Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“I’ll be by after breakfast.” He went to kiss her cheek, but she turned and gave him her lips. “Sneaky,” he said before deepening things between them. It would be so easy for him to undress, lift those blankets, and fall into her waiting arms. It took every ounce of control he had to pull himself away. “Go back to sleep.”
“Impossible.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll stay at my parent’s tonight so you can get some sleep.”
“No thanks. I want you here.”
Her words brought a smile to his lips. This was where he wanted to be as well. Every night until he had no choice but to go back to school.
If you go back to school.
Those words plagued him as he rushed down the stairs and out the gate. Instead of driving to the marina, Sail broke into a jog. Being so early in the morning, he ran on the sidewalk, along the waterfront. Bells chimed with each ripple. He’d always loved the sound of the bells.
Sail veered off and jogged through the wharf. He’d brought Galvin to Diego’s last night, but he hadn’t brought her to any of the stores or to see the pirate ship. He’d do it later because he wanted her to see all of Seaport.
He cut through an alley, between two buildings that housed specialty shops and then turned to run up the slight hill to exit the parking lot. The neon marquee for the arcade flickered. That was another place he wanted to bring Galvin, assuming she liked to play silly carnival games. He thought they were fun and always made for a good time.
The familiar burn began. In his feet, legs, and chest. He needed to build up his stamina, and while some may say having sex was a way to do it, it wouldn’t be enough. Not for what he faced.
Next weekend people who were considered professional sailors would descend on Seaport. They’d be in his waters, on his beaches, and taking up space in his town, all to take a prize purse he wanted. Maybe his thoughts were selfish, but he couldn’t help it. Winning meant he could pay his dad back and not have to worry about seeing the disappointment in Jack’s eyes.
Sail hated that look and he had a chance to change everything.
When Sail arrived in the parking lot of the marina, Jack and Dune were there. Along with a handful of others, getting their boats ready to head. From what he could tell, no one had dinghies, so at least Sail didn’t have to worry about other watching him. Although, they could from the shore if they really wanted.
“Morning,” Jack said. “You ready?”
“Yeah. Where’s Tidal?”
“He’s out there, making an obstacle course,” Dune said. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. Loose.” Sail shook his arms to prove his point. “You?”
Dune cast a look toward their father and then back at Sail. “Remind me to buy the Sea Shanty when I get rich.”
Sail laughed. “Why?”
“Because that damn place makes Caroline happy, and I don’t like it.”
“Speaking of, you said you were opening the night club next weekend?”
Dune nodded. “Celebratory party after you win.”
Sail’s adoration for his brother soared. Dune had exactly the confidence Sail needed. Jack put his hand on Sail’s shoulder.
“The entry list comes later today. As does the bracket,” Jack said. “Crew is going to come out tomorrow with us.”
“Yeah, he told me,” Sail said.
“Tonight, we’ll sit down and research your potential competitors. This will give us a good idea of how to prepare on Saturday for practice.”
“Um . . . okay.” He hadn’t made plans with Galvin but planned to.
“Bring Galvin over,” Jack said, as if reading his son’s mind. “I have pictures from college of her dad that I want to show her. Maybe tell her some stories about her old man.” Jack laughed as he walked back to the dinghy.
“She’ll be fine,” Dune said.
“What?”
“Galvin . . . with Mom. Things will be fine, and Caroline will be there.”
“She’s . . . last night was interesting.”
Dune laughed. “She used to be stuck up, stuffy. I love her madly, but the Caroline you saw last night is the fun Caroline. See her on Monday morning, in her suit and heels and you’ll be like who is this person.”
“So, that was her letting loose?”
“As much as she can all things considered.” Dune picked up a pile of ropes and threw them over his shoulder.
“Are you excited about the baby?” Sail asked, wondering if his brother’s comment had a hidden meaning.
“I’m excited,” Dune said. “This early in our relationship wasn’t ideal, but it doesn’t change how I feel about her. Or how I feel about the baby. Things are just fast tracked.”
“Is there a wedding date?”
“We’re going to wait until after the baby.”
“Because she wants to drink pina coladas at her wedding,” Sail said, laughing.