He tilts his head and I see the tic of his jaw. “So goddamn much.”
The knot of tension I’ve been holding unravels and I lunge for him despite my injuries. He’s careful though, pushing my hair gently over my shoulder, kissing my forehead, nose, and then lips. He surprises me again when he says, “We’ll build a new life together in the sand, surf, and sun.”
I don’t need to tell them that’s exactly what I’ve wanted, and with the weeks of summer ahead I have no doubt we’ll etch out our future, one wave at a time.
Epilogue
Change is hard on everyone, even when it’s the right thing to do. My move to the College of Charleston was tedious and time-consuming—re-doing the whole application process, moving my life from Tennessee to South Carolina, starting over again—but worth it.
My mother finally bit the bullet, too, selling her house in Nashville and making the final leap down to the coast. Richard gave her a ring, one he’d carried around for decades. She accepted but they still haven’t set a date, but that’s okay. No judgments on the choices others make.
Anita fully took over the store, changing my mother’s office into a nursery. It’s the perfect setup, giving her time with the baby but with an opportunity to work. Sibley loves school and her mama loves her job.
As for the boys? They’re like the waves in the ocean. In a constant state of motion, never predictable, but there, always there.
Whit’s been disowned by his father but despite that, he’s thriving, working at the surf school in the summer and filling in for the guys at the marina while they’re back at school. Richard, a former Citadel man himself, understands that military life isn’t a good fit for everyone and has let him stay in the apartment behind the house indefinitely.
Justin and Pete are back at Clemson, deep in their studies. They’ve invited me to the infamous Clemson-South Carolina game this Saturday. We leave at dawn. I have no idea what I’m getting myself into, but from the non-stop smack talk and the orange shirt I found in my room that I’m supposed to wear, I suspect I’m in for something intense.
It’s not like I’m unfamiliar with football. Nick has his own game this weekend, but since we’re in the same city, I get to see all his home games and wear a jersey with his number. Moving down here has given me a chance to get fully involved in all of their lives—it’s a good fit—one that is even more obvious as we share our first non-beach-related holiday together.
The spread of food is quadruple what my mother and I usually have for Thanksgiving dinner, but we’re used to it being just the two of us. Not anymore. Anita, Bobby, and their kids. Sugar and Jimmy. Richard and the boys of Ocean Beach are in the house. I’m not used to the cooler weather at the beach, but like I’d been assured, winter does come to coastal Carolina. The four of them stand around the gorgeous table eyeing the food, while the TV plays football in the other room. Nick’s attention keeps getting drawn back to the screen. Justin holds a bigger but still adorable Sibley in his arms, sneaking bread off the table to tide her over. Whit pulls his hair back into a short ponytail, closer to the Adonis-like, flowing locks he’s famous for, and Pete’s standing next to me with an innocent look on his face, pretending like he didn’t just corner me in the hallway, push me up against the wall, and kiss the breath out of me.
Richard holds up his glass of wine, indicating he wants to share a toast. We all reach for our goblets.
“First of all, I’d like to thank Julia and Summer for this amazing meal. The Hawkins men have spent many years eating frozen lasagna on Thanksgiving because neither of us planned ahead.” He reaches for my mom and pulls her to his side. “You spoil us. Not just with perfect dinners but with your presence in our lives. I can’t believe I missed out on all those years with you, but I’m going to make up for it now.”
He kisses her on the forehead and it’s adorably adorable, then raises his glass and we all do the same, along with a little shouting and cheers. My mother looks up with so much joy in her eyes I feel a wave of emotion roll over me. After what she went through, what she survived, she deserves happiness.
“Eat!” Sibley shouts, breaking the moment. Justin makes a face while Anita shushes her.
“One second, sweetie,” Mom says with a smile. “I have one more announcement to make before we can eat.”
All four of the boys groan at that, although I think Nick’s was about whatever play was on the field, not the food. Or maybe both.
“Go ahead, Mom,” I say, rolling my eyes at the boys.
“I talked to my agent today and, well, I haven’t said anything about this because I was afraid it would fall through but, when I was out in LA I met with a few movie studios about the rights to Scars From A Killer. The book has been optioned for a movie. And not just one of those random, maybe-will-happen-one-day movies—it’s being fast-tracked. I’ve been asked to write the script.”
Anita screams, hands covering her mouth. “Oh. My. God. A movie! You’re making a movie!” I think her eyes may bug out of her skull.
My mother shakes her head at my cousin but rests her eyes on me. “I’ve asked Shay to help me and I want your input, Summer. This is more than just my story now.”
Even though it’s long healed, I can still feel an itch from the scar on my chest. Mom’s right. We’re bound tighter now—a thread woven by two generations of mad men. I don’t hesitate, rushing over to give her a hug. She’s worked so hard and always has had moderate success, but this? It’s a new level. I pull away and we look at one another, with no need to speak.
“I’m so happy for you. I’ll do whatever you need me to. Help in any way.” I understand better than ever why she needed to tell her story, and I appreciate her giving me the chance to tell mine. The Barnes women will not be silenced, and as I look at the handsome men around the table, I know we have all the support we need.
With the big announcement over, my mother gives her blessing to start the meal. The boys, circling like vultures, dive in. As I settle into my seat, I can’t help but revel in the noise and laughter. My life has changed so much in the last year and I give a special, quiet, thanks of my own before jumping into the fray of this thing called family.
Thank you for reading the Boys of Ocean Beach. My next book, The Wayward Son’s: Starlee’s Heart, is on pre-order on Amazon (November 2018 release!) If you’d like to follow my releases, news and receive updates please join my mailing list. Also, you can find me on twitter @theangellawson or on Facebook at Angel Lawson or Angel Lawson Author. Come say hi. I do have cookies but they’re gluten free.
Readers!
Thanks for reading this quick series. I loved writing about Ocean Beach (fictional place based on a true beach area) where my family has lived and visited for generations. Beach music, the pavilion, the Gay Dolphin! All parts of my life I wanted to weave into a story. I hope I did it justice.
As always I need to thank Jennifer for beta work. I always think I’m falling apart and instead she boosts me up! VC edits for quick work! AngstyG for my amazing covers. The fantastic girls (and maybe guys?) at Angel’s Antics! Definitely join the group! It’s Riverdale season so we’re in discussion mode.
I have a new book coming out soon, it’s called the Wayward Sons. I am beyond excited to share it with you so I’ve added an unedited section below for all of you to check out!