At First Hate (Coastal Chronicles)

I finished off my chocolate chip cheesecake and leaned backward in my seat, full and just a little drunk. Unlike Josie and Lila, who were as smashed as I’d been the night of Ash’s birthday.

“You are good people, Derek,” Josie said, slapping his hand twice.

“Thanks, Josie,” he said with a laugh.

“I thought I’d hate you,” Lila said with a shrug.

“Don’t take it personally, but I’ve hated you for a long time.”

She snorted. “I bet you have.”

“And yet we’re all here together for moi,” I said with a laugh, dramatically placing a hand on my chest.

“It’s my birthday too,” Maddox grumbled.

“Oh yeah, and for my little baby brother.”

Maddox cast his eyes to the ceiling. “It’s only thirty-seven minutes.”

“Long enough,” I teased.

We all joked around over our dwindling chocolate martinis before heading out. Maddox took Josie and Lila in his Jeep, and I headed out with Derek. Lila winked at me as we left. Josie whistled at us. I ducked my chin in embarrassment.

“Some friends,” he said with a laugh.

“They’re the best.”

“I can see that.”

He held my hand again as we walked to his car through the Halloween crowds that had already descended on Savannah.

“Thanks again for what you did with Chuck.”

Derek laughed. “He kind of had it coming.”

“I can’t believe what he said.”

“What part? Everything out of his mouth is as outrageous and predictable as always.”

I bit my lip. “Um… that you’d downgraded.”

He huffed. “Ah. That.” He was silent for a moment before saying, “I did downgrade.” I tried to yank my hand away in outrage, but he was smiling and held me tight. “I downgraded from you to her.”

I opened my mouth as if to protest, but the words died on my lips. “What?”

“You’re always the upgrade, Mars,” he said and then fitted his mouth to mine, soft and tender.

“Oh, Derek,” I breathed. “You’re so much trouble.”

He chuckled, and we stopped in front of his BMW. “Sounds right. I also… got you a birthday present.”

“What? No. You can’t give me anything.”

He opened the door and pulled out a long, skinny box with a black ribbon on it. “But I did.”

“You literally cannot spend money on me,” I said in a panic. “It would look bad for…” The case. I didn’t say it, but it was implied. It could look bad, like he was buying me off or something else ridiculous.

“I thought of that. So, I didn’t spend any money.”

I narrowed my eyes at him in confusion. “You didn’t spend money on a present? Who are you, and what have you done with the real Derek Ballentine?”

He laughed and passed me the box. “Just open it, Mars.”

I took it with a sigh, tugging off the ribbon and lifting the box open. My heart melted at what sat inside. I withdrew the black, white, and red Hermès scarf that he had given me as a Christmas present all those years ago. When we’d broken up, I’d stuffed everything that reminded me of him in a box and left it at his place.

“You kept it all these years?” I asked, my heart constricting.

“Always.” He took the scarf and wound it around my neck. “To Mars and back.”

Then, he kissed me.

And I knew I was in deep, deep trouble.

31

Savannah

October 28, 2016

“I’m glad that you could make it for this, Mars,” Maddox said.

“How could I miss it?”

Maddox pulled a face. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Well, are you happy, or is it not a big deal?”

My brother grinned, tightening his charcoal suit around his shoulders. “Both.”

“Shithead.”

He cracked up. “That’s why I want you here. If I have too many people telling me that I’m awesome, it might go to my head.”

I rolled my eyes. “As if it hasn’t already.”

“Nah. Us animators aren’t usually recognized. Hard to get a big head when no one knows your name.”

“Speaking of someone whose name everyone knows, have you seen Josie?”

He flinched at the name and then acted like he hadn’t. “I have not.”

“Are you two still at each other’s throats?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Okay,” I said, drawing out the word. “Sure thing. Play dumb. That’s always worked out so well for you.”

“You’re such a bad sister.”

I laughed. “I’m the best sister, and you know it.”

“Remind yourself of that when this thing goes all night,” he said with a wink and then headed backstage.

I didn’t mind that it took all night. The SCAD Film Festival was an annual event that brought hundreds of celebrities to our doorstep. I’d gone to my fair share of films because of it, but I’d never been to their infamous cocktail party. Both Maddox and Josie were being recognized for their achievements after graduation. I spent the remainder of the night bouncing between the two since, apparently, neither was speaking with the other. That part was exhausting. And by midnight, I was ready to bounce.