“I’m not sure. He stopped texting when he got to the Georgia-Florida line.” Audrey took a drink of her mimosa and looked around at all of us. “He didn’t want to keep me up.”

  Keep her up my ass, he hasn’t cared what he’s put her through these last couple of days. He hasn’t considered the stress she’s had to deal with.

  It pisses me off, but I choose to keep that all to myself. My anger toward my cousin won’t help Audrey and it won’t ease the tension I know she has felt. So I continue to smile and pretend.

  “I can’t believe today is the day. We’re going to be cousins.” Though I have felt like Audrey, and I are already related.

  The conversation quickly takes a turn when the topic switches over to the hot bartender from the resort car. His name is Decker and from what Adeline said last night, he is worth spending a little time getting to know.

  I feel for her I do; her father is a lawyer in Charleston, and he is all about her marrying some rich socialite, maybe the Governor’s son so she can secure his power through marriage. Adeline is sweet and kind, she is nothing like her father and its sad really because she just wants to live her life and be happy.

  I’m thankful that my father is nothing like hers. My parents are very happily married, sometimes so much so that it is embarrassing how much they dote over one another. I have teen twin sisters, Leah and Lauren who can be exhausting at times, but I do love them dearly and my brother Tucker who has recently turned twenty-one and in that sowing his wild oats stage. I hope one day he realizes it's not about quantity but the quality that truly matters when it comes to women. He is such a bachelor it’s disgusting.

  “Oh!” Lorelei grabs her phone and checks her message. “Jasper says the guys are up and Spencer is headed to the honeymoon suite to corral Linc. Then they’re going down for breakfast.”

  Nervous energy fills my stomach when I think of once again being so near Tyler. But avoiding it is impossible because only a few hours from now we will be walking down the aisle together and then at the same reception. He managed to make me weak to the point of admittance last night and now there is no way to deny that I feel something for him. Hell, we were practically mauling one another on the terrace before the moment was broken and I was able to make a quick getaway.

  Now I feel like if I’m within a few feet of him I just may tackle him to the floor and dry hump him as Claire so eloquently put it.

  I need to call her and fill her in, but then again I’d be forced to hear her say I told you so and right now I’m not sure what Ty is offering will go beyond this weekend. Ty has never been a one girl kind of guy and my heart couldn’t take it if a week from now he decides that he and I are a no go. That is what I fear the most out of all this, the aftermath if it all blows up in our face.

  “In a few hours I’m gonna be a married woman,” Audrey squeals out of nowhere and we all laugh.

  My own stomach does a nervous flip for her. “Then we better get your beautiful auburn hair finished up.”

  “Everything is set up over there.” I motioned for her to sit down in the chair I have ready for her.

  Everyone moves the party to the living room as I get to work on Audrey’s hair. They all sit around continuing to eat and drink and laughter flows, relieving the tension I know has been prominent throughout the weekend for each of us. For different reasons obviously but it’s nice to let it all go.

  CHAPTER

  EIGHT

  Tyler

  “You’re fucking with me.” Liam’s voice booms over the suite and we are all immediately on high alert.

  Spencer stands only a few feet away staring at Liam with his nostrils flaring. “He isn’t here, and he’s not answering his phone either.”

  “Wait, are you sure he isn’t in another room?” I ask, trying to give Linc the benefit of doubt. Why I don’t know because he’s fucked this entire weekend up with his need to work instead of being by his brides side.

  “I checked with the front desk. He never showed up.” Spencer confirms.

  “I’m gonna kill him,” Liam says, and I have no doubt he might.

  “Hold on now.” Jasper, Mr. Reasonable himself stands and places his hands on his hips. “Maybe he had car trouble. Or maybe there was an accident.”

  Shit the idea of that makes me nauseous.

  “He’s still in Charleston.” Spencer’s words hang heavy in the air as we all look at each other one by one.

  I can’t believe it. Angry words are flying around the suite, Liam making threats, and Spencer no longer on the side of his best friend. I think if the two of them could get to Lincoln right now they’d pulverized him.

  And all I can think of is Audrey.

  “I can’t believe he’d do this.” Spencer fists his hair and squeezes the back of his neck.

  “What the hell are we gonna tell Audrey?” I ask placing my hands on my hips, then fisting them only to put them on my hips once more. My mind is racing. “Because that’s what he expects us to do right? He wants us to do his dirty work. Wants us to be the ones to break her heart so the hard shit is over before he has to face her.”

  Spencer’s phone pings with a new message. “My friend confirmed that Lincoln's car is still in the parking lot of his and Audrey’s place.”

  My chest grows tight. “Why would he do this?” I throw my hands in the air, completely baffled. “He loves the shit out of Audrey. We all do.” I guess I can’t understand how anyone could do this to someone they love. Or to someone they even like, it’s mind boggling.

  “The problem is he doesn’t love her more than he loves himself.” I can sense the disappointment in Liam’s voice. Truth is, I know without a doubt in my mind that Liam would never hurt Audrey the way that his brothers has. And again it confirms that she is in fact with the wrong brother.

  There is a solemn feel that has settled over the entire resort. I know it's only for our group, but it still feels like it's hanging over every little thing. The food is tasteless, the breeze stale and there is little laughter. Audrey has disappeared to her suite to be alone; the guests have all left early and are already heading back home.

  But the alcohol seems to be flowing and I think we are all doing our best to drown out our feelings.

  I still can’t seem to clear the visions of Audrey when we all went to the suite the ladies were all staying in to tell her that her groom wasn’t coming.

  The asshole was home, taking the cowards way out while the woman he was set to marry was feeling like her world was imploding on her.

  Lincoln humiliated her, he broke the heart of someone each one of us cared about deeply and I think we were all trying to figure out how he could do that. All of us knew already there was no way we could make it right. So, becoming numb is the goal for now.

  I had a feeling when we returned back home to Calloway shit would get ugly fast when the two West brothers are once again back in the same zip code.

  Sitting alone at a small table to the left of the bar, I notice Amara walking along the back wall moving toward the exit and walking out onto the beach. Her head hung low, her shoulders slack, and my chest grew tight. I know she is feeling some of the same things we all are. But Lincoln is her cousin and battling her hatred for him has got to be challenging.

  I stand and make my way to the exit, stepping outside into the ocean breeze. Up ahead I see a flash of yellow just as Amara turns the corner and steps out onto the sand.

  Reaching the end of the walkway, I pause, watching her closely.

  Her blonde hair blowing in the breeze as she wraps her arms around her body and looks up at the night sky.

  She is breathtaking.

  Setting my empty beer bottle down on the railing, I step out onto the beach and begin moving toward her. When I step up behind her, I place my hand on her hip and her body jerks in response. Closing the distance quickly I press my chest to her back and wrap my arms around her from behind.

  “Will you give me this, please?” I know she is fighting the urge to run.

  When she leans back, the weight of her body resting fully against mine allows me to relax.

  “I can’t believe he did this,” her words are barely above a whisper. “He could have handled this a hundred different ways. He could have told her he didn’t want this weeks ago, hell even the day she left. And he lied over and over about coming to meet her. Nothing will convince me that he didn’t know this was how it would end, he knew what his plan was. Lincoln is a coward, a heartless coward.”

  She’s emotional and quickly I turn her around and hold her to me, chest to chest. I feel her body shake against mine and I don’t say a word, Just allow her to feel everything she has managed to keep bottled up inside.

  I don’t know how much time has passed, how long the two of us have been standing here in the moonlight on the beach as the waves roll in.

  Rubbing my hand up and down her back I close my eyes and allow myself to accept how great it feels to have Amara in my arms. She fits perfectly, like the very spot was made just for her.

  Tilting her head up, our eyes connect, and I lift my hand to drag my thumb along her jaw. Her eyes close and I press my forehead to hers, giving in to the solace she provides. Tomorrow we’re all heading back home. We’ll be forced to face our friend, and forced to see another that we love dearly start a new chapter she wasn’t planning to write.

  But tonight, here with Amara all I want to do is feel this, us.

  Leaning closer I press my lips to hers and without a second wasted she reaches up and fists my hair, much like she did the night at the bar. Her body melts into mine and I comb my fingers through her long hair, cupping the back of her neck.

  The way her mouth moves with mine, the glide of her touch, the whimper that escapes her, it's like fuel.

  My body tingles, my hands shake with pure adrenaline and anticipation of our next move.

  She tastes like perfection.

  “I love the way you kiss me,” Amara’s confession is like an invitation for more and so I give us both what we want.

  CHAPTER

  NINE

  Amara

  Oh hell!

  Of all the things I could have done while one of my closest friends is nursing her broken heart, it had to be this.

  I glance to my left to confirm that I’m not just having some crazy dream and Tyler picks that moment to stretch, his arm grazing mine and I freeze.

  I drank way too much!

  What started out as heavy kissing and fondling on the beach, led to me being pinned to a wall inside the suite the guys were all staying in. Before we both collapsed on the bed which is where I am now.

  Yep, lying naked next to Tyler, in a room he’s apparently sharing with my cousin.

  Holding my breath, afraid to breathe for fear of waking him I slowly slide over until I feel the edge of the bed.

  All I need is Liam to walk into the room and find me boobs up on the bed next to a very naked Ty.

  I’ve never in my life been so careful and moved with such easy motions. Sliding off the edge like a slinky down a flight of stairs, I sit on the floor and begin looking around for my clothes. I draw a complete blank trying to remember exactly what I had on.

  A flash of yellow triggers a memory and my cheeks heat as I lift it from the floor and quietly slide it over my body. Visions of this very dress being hiked up and the top pulled down as it pooled at my waist like some belt.

  We were all hands and mouths, everything was so fast and hungry, like two people starving we tore at each other I’m surprised my dress even survived.

  My underwear on the other hand I cannot vouch for considering I can’t find them anywhere.

  The idea of some cleanup crew finding them on the beach somewhere sends my mind racing. I honestly can’t remember the moment they came off.

  A loud groan fills the room as Tyler rolls over and again I freeze in the middle of the floor, with my hand over my mouth. Just behind me the sounds of men talking heightens the fear of being caught and I stand in a hurry and rush toward the doors leading outside to the terrace. Extremely thankful that the guys are on the ground level, I slide it open very slowly and slip outside. Holding my shoes in my hand I use the other to close it, and turn around resting my back to the cool glass.

  My eyes closed, I take a deep breath and am relieved I’m in the clear.

  That is until I open my eyes and see an older couple taking a late stroll through the resort.

  They both pause, the older gentleman grinning like he’s proud or something. The woman not so much, I suddenly feel like my grandmother is staring me down in disappointment. Yes! Yes, I did jump straight into bed and do the naughty and now I’m escaping through the balcony door. Yep, right here, that is me. Now I hope I can make it through the resort and back to my room without anyone else noticing the half-naked obviously sexed beyond an inch of her life floozy doing the walk of shame.

  I stare at them; they continue to stare at me, and I know this isn’t going to magically become less awkward.

  So what do I do?

  I lift my hand, offer a wave and then turn and take a few steps away before breaking out into a run like my damn ass is on fire. Yep, that is me, the girl that always manages to get herself into the weirdest predicaments. Not only did I interrupt a couples innocent little stroll wearing my wrinkled dress and knots in my hair but then I take off running barefoot like some lunatic.

  Kissing my crush, check.

  Fondling my crush, check.

  Dry humping my crush on the beach, check.

  Having a one-night stand with my crush and sneaking out before he wakes up, double check.

  Fuck my life, can it get any more embarrassing?

  “Where the hell have you been?” I spin around with my keycard in hand to find Lorelei standing behind me.

  “Towels,” I say the first thing that comes to mind. “We needed more towels.”

  Pushing the keycard in the reader, I push open the door and move inside our suite.

  “So, then where are the towels?” I don’t turn around to look at her. If I do, I will cave and have to admit that I had slutty wedding sex and there wasn’t even a wedding.

  “They’re bringing them up.”

  Just then there is a knock on the door, and I use it as an opportunity to escape.

  Twice in one morning I’m darting from the scene and hoping like hell I don’t have to explain myself.

  “Is she sleeping?” I hear Tyler ask when he climbs inside Liam’s car. I remain as still as possible with my blanket pulled up tightly around my face. Breathing evenly, I know that the ride back home will be a long one.

  “Yeah,” Liam says.

  “I imagine none of them got much sleep last night.”

  I bite my lip, if he only knew how true that is but not for the reasons he thinks.

  “Did you at least get the number of the girl you had squealing in the suite last night.” Oh shit, my stomach drops. I try to remember to breathe.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Tyler gives nothing away and I’m thankful. I’m not sure how Liam will act if he finds out it was me that Tyler had in his room last night.

  I have no idea what any of this even means.

  Tyler has never been a guy that has long term relationships. He’s the ultimate bachelor, he loves his freedom.

  This situation is what it is, we were upset, we had some drinks and ended up back in his room to relieve some tension.

  He doesn’t need me hanging on to the idea that he and I are now more.

  I remained still, listening to Liam attempt to drag information out of Tyler that he refuses to give. At some point I must have dozed off, because the next thing I remember is Liam reaching over the seat to shake me awake.

  “Mar,” peeking through a blanket of hair I see both Liam and Tyler looking back at me, smiling. “You were snoring.”

  “I was not.” I narrow my eyes at Liam, and he chuckles.

  “Ty help me out here,” I look at Ty only to look away quickly. “She was snoring like a trucker.”

  “Hate to tell you sweetheart, but he isn’t lying.”

  I blow the hair out of my face and sit up. “I hate you both,” I shove open the door and ignore their laughter as it follows me.

  Liam gets out of the car followed by Tyler and the trunk pops open. I hurry to gather my bag and Tyler reaches in to take it from me. “I got it,” I assure him, tossing it quickly over my shoulder.

  “Can we talk about last night?” He asks this in a hushed whisper, and I look for Liam to ensure he can’t hear us.

  “Not now,” I shake my head.

  “Then when?”

  “Do we need to?” His brow furrows. “I assume you want to say it shouldn’t have happened, or it was nice, but it can’t happen again.”

  “Oh yeah,” he stares back at me, giving away no signs that I’m right or wrong about my assumptions.

  “It’s okay, you don’t have to nurse my wounded heart or whatever. It’s fine, I’m fine, it happened, we're good.” I wave him off and Liam steps into view holding his phone in his hand.

  “There’s a big barn fire just outside of town,” he looks up at Tyler who is now staring back at him. “Cap is looking for some free hands, wanna go?”

  I remain between the two of them looking back and forth until Tyler closes the trunk and steps back. “Let’s go.”

  Liam quickly tucks his phone in his pocket, reaches out and grabs the back of my neck pulling me in for a hug before kissing the top of my head all brotherly. “See ya later, Mar Mar.” And with that he is moving toward the driver's side of his car.

  “Be careful,” I say in the awkward silence as Tyler continues to watch me.

  “Do me a favor.”

  “What?”

  “Stop trying to read my thoughts, because you are really bad at it.” He winks and reaches out to tap the end of my nose with his finger. “This conversation isn’t over.” He slowly starts to back away, that sly grin of his making me realize that I may have bit off way more than I can chew with this man.