Page 52 of Coastal Rewind

Keegan

We will absolutely help you.

Maeve

I love a good party.

Happy to help!

I bit my bottom lip to hide my smile at the thought that I wasn’t going to have to figure out how to be there or worry I’d miss all the planning. I was going to be pushed into planning feet first.

I was going to be present.

“Everything okay?” Mason sat up and inched closer to me. He smelled a little like glove oil, and spice. It should have probably been gross but it just made my head feel a little dizzy in the best way possible.

“Everything is great.” For once, I wasn’t lying. I was in a beautiful state with a man, who was showing up for me, and his son, who I adored. I was about to gain another sister, and for once in my life I wasn’t thinking about what this meant for me. I was just living in the moment and loving every second.

He glanced at my phone when I tilted it in his direction and shook his head. “Your family is fucking massive.”

“Yeah, but it’s the only one I have.”

“Was it hard growing up with so many siblings?”

I thought about it for a second and then shook my head. “No. It was like having built-in best friends who always had your back. I always wanted to raise a family like that.” The words came tumbling out before I could stop them, pulling me out of the moment.

Mason kissed my shoulder. “And one day you will,” he whispered against my skin.

I froze, my fingers tingling and my heart rate picking up. The bubble I was in bursting like a raindrop hitting a country road.

I jumped out of bed so fast I ripped the blanket right off him. He looked confused as I crouched to grab clothes from my suitcase and practically ran to the bathroom. My breaths were coming in fast as I pulled on my leggings and tank top. I quickly threw my hair into a bun when the tears started welling in my eyes.

I will not cry today.

We were living in the moment.

Stay in the moment, Ryleigh.

I pulled open the door and all but ran into the living room. Mason got out of bed and stalked after me. I was too fast as I grabbed my keys and yelled over my shoulder I was going to grab us breakfast and coffee. I bolted to the elevators and saw Mason standing in the hall in only briefs as the doors closed in front of me. The moment he was out of sight, I felt my entire body relax.

Mason couldn’t see my freak out. Then I would have to explain why I was busting into tears randomly at seven in the morning after one of the best nights of my life. He’d know I was broken and the perfect image he had of me would fade like a distant memory.

This was why I didn’t let people know the truth.

I needed to be outside. I was always able to do my best thinking when the sun was shining on my skin.

I pushed out into the sunshine and breathed in the ocean air. Something about a coastal town had always made me feel at ease. I wasn’t sure if it was the memories at the Malibu house with my mom or the freedom the ocean offered, but my soul was always happiest when I wasn’t landlocked.

I walked a few blocks until I spotted a local coffee shop that was buzzing with customers. Traveling alone for so long, I loved finding new spots that was clearly famous to the locals. I smiled at the familiarity. This was the life I was used to—the life I was comfortable with.

I slipped inside and got in line behind some guys wearing khaki shorts and flip flops. When I got up to the counter, I ordered two iced vanilla lattes and enough donuts to feed the entire Sparrows starting lineup. Bags of pastries in one hand, and a tray of coffee in the other, I walked back outside and turned toward the hotel. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket so I placed the bags down on a bench and fished it out.

Owen’s name lit up the screen.

I pressed accept on the call and put the phone to my ear. “What are you even doing up?”

He laughed on the other end of the line, and I heard the distinct sound of a turn signal, telling me he was in the car.

“Early start at the office.” His voice was gruff, as if he wasn’t completely awake yet. I glanced down at my watch, it was barely five in the morning in California.