Somebody Else's Sky (Something in the Way 2)

Me?

22

Manning

From where I stood, I couldn’t see much more in the dark than the white foam of ocean waves and two heads of blonde hair, their figures shadowy in the distance. The girls who’d turned my life upside down. It hadn’t been much of a life. No doubt, it was better now. After watching my parents’ knock-down, drag-out fights followed by make-up sessions that’d keep them in the bedroom for days, I couldn’t have predicted I’d ever actually want to get married. Tiffany and I wouldn’t end up like my parents, though. When she baited me, I kept my cool. When she got upset, I’d do my best to help her manage her emotions. She was a catch, too, and I was the only one who’d caught her in any meaningful way. We’d build a good, sturdy life together. I’d find work that fulfilled me and made sure she did the same.

And I wouldn’t be saddled with the constant worry that I wasn’t enough for her.

I returned my attention to Corbin’s brother, who was talking about restoring a T-bird. He took out a pack of cigarettes and held it up to me. “Smoke?”

I took one and stuck it in my mouth while I dug my lighter from my jeans pocket. “You’re in college, right?”

“Santa Barbara.”

“You live in a house or something? Where do you keep the car?”

“Here, in my parents’ garage. I just work on it when I’m home for weekends or holidays. Corbin helped out before he left.” He cupped his hand to light his cigarette. “He’s not so bad, you know.”

So everyone insisted on telling me. Knowing Corbin had driven Lake and her friends here tonight, I’d seen the beer in his hand and my mind went to the worst. Maybe some of my overprotectiveness was unfounded, but I’d actually known people who’d died as a result of drunk driving, and I’d bet Corbin did, too. My gaze went directly to the girls, as it had been every couple minutes. They stood right at the shore, the water creeping up to their bare feet, reaching for them after the smash and fizz of each wave. I shuddered.

“You go out with Tiffany?” Corey asked.

I nodded. “Are you the one who dated her?”

He laughed a little. “No, that’s my oldest brother, Cane. I mean, I wouldn’t say they dated. I think they probably hooked up a couple times in high school. Sorry.”

I shrugged. “I didn’t know her then. She says your brother had a crush on her. Not Cane.”

“Corbin? Maybe. She was a senior when he was a sophomore. They all had crushes on her.” He blew smoke out the side of his mouth. “But that was before he met her sister. Corbin’s fucking whipped on that girl. He’s so in love with Lake, it’s stupid. And she treats him like crap.”

“Yeah?” I asked. That didn’t sound like Lake. “How?”

“She just strings him along. Says they’re best friends or some shit, won’t sleep with him. But he keeps hoping she’ll change her mind.” He shook his head. “He’s a pussy. He gets lots of girls. Just not the one he wants.”

Lake was a heartbreaker, that wasn’t news to me. I’d seen how Corbin looked at her. I’d probably worn the same expression. She’d break more hearts than ours. I couldn’t muster any sympathy for any other motherfucker. Maybe Corbin was the gentleman everyone claimed. Maybe he was in love with Lake and wasn’t out to hurt her. Maybe he’d even be good for her. But he was still the one who could get everything I wanted with one word from Lake.

“It’s not that she doesn’t want Corbin.” At some point, Val had inserted herself between us. She slurped from her beer can. “She just can’t see him. Someone else is in the way.”

“Who?” Corey asked.

“I’m not sure.” Val glanced at me and then the girls. Tiffany had her arms around Lake. “I’d bet a hundred bucks that right now, Tiffany is asking Lake to be in her wedding.”

Fuck. Tiffany wouldn’t waste any time. From now until she walked down the aisle, all eyes would be on her. I couldn’t do anything about it without making things worse for all of us. There were some things I couldn’t protect Lake from. She’d have to handle herself. I looked into the fire, swallowing down my guilt.

“You guys getting married?” Corey asked.

“Maybe it’ll be a beach wedding,” Val said. “Right here. Picture it. The sun setting, all your friends and family in the crowd, Tiffany complaining that she can’t wear heels, that her dress is dragging in the sand. Lake walking down the aisle, catching the bouquet.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Val knew. Her attempts to get me to open my eyes were cute, but they wouldn’t do much good. As long as I believed this was best for everyone involved—not just Lake, but for me and Tiff, too—it was the right choice.