Escaping Heartbreak (18 page)

The community’s population didn’t swell for another week or two. Most families were still getting done with school and trying to get away. The fourth of July was always crazy, and then it would slowly die down again. She could see the lights turning on in the various occupied rentals and knew the beach was
slowly emptying. Since their portion of the beach was private, it was beautifully maintained and even offered seats and umbrellas; however, it did close at 10:00 p.m. Gemma was a fan of this inconvenience for most of the other tourists. It meant that after ten she could sneak out and find a spot out of the way—one small break from all the noise and stress of being around strangers.

“Ugh,” Kate whined as she threw the door open. Gemma had been moments from crawling through the window, but the sound of the door slamming open caused her to throw her back against the wall in shock. “I hate when she makes that chicken Alfredo.” She set a granola bar, a Fruit by the Foot, and a water bottle on their shared dresser. “I mean how the hell am I supposed to hook up with a
hottie, like that one we saw this afternoon, if I’m eating carbs, cheese, and bacon all the damn time?”

Gemma knew for a fact that Kate loved that meal and was the reason Karen made it once a week. She seriously hoped the reason for the snack wasn’t what she thought it was; that would be just a little too . . . nice for Gemma to stomach. “Hmm” was all she said in response.

“Anyway,”—Kate threw herself on her bed and started studying her nails—“what do you want to do tomorrow? I was thinking we could hit the beach and see if we can catch any ‘fish.’” She turned and winked at Gemma who found herself fighting not to roll her eyes for the second time that day. Her mother would simply roll hers back. Gemma wasn’t sure how these people would take it.

“Um, I’d rather avoid cancer if you don’t mind. I’ll probably find a book somewhere in this hellhole and head to a coffee shop or something.” Gemma was full of it and she knew it. She wanted nothing more than to lie in the sun and let it put her to sleep while she tried to focus on her Kindle.

“Oh.” The hurt was too evident in Kate’s voice, and the part of Gemma that knew none of this was her fault was hit with a pang of regret. Then she heard Karen yelling down the stairs and the regret evaporated quicker than it had appeared.

“Kate, your brother is waiting on you.”

Kate turned to Gemma and her shoulders slumped forward. “Well, hell.”

“Kate,” Gray yelled. “You promised.” They could hear him hurrying down from the kitchen and living room level to the floor that held all the bedrooms. He came into the room and looked at Gemma nervously before motioning to his sister to get going.

“Yeah, yeah.” She stood and headed for the door, stopping by, but not acknowledging her food. “I’ll see you later, Gemma.” And then they were gone. Gemma couldn’t stand the fact that the damn food and drink were left and it was obvious the family had set up some scheme to get it to her. Kate had no other reason for coming up here than to drop it off. What pissed her off more was that she was going to take it because she did, in fact, need it. She was starving after a day without food. After putting the snacks, her book, and a blanket in a bag, she headed to the window that led onto the deck nearest the back of the house. Her father was most likely already up in his writing room, and Karen was probably still cleaning up dinner. She could walk out the door for all that mattered, but she liked her routine and this was it.

After getting out of the house without issue and making it a little ways down the road, she pulled out her phone and texted her mother.

I made it. Hell has a beach, who knew? Love you, good night.

Her mother hated this place and these people. She hated everything that this family represented, because all she saw when she looked at them was everything she didn’t have. Gemma liked to give her mother the small reminders that she was on her side and only here because the court said she had to be. She
still hadn’t decided if she was going to finish out the summer once she turned eighteen in July. Another part of her wished the timing was different and she could leave exactly two months after her birthday just as her father left exactly two months after he found out about her mother’s pregnancy. The fact that they were legally married for thirty-eight days was irrelevant to him and his new fiancée at the time. 
Are you even allowed to be engaged when you’re still married with a bastard on the way?

She threw her bag over the gate that would lead her to the beach and then hoisted herself up and over. Top notch security right there, she thought. After walking a little ways, she found a spot she was sure was out of the light and close enough to the row of homes to get help if needed. She was desperate for a break from her family, not stupid. She set her blanket out and used her bag for a pillow before opening the last new book she had to read. She struggled with the mechanics of reading and holding her flashlight for only a moment as the memory of how it all functioned came back quickly from summers past. Just as the story was starting to pick up, a light beam shined right in her eyes, blinding her to everything but the shadow of an arm attached to the flashlight. She jumped up as fast as she could, prepared to run and scream if need be.

“Whoa”—the stranger laughed—“calm down. I was just coming to let you know the beach is closed and ask you to move on.”

She held up a hand to block the light’s glare. “Do you mind? I don’t need that thing shining in my eyes.” She scowled at him as he lowered the beam.

“Sorry.” He chuckled again, and she considered how many ways she could hurt this laughing idiot. Gemma let out a breath and used the time to examine the man. This was sure as hell no boy that was in front of her. As she calmed down, her reasoning kicked in.

“What the hell is wrong with you? You don’t sneak up on a girl like that. You’re lucky I didn’t come up ready to beat you down.” She leaned over and started to gather her things and heard him chuckle again.

“Listen, I’m sorry I scared you, but I didn’t sneak up on you. I called to you and started flashing my light at you a while ago. You were just reading and ignoring me.”

Her eyes went wide, and she could feel her cheeks burning a deep red. She was not a girl who blushed. What the heck was going on? It was probably this six-foot-something gorgeous specimen standing in front of her. His hair was light brown, almost blond,
and shaggy. He was wearing a blue Polo that reflected his light brown eyes perfectly and a pair of khaki shorts. It was beyond her how someone could do it but, he made that look insanely hot. The long, lean muscles, most likely from surfing, and the sun-kissed skin only helped to create the image of a Greek god in front of her. “Um, okay.” She threw her bag over her shoulder and turned to head back to the gate she used to come in. “Sorry.”

She heard him jogging to catch up with her as she power walked away. “Wait, I’ll open the gate for you so you can get out. I’m Abe by the way.” He turned and stuck his hand out to shake hers.

“That’s nice.” She didn’t turn toward him or take his hand. Keeping her head down, she picked up her pace even more and made her way to the gate. When she was there, she didn’t even look at him, crossing her arms over her middle and staring at the lock while she waited on him. Finally, he sighed and turned to open the bolt. She could tell from the corner of her eye he wanted to say more, so as soon as the gate was open, she said the customary “thanks” and bolted through it.

“You know,” he yelled and she slowed to listen, “if you come during the day, you can read all you want. No one will bother you.”

“You know”—she turned, unable to help getting the last word—“if you mind your own business, it will be fine with me.” She walked away, hearing him chuckle behind her, pretty sure he, in fact, got the last word after all.