The Heartbreakers

“Whatever. My friend and I were going to get another drink and then go dance. If you’ll excuse us ...” he says, putting a supportive hand at the small of my back.

If there’s one thing that makes Anna even more catty, is being called out on her shit. “Really, Jameson? You’re obviously running out of women to fuck in Star Cove if you’re so desperate that you’re trying to get in bed with the enemy.”

Jameson was about to turn his back on her but stops mid-movement. “What do you mean, the enemy?”

Anna’s smile turns cloyingly sweet. “Aww, you didn’t realize that you’re trying to get into Lenley DeLaurent’s pants? I guess the press hasn’t put their hands on any new photos of her and if you Google her, you’ll see her old nerdy look. But yeah, even without the glasses and the baggy clothes, this is the heir to the Cove Angels’ legacy. Patrick DeLaurent’s daughter.” She smiles at me too and I have to admit that I prefer when she’s openly mean; her smile tells me that she’s getting ready to strike, like a snake. “Lenley, meet Jameson Walton. He was fairly new in town when you left last year but by now he knows everyone. Especially if female and between the age of eighteen and thirty. He’s one of the Cove Devils, our rival team. But the press and the locals have a catchier name for the Devils; they call them The Heartbreakers. You might want to be careful, because once he’s gotten what he wants from you, he’ll pretend he doesn’t even know you.”

That’s where I saw him!

Jameson is one of the guys Darrius warned me against last year on my birthday.

“Oh, I—” I say, looking for an excuse to walk away without sounding rude; whatever this guy is selling, I’m not interested in.

To my surprise, Anna comes to my aid. “By the way, Lenley, my brother was outside in the backyard and he was looking for you.”

I nod, walking away and leaving Anna with Jameson.

I cross the room and nod toward a couple of people who work for the Angels, but I don’t stop to make small talk, anxious to reunite with my best friend.

Darrius has been texting me pretty much non-stop for the past month, after an entire year of radio silence.

The texts started around the time Sarah told me that he and Lisa were done for good, so I decided to come back to Star Cove and hear what he had to say.

I’d be lying if I said that in a little corner of my heart there’s no hope that he’s missed me; as more than a friend.

That maybe after the way our last conversation ended, he’s had time to see me under a different light and that now that he’s single ...

Shit. Maybe I should have another shot, because my resolve to take my chances and to kiss him tonight is waning with every step I take toward the patio door that leads outside.

What will I do if he still doesn’t want me the way I want him?

Mémère was clear that I’ll always have a home with her, but can I really run back to France?

Hopefully, I won’t have that problem. Hopefully Darrius has had time to realize that we’re made for each other.

“Len!”

It’s another voice that stops me as soon as I set foot outside.

“Kiara!” I squeal, wrapping my bestie in a tight hug. “Finally!”

I pull back to look at her; I’m not the only one with a new look.

Kiara cut her long, dark hair into a super short pixie cut and by the look of her, since she left Star Cove to go to college in Texas, she lost some weight.

The new cut enhances her long neck and pronounced cheekbones; smokey makeup makes her dark brown eyes stand out.

Her petite frame is clad in a white halter top that contrasts dramatically with her tan and stops right under her boobs, exposing her toned midriff; a super short leather mini skirt and thigh high gladiator high heeled sandals complete the look.

“Holy shit, Kiki! You look hot!” I compliment her. “I mean, not that you didn’t before, but this ...”

She smiles, fidgeting with the huge gold hoop earrings she’s wearing. “Yeah, I did. I started doing some part-time modeling down in Texas and I needed to look the part. I hope to make it a full time gig.”

I nod, deciding that there’s time to ask her why she decided to drop out of her college course. “Well fuck, you look gorgeous,” I say honestly.

“I’m not the only one, Len. I wish I’d come to France with you. You look fucking breathtaking. In a really classy kinda way too.”

I pull down at the hem of my short dress, still not used to showing so much skin. “Thanks. Anna slut shamed me just a second ago. So I’m glad you think I look classy.”

If I expected Kiara to offer one of her usual scathing comments about how bitchy Darrius’ sister can be, I’m disappointed when all I get is an eye roll.

“Yeah well, you know her. I have to admit you look very different, Len. Not everyone will react the same way, you know?”

I shrug. “I guess. Hey,” I say after a beat of silence between the two of us. “I have a present for you, from France. Don’t forget to come and find me later, before you leave. Sarah already got hers and she’s wearing it.”

Her smile looks tinged with sadness; I was hoping my besties wouldn’t be hurt by the way I left.

Maybe I should’ve talked to them before I was thousands of miles away.

Kiara looks nervous, shifting her balance from one foot to the other. “I will, thanks. Listen,” she says, playing with her earring again. “Do you think you and I could find a quiet place to talk? There are a few things I’d like to discuss with you.”

Like I thought, she’s probably still mad at how I bolted last year, or maybe she wants to ask me about helping her get a job with the Angels.

“Sure,” I say, but spot Darrius watching us from a few feet away, as he talks to two older men in Wild Horse t-shirts. “I’ll find you in a sec, Kiki. There’s someone I have to see first.”

She follows my gaze and nods. “Yeah, but he looks busy. We could go upstairs and talk for a second and then—”

“Sorry babe.” I smile, giving her a side hug. “I’ve been waiting to see him since I got back. And like you can imagine I’ve been thinking about him for an entire year. I’ll find you later, ok?”

“Len, wait—”

But I’ve already locked eyes with Darrius and I walk away, with my heart beating so loudly that I’m sure the entire party can hear it and with butterflies fluttering their wings in my stomach.