 of Adrift

“Wow. Honey, we’re here for you, no matter what,” Melody assures her. “Have you told your mom?”

“Oh, God no. Not yet. I just needed time to think about what I wanted. I haven’t told anyone besides you two.” Her eyes move past me, and we all turn to see Darian walking toward us. “Rani, can you keep this between us? I don’t even want you to tell Darian yet.”

I nod. “Whatever you need; I won’t say a word. But,” I risk a smile, “can I at least say congratulations to you? I know this really complicates your life, but it might also be a blessing in disguise.”

Bella breaks into a small smile for the first time since I’ve seen her. “Thank you. I’m going to need both of you through this entire experience.”

We hold each other in a hug, and as I break away from them, I lean back and feel Darian’s broad chest at my back.

“Hi,” I say, turning and smiling up at him.

He kisses my forehead. “Hi. Did you guys catch up?”

I give him a hesitant smile. “We did. Let me formally introduce you to my best friend, Melody. I think you already met my cousin Bella inside.”

Melody waves. “Great to meet you, Mr. Poseidon, sir.”

I purse my lips, fighting a smile at Darian’s confused face. “Uh, good to meet you, too. I’ve heard a lot about you both.” He turns toward the crowd assembling in front of the beach, though the tournament will start in less than a half hour. “Let me introduce you guys to my brothers. They’re both helping out with various things I have them doing.”

We follow Darian to where Dean is hauling paddles, finding Garrett right behind him, carrying life jackets. They set them down in a heap on the sand when they see us approach.

“Well, it’s not every day that our little brother walks around with not one, but three beautiful ladies in tow,” Dean announces with a smirk. A few strands of his long hair that aren’t secured at the top of his head fly in the wind. He reaches out a hand to shake both Bella and Melody’s. “I’m Dean, Darian’s older, more mature brother.”

I giggle, exchanging a look with Garrett before I notice his eyes sweep over Bella.

Darian turns to my friends. “Don’t worry, only one of the three of us is cocky.” He indicates to his brothers. “And this is Garrett. Garrett, this is Rani’s cousin Bella, and her best friend Melody.”

The four of them chat, exchanging pleasantries about the tournament and weather, while Darian pulls me to a quieter area away from them.

His fingers tuck some of my hair behind my ear. “Are you ready to take pictures and notes?”

I nod. “Yup, all good to go. I’m going to be putting some short videos on TikTok, too.”

His cappuccino eyes gleam under his hat. “I noticed we already have quite a following.”

“We do. Hopefully we can get some real interest and new customers through that.” I turn to look at my friends, who are giggling about something one of Darian’s brothers must have said. My heart aches as it lands on my cousin, who is smiling but I can tell she’s distracted and worried. I school my features when I turn back to Darian. “Did you see the newsletter I sent out yesterday?”

He pulls me closer. I love that he doesn’t care about how publicly he gives me affection. “I did. It was perfect. Are you sure you can work on all this while you’re in school next semester?”

I wrap my arms around his waist. “I’m sure. You stressed about this?”

He watches the participants grab life jackets from where Garrett had dropped them. “Nah. We’re ready for it. I’m just ready to have it ove–”

Darian’s eyes sharpen on something behind me and he doesn’t finish his sentence. I look back and for a second, I don’t see what’s distracted him, but then I see Ryan, dressed in a Truckee Sports tournament shirt with a number on the back. It’s the same attire all the participants have received. He’s laughing with a woman standing next to Olivia. She looks a lot like Olivia, so I assume perhaps she’s her sister.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, turning back to Darian.

He brings his eyes back to me, but they have none of the warmth that was there only a minute ago. “Nothing. I just didn’t realize he had signed up to compete.”

“I noticed he hasn’t been coming to your poker nights lately.”

Darian caresses my jaw with his thumb. “I didn’t like the way he talked to you that one time. Sonia and his ex-wife Emily were friends so I tolerated him, but he was always a bit of a tool. Now that they’re both not in the picture, I have no reason to stay friends with him. He rubs me the wrong way.”

“He seems like an ass, but don’t worry about me. I’m way over allowing douche-canoes like him to get under my skin.”

“Hey, Rani.” I hear a familiar voice behind me when Darian stiffens in my arms. “Hey, Darian.”

I turn around to see Liam standing nearby with his hands in his pockets. He has a hat on and with his red curls peeking through the sides, it makes him look even more boyish than usual. “Hey, Liam!” I reach out to give Liam a hug, feeling Darian’s arms tighten around me before he lets me go. “Thanks for coming!”

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