Maddey, though? I’ve never seen her more at home than when she is surrounded by her friends. Witnessing her getting to experience these little pockets of normalcy amongst the chaos trying to invade her life is why I shot down Justin’s suggestion of taking her back to Virginia Beach with me. Plus, they need someone here who can put their sole focus on helping catch this asshole.
“You staying here? Or are you coming paddle-boarding with us?” Maddey asks me over the rim of her mug.
“Do you think you’ll be at risk in the middle of the ocean?” I can’t help but tease. She’s not hiding from what’s happening anymore, and I can do my best to minimize the stress.
“Outside of sharks?” She pops a shoulder and smirks. “No, but you are Aquaman—figured I’d give you the chance since the water is your domain and all.”
“Nice.” Vince holds out a fist to bump.
If we weren’t standing in a kitchen surrounded by five of her friends, I’d throw her over my shoulder, haul ass to the ocean, and show her just how good my maritime skills are.
“Do you have a standard route you take?”
“Yes. It typically takes us an hour there and back.”
I love that she anticipated my next question without me having to voice it.
“Go the opposite way.”
Icy eyes bounce over my face then she nods. I expected her to fight me on the request, so I’m surprised she relents so easily.
“Let me grab my board and I’ll meet you on the beach?” Sammy gives her a nod.
“See you next week?” she asks as Jase folds her into his arms.
“Nah, I’ll be back tomorrow. Gotta see you put Cali through his paces.”
“You’re such a good friend, Trip.” Maddey couldn’t sound more sarcastic if she tried. Scratch that—if I told her that, she would find a way.
“You just want to watch him squirm under Griff’s watch.” Vince chuckles around his own hug.
“Please.” Maddey rolls her eyes. “Griff is a total teddy bear, and Simone is stoked to be on a cover.”
“That may be true, but even I’m glad you picked Cali as your victim, and I’m a happily married man,” Jake says as Maddey places a gentle kiss on Logan’s head.
“Yeah, yeah, we know you and Jordan are hashtag couple goals of the squad, but don’t pick on Griff,” Maddey scolds.
“Hey!” Vince and Jase toss their arms out in offense.
“You”—she points a finger at Vince—“may be perfect dirty talk inspo, but you can’t claim couple goals until you can at least get your girlfriend to accept one of your marriage proposals. And you”—she shifts to Jase—“are still in the honeymoon stage. One step at a time there, Trip.”
“If you weren’t the happily-ever-after expert, I would fight you on this assessment, but I’ll bow down to the queen…for now.”
I can’t get a read on the expression that crosses Maddey’s face at Jase’s statement, but I don’t like it. It doesn’t help that she immediately bends to Trident, her hair obscuring her face from view.
“You be a good boy and listen to Cap, okay?” Trident licks her face like usual.
“He’s always good.” Ryan gives Trident another scratch.
“I know.”
“I’ll bring him back after.”
“I know that too.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sammy watching me watch Ryan and Maddey. He gives a subtle shake of his head when he notices me glancing his way.
Maddey is the first to walk out, each of the guys following closely behind. Sammy is the only one to hang back, rounding the island and leaning against it on the side closest to me.
“I take it you haven’t given much thought to what I told you the other day?” He folds his arms over his bare chest, already dressed in the male equivalent of paddle-boarding attire—backward hat, Wayfarers on top, no shirt, and white board shorts with multi-colored palm trees.
“About…” I hedge instead of admitting how close to the mark he came the other night when he was being all cryptic.
“Fine.” He pushes away from the counter. “If that’s how you want to play it, I’m not gonna stop you.”
“Sammy…”
He walks to the door but stops before sliding it open, turning back to eye me over his shoulder. “Look, if all you’re gonna do is stand there and watch Maddey and Ryan like you’re waiting for them to get back together, that’s your prerogative.”
My heart stutters and my stomach rebels at the thought.
“You may be used to seeing the world in shades of green in your night vision goggles and all that, but I think this particular green haze of envy you have going on is preventing you from seeing what is right in front of your face.”
Chapter Twenty
Growing up in a beach town, paddle-boarding has long been my preferred method of exercise. It’s also been one of my favorite means of escape—weather permitting—for when I need to quiet the noise inside my head.
Today is definitely one of those days where I could use the mental reset, but it’s Tuesday, and Tuesdays in the summer are BFF-date day. As long as Sammy isn’t touring with his husband and the Birds of Prey and I’m not on a strict deadline, we get together to paddle-board and creep on the local talent on the beach.
Still, alone time with my oldest and dearest friend comes at a premium nowadays, and I’m not gonna let myself get so caught up in my own bullshit that it keeps me from enjoying it.
“Will you spit it out before I go deaf over here?” Sammy splashes me with his paddle.
“I’m not saying anything.” I return the favor, enjoying seeing him wobble on his board when the chilly water hits his skin.
Did he really think I wouldn’t retaliate?
“Your mouth might not be, but the voices in your head are so loud even I can hear them.” He stops paddling until we are standing side by side in the middle of the ocean.
I look to the waves rolling underneath us, the seagulls flying overhead, the wispy clouds blowing across the bright blue sky, and finally to Sammy waiting patiently next to me.
“And what is it you think they are yelling at me about?”
He hits me with one of his Don’t even try to play stupid with me, Madison looks. He means business when his eyes call me by my full name.
“Dex—”
Oh, look—a cruise ship.
“Dex—”
Hold on. I need to wave to those nice people passing on jet skis.
Stop being a chickenshit and find your lady balls.
“Dexalmostkissedme,” I say in a rush then add, “Twice.”
“Hold up.” One hand gets thrust forward with an open palm extended. “Flip it and reverse it.”
“Don’t go quoting Missy Elliot to me.”
“Madison Belle, you know better than to skip the backstory. Now rewind, pull up a flashback, and give all the details. Because—because I could have sworn you just said Dex tried to kiss you.”
I nod.
“Twice.”
Two fingers wave inches from my nose, and I nod again.
“Dex? Dexter Stone?”