Just A Kiss (Angel Sands 4)

But it wasn’t Rachel calling. Caitie’s name lit up the screen. Angling it so Lucas couldn’t see his sister’s name, Breck quickly accepted the call.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked her, aching to hear her voice.

“I’m good.” She sounded upbeat. Different to the woman who’d walked out of his bungalow without a backward glance. “Just getting ready for the big presentation tomorrow. I thought I’d call really quick and say hi.”

“Well hi.” Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Lucas who was looking at his own phone, scrolling through messages. It didn’t make Breck feel any less awkward that he was talking to his sister where he could overhear. “Did you get there okay?”

“To L.A.? Yeah, the roads weren’t too bad after the holiday weekend. And the suite I’ve got is pretty swanky. So at least I can panic in luxury.”

“You’re panicking?” He felt anxious himself. “Is it near the water?”

That comment garnished Lucas’s attention. He glanced at Breck with interest.

“No, I mean panicking about the presentation. We’re in the middle of a built up area. There’s a pool, but we’re not overlooking it, and if I close my eyes, I can pretend it’s not there.”

Lucas had given his full attention to Breck. He could feel the back of his neck prickle up under his friend’s scrutiny. Breck was intensely aware of everything he said, trying to veil his words so Lucas wouldn’t realize it was Caitie he was talking with. If he’d felt awkward before this was a whole new level. And exactly why getting involved with Caitie was the worst idea ever.

So why did talking to her feel so good?

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay. It’s great to hear from you.”

Caitie breathed, soft and deep. “So, I wanted to thank you again for looking after me yesterday. And to apologize for running off so quickly.”

Breck shifted in his seat. He was holding the cellphone so tight against his head it was digging into his temple. The thought of Lucas overhearing the other side of the call was making him sweat. He needed to cut this off. Quick. “Um, I’ve got someone with me right now. Can I call you back later?” he asked.

“Oh. Right. Yeah, of course,” she said quickly, sounding as though all the air had gone out of her. “I should go anyway. I have a ton of work to do. I’m sorry I interrupted you.”

He hated the way her tone had turned on a dime. From being friendly to guarded again. How the hell had he managed that?

Lucas cleared his throat. His eyes were full of amusement.

“I’ll talk to you later, okay??

? He needed to end this call now, before any more secrets spilled out. His lips were so dry they felt cracked. “You take care now.”

“Yep. Bye.” She ended the call before he could reply. Breck slid the phone back into his pocket. His face felt warm, but his soul felt cold. He felt like an asshole for dismissing her so fast, but what other choice did he have? Lucas was still staring right at him, a grin on his face.

“Tell me that wasn’t a girl you’re interested in, and I’ll call you a liar.”

* * *

Caitie switched off her phone and plugged it into the charger, before she slumped back onto her bed. Embarrassment covered her like an unwelcome blanket, weighing her down, and making her muscles tremble. She should never have listened to Harper. Breck must have thought she was such a fool. Some little school girl, following her brother’s friend around with puppy dog eyes.

“I’ve got someone with me right now.”

Of course he had. And it didn’t take a genius to guess who it was. Thank god she hadn’t made a complete fool out of herself before he’d told her exactly what she needed to know.

She needed to push him out of her mind. Him, Rachel, and all of Angel Sands. They weren’t important. She’d take a shower, go to sleep, then get up and hit it out of the park with her presentation. When it was over she’d go home to New York. To her safe place.

Things weren’t so painful there.

* * *

She wasn’t picking up her calls. Breck pressed her number for the fifth time since Lucas left and winced as it connected to her voicemail. Again.

“Cait? It’s Breck. Call me back.” His chest tightened. Was she pissed with him? Annoyed because he had to end their call abruptly? What choice did he have – another minute and Lucas could have guessed who it was. Neither of them wanted that.

He leaned on the rail circling the deck, and looked out at the dark ocean. The night air did nothing to cool his heated skin. He wasn’t sure anything would. Drumming his fingers on the wood, he took a deep breath, willing his mind to calm down. But he knew tonight, like last night, when he closed his eyes to sleep it would be her he saw behind them.