[Truyện Tiếng Anh] On The Rocks

On the Rocks
On the Rocks Page 50



“I’ll take a dirty martini please.”

I looked up at the sound of the familiar voice. “Kim? What are you doing here?”

“I heard the bartender working tonight was really good. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.” She smiled awkwardly in a forced way that a woman should never have to do with her sister.

“So, you’re not here to accuse me of being a home wrecker again?” I scooped some ice into a glass and set to work pouring a drink for another customer. I tried to keep my heart rate normal. I noticed the curious stares, but I ignored them. The nice thing about tourists is you didn’t usually see the same person twice.

“I’m sorry.” She set her jaw. Apologizing wasn’t something that came easy for Kim.

“Listen, I don’t have the time to argue with you right now. I’m working.” I spread out my arms at the swelling crowd.

“I see that, and I’m not here to argue.”

“Then why are you here? There’s no way you came just to apologize.”

“I wanted to see you. What’s happening between us isn’t right.”

I blinked back tears. She was right about that. “Can we talk later? Or tomorrow if you don’t want to stick around that long? I’m guessing you’re staying at Colin’s?”

“No. I got a hotel. I wasn’t sure if I was welcome at his house.”

“He’s your brother. He wouldn’t turn you away.” Whatever my issues with Kim, Colin would never turn his back on either of us.

“Maybe I’ll stop by and see him.”

A thought suddenly occurred to me. “Wait. If you haven’t seen Colin yet, how’d you know where to find me?”

“Your boyfriend told me.”

“What?” I overfilled a beer, making a mess. I grabbed a cloth and wiped it up.

“You gave Mom and Dad an address to send your mail. I showed up and met your roommates. They’re both nice by the way.”

“I know that.”

“Macon’s crazy about you. He wants you to be happy, and he thinks we need to talk.”

“Let’s do breakfast tomorrow.” Breakfast would be safe, a set time.

“Sure, but is that before or after your big presentation?” She smiled.

“Did Macon tell you about that too?”

“Actually, your other roommate did.”

“Excuse me!” A guy yelled to get my attention.

“All right, I won’t distract you anymore. Just get me my martini, and I’ll see you at Colin’s tomorrow morning.”

I made the martini, trying not to make a face. I hated olives and didn’t understand why anyone would ruin a perfectly good drink that way, but Kim wasn’t the only one. I decided there was no reason to put off the conversation. “You really wouldn’t mind waiting around?”

She took a small sip of her martini. “This is good, kid. And I’ll wait as long as I have to. I’ve always loved people watching.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of Kim’s appearance, but I didn’t have much time to worry about it. The crowd only grew. Sometimes there were benefits to being busy. Before I knew it, it was closing time. Kim waited for me to grab my stuff and clock out. It was really late, but I knew Max wouldn’t be locking up for a while. We took a seat at a table upstairs.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Kim interrupted.

“I’m sorry. Before you say anything I just needed to say that again.”

“I can’t believe you actually believe I’d do something like that.” I looked down, unwilling to look her in the eye and to let her know how much she’d hurt me.

“I didn’t. In my heart I didn’t, I just couldn’t accept that Jasper would.”

“Why did you marry him?” I knew my words were harsh, but if we were having a heart-to-heart it might as well have been honest.

“Are you really asking me that?” She fumbled with straps of her purse.

“Yes, but I don’t really expect you to answer.”

“I fell in love with him. He was everything I thought I wanted in a husband. He was everything Mom and Dad said I needed in a husband. What other reason would there be?”

“None.” I shifted in my chair, looking for a comfortable spot that probably didn’t exist.

“I knew how you felt though. No one told me the details, but I wasn’t blind. I knew something had happened with you guys, but I just ignored it. And that’s probably why it was so easy to make myself believe Jasper. If you had crush on him back then, why wouldn’t you still have one now?”

“Because a teenage crush is completely different from a grow woman’s desire to get involved with her sister’s husband.”

“I know.” She reached for my hand. “I’m an idiot.”

I let her take my hand. “But you did more than believe him about me being the instigator, you decided on your own to believe that something actually happened.”

“I know.” She used her free hand to bury her face. “It seemed easier than accepting our marriage wasn’t working for other reasons.”

“You mean it was easier to blame it on me.” I wasn’t sure where my nerve was coming from, but it felt good. It felt good to finally stand up for myself.

“You’re so lucky, Carly. You’ve always had everything.” She dropped her hand to her side.

“Me? Have everything? What about you? You’ve always been Mom and Dad’s favorite. The perfect one.” I didn’t bother to keep the cynicism from my voice.

“Because I was supposed to be. I let them pick out everything for me, even my husband.” She wiped away some tears. “But not you. You’ve never followed anyone blindly, let alone our parents. You’ve made your own choices and in the end you’re a happier person because of it.”

“Don’t make it sound like it’s been easy.” I pulled my hand away but left it resting on the table.

“I’m not trying to. I know it hasn’t been, and I’m a major part of why your life’s been hard lately.”

“Well, you can stop worrying about me. I’m fine.”

“Really? I don’t think you’re fine.” She stared at me intently.

I crossed my arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

A small smile spread across her face. “I think you’re great, amazing even. You’re really finding your way, and you’ve got a great guy in your life. Like I said, you’re lucky.”

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“It’s not all luck.”

She squeezed my hand. “I know.”

I yawned.

“All right, I’ll let you get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow.”

I smiled, and it wasn’t forced. “I do, and I’m in even more of a hurry than usual to get home.”

“Do you share a room with him every night?”

“Yes.” There was no reason to pretend.

“My little sister, shacking up with a beach boy.”

“He’s more than a beach boy.”

“I know.” She patted my hand. “I love you, Carly. I know I haven’t done a good job of showing you that, but I do.”

“I love you too.”

We walked out to our cars, and I felt like a weight had been taken off me. One late night chat couldn’t erase the pain she’d caused me, but it was a step in the right direction. Maybe one day our relationship would be normal again—or as close to normal as it had ever been.

Macon was already asleep by the time I got home that night. Sometimes our opposite schedules were frustrating, but there was always something nice about slipping in next to him. He mumbled something incoherently before he cuddled me against him.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Macon

Carly spent the first half of the night tossing and turning. I tried to calm her down, but I knew how much the business meant to her. I’d even considered talking to my parents for an investment, but I knew they wouldn’t be keen on putting that kind of money on the line. Carly seemed convinced Colin would want a share and would co-sign on any loans, but I was worried she was overestimating what he was worth. He wasn’t that much older than us.

By three a.m. I was done letting her suffer in silence. I pulled her into my arms, kissing her gently on her lips. “You need to relax, babe.”

“You tell me that a lot.”

“Because it’s true.” I slipped a hand under the tank top part of her PJs.

“What if he says no?”

“Then we come up with another idea. Ocean Quest Gourmet will work, but it might need a different location or something, and more time to come up with the money.”

“But I want it here. I want it now.” She pouted.

I laughed. “You do know what you sound like, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve just never been so excited about something before.”

“And I’m excited too. You know that.” I moved my hand up further, stopping just below her breast.

“Yeah, you are excited.” She stroked me through my boxers. “How can you be that turned on talking about business?”

“Because I’m discussing it with you—in bed.”

“Well, since there’s a chance I won’t get the business here and right now, can I get something else?” She continued the stroking motion.

“That depends.”

“Depends on?”

“Whether I like your proposal.”

“You want a proposal?” She leaned up on an elbow.

“Yeah, why not?”

The room was mostly dark, but I’d left the shades open and moonlight streaked in. She sat up and pulled off her tank top, tossing it on the floor. I missed her hand on me, but it was made up for when she stood up and pulled off her PJ bottoms and panties.

“How’s this for a proposal?”

“I accept.” I was standing in seconds, discarding my boxers so nothing stood in my way.

“I’m so glad you said that.”

“Me too.” I kissed her, devouring her lips as my hands explored the body I’d never get tired of touching.

She pushed my chest, letting me know she wanted me to lie down. I did as she asked, eagerly waiting as she crawled up my body. She adjusted us, slowly easing me inside her. She closed her eyes and arched her back. I held her hips as she continued to move up and down on me.

“Macon.” She moaned my name, and I cupped her breasts, needing to touch her, needing anything she could give. She moaned my name again while moving us faster. She took in the full length of me over and over until we both reached our release.

We lay there afterward panting and sweaty, I held her on top of me, unwilling to let go.

She kissed me lightly. “Well I’m not any sleepier, but I’m not nervous anymore.”

“Glad I could be of service.”

“Just so you know, I’m going to be requesting that service a lot.”

I grabbed her ass. “Not as much as me.”

***

I tried to stop picturing Carly’s naked body when she strode up to where she had her iPhone projector aimed at the wall in Colin’s living room. “Welcome everyone.”

She was being so formal, but I couldn’t help thinking about how silly she’d been just hours earlier, and just how many times we’d had *** from three a.m. on.

I forced those thoughts away and focused on the business dress attired Carly. Who knew she could look so hot in slacks and a blouse?

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with us.”

The audience consisted of Maddy, Colin, Brody, and Kim. As much as Carly had issues with her sister, I was glad Kim had taken the effort to come down and try to clear the air. I was also glad she’d have the opportunity to see how passionate Carly was about the project.

“What do you think of when you think of vacation scuba diving?” Carly pressed a button on her laptop. A picture of the ocean with slow rising bubbles stared back at us.

“I think of Macon.” Maddy smiled at me.

“Okay, you think about quality instructors.” Carly bit back a smile.

“Anyone else?” She zeroed in on Colin.

“I think about boats?” He looked to me for some kind of clue.

“Here’s what I think about.” She clicked another button on her computer. A picture of a sea turtle appeared, she clicked again and there was an underwater scene featuring fish and a ray gliding through the water. “These are great images, are they not?”

“Beautiful.” Kim watched intently.

“But what happens after those images? What happens after you see these? If you take a standard dive you can expect something like this.” She clicked again and a photo of a mushed peanut butter and jelly sandwich filled the screen. “And this.” A bag of cheap crackers with a juice box beside it took the sandwich’s place.

“But what if diving could be different? What if you could go from this,” we were back at the ocean scene, “to this?” The next image was of kabobs and shrimp ****tail. “And even this.” Her next click revealed two ****tail glasses.

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“Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Ocean Quest Gourmet. Luxury diving at a cost that a vacation diver can afford.” She continued moving through some more images, ending on one of a beautiful sunset.

“Can you picture that? A place where a diver can enjoy all the wonders of the ocean and then relax with a delicious meal and ****tails?”

“I’d do it!” Maddy grinned. “Obviously not the ****tail part now, but when I’m not pregnant.”

Carly nodded, and I started to hand out the prospective information she’d put together.

Colin leaned forward in his seat. “Carly, this is a genius idea, but where do you think you’re going to find all that money? That’s a lot of zeroes.”

She smiled sheepishly. “I was hoping you could help.”

“I can’t come up with that kind of money, Carly. I can maybe swing thirty percent.” He turned to Maddy. “That is if my future wife agrees.” Maddy nodded enthusiastically.

Colin sighed. “You know I hate saying no to you, but I don’t think we can do more.”

Kim studied the papers. “I can contribute some. Maybe 5-10%. I think this is a fantastic idea.”

Carly’s jaw dropped as she looked at her sister. “What? You want to invest?”

“Absolutely. I’m really impressed.”

Carly looked at me, and I shrugged.

“Excuse me, I hope you don’t mind the intrusion, but the door was unlocked.”

We all turned to look at Max.

“Max? What are you doing here?” Carly twirled her hair nervously.

“I’ve been thinking this over since yesterday. I think this could be the perfect investment for me.”

“What?” It was my turn to show surprise. “You want in?”

“I’ll do 49%. That way you guys still run the show. I’ll want updates, and I expect you kids to view this as the serious business venture it is.”

“Of course. This is amazing.” Carly sat perched on the arm of the couch.

“I like the business model. I like the plan. You obviously have the chef already,” he nodded to Brody. “I’d like to be present when you negotiate the deal. I happen to know your boss well, Macon, and I have a feeling he’d listen to me more.” He turned to Carly. “No offense to your hard work.”

“None taken.” She beamed.

He walked over and shook her hand. “Great. It looks like we’re going into business.”

Chapter Thirty

Carly

We had a business. Max was right, his presence did help seal the deal, and with only a small loan to make up the difference, we were the proud owners of Ocean Quest Gourmet. We were starting small, using the off-season to get everything perfect for the next summer. Maddy was going to be working in the business as well, she wanted to run the front of the updated shop. Considering the shop would now house a bar near the dock, she was the perfect one for the job. Brody was busy brainstorming ways to bring gourmet food on the boat, and Macon had successfully convinced all of the current employees to stay on—except for Caleb. He’d happily taken his part of the sale money and left the beach behind. Hopefully he wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

Kim had gone home to have it out with Jasper. I felt for her. No matter how much of a jerk he was, telling him it was over wouldn’t be easy. Sometimes my sister could be stubborn as hell and could push my buttons, but she was still my sister. I made sure she knew the door was always open. I might have been the youngest, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t there for my family.

Labor Day came and went, and I found myself looking forward to the off-season. I didn’t mind the tourists, and I loved the warm weather, but I was looking forward to the quiet. It would also make for an easier transition from working at the Grille to working at Ocean Quest. Working through the rest of the high season was part of the deal we struck with Max.

Macon and I headed out for a late night walk. Being out on the beach at night always reminded me of the night that changed everything for us. I still replayed every moment of it in my head, and it never failed to put a huge smile on my face. When I first arrived in Corolla my life was a mess. I was the boat that kept slamming into the rocks no matter how hard I tried to steer. But then everything changed, and I knew Macon had a large part to do with that.

I was thinking about it when Macon pulled me out of my thoughts.

“I have to ask you something important.” Macon stuffed his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts. The moon was full, casting an ethereal glow over the beach.

“What is it?” I tried to stay calm, but I hoped he wasn’t about to do something crazy. I loved Macon, and the thought of spending my life with him made my heart soar, but we weren’t ready for that level of commitment yet. I thought over what I’d say. I couldn’t say no without ruining everything.

“Will you move in with me?”

“What?” I breathed a sigh of a relief. “But I already live with you.”

“Yeah, but the last time I asked it wasn’t to share my bed. Besides, I thought it would be funny to make you think I was proposing.”

I pushed his arm. “How do you know I’m not disappointed?”

“Because when I do propose, which I will be doing at some point, love, you’re not going to have that freaked out expression on your face. It’s going to seem so natural that you don’t even have to consider the answer.”

“And here I thought you weren’t super confident.”

“I’m not about everything, but I am about you and me. I’ve never been more confident about anything in my life.”

“Then, the answer is yes.”

“The answer to what?” He gave me a confused look.

“I’ll move in with you.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” He pulled me into his arms, and his lips crushed into mine. I devoured the earthy and slightly salty taste of his mouth. Macon had every reason to be confident.

Sometimes love is best served on the rocks, especially when it’s the kind of love that changes you forever.