Silver Bay Song (4 page)

“No point,” I shrugged, “I get my eight hours, eventually.” I stretched my legs out in front of my, the cool sand pressed against the backs of my legs. She gazed down at my legs and smiled.

“I thought my legs were white,” she remarked.

“They are sorta glowing,” I agreed with a chuckle.

“Maybe you should wear shorts more often, let the sun hit those lily whites,” she added.

“Maybe, though I might blind everyone with their whiteness if I come out in daylight like this,” I joked. She began to laugh. I guessed she was picturing the beach full of visitors all wearing shades to protect their eyes. “So, what are you reading?”

“It’s just a trashy romance novel, I sorta try and read one a week during the summer.”

“Trashy romance eh!” I smiled. “What would the Principle say?”

“Well, when your life is as pathetic as mine, you have to find something to entertain you and the literary world is full of trashy romances that have to be read.”

“Are they any good?”

“Not really,” she snickered and closed the book, placing it on the sand. “Do you have any hobbies?” she asked.

“Well, you saw me do Karate this morning, I try to do Yoga but I get bored, so I always merge it with Karate, makes it a little more interesting.” I answered. “I also play a little guitar and piano, not that I get to do much of that these days, but they are my Forte.”

“I’ve never met a musician before,” she grinned.

“I said I play, I am not very good at it,” I lied.

“Well, I suppose I had better go and get some sleep,” she said suddenly standing from the sand, I stood with her and she staggered a little, “Oops, my legs seem to have fallen asleep,” she chuckled again taking hold of my arm to steady herself. It sent shock waves through my body, skipping down my spine and jump starting my heart from its heavy, dormant state, for the first time in months, I felt alive. “Sorry,” she said trying to compose herself while holding on to my arm.

“Let me help you home,” I offered.

“Okay,” she agreed and I walked alongside her and she held on to my arm firmly. “Misty, come on,” she called and the dog, which was quiet for once, trotted up behind us. When we got to her front door she let my arm go. “Thank you, Kaden and um, goodnight,” she smiled sweetly.

“You are welcome, Skylar, get some rest.”

“I will,” she turned and opened her door. “Oh,” she said spinning around. “I left my book.”

“I’ll get it for you,” I said and hurried back to the beach. I picked up her book and took it back to her front door where she waited.

“Thank you, again.”

“No problem,” I smiled and turned to walk away.

“Do you like fish?” she asked. I turned back to face her. “There’s this uh, lobster place a few miles from the border, maybe you can come with me sometime. I hate going there alone, I mean, it won’t be a date or anything, I have only just met you but…”

“Sure,” my mouth spoke before my brain could stop it, “when?” Damn it!

She seemed shocked by my reply, I was shocked by my reply. “Oh, um, how about tomorrow night…? If you don’t have plans, I mean.”

“I don’t have plans.” What the hell was wrong with me?

“Great, goodnight, Kaden,” she beamed, I was in trouble now, shit!

“Goodnight, Skylar.” I returned her smile and turned away.

Falling into my bed not a few moments later, nothing would stop me from sleeping now, not even the thought of going on a date with Skylar. Why didn’t I just say no?

Five

Skylar

Was it his eyes? I mean, they were amazing and I could literally feel myself swimming in them. Maybe it was his smile, one that lit up his face, I didn’t know, but something about Kaden made my knees quiver and I felt as pathetic as the female characters in the books I read. When he smiled my heart skipped a beat and when he gazed into my eyes, I melted away. I literally turned to liquid, a mumbling mush of goo that was no good for anything. I couldn’t think straight around him, he mesmerised me and I knew that my life would never be the same.

After leaving his impeccably clean house, I had a sandwich for my lunch and meandered around the house. I saw him leave and wondered if he was going to meet someone. He had to have a girlfriend, he was movie star gorgeous, someone had to have snapped him up. I no longer thought of him as Mr. Bad Mood, he was Kaden and his body, his lips, his smile, his eyes, who am I kidding? Everything about him intrigued the hell out of me.

I tried to find something to do, to take my mind of wondering where he was and who he was with, but I failed, so resorted in taking my book to the beach. Lost in the world of twisted love and messed up characters, the afternoon flew by, as did the early evening and not even Misty sat quietly beside me, or the darkness surrounding us, could pull me out of that book. It was either read and lose myself or go crazy trying to figure out a way to talk to Kaden.

Justin, the main guy in the romance had just caught his fiancé Sasha, with his best friend Dax. They were having sex in her car outside of their house and he was furious. Dax and Justin were about to fight when footsteps in the sand crept up behind me, I was grateful for the darkness, so he couldn’t see my blush.

“Are you alright?” he asked softly, rather than look at him I looked at the ocean.

“Yes,” I replied.

“It’s just that you have been sat here a long time, and um…”

“It’s a free beach,” I snapped, “I can sit here all day and night if I want to.” Why was I being a bitch? He was genuinely concerned, I could have kicked myself.

Taken aback by my sharpness, he paused before muttering, “I know that, sorry I bothered you.” He went to walk away.

“You didn’t bother me and please stop apologising. You pity me because of Jay, thanks but, I don’t need any more sympathy, he is gone and no amount of grieving will bring him back.” I retorted angrily.

“That being said though, I think anyone who loses a loved one is allowed as much time to grieve for them as they need.” I turned her head and looked at him. Even in the darkness I could see how blue his eyes were. “Mind if I join you?” he asked.

I shrugged and nodded, “Like I said, it’s a free beach.”  He sat beside me. “Can’t you sleep?” I asked after a few awkward moments.

“I have always had trouble sleeping,” He replied. “That’s why I nap during the day to catch up.”

“Have you spoken to a doctor about it?” I asked.

“I’ll get my eight hours, eventually,” he sighed as he stretched his white legs out in front of him. They were white, but wow, they were gorgeous. Perfect shape, only a few dark brown hairs hover them and his feet were amazing. Why did men have such amazing feet as if that had just had a pedicure?

“I thought my legs were white,” just sort of fell out of my mouth, I did that a lot, said what I thought before thinking about it. That is what triggered the fight off with Jay the night he died.

“They are glowing,” he snickered and it made me giggle nervously.

“Maybe you should wear shorts more often, let the sun hit those lily whites,” I jested unable to take my eyes away from them. He laughed and we talked about the trash I liked to read, well I wasn’t getting sex in any shape or form, so all I had was bookshelves filled with smutty books that would make a nun’s hair curl. I decided it was time to go inside, I already made myself look an idiot and the sooner I got away from him, the better. But as I stood my legs gave way and I stumbled into his arms, he caught me and set my heart on fire, that’s the only way I could describe it.

He walked with me to my door and even hurried back for my book, that’s when I decided I would really love to talk to him more and not come across as a mumbling idiot. I also skipped for joy when he accepted my invitation. It wasn’t a date, just neighbors enjoying dinner together.

I woke early, the sun shone brightly through the voile over my door and a warm breeze blew across my body. It took me ages to fall asleep, I couldn’t get him out of my head. In the three years since Jay’s death I had never met anyone who had affected me this way and it scared me. I got up and pulled on my white sun dress so I could take Misty out for a walk along the beach. After a splash of water over my face and brushing my teeth, I lifted her leash and led her out through the French doors.

The turquoise ocean seemed bluer than ever before and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I walked her towards the cove, she wasn’t on her leash, but I took it for her own safety really. Because she wasn’t very big and she liked the sound of her own bark, it got her into a lot of trouble with other dogs, so I took her leash whenever we walked along the beach in case I need to restrain her before something happened.

The cove was deserted and she was able to run around and chase the seagulls, obviously we were early, but it was nice to watch her play. The I realised how sad I was, surely, walking Misty could not be the highlight of my day.

I walked her back to the house and noticed that Kaden was sat on his decking under his umbrella eating. I had no idea of what to do, did I speak to him and risk coming across as needy? Did I ignore him or pretend I hadn’t seen him? I lowered my head and hurried up the piece of sand between our houses.

“Morning,” he called out.

“Morning,” I replied with a cringe, “got to feed Misty, I’ll see you later.” I added and hurried inside without so much as looking at him.

I showered and dressed and left Misty at home heading towards town. I wanted something new to wear for my night out. I just hoped the walk had tired her out enough not to upset Kaden by barking the whole time I was away from the house.

Shelly’s in town always catered to my needs usually, but I didn’t want to buy something that someone else could wear, so headed towards the outskirts of town. The plaza had a few boutiques and I found a little one of a kind number for three hundred dollars. It was a light, sky blue dress of lace of cotton of the same color with short sleeves and I even found a purse to match. Why I felt the need to dress up was beyond my wildest, still the excitement that I was going out, which I hadn’t done since Jay’s death, fluttered around in my nervous stomach all afternoon. I couldn’t relax, not even my book could tear my mind away from going to dinner with Kaden.

I showered again and straightened my hair, I put on a little makeup and slipped my feet into my white sandals. I sprayed perfume all over me and gazed at my reflection. I wasn’t entirely sure that the color suited me, especially with my hair and skin tone, my freckles had spread all over my face and chest, my cheeks glowed red and I felt completely over-dressed. I tore the dress off over my head and tossed it onto the floor, found my jeans and a white shirt and put them on.

As I came out of my room there was a gentle knock on the door, Misty barked once and ran towards the door. I told her to settle down and pulled it open, Kaden frowned,

“Skylar, look um… I don’t think tonight will be such a good idea.” He said, I swallowed and nodded numbly, “It’s just I have things going on in my life and you are too good to get messed around by an asshole like me.” He continued. I still couldn’t speak, my throat began to strain with emotion.

“It uh, it was just a meal, Kaden.” I managed finally.

“I know, but I think you want it to be more and I can’t offer you anything. I shouldn’t have agreed to go and I am sorry I have to let you down, but believe me, better now than further down the line. I am a dick, you know it, I know it and its fine, I can live with that.” He turned to walk away.

“Thanks for letting me know,” I frowned and slammed the door shut. “Dick,” I snapped.

Crushed and rejected, I hurried into the living room and lifted my phone. I pressed dial on my phone to call the Phys. Ed teacher, Keith Stopple, from school.

He had been hounding me for weeks, I wanted Kaden to see he hadn’t upset me, that I wasn’t a complete loser and I could have a guy. I didn’t like Keith, though he was good looking with a perfect body and everything, but what the looks and body couldn’t make up for was his lack in personality.

He answered after only one ring, “Skylar?”

“Yeah, Keith, it’s me, what are you doing tonight?” I asked bravely.

“Nothing much, you wanna hook up?” he asked. I closed my eyes and nodded.

“Yes, let’s do something, okay, can you pick me up?”

“In thirty minutes,” he answered, “we’ll hit that bar in Canton if you want.”

“Great, I want to get trashed.” I smiled slightly, he’d be a lot more tolerable if I was drunk.

As I waited I poured myself a glass of wine and sat on my deck waiting for Keith to get there. I could see Kaden, pacing the living room, up and down. Gazing out of the window at my house, though he couldn’t see me, I was sat in complete darkness, but I could see him, he looked angry and upset. I almost called out to him, almost, something distracted him and he raced back through the house. My doorbell rang and my heart leapt, had he changed his mind? I set my glass down on the counter and hurried to the door.

When I pulled it open I came face to face with the blond haired, brown eyed Keith. He grinned stupidly,

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey, I’ll just get my purse.” Misty followed me to the door as I lifted my keys. “Go to bed,” I told her and closed the door.

As I followed Keith to his car I caught a glimpse of Kaden watching us from his front window. I lifted my head adamantly and continued toward the car as Keith explained how excited he was to finally hear from me. I was already regretting calling him.

He drove us toward the town of Canton about fifteen minute or so from my house, talked endlessly about his new gym at his house and how he had just booked a couple of weeks away in Florida. The idea of getting away from it all appealed to me, but not as much as wishing that night was over so that I could forget about Keith and Kaden and enjoy the rest of the summer alone, just as I had set out to do.

The club was packed with revellers. The music bounced of the neon lit walls and the noise thudded through my body. I thought that maybe once I got to know Keith he wouldn’t be that bad, how wrong could I be? He had the looks, there was no doubt about that, but his looks were all he had and I found it incredibly difficult to hold a conversation with him.

“So, what made you finally admit you are attracted to me?” he asked and swigged at his beer.

“I never said that I was, I just thought I would give you the benefit of the doubt and at least go for a drink with you.”

“You don’t have to act like the second grade teacher here, we’re on vacation, I know you want me, you must be so up for it… when was the last time you had sex?”

Oh, how I wanted to smack him in the mouth, “That is none of your business.” I stiffened.

“Come on, Miss. Reynolds, I know how you teachers admire the ‘eye candy’ whenever I walk into the room.” He bragged. All it did was make me wish I had stayed at home.

I drank my drink and drained the glass and watched as he got me another and another. The more I drank, the more nothing he said bothered me. When I said I wanted to get trashed and forget everything, that’s exactly what I did. Up to a point.

He drove me home and walked me to my door,

“We should do that again,” he said as I staggered up my path, “you wanna go out tomorrow night?”

“No, I am pretty sure I am going to spend the day in bed tomorrow,” I admitted.

“I’ll call you, I bet I can make you change your mind.” He grinned as I stopped at my door. “So, do I get a kiss goodnight?” he asked.

As drunk as I was, I didn’t want to kiss his mouth, so I leaned in and pecked his cheek, he turned his face to meet my mouth and pushed his tongue inside. I tried to push him back, but he was too strong and as he pushed his hand inside my shirt and groped my breast roughly, I forced him away.

“What do you think you are doing?” I demanded.

“You want me, I don’t mind.” He kissed me roughly again and I pushed him off.

“No I do not, let me go,” I ordered.

“Come on, Skylar, I know you want it.”

“I think you should go,” I snapped.

“Not until you give me what I want, I earned it.” He pushed me against my front door and pulled my shirt open.

“Keith, stop,” I cried out as he kissed my neck and groped at my now aching breasts.

“You heard her,” a voice barked.

“Who are you?” Keith asked.

“It doesn’t matter who I am, the lady said no and she means no, got it?” Kaden stepped forward into the porch light, wearing nothing but his shorts hanging loosely on his hips. I wanted to die, I had never felt so embarrassed before.