Page 15 of Tell It To The Waves

“Ugh.” I drop my phone to my stomach, throwing my hands over my eyes. “Just go to bed, August,” I tell myself, but I know that won’t happen.

Picking my phone back up, I check the time; it’s nine p.m. I sit there for a few moments contemplating my next move, and with no more thinking, I stand up and slip on my flip-flops, grabbing my tote and keys, and locking the door behind me. “You’re stupid. So stupid,” I tell myself until I’m in my car and driving up the driveway, heading into town.

The two-lane main road has cars up and down it; it’s Friday and everyone is out. Even though we haven’t hit summer yet, people still come out on the weekends for a getaway.

I bite the inside of my mouth, my eyes bouncing all over the place, coming up to Crabby Dan’s, the lit-up crab on top of it a beacon… I keep driving. My anxiety spikes.

“What the hell are you doing, August?” Turning around, I head back the way I came, passing up Dan's. I stomp on my brakes. “Just go in for one drink,” I tell myself.

There isn’t parking for a few blocks, so I finally squeeze into a parallel spot, biting my lip the whole time, worried I’m going to hit the cars. Finally, fitting in. “Hell yeah!” I pump my fist. Proud of myself, but that was nerve-wracking; I hadn’t had to do that since I was twenty-two.

Walking to the sidewalk, my whole body is buzzing with nerves, my mind telling me to get back in my car and go back to the cottage, but my heart tells me to keep walking; this may be the last time you ever see her. And I keep walking. Passing by little shops, glancing into the windows, trying to see what is new in town. When I get next to Crabby Dan’s, I see a vacant shop with a for sale sign. Stopping, I use my phone light to press against the window, but not able to see shit. “Just keep going,” I chastise myself. Why are we even stopping to look?

I’m greeted by a smiling, braces-wearing hostess in a red shirt.

“Welcome to Crabby Dan’s, just one?” She looks behind me, waiting for someone else.

Panning around her body, I look into the restaurant, seeing if I can pinpoint Bay or Kai. “I’m actually looking for someone,” I tell her.

“Oh, who and I might know where they are.”

My eyes roam, and I still don’t see them. “Kai Westmore.”

She crinkles her face and looks behind her. “I don’t think they’re here.” She gives me a sad smile.

“Oh.” It comes out so quietly. “Okay, thank you.” I turn around and push the door open, running right into someone coming in. “Oof, sorry.”

“Look who’s here!” Kai screams in my ear, making me jump. “Where are you going? Come inside with us.” He doesn’t give me a chance to say no and grabs my arm, pulling me in. I look behind me at Baylee, who’s smiling. Her eyes look like she’s beencrying, and that makes me concerned. No matter how long I’ve been away, that feeling is still there that I want her to be okay.

We pass the hostess, and I smile at her as Kai leads us to a booth in the back. “We come here every Friday night, so we don’t need Brandy to seat us; she knows,” Kai tells me while falling into the booth.

I stand at the table, waiting for Baylee.

“Sit.” She motions to me, and I do. I already feel so uncomfortable; why did I come? Baylee slides next to Kai, and they smile at one another. I divert my eyes, staring at the menu. Feeling so out of place. The last time we talked, it wasn’t that great.

“So,” Baylee leans on her elbows, looking at me, her blue eyes a little red, but she doesn’t look sad now, “when are you heading back to the city?”

Flipping the menu over, “Sunday. I think tomorrow I’m going to get someone to come and pick up all the donations. That way the house is ready once the bedroom is done.”

She just nods her head, and Kai waves down a server.

“Hey, what can I get for the table?” He speaks to Kai but smiles at all of us.

“Let’s do a pitcher of beer, two pounds of shrimp and a side of fries with malt vinegar and fry sauce.”

My mouth waters. “Also, can I get a cup of water, too?” I ask the server.

“I’ll be right back.”

We sit there in silence; it’s so damn loud… The silence, not the restaurant. It makes me uncomfortable. Breathing in deeply, I have to pull the Band-Aid off. “Thanks for inviting me, Kai. I almost turned around and went back home.” I can’t help laughing.

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t. And I know Bay is too.” He kisses her cheek.

I smile at both of them, seeing their rings. “Congratulations on your wedding.”

“Thanks.” Baylee messes with her ring and then uses her other hand to cover it.

I reach across the table, moving her hand. “Don’t. I love that you’re the one who gets to wear it,” I tell her honestly. It was always meant for the first son who got married, and that was Kai, fair and square.