Page 22 of Buzzer Beater

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The beach was empty this early in the morning, so it was easy to pick Lucy and her friends out as they walked across the sand to the wooden dock. I had the advantage. I’d been prepared. I knew she would be there. We were waiting on the dock when she walked up with Elena and two other women. By the look on her face I figured she didn’t have the same luxury. She didn’t have time to hide her reaction before I saw it and before everyone did, too.

Despite her pursed lips and furrowed brows my heart sped up at the sight of her. The gentle curve at her waist, and her long hair flowing behind her. She looked like she always did in my dreams.

I sucked in a breath. I had to make a decision. Quick. What was I going to do? How was I going to react? She had to have told her friends the truth already. I looked around at the women standing next to her. All eyes on me. Yeah. They knew.

I paused on one. I recognized her. She was Lucy’s best friend. Amanda? Alex?

Whatever her name was walked forward until she was a foot from me. A little too close.

“You.” She narrowed her eyes.

“Hi, um, Alex…”

“It’s Amber.”

Right. “I knew that” I squinted into the sun, wishing for the end to this. I glanced back to where Lucy had been, but she and the other women were gone.

Amber nodded to the left and took a step away so the rest of my group could pass us. It seemed like she was only warming up. “I’m surprised you remember anything other than how to get your hands up the shirt of the closest girl.”

I cringed. I could feel the tension from the group as they walked by. They might not be able to hear her quiet voice, but the guys knew the story. How Lucy had been my world until I got onto the Olympic team. Until I got caught up in the brief, fleeting fame. Until I made mistakes and didn’t get the chance to explain.

Judging by the look on Amber's face she remembered all too well.

I raised my hands in surrender. “Amber, look. I’m sorry. For everything that happened in the past. For ending up at the same resort. For running into Lucy. For signing up for the same excursion. But there’s one thing that’s common with all of those.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Yes?”

“I didn’t have control over any of it.”

Her eyes narrowed into slits. “You didn’t have control over your hands or lips in the Olympic village?”

I groaned. This was a conversation I needed to have with Lucy. Alone. Five years ago.

“What does it matter now?” I asked. “Lucy’s engaged. She’s obviously moved on.”

I watched for any reaction. Anything that could tell me Lucy’s engagement was a lie.

A slight hesitation was the only sign.

“It matters because you’re an insensitive jerk who we don’t want around. We certainly don’t want to be stuck on a boat with you all day.”

I felt someone step next to me, but I didn’t look.

“Fine. I won’t go.” I turned to walk away but a hand gripped my forearm.

I looked down to see Chloe. Her attention was on Amber. A forced smile across her lips and the look in her eyes I’d seen a hundred times before. She was about to get her way.

“Amber, I know this is awkward and a little uncomfortable but it’s a big boat. We can all enjoy the day without stepping on each other’s toes.”

Amber’s stone face softened a bit. Chloe had that affect when she wanted to.

“Plus, I heard there’s a wedding coming up. Madi and I just got married.” She paused. “Not to each other.” She laughed. “Anyway, we’re still on the wedding high and need a fix. Let’s talk about it.”

With that Chloe looped her arm around Amber’s shoulders and led her away. The two joined the group of women on the boat, moving together to form one mass. It was just a little bit intimidating to see them all together. With the potential to scheme and mastermind. I looked to the rest of the guys and they seemed to have the same thoughts. Erik shook his head and Noah looked nervous.

I caught Lucy watching me and I was shocked not to see anger on her face, but remorse. Did she regret coming?