I didn’t get it. I wanted him to be straight-up, honest, and blunt like he normally was, but right now he was being a very selfish and confusing asshole.
19
KANDY
“I just don’t understand why he brought her with him.” I yanked on the zipper of my suitcase with a huff.
We’d landed in Destin over an hour ago. Cane had a Mercedes van waiting for us when we arrived.
We made a trip to the property management office to collect the keys for the property, stopped by a popular smoothie shop (where Cane paid for everyone’s drinks), and were now at the beach house.
I was sharing a room with Frankie in the loft. The loft was located on the top floor of the three-story beach house. It was pretty much like having our own apartment. There was even a kitchenette if we wanted to make something quick. Other than the pool and the beach, there was really no need for us to even go downstairs.
Cane and Kelly were on the second floor, and I silently prayed Kelly would be modest enough to sleep in her own bedroom and not share one with him, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I could hear Kelly giggling and fawning over the view from their room when Cane brought their luggage in.
Mom and Dad were on the first floor in the master bedroom, and Mom was very pleased that their balcony led straight out to a private deck that gave an amazing view of the beach.
“What’s the big deal?” Frankie sat on the queen bed across from mine, studying her cuticles. “She’s his girlfriend, Kandy. You can like him, but he still has a life outside of your crush.”
Frankie, Frankie, Frankie. She just didn’t get it, and she never would, because only I knew the truth.
“Yeah, but he knows about my crush. It’s like he doesn’t even give a shit how I feel.” I sighed, agitated. “It’s just…this is a family thing, you know? She’s not family.” I took out a folded skirt and placed it on the bed.
“Well, neither am I.” Frankie cocked a brow and crossed her arms, challenging me, probably expecting me to make up for that statement.
“Frankie, you’ve been my best friend since I was five years old. You’ve practically spent half of your life in my house. Some of your bras are in my panty drawer. Trust me, you’re family.”
“Eh, I guess that’s true, but come on, K.J.! Get real! You can’t expect someone like him to stay single forever!”
“I know, Frank! I know!” I gave up on unpacking, plopping down on my bed instead and crossing my legs. “Am I being immature about it?”
“You really are,” she laughed. “Just think about it. We’re in fucking Destin. I saw, like, five hot guys jogging at the beach just now and don’t even get me started on the college boys that were at that smoothie shop.” She stood up and started walking my way. “There are plenty of fish in the sea. Mr. Cane is hot as hell and all, but there’s plenty more out there to look at and even do things with. Guys who are closer to our age and easier to bag.” Grabbing my hands, she forced me to stand and then capped my shoulders. “Get over your crush with him. He’s a grown man with a life and lots of fucking money. His girlfriend is here, but so what? Doesn’t mean we can’t still watch him swim shirtless.”
I laughed at that. “I’m pretty sure Cane won’t be swimming.”
“Whatever. If he’s on vacation and doesn’t take his shirt off at least once, he’s better off being coddled by that Goody-Two-shoes Kelly.”
Frankie and I spent the rest of our day sunbathing on the beach. It was the perfect day, breezy and blue. The sky was clear of clouds, the sun shining from the perfect angle. The heat of it was gentle enough on our skin for us to soak up the rays for over two hours.
By the time we’d finished tanning and taking thousands of pictures in our bikinis to upload to Facebook and Instagram, the sun was starting to set. I grabbed my towel and the beach bag and followed Frankie to the exit.
We took a short, private trail that led to our beach house and made a pit stop at the outside showers. Frankie finished rinsing before I did, and after announcing that she was making use of the hot water first, she dashed for the house, leaving her towel behind.
My hair was kinkier than Frankie’s, so it took me a while to get most of the sand out of it.
As the water streamed over me, I got the oddest sensation of being watched. I turned away from the showerhead and looked toward the house. I scanned the pool area and then the balconies. I didn’t see anyone at first, but then I saw a bright orange flicker.