I swallow down the smartass rebuttal that stings the tip of my tongue, and decide against taking his words as anything other than playful. He’s probably just geared up from the turn our conversation just took. I know I am.

“I’ll see you tonight,” I reply with genuine optimism.

“Can’t fucking wait.”

I click back over to Mia. “Hey, I’m really sorry about that. I completely forgot what today is. How is everything there?”

“It’s… a lot.” She sighs heavily. “I don’t know why it feels so different being here now. I wasn’t this sad when Ben and I came here to get the rest of my stuff eight months ago. But yesterday, when we pulled up in front of my old house so Nolan could see it, I broke down sobbing, and that completely freaked Ben out. He wanted to call my doctor, and take me to the hospital to make sure I wasn’t crying too much for the baby.”

I stifle my laugh with tightly pursed lips. Typical Ben. “Well, it is the anniversary of her death, and you’re also very pregnant. It could be the hormones making you so emotional.”

“Yeah, I guess. I just really didn’t want to spend this whole weekend crying. I wanted this to be a great memory for Nolan, and I feel like I’m ruining it for everyone.”

I sit up, leaning against the headboard and stretching my legs out in front of me. “Mia, you’re not ruining anything. I’m sure Nolan is having a great time. What’s he doing right now?”

“Trying to climb on one of the fighter jets at the air base.” She giggles softly and I smile. “He may have a new obsession. Don’t be surprised if dragons take a backseat to airplanes when we get home.”

“It’s about damn time. That kid has had the same fixation since before he could walk.”

“Well, honestly, I hope he doesn’t give them up completely. I like the whole knight thing, and I already bought Chase a dragon Halloween costume so Nolan can pretend to slay him.”

“How morbid of you,” I say through a laugh, hearing her join me.

“Crap, hold on. Nolan, be careful! Ben, can you grab him?” she yells, her voice muted. “Hey, he’s running all over the place, so I’m gonna have to go. But you better text me later and let me know how tonight goes.”

“Explicit details coming your way,” I say as I scoot off the bed.

“Oh, God. I’m going to regret saying that, aren’t I?”

I shrug. “All I know is I’m getting laid by somebody. And, if necessary, I’ll start batting for Team Reed.”

She laughs hysterically, the kind of Mia laugh that I know has her tearing up. “Please, God, let that happen.”

“Yikes. I’ll talk to ya later. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

I hang up the call, tossing my phone onto the bed before I stare down at my outfit selection, hands on my hips. If my short skirt doesn’t get me some attention at this thing, my curve-hugging top definitely will. There’s no reason why tonight shouldn’t end my year-long dry spell. I’m more than ready for this. I need to move on, and hopefully after tonight, I’ll forget all about Luke Evans.

***

I park amongst the other cars in the grassy terrain at the edge of Sandy Point Beach. These things are always a huge turnout, bringing in people from nearby towns to pay ten dollars to drink as much as they want. The music is already pumping through the air as I walk between the cars, stepping onto the sand and making my way toward the crowd. Mike Weston, one of the guys who throws these parties several times a year, is standing by the kegs, collecting money. I walk up to him and he looks down at me, giving me his usual smile after his typical once-over of my outfit.

“There’s the girl who refuses to go out with me,” he teases, tucking the roll of cash he’s holding into his pocket. His blue eyes regard me kindly. “What’s up, Tessa?”

I hand him my money with a shrug. “Not much. Is Reed here yet?”

He nods, taking my ten-dollar bill and handing me a red Solo cup filled with beer. “Yeah, I just saw him over by the pit. You here with anyone?”

I smile, knowing exactly what he’s implying. Mike has been asking me out for years, but he’s definitely not my type, and although I like to do my fair share of flirting, I’ve never led him on to think we’re anything more than friends. I turn, holding up my beer over my shoulder. “I’ll see ya around, Mike.”

He laughs behind me as I take a sip of my beer, walking toward the giant bonfire in the middle of the beach. There are people dancing around it while others are sitting on logs, talking with other partiers. Or if they’re Reed, not bothering with conversation, because they’re too busy shoving their hand up some random chick’s skirt.

I tap him on the shoulder, breaking up his fingering session with a girl I don’t recognize. But that’s not surprising at all. The girl shoots her eyes open, panting heavily through ragged breaths, as his hand slides out from between her legs. She glares up at me as she tugs her skirt back down to mid-vagina.

“Can you go grab me another beer?” he asks, causing her to soften the nasty look she’s giving me for interrupting her special time with a guy who will want nothing to do with her come tomorrow. It’s how Reed operates, and every girl he shows an interest in is made aware of that before he does more than talk to them. Although, I’m not sure it needs to be said. His reputation for only wanting one night with a girl has crossed state lines.