Page 37 of One Bet

My fingertips brushed my lips and I drove until I ran out of road and ended up at the marina. There were fourteen boat slips, but I only looked at number three. Once upon a time, there’d been a dreamboat parked between those two small docks. I’d fallen in love on that boat and had my heart broken there, too.

Now it was gone, hauled somewhere down the coast after the fire when it showed up on TV being searched by the cops. I sat staring at the water and that damned boat slip until the sun peeked over the ocean. Then I drove home, remembering everything that happened back then, exhausted and sad, more so because of Ryder’s appearance on campus. History was on a crash course to repeat itself.

One Decade Ago

I took a last look at the boat and walked down the dock. I’d already messed everything up with Keaton by telling him I loved him, and moving in with Alex was risky because there was no telling what stupid thing I would end up saying to ruin that friendship, but I couldn’t stay on the boat, and Alex offered the piece of floor next to his bed.

His house was on the other side of town. After I called a cab to take me, I realized it was twelve dollars I didn’t really have, but no way could I walk it while I was carrying the last of my worldly possessions and my broken heart.

But when we drove past the Alpha house, I tapped the driver on the shoulder. “Stop. Wait.”

As he pulled the car close to the curb, I stared at the scene unfolding in front of the house. Ryder and Keaton were trading punches while their friends whooped and howled. I climbed out and headed straight into the fray in time to duck one wayward fist and be caught by another.

I might have been voted the girl most likely to cut a guy, but it was just an act. First, I didn’t like knives or guns or weapons of any kind, I liked peace and love and I hated blood. Especially when it was seeping from my lower lip, but I’d just been punched in the face and I wanted to kick a little ass. Ryder ass. But from my position, on my knees in front of him, I couldn’t reach more than his dick, and so I punched where I could reach and he went down.

“Avery.” Keaton’s breath came in hard puffs as he wiped his mouth and crouched in front of me. “Are you okay?”

I shoved his hands away and brushed the dirt off my ass as I stood. Ryder, still on his side holding his balls, spat at the ground. “Bitch.”

I lunged, foot drawn back and Keaton pulled me away. “Woah, Rocky.”

This time I jerked away from him and crossed my arms. “Why are you guys fighting?”

Keaton glanced at Ryder who was making his way to his feet.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” He turned me toward the street. “Let’s get out of here.”

My cab still sat at the edge of the yard, and I remained a step ahead of him as we walked toward it. He climbed in behind me and leaned his head against mine, then sat up.

“Why’s your stuff packed?” I didn’t answer. “Avery, where you going?”

“I’m going to stay with Alex for a while. Until I can afford a place.”

His eyes flickered and his lips parted. “You’re leaving the boat? Is it because I didn’t say I love you this morning?”

He shook his head.

“Avery…” He looked down. “Shit.”

And I chuckled not because it was funny, but because I had a headache from being punched, and because it was either laugh or cry and there was no way was I crying in front of him, not again. “It’s okay, you don’t have to say it, I don’t expect it. I just don’t want it to be awkward between us, and staying at Alex’s makes sense.”

He shook his head. “No. It doesn’t.”

But the driver pulled up in front of Alex’s building. I reached to open the door, and Keaton put a hand on my shoulder. “I love you, Avery. I do. I was scared this morning because I thought it was too fast, but I know you better than any girl I’ve ever dated.”

I rolled my eyes. “That isn’t saying much, Keaton.”

“I know, but I want to be with you.” He took my hand in his and brought it to his cheek. “And I do love you.”

I shook my head and he held my hand to the side of his bruised face. “I’ll say it a hundred times or a thousand. I’ll say it until you believe me. I love you.”

I didn’t answer.

“I love you.”

“Keaton.” I didn’t want pity I love yous. I wanted something deep and meaningful, not something I forced.

“I love you.” When I sighed, he leaned his forehead against mine. “Please, Avery. I love you. I swear it. There’s no one else I want to be with, no one I want to kiss or hold or love. Please come back to the boat with me.”