Dancing on Waves, page 6
“It’s okay,” I said.
“I am so drawn to you,” she went on. “You’re hot. You’re amazing in bed. You’re really nice, but—”
I wasn’t surprised there was a but involved. “But?”
“But your family,” she groaned.
There was the rub. I couldn’t change who my family was. They were who they were. I was connected whether I liked it or not. When we got back to Cindy’s, she was already asleep. I helped Ava into bed. She reached out, grabbing my hand. “Hold me, please,” she whispered.
I climbed into bed with her and held her close. Her words echoed through my mind. What if she woke up tomorrow and decided she didn’t want the hassle of being with me? I couldn’t blame her, but it was still going to hurt.
After a restless night, I woke early and decided to go for a run. I needed to think. I jogged through the neighborhood and along a common route other joggers used. I thought about the sequence of events that had led to me running on an unfamiliar path. My choice to come to Hawaii and hide had pulled Ava into a disaster. She was paying the largest price. My brother, her sister, and even I was somewhat shielded. Ava was not going to be able to go back to her regular life. She wouldn’t be able to work at the coffee shop or her own home.
All of this was because of me. I’d tried to outrun a problem. All it did was create more collateral damage. It was time for me to go home and deal with the situation. Hopefully, with me leaving Hawaii, it would pull the heat away from her. If I stayed, the press would stay too. They wanted to get pictures of us together. It was a juicy angle to the story.
I had to leave her to protect her.
Chapter Nine
Ava
Roxy’s cold nose nudged my face. I smiled and reached for her, rubbing her ears. My head hurt, but it wasn’t the same kind of hurt I’d been suffering from all week. It was a hangover. I groaned thinking about the amount of beer I consumed. I didn’t normally get drunk. Last night had been the exception. I’d needed to drown my stress.
I got out of bed, expecting to find Ethan in the living room. There was another note. He’d gone running. I was glad he was getting back into his old habits. Our lives had both been turned upside down, and we were both struggling. I recognized he was doing everything he could to be strong. I knew he felt guilty for his family’s role in my latest troubles. They were responsible. Not him. That’s what the rational side of me said. The other side of me did hold him a little responsible. He'd come into my life, and everything had been a disaster since that moment. Except for the times it wasn’t a disaster. He treated me well. Very well. Better than any other person in my life, except for my father.
While he was out, I took a shower by myself. It was a little awkward, but I managed to do it on my own. I dressed and even put on a little makeup. I felt almost normal. I felt strong. Like I could go home and face the reporters that might be waiting for me. I couldn’t keep imposing on Cindy. And I really, really wanted to sleep in my own bed.
“Hey,” Ethan said as he walked through the door.
“Hi.”
“You’re up,” he said and looked just a little nervous.
“You thought I’d still be in bed groaning with my hangover?” I teased.
He chuckled. “I did.”
“Nope. Up. Showered. Ready for the day.”
“Do you want to grab some breakfast?” he asked. “I know my magic cure for a hangover is something greasy.”
“Oh, that does sound good,” I said. “I know a place.”
“Let me grab a quick shower, and we’ll go.”
He rushed by me without a kiss or even touching me. Something was off. I wasn’t going to pretend to know him really well, but I knew him well enough. He was acting a little sketchy. I didn’t think it was my imagination. It was true I didn’t fully trust him. I wanted to, but it wasn’t just going to happen overnight.
I gave him instructions to a restaurant that was a favorite among the locals. It was the epitome of a greasy spoon. We ordered a full breakfast and waited. He wasn’t making his usual small talk. Something was definitely off, but I told myself not to press him. It was a test, I supposed. If he wanted to tell me, he would. If he didn’t want to tell me, it would be something I had to consider when I was deciding just how serious I wanted to get with him.
We made awkward small talk about the weather. It just made me feel worse. Something was wrong. Thankfully, our breakfasts were delivered, and I didn’t have to deal with the awkward silence. We ate in silence until I was on the verge of exploding with questions.
“I’m going home,” he announced before I could say anything.
“Home?”
“New York,” he said.
“What? Why? Now?”
He nodded and wiped his mouth. “I need to go back and deal with this. You’re in this situation because of me. I’m going to go home and handle this. Once it’s over, I’ll be back.”
“Over?” I questioned.
“Either my brother goes to jail, or it turns out they are both not guilty of any wrongdoing beyond the obvious,” he explained. “I’ll stay there until the story is dead. Then, if you’ll have me, I’ll come back here to be with you. I can’t keep waiting for the problem to go away. I can’t let you suffer through any more bullshit because of your connection to me. I want us to be together. I understand if you can’t agree to that just now, but I hope you’ll let me try and convince you I’m all in when it comes to you.”
I stared at him for several seconds, processing everything he was saying. He was leaving. I knew what waited for him back in New York. He was going to be stuck handling his brother’s mess. He was the one that would have to talk to the press and untangle the mess his brother had made. But it wasn’t just his brother’s mess he would be forced to deal with. There was the fallout from our own relationship. The press would ask questions. He was going to be the guy out in front of everything.
That didn’t seem fair. I had willingly walked into the relationship with him. I’d had more than one chance to get away. I’d chosen to stay. I wanted to stay. Despite who he was, I still loved him. Yes, we had some issues to work through, but what couple didn’t?
“Okay.” I nodded. “I’m going with you.”
He scowled. “No.”
“Yes,” I said with a smile. Now that I knew what he was hiding, I knew what I had to do. What I wanted to do. “You’ve been by my side this whole time. It’s my turn to return the favor. I want to be there for you. I don’t know what I can do, but I can at least be moral support.”
“You don’t need to do that,” he said. “You should stay here and recover. Once I’m gone, the press will leave you alone. I’ll take the story to New York. You’ll get your life back.”
“I’m going with you,” I repeated firmly. “You’ve done so much for me. I want to be there to support you. I know what that world is like. Remember, I lived there. I don’t know your family, but I remember my own family and how they could get. You need an ally.”
“And what about you?” he asked. “Isn’t a return to New York going to be hard on you? You’re going to have to deal with your family.”
“I think it might be good to see my sister,” I said. “I want to talk to her and ask her what’s going on. If things go badly, I should be there to support her. I can’t save her, but I can at least be there for her.”
“Ava, you’ve been through so much already,” he said. “I don’t want to add to your stress. This is my problem to deal with.”
“It’s not just your problem,” I pointed out. “It’s as much your problem as mine. Your brother, my sister.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea. If you’re with me, you’re going to be tainted by whatever scandal comes my way.”
“I can handle it,” I insisted.
“I know you well enough to know it’s futile to argue,” he said. “But for the record, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I don’t want you to suffer through any additional stress.”
“When do we leave?” I asked. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to mooch off you for a plane ticket. I’m a little broke right now, considering I’m out of a job and car.”
He winked and flashed me a cocky grin. “That’s one perk of being associated with a Mitchell. We fly private.”
“Oh my,” I laughed.
He smiled and then wiped it away in a flash. “Son of a bitch,” he growled.
“What’s wrong?”
His gaze was focused over my shoulder. I started to turn to see what it was he was looking at when he stopped me. “Don’t look,” he murmured.
“Ethan, what is it?”
“It’s the guy that was in Cindy’s house,” he said in a low voice.
My eyes widened. “He followed us?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t want to take any chances. I’m not sure he has seen us. It could be a coincidence.”
I rolled my eyes. “Look at this place. The only people that come here are the locals or people that have visited the island enough to be let in on our little secret. He had to have followed us.”
“You’re right.” He nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing. “Get up and act like you’re going to the bathroom.” He reached for his wallet and dropped a hundred-dollar bill on the table. “Then cut toward the door that goes to the kitchen. I’ll be right behind you. If he spots you and tries to follow, I’ll stop him.”
“Got it,” I said. I pulled on my hat and sunglasses and rose from the table. I was feeling a little dangerous. I did just what he said, glancing over at Ethan. He nodded toward the door that advised it was for employees only. I dashed through the door, much to the shock and anger of the kitchen staff. “Sorry,” I muttered. “Which was is the exit?”
Ethan came in behind me and gently grabbed my arm. “This way.”
“You can’t be in here,” someone said.
“We’re going to get out,” I said. “I’m so sorry.”
“Out here,” Ethan said and pushed open a door.
We stepped into an aromatic back alley. “Now what?” I asked.
“We’ll circle back to the car,” he said. “If he followed us there, he’s probably figured out we’re gone. He’s going to be looking for us.”
“I can’t believe he followed us,” I said with disgust. “Who the hell is this guy?”
“I don’t know, but he’s exactly why we need to get out of here and get this shit sorted out,” he replied. “I don’t like this. It’s not okay.”
We walked out of the alley and into an area that was lined with vendors all trying to hawk their wares. “There he is,” I whispered.
I saw the man looking up and down the street. An old woman selling leis caught my attention. Ethan was already on it. He quickly bought two along with two ridiculous straw hats. We put them on and continued down the street in the opposite direction of the blogger.
“This way,” he said and pulled me down another street.
We weaved in and out of crowds. I was coming to actually like the cloak and dagger game. It was fun.
“I think we can make it to the car,” he said. “Ready?”
“For?”
“We’re going to run,” he said. “I don’t see our friend, but if he spots us, he’s going to chase us down.”
“Then we better run fast,” I said with a laugh.
“Not yet,” he advised. “Wait until that crowd is behind us. Then we go.”
I waited until he told me to run. When he did, I ran as fast as I could on legs that were still a little stiff from the accident. I hopped into the passenger seat at the same time he got into the driver’s seat. He started the engine and hit the gas. The car jerked forward with the tires squealing. Nervous energy poured through my veins. I burst into laughter.
He looked at me and started laughing as well. “That was not how I expected our lazy breakfast to end.”
“Me either,” I said. “But it got my blood pumping.”
“Mine too,” he agreed.
He took the long way back to Cindy’s house. The moment we were inside, he locked the door and pulled the blinds closed. “I dare that asshole to try and get in here.”
“I don’t think he’s that brave,” I said.
He shook his head with disgust. “I’m so sick of this.”
“I know,” I said and took his hand. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” he repeated. “I’m the one that dragged you into this crap.”
“I’m sorry you have to deal with this. Just like you’re sorry I have to. We can both feel bad for one another. And we can stand by one another while we get through it.”
Chapter Ten
Ethan
“Ready?” I asked Ava.
“Yes.” She nodded. “I really am fine.”
“I know you are, but I would prefer if the guy with the medical degree said it.”
“Very funny,” she replied.
“If the doctor gives you the all clear, we’ll leave tomorrow.”
“Is it bad that I kind of hope the doctor will say I can’t go?” she asked.
“You know you don’t have to go at all,” I reminded her.
It had been almost a week since I told her I was going back to New York. Initially, I was going to go on my own. I didn’t want her to go at all. Not because I didn’t want her company, but because I was trying to get away from her to protect her. When she’d insisted on coming with me, I’d delayed leaving. She needed some time to heal.
I waited in the waiting room while she did her follow-up with the doctor. Her bruising was pretty much gone. In some areas, there was some faint discoloration, but it was easily covered with makeup. The only real reminder of her accident was the cast on her arm. I offered to buy her a car, but as expected, she shut that down in a hurry.
We had moved back to her place. A few reporters tried to get money shots, but we managed to evade them. The police had come out to warn them they would be hauled off to jail if they trespassed again. The warning seemed to have worked. So far. But it wouldn’t last for long, especially if the story broke any further—like a trial.
Ava walked out of the office with a smile on her face. “Good as new,” she declared. “Minus the wounded wing.”
“Congratulations,” I said.
“Only two more weeks for the cast,” she said with a bright smile. “I’m so ready to get this thing off my arm.”
I leaned in close to her ear. “I’m pretty excited for you to have both hands back myself.”
She giggled softly and pushed at my chest. “Naughty, naughty.”
She made another appointment to have the cast removed, and we left the office. “Does this mean we’re leaving tomorrow?” she asked.
“If you still want to,” I said. “You can change your mind at any time. I’ll get you a hotel on the big island or wherever you want to go if you decide to lay low for a while.”
“Stop it,” she scolded. “I’m going with you.”
“All right,” I said. “I’ll confirm the jet for tomorrow.”
“And it’s okay for Roxy to go?” she asked again. She’d asked several times already.
“Yes, babe,” I said with a smile. “Roxy is going.”
“She’s going to be very excited,” she said with a laugh. “It’s her first ever plane ride.”
“Did she tell you that herself?” I teased.
“I’m so glad she doesn’t have to fly in one of those crate things,” she said with a shake of her head. “I have read way too many stories about that.”
“She will have first-class accommodations.”
“I have one more question,” she said. “Technically, it’s probably a request.”
“What is it?” I asked. She knew I would move heaven and earth for her. All she had to do was ask.
“Before we go, I’d like to stop by and visit my dad,” she said quietly. “I haven’t been to see him in a month. I usually go at least once a week.”
“Do you want to go now?” I asked.
“Do you need to make the travel arrangements?”
“It’ll take me two minutes to confirm,” I assured her. “I’ll call right now.”
I made the call confirming our request and was given a departure time. “Done,” I said. “We leave at eight.”
A flower stand was on our right. I pulled over for her to pick up some flowers to put on her father’s grave. Once at the cemetery, she led the way to his stone. I stood back and gave her a few minutes alone. She knelt in front of the stone and was quietly speaking to her father. I felt like an intruder.
She turned to look at me and smiled. “I so wish I could have introduced you to him,” she said. “He would have liked you.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“You’re not like his in-laws.” She smiled. “He would see that. I know it’s taken me a little longer to see it, but I do. I know you’re not like them. You have a soul.” She patted the grass beside the headstone. I sat down, making sure not to sit directly over the area I imagined he was buried. It was a little creepy for me.
“Did he get along with them in the beginning?” I asked.
She snorted. “Not even a little bit from what he said.”
“Your mother’s family was wealthy,” I pointed out. “Did your dad come from money?”
“Nope.” She smiled. “Middleclass, blue-collar workers. That was the first strike against him. My mom knew her parents would never approve of her boyfriend. She chose to hide it from them, which you can imagine made it worse. My dad tried to do the noble thing. He broke up with her several times. One thing I can say about my mother, she was tenacious. She didn’t care that my dad didn’t have much. She fell in love.”
“Do you think she truly loved him, or he was just a means to get back at her parents?” I asked. “I know plenty of young ladies that went that route when we were younger. They would seek out the toughest, crudest guys they could find and bring them home to meet the parents. It would piss off the parents and have the desired effect. The parents would buy the girls new cars or send them on a European vacation as a bribe to make them ditch the guys.”
