A hand comes out and pushes on my car door so it can’t open. “You don't deserve to know Amber’s business, and it’s not my place to air all her secrets. But what I can tell you is her life wasn’t nearly as charmed as yours, Crew.” His words are venomous, and I feel my anger rise. “All you’d have to do is spend five minutes with her dad to understand why she went off the deep end.”
Quickly I run through my memories of her parents and if I’ve ever had a conversation with them. Of course I know them; her dad is a state senator, but we never had any interaction.
“I was a friend to her when she didn’t have anyone else, no more, no less.” He moves his hand off the door, but I don’t make a move to open it again. “She’s not why I’m here.”
“Then get to the point,” I snap, already angry with myself that I've let it go on this long.
“Your dad might run this island, but he treats the people here like garbage.”
My hackles rise. My dad has done nothing but make this place better and raise money for charity. He’s always going out of his way to help people and raise awareness that there is a problem.
“All right, I’m done. I’m not going to sit here and listen to you trash my father just because you don’t have one.”
The fist that comes at me is so unexpected, and with my arm in the sling I can’t block it. Shy’s knuckles connect with my cheek, and it burns as my head is flung back. He must have popped my lip too, because when I straighten myself, I taste blood. I turn to him feeling murderous, and suddenly I don’t give a fuck how many broken bones I have. I’m going to tear him apart.
“Shy!” someone calls, and in the distance I see the swim coach coming out of the gym.
“This isn’t over,” I growl as I take a step toward him. Shy doesn't back down and raises his chin in challenge.
“Your dad has ruined enough women in this town. I won’t let you do the same to Celeste.” He backs away as the coach gets closer. “You let her go, or I’ll blow your whole fucking world apart.”
Everything he’s saying is bullshit, but something about it has gotten under my skin. Shy has never said more than a handful of words to me before, so why now? Why doesn’t he want me to be with Celeste other than because he wants her? And what kind of shit was he talking about my dad? I need to talk to him and put this to rest, if only for my own peace of mind.
I know my dad wouldn’t lie to me, but would he keep something from me to protect me? The fact that I don’t have an answer for that right away makes my stomach hurt.
“You know what, Shy? If you’ve got something to say about my dad, why don’t you just go say it to him? I’m sure he’d be happy to explain the bullshit you think you know.”
“Maybe I will,” he says.
With that, his coach comes over and gets between us. I don’t say a word as I get in my car and peel out of the parking lot.
Chapter Nine
Celeste
“So you think it’s a good idea to have the school band do the music?”
“It would save money, I suppose,” I respond, only half listening to what Emerson is saying. I don’t see Apollo’s car anywhere. This wasn’t a test really. I only want him to get used to us not being together all the time and knowing everything will be fine. Not that I don’t love spending every second with him, but that’s not how the world will always work for us.
He’s not stupid either. If he wanted to spy on me, he’d go home and get another car. I peeked into his dad’s garage once, and there were too many cars to remember them all. He could be in any of them in the darkening parking lot right this second. He could have also hired someone else to watch me like a bodyguard. I pull my attention away from the parking lot and onto the people inside the diner with us.
“Yo, Celeste. Are you with me?” Emerson snaps his fingers in front of my face.
“School band.” I spit out the last few words I can recall him saying.
“You think the school band should do the music for prom?”
“Wait, no. That’s a terrible idea.” It’s a good thing he asked me to help with planning this prom.
“I know it is, but it’s clear you’re not paying attention.” He closes a couple of the folders in front of him.
“I’m sorry. I swear, I’m here.” I try to open the folders again.
“It’s fine. I’m only teasing you. Honestly, I just wanted a little alone time with you. I was worried.” Emerson stopped by a few times, but Apollo hovered the whole time.
“Emerson.” I reach out and put my hand on top of his. “I’m good, really. If anything I’m stronger. I lost time with Apollo because I ran away from him. Life’s too short for that.”
“I know Amber has her demons, but this I didn’t see coming.”
“Is it terrible I’m not mad at her for what she did to me?” I ask. I know this is something I could never say to Apollo. At least not at this point.
“No, I’m not surprised to hear you say that. You’re a soft-hearted person. People don’t need to know you to see that.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” I squeeze his hand before I release it. “But I’m not all innocent. I have a lot of anger about it.”
“Let me guess,” he cuts me off. “Because of what this did to Apollo. Yeah, I noticed you said you weren't mad about what she did to you.”
“Caught that, did you?” I didn’t even catch it, and I said it. “You and my mom in a room together would be fun.”
“That woman has Rory Crew wrapped around her finger. I’ve got tons to learn from her.” I burst out laughing, which feels really good. “But listen, this lingering shit with Apollo is something you two have to fix. What Amber did is done. It’s what you allow her to keep doing to the two of you that counts.”
“Wow.” I don’t know how I got so lucky when I came to Craven Cove. Not only did I find the best boyfriend in the world, but I landed an amazing best friend too. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“I’m always here to lay some truth on you.” He smirks. “Now tell your man to come get you and put you both out of your misery.”
I pull my phone out of my bag and send Apollo a text. He’s pulling into the parking lot by the time Emerson and I have paid the check and are walking out of the diner.
“Apollo!” I gasp when he gets out of the car to open my door for me.
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing? How can you say it’s nothing? Your lip is busted.” It doesn't seem to be bleeding at the moment, but it must have at some point.
“It was just some stupid shit with Shy running his mouth.” He opens the car door for me, but I don’t get in. I pause as I realize I’d completely forgotten about him.
“Let me guess. You’re not going to tell me.” He hesitates for a long moment, but I wait him out.
“I’ll tell you,” he finally agrees, and I lean into him and press a kiss against his mouth before I get in.