Brighter (Brighter #1) Read online

  ~

  On Monday, we parasailed on the west end of the island at a popular beach called Rainbow. We stayed for burgers and beer afterward, listening to a cover band play reggae.

  “The sunsets here are killer,” promised Cole, and we weren't disappointed.

  On Tuesday, he took us kayaking with several of his friends at Salt River, a national park and ecological preserve. I made a note to return, wanting to explore the mangroves on my own.

  On Wednesday, we took a couple of beginner kiteboarding classes at a small beach on the east end, near Cole's house. As fun as that was, I was still sore from kayaking, and so after a couple of attempts I sprawled out on the sand, taking pictures of the guys. Kiteboarding was harder than it looked, but Theo caught on by the end of the day.

  By Thursday we were starting to drag.

  “I know you do this stuff for a living, man, but we need a down day,” Theo said, stirring sugar into his coffee. “Let's go snorkeling or something.”

  “I just wanna make the most of my time off,” said Cole, rubbing his beard as he gazed out thoughtfully at the marina. He and Theo had indulged in a little wake ‘n bake, so he was mellower than usual. “Once I go back to work, you guys are on your own.”

  That was fine by me. I loved Cole, but damn he had stamina. We spent the day snorkeling the sparkling waters, as requested. By the next morning, he was up with the sun, prepping for an early morning charter.

  “Don't worry—I'll take you two to Buck Island before you leave,” he called, waving as he rolled down the driveway.

  Theo and I rented a car of our own and spent the next few days in slow motion, eating our weight in mangos and lazing around whatever beach we found ourselves at. It was an alternate universe with no schedules or deadlines, and I hadn’t realized how badly I’d needed that till now.

  “Hey, there's a live band playing at my friend's bar,” Cole said one night, plopping down beside me on the couch. He’d just come from work, smelling of weed and Nag Champa incense.

  “Oh yeah?” Theo's eyes closed, and he smiled serenely. “You going?”

  Cole scoffed. “We're going. You two can sleep when you're dead.”

  I was rather sleepy, but apart from a couple of quiet restaurants, we hadn't experienced much of the island's nightlife. “What time do you want to leave?” I asked, touching my knotty beach curls. “I need to take a shower.”

  “Whenever.” Cole shrugged, pulling a bright glass pipe from his board shorts.

  And that was my cue to leave. Cole had always been a stoner, but pot made me stupid, so I avoided it like the plague. Theo had been playing around with it lately, but I knew that once we were back, living our real lives with jobs and grad school, he'd be over it.

  Besides, he was cute when he was high.

  “I'll be ready in ten minutes.” I walked down the hall toward our room, the tiles cool beneath my bare feet.

  ~

  What St. Croix lacked in size, it more than made up for with its social scene. We circled around a few times before finding parking in a dimly lit but packed, parking lot.

  “Some of these shops even close for summer, it gets so dead,” said Cole as a herd of tourists ambled drunkenly past. “But around Christmas? College kids and snowbirds come back, tourists...cruise ships...it's a constant party. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.”

  He and Theo continued discussing the island's economy, but I zoned out, distracted by the music pouring from the bars we passed. Cole reached back and grabbed me, twirling me through the throng of people crowding the boardwalk. We stopped halfway up the boardwalk, in front of a crowded bar called Larsen's Brew.

  “This is it,” Cole yelled over the music, pointing to the sign. “They have their own micro-brewery.”

  The three of us fought our way to the bar, Cole stopping every five seconds to say hi to someone. Theo put his arm around me, and I leaned in to him, glad we'd come out tonight.

  Cole flagged down the bartender, a slender, pretty girl with long, wavy, blonde hair. They talked a minute, and three frosty Heinekens made their way into our hands.

  “Want to see if we can find a table?” Cole asked, nodding toward the rest of the pub.

  A bus boy happened to be clearing one off, so we made a beeline for it, claiming it before anyone else could. With a triumphant yell, Cole hugged him, executing an elaborate handshake as they talked and laughed. They were obviously well-acquainted.

  “These are the friends I was telling you about, Theo and Alina,” Cole said. “Guys, this is Jude. The owner.”

  So much for being just the busboy. Setting his tray down, Jude shook Theo's hand and then turned to me, smiling a little. “Welcome.” He offered his hand, and warmth washed over me as I took it.

  It wasn't just that he was good-looking, although with his wavy, dark hair and light brown eyes, he was. It was the unexpected flicker of attraction. Tingly. Acute.

  Mutual.

  Chapter Three

  I awoke to the brightest sunshine, to the sky, to cushy clouds cuddling an expanse of blue.

  We had forgotten to close the blinds before passing out last night. Yawning, I sat up and dangled my feet off the side of the bed. Theo snored softly next to me, one arm in his t-shirt and one out. I giggled, rolling my eyes. His drunkenness, coupled with the late hour, had put an end to any fooling around before it could begin.

  I was still in the dress I'd worn to go out, too. Slipping out of bed, I stretched my arms up over my head and approached the sliding glass doors. A gentle landscape of green and brown hills rolled out ahead, ending where the ocean began. Another small island sat to my right, like a mirage floating in the gem-like blue. I'd always loved the water, and growing up in Miami had given me a lifetime of beach days, but this was different. Untouched.

  It reminded me, sometimes, of the Florida Keys...and that reminded me of my dad. Unplugging my phone from its charger, I took a picture of the view and sent it to my little brother. As usual, Adam was spending the summer with Dad in Marathon. Their relationship was a lot better than the one I shared with the man who'd fathered us, and for that I was glad. A boy needed his dad.

  A girl did too, but it was a little late for that.

  Adam texted back immediately. Unsurprising, as his phone was usually attached to his hand.

  Did u just wake up? Lazy af

  I rolled my eyes. Hey. watch your mouth or I'll tell mom.

  ;)

  How's things?

  Good. Went fishing yesterday.

  Sounds fun. Miss you.

  Doubt it. Ur in the caribean.

  It's spelled Caribbean.

  Gotta go. Dad says hi.

  I paused, chewing my bottom lip. Tell him I said hi.

  Theo stirred, and I thought he might be waking up, but he just rolled over. Grabbing my towel, I headed down the hall to the bathroom.

  Cole was already in the kitchen, making coffee and pancakes, by the time I got there.

  “Morning,” I said, pausing beside him. “Need any help?”

  He waved his spatula in greeting. “Nope. Just sit back and relax, woman.”

  “Do you have any trips today?”

  “Not till three. I thought we could go back to town, walk around...grab lunch somewhere.”

  I nodded, pouring myself a cup of coffee. “Sounds good.”

  Cole's roommates joined us. They were ready for the day, dressed in uniform—flip flops, board shorts, and blue t-shirts with their company's logo.

  “Hi, Alina,” Logan said, giving me a polite smile. He was the quietest of the bunch, lanky and blond and rosy-cheeked. I couldn't tell if he was blushing or just perpetually sunburned.

  “Hey,” I said, eyeing the questionable looking milk in the fridge. Good thing I'd bought creamer. “How’s it going?”

  “Just another day in paradise,” said Billy. He was a blue-eyed frat boy, jovial and forever flirting. Sidling up to the counter, he brushed against me as he retrieved a coffee mug from the cabin
et. "You guys got plans today?"

  “I think we're going downtown to—”

  “You should come down to Cane Bay tonight,” he interrupted, scratching his belly. "There's gonna be a full moon party."

  “Oh yeah? What's that?”

  “It's a party they throw every month, down at a beach bar on the North Shore,” said Billy. “Music, drinks...” He waggled his eyebrows. “Mamajuana...”

  “Always a good time." Logan chuckled, grabbing his keys in one hand and a pancake in the other. “Anyway, I'm out. You riding in with me, Billy?"

  “Yeah, yeah. Keep your pants on,” muttered Billy, following Logan out the door.

  “’Bye, guys.” I glanced at Cole. “Is mamajuana like marijuana or something?”

  “Nah, it's some crazy strong drink made with rum and tree bark or some shit.”

  “Oh. So, do you usually go? To the full moon party?”

  “Yeah, sometimes.” He pushed a plate of pancakes my way. “We can go if you want to.”

  “Want to what?” Theo asked, rubbing his eyes.

  “Go to a full moon party later.”

  He grinned groggily. “No rest for the weary, huh?”

  “Billy said it's fun,” I said, hoping he'd be down. We’d had fun last night, dancing and drinking into the night, and I wanted to see what else was out there. Jude-the-bartender flashed to mind, to my annoyance. Yanking the fridge open, I rummaged around for syrup, trying to cool my cheeks.

  But Theo and I were on the same page. “I'm definitely down. Hey, is this milk still good?”

  ~

  By day, Christiansted was as quaint as a postcard. The pastel-toned buildings had maintained their historical Danish architecture, complete with arcaded sidewalks made of cobblestone. Sunshine glinted off the ripples in the harbor, where dozens of boats bobbed cheerfully. After exploring the old fort near the wharf, we decided to split up so I could hit up the shops. I wanted to find hot sauce for my mom, and maybe a coffee mug for Caroline’s collection.

  “You remember how to get to Larsen's?” asked Cole, pointing toward the boardwalk.

  “Of course.”

  He tapped his phone. “Meet us there at one.”

  I kissed Theo’s cheek, ruffling his soft, black hair. “Be good.”

  A tentative breeze blew off the water, tickling my nose with the fresh, briny scent of salt. Wandering from shop to shop, I found gifts for my mom, Adam, and Caroline before heading over to the boardwalk.

  Like most of the pubs I’d seen today, Larsen's Brew was empty when I arrived. A lone guy with headphones and a mop sang to himself, working his way from the front of the pub toward the back.

  “Hey, you're Cole's friend.”

  I twisted around on my bar stool, smiling at the pretty bartender from last night. “Yeah. Alina.”

  “Cole said you guys might be around today," she said, wiping down the bar. With cat-like green eyes and a tan-with-freckles, she was even prettier by day. “I'm Ivy, by the way. We didn't really get introduced properly last night.”

  “Yeah, it was a little crazy,” I agreed, resting my shopping bags on the ground. “Are Fridays always like that?”

  “If we’re lucky. Weekends get busy, but last night was Jump Up.” She paused, looking out toward the harbor. “There’s always a good crowd when Jude gets a band.”

  Sitting up a little straighter, I scanned the pub, wondering if Jude was at work. Probably not. He'd been working hard last night, busing tables, tending bar, restocking...not that I'd been paying attention.

  Ivy trailed off, probably realizing I’d checked out. Smiling sheepishly, I leaned in. “Sorry, what?”

  “No worries—I was just asking if you wanted anything to drink. We brew a few of our own right here.”

  “What do you recommend?”

  “Depends on what you like. I can give you a sample of our West Indies Porter...”

  Jude slipped into the seat beside me at the bar. “I'd say she's more of a Summer Special Ale kinda girl.”

  I glanced up in surprise, heart dipping. He really was good-looking, his eyes like cognac against his golden-brown skin. “How do you know what kind of beer I'd like?”

  “It's a gift.” He lifted his chin, staring down at me. “I'm good at figuring people out.”

  “Lord help us,” said Ivy, rolling her eyes. “Here you go, Alina.”

  “Thanks.” I reached into my purse to pay, but Jude stilled my hand. Tattoos crept colorfully up his arm.

  “It’s on us.” Our eyes met, and he shrugged. “You're a friend of Cole's.”

  “Well. Thanks.” Clearing my throat, I took a long pull of beer. Clean, crisp, and tangy, it tasted like...summer.

  “So?” Ivy tilted her head, manicured nails tapping the varnished wood.

  “It's really, really good,” I admitted, peeking again at Jude. Winking, he slid off his stool and disappeared through a door in the back. He had so much swagger, good God, wearing the hell out of a plain t-shirt, loose shorts, and unlaced sneakers. I forced my eyes away, unsettled by conflict swirling in my gut.

  “So how long are you here for?” asked Ivy, leaning on the bar.

  “Not sure yet,” I said with a shrug. “We have open tickets.”

  Ivy arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow. “Must be nice. I haven't been on vacation in forever.”

  “You live on vacation,” I said, gesturing to the sparkling water behind us.

  “It gets old, trust me.” She shook her head. “I mean, yeah. It's beautiful...and I love it here. But you get island fever after a while, you know?”

  “I can imagine. It's pretty small.”

  “Tiny. Everyone knows everyone.” She laughed quietly, fiddling with a stack of coasters. “But I guess that's what I love about it, too.”

  “Are you from here?” If she was, her accent was nonexistent. Even Jude had hints of Crucian coloring his words.

  “Boston. I went to high school here, though.”

  Interesting. “So, your parents live here?”

  “Yeah. My step-dad owns a construction company.” She paused. “What about you? You're from Miami, right? Like Cole?

  I nodded. “We actually just graduated from the University of Miami. I'm starting grad school in the fall.”

  “Wow! What are you studying?”

  “Marine biology,” I said.

  “Oh, that's cool.” Ivy smiled. “Must be pretty hardcore if you're going to grad school for it. What do you want to do?”

  “I haven’t pinned it down yet, but I want to work in preservation. I grew up in a place like this where there's such a dynamic underwater ecosystem, you know? It's so precious, but people are so careless with it.” I pressed my hands to my cheeks, embarrassed. “Sorry. I go from zero to sixty really quick with this.”

  But Ivy just stared at me, eyes wide. “No, you're passionate. I get it. Have you been to Salt River yet?”

  “Yes! Cole took us kayaking there. I want to go back before I leave...”

  “You should. If you're into that sort of thing, there's a ton of stuff to do down here.” She cocked her head. “If you stick around long enough, maybe I can introduce you to my friend, Nora. She used to teach a class down at UVI.”

  “I'd like that. What was her focus?”

  “Not sure, but she and her husband work with the environmental association now, doing turtle watches and stuff. In fact, Jude—”

  “Hey ladies!” Cole shouted, startling the crap out of me. I could only imagine what he'd been like in kindergarten. “Aw, you got started without us, Alina?”

  “You guys took forever.” Not that I minded. Between the Summer Special and chatting with Ivy, time had flown.

  “Sorry.” Theo plopped down beside me, brushing my cheek with a kiss. “We got a little caught up.”

  I sniffed subtly, smirking when I caught the tell-tale whiff of weed. “Mhm. Smells like you guys got started all on your own.”

  He grinned goofily back, baby blues shining in happy hig
h-ness. “We were down by the dive shop with friends of Cole's...you gotta meet 'em...they'll be at the Full Moon party later...”

  I listened to him ramble, amused. Theo could be such a straight shooter back home; we both were. It was fun seeing this side of him.