Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
When his parents dock came into view, he saw that both sides had boats tied up. He slowed down and dropped buoys overboard and maneuvered next to his dad’s boat, where he dropped the anchor and strapped the two boats together.
As he walked up the path, he saw all the lights on at his parents’. They probably heard him and would expect him to come in, but not now. He needed to be alone and not explain to his mom why he was down. They rarely talked relationships, but she’d want to know because she took a liking to Caroline. Pearl was instrumental in helping Dune turn Carter’s into a night club for Caroline. Fat lot that did for Dune.
He didn’t turn on any lights when he stepped into his house. The nightlight over the sink was enough for him to see where he was going—right to the refrigerator. He opened it and took one of the local double IPAs off the shelf, pulled the tab and took a long drink of the amber liquid. Dune made his way to his shower and turned the water on. Once it was warm, he stripped down, stepped inside with his beer, and stood under the hot water. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt the way he did. It might have been when Rhonda accused him of things he hadn’t done, and it was his word against hers. His parents believed him, as did most of his friends, but knowing someone spread lies about you wasn’t a great feeling. And still, to this day, Bryant was up to his old tricks, trying to make Dune’s life hell.
Dune stayed under the water until it turned cold, and he’d emptied his beer can. He shut off the water, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. He went to the refrigerator, grabbed another, and cracked it open. He had the can to his lips when the doorbell rang.
“Go away,” he said in between drinks. It would be one of his parents or his friends. Caroline had no idea where he lived, and it wasn’t like she’d come looking for him. She didn’t have a car, and it wasn’t like an Uber would know where to go. Unless of course, she got lucky, and it was one of Tidal’s friends driving.
“Open up.” Wilson’s voice echoed from the other side. “Speed told me what happened.”
Dune groaned as he made his way to the door. He didn’t care that he only wore a towel. Maybe the sight of him would turn Wilson away. The door opened and Wilson stood there, holding up another four pack of DIPAs.
“My man,” Dune said as he took the beers. “Want one?”
“Of course.”
Dune took one off the holder and handed it to Wilson, he then went into his bathroom, where he kept most of his clothes and changed.
“Speed told you, huh?” Dune asked as he came into the kitchen living room combo.
“Yep. What happened?”
Dune sighed. “Bryant happened. I found him outside the train station, and he was his normal smug self. I don’t know what possessed me to go to the cottage, but she was there. We talked. Well, mostly I talked, she listened.”
“Wh-what?” Wilson choked on his beer. “When did he get back into town?”
Dune shrugged. “Apparently in time to see me out with Caroline more than once.”
“Man, he needs to get a life.”
“He needs his ass beat,” Dune said. “I think Caroline is fragile enough with how her dad treats her, that she believes Bryant because it’s easier than facing the truth.”
“Which is?”
“That she’s in love with me,” Dune said. “I told her I love her, and she acted shocked. I know I hadn’t told her before, but I’ve felt it for a while. I think part of me figured it was obvious when I turned Carter’s into the night club for her. If that’s not a grand gesture, I don’t know what is.”
“You got that right. That was a fun night,” Wilson said and then took a drink from the can. “What’s with her dad?”
“Wicked high expectations. He got her a fancy job at an investment bank or firm. Hell, she doesn’t know what she wants to do, but whatever her job is, it’s not what she wants. Coming to Seaport was her escape from the rigidity of her life.”
Dune drank until his can emptied, and then went to get another one. He brought one back for Wilson as well. “You can crash here or wobble over to Pearl, she’ll take care of you.” Dune sat down with a sigh.
“Pearl loves me.”
“Yes, yes she does.”
“So, now what?”
Dune groaned. “I guess nothing. I don’t know. I told her to come find me if she wanted to talk. But then, I came here, and she has no idea where here is so . . . I guess I’ll never know if she comes looking for me.”