“I’m doing good. I’m in the best shape of my life, I’m eating well and I’m finally sleeping through the night,” I retort. These are all strides I’ve made and I’m proud of because the grief of the breakup and the knowledge I had been duped gutted me.
Alessa’s dark eyes soften. “Those are all good things, but it isn’t enough. You need friends. You need to have fun. You’re young. You can’t throw the rest of your life away because of some asshole who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.”
I chuckle and shake my head at my sister.
“What… it’s true,” she chuckles too.
“I know I can’t be like this forever, but I’m in a process of healing. I have to do it at my own pace,” I admit, looking my sister in the eyes. I need to see she understands me and will give me space to heal.
“Okay, but tonight, we are going dancing,” Alessa announces, watching me with challenge in her eyes.
“Sure, I’m up for dancing. It wouldn’t hurt me to let lose. I don’t want to be a bitter, snappy old woman. I know I need to soften this hardness I feel inside me.”
“You need to let go of Tristan and what he did to you. Not everyone is bad. I know it’s hard to put yourself out there after a breakup, but you have to move forward,” Alessa explains. I know she is talking from experience because before Nigel she was in a bad relationship with a guy she loved but made her miserable. She broke up with him and was a mess for a while, but slowly she came out of it and then she met Nigel.
“You’re right. I’ll try. Okay?” I agree, taking my sister’s hand and giving it a squeeze.
“Good.” She nods. “We better get out of here. I feel like my skin is pruning.”
I laugh. “My fingers feel like raisins, but the water is so perfect.”
“I still can’t believe our parents are okay with us not being home to help the week before Christmas,” I say.
“Tell me about it,” Alessa agrees as we leave the water.
We head out to our lounge chairs and grab our towels.
As I dry off, I say, “I must really be scaring them if they agreed.”
“Yeah, mija. They’re very worried,” she agrees. “But we’ll be back in Boston the morning of Christmas Eve. We’ll all be together for Christmas. Abuela said she’s going to make it this year too.”
I sigh. “I can’t wait to see everyone, but I have to admit, getting away feels good. I feel like I’m breathing for the first time in a long time.”
“I’m glad.” Alessa gives me another hug.
“I’m going to miss you next semester,” I admit, since I am starting a new school.
“Me too. But you aren’t that far. We can still see each other often,” Alessa assures. “Now let’s focus on our vacation and the hot guy from the plane,” she giggles. “He’s over there with a big group.”
My sister is speaking of that Logan guy from our flight. The one I found irritating because of how good-looking he was and how wonderful he smelled. I assumed he was coming on vacation by himself, but it appears he has an entourage with him. Nice people too, who look wholesome and have children. When I glance his way, our eyes meet and a bolt of heat cuts across me for a mere second before I suck in a breath and turn away. I don’t know if I’m ready to put myself out there for another relationship, but a little fun never hurt anyone.
“Thank you,” Alessa says and then we head to the hotel bar and order a frozen daiquiri.
“Cheers,” Alessa says.
“To fun times.” I clank our plastic cups together.
“To fun times,” Alessa agrees.
THREE
Logan
“Now that was a good meal.” I lean back in my chair.
“It was damn good,” Declan agrees. Half of our table ordered the mahi-mahi with pineapple salsa and rice, on the recommendation of our waiter, and it did not disappoint.
“You’re going to have fish breath,” Poppy complains.
Declan laughs. “I brought some mouthwash in my pocket,” he says, pulling it out.
Everyone around the table breaks into laughter.
“I need to take Max and CC back to the hotel,” Holland states.
“I can take them back,” Rebel offers.
“No way. You need to go out with us tonight. Mary can watch Liam,” Holland says, standing and watching Rebel like she better not say no.
“She’s very capable and responsible,” Paris assures.
“Seriously, man, this is my last night out as a bachelor,” Declan argues, looking at Wolfe.
“You haven’t been a bachelor for a long time now,” Poppy cuts in, giving him a pointed look. The plan is to go out and party tonight, then have a chill day and night tomorrow before the wedding.
Rebel looks over at Wolfe and they are clearly having a conversation about leaving Liam. It looks like they haven’t left him with anyone before.
“You can trust Mary, and Max and CC don’t need that much help anymore. She can handle it,” Holland emphasizes and Paris nods.
Blossom and Coach Darren stand, and Blossom takes hold of her stroller. “You all have a good night,” she says to the table. Coach already told us he has no interest to go out dancing.
“We can watch Liam if that will make you feel better,” Blossom offers her sister.
“Two babies are a lot,” Rebel replies.
“It’s up to you. I’m happy to take him or I can stop by Mary’s room once Finn is asleep and check in to see if she needs help,” Blossom suggests to her sister.
Rebel once again looks at Wolfe and her nerves are evident. The only friends I have here who are my age are Cait, Noah, and Poppy. Cait and Noah are in a serious relationship and Poppy is marrying my bro.
After a little more whispering, Rebel agrees but she heads back to the hotel with Holland and says she will meet us at the club later.
“I say we do a couple shots to get warmed up,” Noah suggests.
“I second that idea,” I say.
Noah cocks his brow and watches me like I’ve grown two heads.
“What? I need to relax a little if I’m going out to a club with a bunch of couples.” I shrug. It isn’t a lie. I’ve also been all work and no play ever since I can remember. I want this trip to be memorable. I want fun and to let loose.
“Cool, yeah,” Noah agrees, smiling like he likes my idea.
We order some tequila shots for the table. Then we pay and head out to the club, which is only one street over. Declan, Wolfe, Cole, and Ryse horse around as we walk down the street. Noah and Cait walk beside me, and the rest of the girls are walking together and chatting. When we get to the club, we all head for the bar. We each take back a couple more tequila shots. I’m not much of a drinker so they hit me hard. The girls go off and dance together in a group and then I stand hanging with the guys by the bar and watching the dance floor.
“We should dance,” Cole says. “We need to have a wild night.”
“Bro, when was the last time you had a wild night?” Wolfe snickers.
“Exactly my point,” Cole retorts. He makes me laugh because from what my brother told me, he went from a major player to completely the opposite the minute he found out Holland was pregnant.