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Chapter 17
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Seasmoke Friends Chapter 18
Twelve Years Ago-Age ThirteenDaddy was letting me redecorate my room. He had said I was a teenager now, that I was old enough to have a new room and design it myself. It was such a cool idea and very sweet, but I wasn't like the other girls at school. I didn't hang out at the mall on weekends and polish my nails pink and giggle over boys. As a matter of fact, my only two friends were boys.He'd bought me a subscription to Teen magazine, too, for my birthday, but that really wasn't helping either. All it did was make me feel more alienated from my peers. I'd asked Rick and Ian what they thought, but they'd shrugged and said, "I dunno," in unison. Boys.I should've probably just left it alone. What was wrong with my pink frilly bedspread and matching curtains? Nothing. Who saw it but me and the boys and Daddy anyhow? No one.Except it seemed like I was letting Daddy down by not doing something, and he must have thought a long time about the gift idea. Maybe I should call Ian's mom.
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 19
Ian"That was Jenny on the phone," I said, descending the stairs to join the others. "We're supposed to pick her up on the way." We were heading farther into South Myrtle tonight, where local bands played on the beach and venders sold hush puppies and various other unhealthy foods. Locals and tourists alike crammed into pavilions and onto the dunes to celebrate, drink, and lose sight of inhibitions. The third of July bonfire has been a tradition since childhood. Summer glanced up from the wicker chair she was curled in, looking past me instead of at me. The mention of Jenny's name should have pulled some reaction from her, but no. Nothing. Summer liked Jenny, always had. Well, maybe more like tolerated her. Jenny was a local woman I hooked up with once a year while we were on vacation. Nothing serious, friendly even. Of course, I didn't plan on sleeping with her this trip, not after everything with Summer, but Jenny had hung around our circle since we were teens and to leave her o
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 20
SummerJenny was tagging along tonight. Unlike the rest of us, she lived in Myrtle. She and Ian had been hooking up on and off for years. I couldn't help but wonder how strong Ian's supposed feelings for me were if he had no qualms about having her around. It kind of solidified my suspicion this was all physical. I closed my cosmetic case and stared at the sink. What would my father want me to do? He'd been a hopeless romantic at heart. I'd gotten that from him. Except he'd acted on his passion and I only dreamed about it. He'd never loved again after Sharon left. He hadn't so much as looked at another woman. Would he say, Go ahead, have a wild fling with the guy next door? Or be more level-headed and say, Pick the stable choice with Matt?"Dee.""Yes?" She smoothed out her dress and stood."Do you think my dad would be proud?" Hot tears formed a ball in my throat "I teach more than I paint. I haven't fallen in love or made plans for a family."She grabbed my shoulders and gave
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 21
Nine Years Ago-Age SeventeenI had to admit, the dress was hot. It was prom, after all, I had to look good. Dave Rockwell had asked me to be his date. I was never one of those girls who struggled for popularity, but when the linebacker of the football team asked me, little ole Summer Quinn, well, I'd been excited to say the least.Me and Dee had gone shopping with Ian's mom for a dress. It was navy blue, fell to my knees like a cloud, and crossed at the breasts to tie behind my neck. It actually made me look like I had breasts.Dee had come as Rick's date. I hadn't liked Dee much at first, but she'd started to grow on me. Initially, I'd thought she was trying to break into our little happy bubble of three. She was everything I wasn't. Fun, pretty, popular. But if Rick liked her, then she must be okay. Ian's date, however, was captain of the cheerleading team and the biggest bitch on the planet. I looked across the gym at them dancing. If I could call it dancing. They should breath
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 22
Ten Years Ago - Age EighteenLess than a month into the first semester of college and it was possible I might have to drop out. I watched the leaves just beginning to change from my bedroom window. A beautiful death in yellow and orange and red. Some were starting to fall already, as if a prelude to the news we'd received today. He had cancer. My dear, sweet Daddy. Daddy who had never done anything wrong in his entire life except smoke those damn cigarettes. He'd quit, for me, two years ago, but it hadn't been soon enough. The habit had caught up with him. The coughing and shortness of breath wasn't just a cold. It was cancer. The doctors claimed they could try aggressive treatments and removing the mass on his lung, but they gave us no false hope or promises. It was looking grim. Stage 4 was bad.After we'd gotten home from the doctor's office, still in a measurable amount of shock, Daddy had sat me down at the kitchen table. "All of the papers for the house are in the safe upstairs.
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 23
SummerOkay, well... Mind? Blown.Ian sprawled partly over me, his weight comfortable instead of pressing. The twin bed didn't allow for much room, and his large frame took up a good portion of it. Our legs and arms were tangled, a thin sheen of sweat coating our skin. His breathing had finally evened out and he'd fallen asleep. I had yet to draw breath. My mind alert, I stared at the shapes and patterns the light created on the ceiling.I just had sex with Ian Memmer. My best friend. My...everything. We'd gone there. We'd crossed that line.When the sun came up tomorrow and I returned to my normal self, all the ramifications of what we'd just done would slam into me. I was sure of it. Everything we could stand to lose would shine a light on this night as the turning point that ruined everything.But tonight, I couldn't muster the energy to care. Tonight, someone had made love to me as if I was worth something. As if I were special. I didn't know Ian could be like that. I'd always imag
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 24
IanWithout trying to move a solitary muscle, I looked down at the blonde hair spread over my chest as if needing confirmation last night had happened. The sheet was wrapped around us in a tangled knot, her breathing even. Her thigh was wedged between mine, her arm laying limp across my chest. Her cheek rested right over my pounding heart. Never, not once, had I awakened to her in my arms, and Christ, I never wanted to open my eyes to empty sheets again. Holy hell. She was here, in bed with me.Sunlight streamed into the room from the window, the rays caressing her back in the early morning light. My scent mingled with that of her lilac and sea salt from the breeze. Surreal.She stretched against me, a moan escaping as she buried her face in my chest. Visions of rolling her over and making love to her half the morning had me growing hard. We needed to talk. I still hadn't said half the things I wanted to tell her. But she felt too good next to me to do anything but sink inside her
Seasmoke Friends Chapter 25
Summer"The sex must've really sucked. We share the room right next to yours. No wall banging."I laughed, which I'm sure was his intention. "Shut up.""No, really. I can't wait to tease Ian about it. Not even an Oh, God, yes!"Laughing harder, I grabbed my side. "As if you could hear anything over Dee's snoring.""True, that." He sobered, studying me. "Can I assume Matt is still in the picture?"Shame swamped me. I was now one of those women who cheated on her boyfriend. Sort of. We were still able to see other people, according to Matt.Rick rubbed a comforting hand over my back. "If you love Matt, you have to tell him and try to work it out. I suspect you don't, though, so what about Ian?"I didn't love Matt. If last night had taught me anything, it was that Matt wasn't The One. Ian...I didn't know what to do about. "I'll figure it out.""I know you will." He wrapped an arm around me and drew me to his side. "Do me a favor, though. Go with your gut, not your head. You have
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