“I heard you were back in town.” Tristan used his forearm to wipe the sweat from his brow and took a long swig of water from the bottle he had stored next to the pile of shirts at the side of the court. “I didn’t think it was possible ... but here you are.”
“Here I am.” I kept my smile in place even though being around him made my skin crawl. There was always something about him that I disliked. He had “date rapist” practically stamped on his forehead. At least that was my assumption as a teenager. As an adult, it still felt like the right call. “How are things for you?” I wanted to ask him about Bobby, but if I blurted out the question he might turn suspicious.
“Things are great.” Tristan beamed. “I’m working for my father now.”
Tristan’s father owned the local resort, one of the few places people could find steady employment in the area. There were no factory jobs to speak of — they’d dried up decades ago — and other than a few garages, pickings were slim.
“Oh, yeah?” I feigned interest. “What do you do for him?”
“What don’t I do?” His smile never faltered. “I do everything. My father wants to retire. He’s making sure I’m capable of running every aspect of the business before handing it over to me.”
“Wow. When do you think that will happen?”
“I don’t know. Soon.”
He essentially was admitting that he was trapped at the whim of his father. From what I knew of the man, he would keel over at his desk before handing the reins over to Tristan. Just like when we were in high school, Tristan was all about perception. He wanted people to think he was a big guy when he was really a small guy trying to walk around in his daddy’s shoes.
“Well, it sounds like you’re leading a very interesting life.” I flicked my eyes to the other players. They were laughing and leering. It was obvious they thought Tristan was putting the moves on me, which I had no doubt he was about to attempt. “So ... I’m actually looking for someone.” I changed tactics quickly. There was no sense prolonging the conversation. “Bobby Buttons. I heard he plays with you guys.”
Tristan drew his eyebrows together. “Bobby? Why are you looking for him?”
“I just wanted to catch up with him.”
“I don’t remember you hanging out with him in high school.”
“I don’t really want to hang out with him. I just ... have something I want to ask him.”
Tristan wrinkled his nose, dubious. “I don’t know what to tell you. He’s not here today. I think he had some work to do at his father’s office.”
“I didn’t know he worked for his father, too. There must be something in the water.”
“You work for your grandfather. That’s what people are saying.”
“I am back working for my grandfather,” I agreed. “I was including myself in the statement.”
His smile was back. For a few seconds, it appeared as if he was getting defensive. Now his world-famous charm was back on display. “Yes, I guess we’re all where we’re supposed to be. You got out for a bit. You were a big deal, on television and everything.”
How I wished people would stop bringing up the television interview. It wasn’t a fond memory, even though I thought it was a big deal at the time. Now it was something of an embarrassment, especially given the fact that my second book had barely been on the shelves for a month before it was relegated to the bargain bins. “And yet I’m back,” I noted. “I guess all things happen for a reason.”
“Maybe the reason is so we could hang out,” he suggested.
That sounded like something that was never going to happen. “Never say never,” I said. “About Bobby ... .”
“Forget about Bobby.” Tristan’s tone was forceful. “He always shows up when you least expect it ... or want it, for that matter. I’m sure he’ll be at the bonfire tonight.”
“What bonfire?”
“The one down by the river. The one we have every weekend.”
I was taken aback. I thought for certain that Hunter’s small group was the only one still hanging in that area. Apparently I was mistaken and I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to make of it. “Are you talking about the old party spot?” I had to be sure.
He nodded. “We still hang out there every Friday.”
That was so sad, but it benefitted me. “Then I guess I’ll see you at the bonfire party tonight.” I would be trying to hide from him, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Or we could go together,” he suggested slyly.
Oh, well, now he’d put me on the spot. If I said no, he’d take it as an insult. If I said yes, I’d want to die.
“I promised Alice I would hang out with her tonight,” I lied smoothly. “She said she had plans for a party. I didn’t realize it was a bonfire party. We’ll be there together.”
“Your cousin Alice?” Tristan made a face. “That’s kind of one body too many for what I had in mind.”
That’s exactly what I was afraid of. “I can’t dump her at the last second. It’s rude. I’m sure we’ll see you there.”
I couldn’t get away from the courts fast enough. Apparently some things never change, and Tristan was one of them. If anyone needed to embrace personal growth, he did. For now, I was free of him.
The night ahead was another story.
15
Fifteen
Alice was less than thrilled when I told her my plans for the night.
“I don’t want to drink in a field.” She was incensed. “We’re not in high school.”
She had a point. That didn’t mean I was going to allow her to wiggle out of this. “We ended up sitting on the floor drinking the other night. How is that any different?”
“Because we were inside — and there were no bugs.”
“You need to get over the bugs.”
“They’re going to inherit the Earth when the zombie apocalypse comes.”
Her response made me laugh. “I think that’s cockroaches.”
“Which are bugs.”
I turned back to the mirror and touched up my mascara. This time I wanted to be prepared for a party. “You have to go with me. I told Tristan Carter that you were coming, and you know what a tool he is. If you’re not there, he’ll hit on me.”
“So what?” Alice’s brown eyes were fierce. She was having none of my crap this evening, which meant I was ultimately going to have to order her to accompany me. As older cousin, I had power. “He’s hot. He’s probably selfish in bed, but what does it matter?”
I was mortified. “I’m not sleeping with him.”
“Why not?” Alice was blasé. “If anyone needs a good roll in the hay, it’s you. Since you don’t plan to stay, you might as well go for a guy who you hate. It just makes sense.”
I thought about Hunter, about the discussion we’d had about my future. Then I saw Grandpa’s smug face and felt conflicted. “I’m not dating Tristan.” I was firm on that.