Dirty Summer 6

From her vantage point, she could see the shrimp boats, the ones Justyn had told her about so many times, and she could see the strong strobe of Cape Lookout. Like a huge spotlight, every time it circled and flashed, it reminded her of the first time she and Justyn kissed on the beach, just underneath its beam.

The air felt sticky—August nights on the island were like that—but a whispering breeze floated over Blair’s shoulders. She exhaled. This had to be the stupidest thing she had ever done.

Justyn suggested they go to the Dock House for drinks and listen to his favorite band, but no, that wasn’t enough. She had to carve out even more alone time. It didn’t take much to convince him to take her to the cove. A few batted eyelashes and he was a goner. If she had gone along with his plan, she wouldn’t be sitting at the end of the island alone. Her heart wouldn’t be on fire, and her stomach wouldn’t be in her throat.

Somehow, I’m going to have to create some distance for my emotions, she thought. Things had spiraled out of control. The more she was around Justyn, the more she wanted to see him, hear his laugh, and look into those eyes.

At the beginning of the summer, everything seemed so simple. Blair trusted her determination to keep her on track, but somehow those steadfast goals had dwindled until there were no more barriers protecting her heart.

“I’m just going to have to rebuild them.” The words slipped through her lips. She didn’t know what was scarier—the fact that she couldn’t trust herself around Justyn, or the fact that deep down she was ok with it.

All she could think about was that, in two weeks, all of this would be over. The night cruises, Justyn’s kisses, the clambakes at Shirley Lane—everything would be a memory and she would be in Dallas. The only thing she knew to do was run.

It had been a year since her heart had been broken, and as far as Blair was concerned, she wasn’t going to go through the experience again. Her ex, Damon, had blindsided her with their breakup. Her entire life was wrapped up in the lacrosse captain’s world. She didn’t intend to shut out relationships, but from that moment on, she thought of guys as only a way to have fun. Dates, late nights, a roll in the hay, but nothing more. It didn’t matter to her that girls thought she was a slut or that guys thought she was icy. Icy was better than heartbroken. Damon had crushed the happiness right out of her soul.

Blair peered at the lighthouse. “That’s not happening again.”

Five

Blair

The sight of the white truck parked in the driveway sent a wave of panic through Blair as she walked up the Buttonses’ driveway. After the way she ran from the date, she was certain she wouldn’t have to face Justyn until tomorrow. He had a temper as easily ignited as hers.

“I was getting ready to send out an island search party.” Justyn stepped off the front porch. “You’ve been gone an hour, girl.”

He looked worried and a little nervous. Blair bit her bottom lip. There was no way to explain what she had done. Running off into the night after a perfectly awesome date bordered on crazy. She knew it was less than stable behavior. If anything, Blair always prided herself on being able to forge through awkward situations and keep her composure no matter what. Her mother had taught her that much. Tonight was an epic fail.

“I’m fine.” She leaned down to rub the back of her calf. Running in sandals had caused a knot in the back of her leg.

“Did you hurt yourself?” He had crossed the driveway and examined the back of Blair’s leg.

“No, it’s just a cramp. I didn’t really have on the right footwear for a night run.” Blair tried to laugh. Humor might not cover up this colossal embarrassment, but it was what she had left.

“All right, then. I’ve got this.”

Before Blair could protest, Justyn scooped her in his arms as if she were light as a feather and walked to the front porch. He rested her on the swing with one of the outdoor cushions behind her back. It didn’t take long for him to swing her legs into his lap and begin massaging the tense muscles.

“So are you going to tell me why you ran away like that?” Justyn’s thumbs stroked the length of her leg from her knee to behind her heel.

Blair tucked her hair behind her ear. The resolution to rebuild emotional barriers was already being put to the test by Justyn’s concern. He couldn’t possibly be any sweeter than he was right now. Most guys would have been pissed, but he looked like he wanted to wrap her in a big hug.

His hand rested on her thigh. “Blair, what is going on? Do you want me to leave you alone?”

The pit in her stomach rose higher in her throat. Justyn leaving was the last thing she wanted, but the nearness of him clouded her judgment. That much she knew.

“Thanks for being so worried about me. I didn’t even know how long I was gone.” She retrieved her legs from his hold, and placed them on the worn floorboards of the porch. “It’s been kind of a long day. Maybe I should get some sleep.”

Justyn released a sigh between them. “That’s how you want this to go?” He stood next to the swing.

“I’m just tired, that’s all.” Blair looked up at his confused gaze.

She wanted to tell him that she had been shaken by everything that happened between them, but telling him would mean opening up to him. Opening up would mean sharing. Sharing would lead to more feelings, and she had tripped too far down that slippery slope already. This was supposed to be about hot summer sex—not feelings.

He pulled the keys from his pocket and moved from the swing. As soon as his back was turned, Blair felt the overwhelming sensation of how far out of reach he was.

“Justyn, wait.” Her mind was racing, and her heart was swimming in unchartered waters.

He pivoted. “Yeah?”