Brighter (Brighter #1) Read online

  Wary, I paused before walking over. “Hey. What's up?”

  “Just ridin'.” He was in a tank top today, showing off his full sleeve and how it disappeared beneath the fabric of his shirt. “You here with Cole?”

  “And Theo.” I took another bite of pate. “You know, my sugar daddy.”

  “Shit.” Jude bit his lip, but not before a laugh escaped. “Listen, I'm sorry about the other night. For real.”

  “Yeah, what was that? And don’t say it was because you were drinking.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair, mussing the already wild waves. “Making assumptions, I guess. I'm an asshole.”

  “If you say so...”

  “Nah, for real. I didn't mean to make you feel a way. I was just talking shit.”

  Or maybe it was Theo he didn't like. I'd seen enough male posturing in my life to know. Nodding, I started on the second pate. “That's cool. Apology accepted.”

  “Wanna come for a ride?” he asked.

  I took a step back, surprised. That was the last thing I expected him to say.

  “Or not?” A lazy smile crept over his face, punctuated by an annoyingly cute dimple.

  “Why should I get on this thing with you?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the bike. It was gorgeous, mostly black with red detailing. The rest of his crew seemed to be waiting for him, parked up beneath the trees further up.

  “Because it's fun.” Jude patted the seat.

  “And dangerous.”

  “And probably not on your carefully planned itinerary, making it even better.”

  I looked back at the beach. The boys were still riding the horizon, tiny specks against the blue.

  “I have another helmet...”

  “All right. But don't go too fast,” I said, wiping my hands on my dress. “I've never been on one of these.”

  He pulled a helmet from a mesh bag I hadn't noticed and handed it over. “I'll be careful.”

  Emma strolled over, wrapped in a towel. “Where ya going?”

  “I'm gonna take her through the rainforest.” Jude brushed my hands aside, tightening the strap on my helmet. “Won't be long.”

  “Tell Theo,” I said, climbing carefully on to the bike. “If he, uh, gets back before I do.”

  “Sure. Hey, did you get food just now? Did they have veggie pates?”

  “I don't know, maybe.” I handed her my wallet. “But hold this.”

  Jude's bike roared to life. I scrambled for something to hold onto, ending up with a fistful of his shirt. “You might want to hold on a little better,” he said, patting my leg. You know, because it wasn't awkward enough, my bare thighs clamped around his warm body as my butt vibrated along with the engine. Resting my arms hesitantly around his waist, I curved with him as he leaned forward.

  Checking both ways, he got back on the road. His friends flanked him, passing us when they realized he was taking it easy. We followed them onto another road, lined by pale green fields and trees so tall their branches tangled overhead, dappling the sun.

  Jude glanced over his shoulder. “Not so bad, right?”

  I shook my head, the helmet hiding my smile.

  Without warning, he revved the engine and took off. I shrieked, clutching him in a death grip as we hurtled past his friends, my heart beating triple time. The landscape blurred by for a few seconds until the road grew narrow and curvy, forcing us to slow. Green and supple, mango trees dripping with raindrops and ripe fruit. Mongoose darted by, and birds swooped and spiraled up into the trees.

  There were pot-holes everywhere, but we avoided them with ease, and eventually my heart slowed down. It was apparent Jude and his friends rode together all the time. The others weaved playfully around us, anonymous behind their helmets, slowing down and speeding up until they disappeared around a bend.

  Jude pulled over, anchoring the bike with his feet, and pulled off his helmet. I followed suit, sitting back a little as he turned to look at me. “So?”

  I gave him a light shove. “I thought I told you not to go so fast.”

  “And I told you I'd be careful.” His eyes shone playfully. “Was it really that bad?”

  “Actually, no.” I fiddled with the strap on my helmet. “It was fun, once I realized I wasn't gonna die.”

  “It is fun,” he agreed.

  “Do you ride all over?”

  “Yeah, but this is my favorite part of the island.”

  “I can see why,” I said, looking up into the tree canopy. It was nothing like the east end of the island, which was as arid as this was lush. “I definitely want to come back...take it a little slower next time.”

  “You should. I mean, you'll never experience it like this again, but...” He was teasing again, which seemed to be his modus operandi. Our gaze held, making my heart contract. “You ready to head back?”

  ~

  “Thanks for the ride,” I said, handing over my helmet. We were back where we'd started, idling on the side of the road beside Rainbow. Theo, Cole, and Billy were back, too, sprawled on the blankets, drinking beer.

  Jude nodded. “My pleasure.”

  After an adventure like the one we'd just had, I felt like I should say something else, but I had nothing.

  “Let me know when you want to go again,” he added.

  I tried for grace as I got off the bike, but my legs were jelly. “Ouch…I can barely walk. I went jet skiing earlier, too.”

  “Yeah...you're gonna be in pain tonight.” Jude chuckled. “Just go for a swim. Relax.” His eyes flashed to something behind me, and I turned to see Theo.

  “Hey, Emma said you'd gone for a ride,” he said, looking at Jude. “How'd it go?”

  “It was fun.” I touched his arm. “Like jet skiing, but scarier.”

  He chuckled, nodding. “I bet. Hey, thanks for bringing her back in one piece, man.”

  “Of course,” said Jude. “I'll see you guys, eh? Gotta catch up with my friends.”

  “That was random,” Theo said, as we walked back.

  “I know, right? They rode up when I was getting lunch at the food van.”

  By late afternoon, Rainbow was the place to be. Little kids chased the water as it receded, only to squeal with joy as it came back. A pack of rowdy teens peacocked beside us, girls gossiping and boys standing on their hands. We refreshed our beers and joined our friends in the water, mellowing out on floats.

  Jude walked by a little later with a group of guys I didn’t recognize, laughing and loud, their accents strong. His dark hair gleamed wetly, and he’d lost the shirt, showing off his smooth, toned chest. His gaze swept over me as he passed.

  The sun burned hot, and so did my face. Closing my eyes, I sank beneath the surface.

  It cut me open, this feeling of inevitability.

  Chapter Six

  On Monday Cole, Logan and Billy left for a three-day chartered sail down to the British Virgin Islands. They were gone by dawn, leaving Theo and me on our own.

  Having the house to ourselves was a treat. Cole had been a fun and gracious host, but I didn't know him the way Theo did. That was doubly true of Billy and Logan, even though we got along well. I missed walking around in my underwear, having the TV to myself late at night. I missed having a clean bathroom, toilets unadorned with pee.

  “I just don't get why Billy uses the guest bathroom when he has his own,” I said, tossing the salad I'd made for dinner. “I almost fell in the other night because he left the freaking seat up again.”

  Theo snorted. “Yeah, he's kind of a slob. Cole says he's always picking up after him on the boat, too.”

  I made a face. Billy was like, twenty-four. At what age did one learn?

  “Maybe we should get our own place,” he continued, pouring me a glass of wine. “I'm sure they have Airbnbs around here.”

  “Oh.” I glanced up at Theo. “I didn't mean—”

  He shook his head. “I've been thinking about it, too. I wouldn't mind switching things up.”

  “Really? I thought
you loved it up here.”

  “I do, but I might stick around after you go back. I’d need my own space anyway…something more centrally located.” He leaned on the counter. “Or maybe we can find something near Cane Bay, next to that dive spot everyone talks about.”

  That made sense, especially if he planned on spending some of his gap year on St. Croix. Cole’s place was far from everything else. Nodding, I pushed a plate Theo’s way, letting him serve himself.

  By the time the guys came back from their trip, we'd decided to go for it. Cole didn't seem too fazed by our leaving, but then he had a lot going on anyway. He hooked us up with Eli and Nora, a couple who rented out the other side of their duplex. They lived mid-island, in a quiet residential neighborhood not far from the beach.

  “You're kidding me,” Ivy said, tickled. It was Thursday afternoon, and as usual, Theo and I had ended up at Larsen's. “Eli and Nora Taylor?”

  I nodded, sipping on my Shirley Temple. “You know them?”

  “Nora's the girl I was telling you about, the one who works with sea turtles.”

  “No way.” I shook my head at the serendipity of it of it all. What were the chances? “Small world.”

  “Small island,” she said. “You'll love her, I know it. She and Eli are down-to-earth, very chill.”

  ~

  In the morning, Theo and I threw our bags into the rental and left Cole’s. GPS could be sketchy on the island, so we relied mostly on the directions Eli Taylor had given us.

  “He said to turn at the end of the road, near the pink house,” I said, poking Theo. I suspected he was still foggy from his goodbye wake ‘n bake with Cole. “You passed it!”

  “There are two pink houses.”

  I shut the radio off. “But this is the only one with a painted rock near the entrance.”

  “Fine, fine,” he griped, turning the car around. Sure enough, the dirt road we turned down culminated in a little yard dotted with bright red trees—just as Eli had described. An orange and white kitten scampered across the front porch, disappearing behind a planter.

  Savory cooking smells greeted us at the door. Theo knocked, glancing down at me with a curious smile. A young, Asian woman in overalls and a messy ponytail appeared, smiling through the screen. “Theo and Alina, right?”

  “That's us,” Theo said with a wave. “Nora?”

  “Guilty as charged.” Welcoming us inside, she led us into a bright, open living room. Toys were everywhere. Little easels boasting finger painted masterpieces sat beside a table littered with art supplies. “Please excuse the state of things...we're a hot mess during the summer.” Someone screeched from another room, as if to emphasize her point.

  “That's what summer’s all about,” I said, thinking of my little brother, Adam. He left his stuff everywhere during vacation, and he was fourteen.

  “It is, indeed.” Nora plucked a key ring from the counter, motioning for us to follow. “Come, let me show you the apartment.”

  ~

  St. Croix was almost surrounded by a barrier reef, so the diving was top-notch. We spent the entire weekend at Cane Bay, exploring living coral gardens and the famous Wall, which was thousands of feet deep in areas. I'd been a certified scuba diver for years, but I was blown away at the diversity of fish, sponges, and coral. We even got to see a pair of sea turtles, which was the highlight of my trip thus far.

  Nora caught up to us on Monday, as we brought our groceries inside. “Hey, how’s everything working out?”

  “It’s perfect,” I said, and it really was. As posh as Cole’s East End bachelor pad had been, this was more my speed. Cozy, colorfully furnished, and private, surrounded by trees and flowers. There was even an air conditioner in the bedroom—that earned Theo’s vote. “We love it.”

  “Good, good.” She brushed her dark hair from her eyes. “Let me know if there’s anything you need.”

  “Will do.” We shared a smile, and I followed Theo inside.

  We’d just finished putting everything away when there was a knock at the door. It was Nora again. “Don’t know if you two have dinner plans, but we’d love to have you over. We’re going to grill the snapper Eli caught earlier.”

  Theo raised his eyebrows, glancing down at me. “That sounds amazing.”

  “It does,” I agreed. “Thank you! Can we bring anything?”

  “Just yourselves,” she said, waving me off. “Normally we leave people alone, but friends of Cole’s are friends of ours.” This wasn’t the first time I’d heard this since being on St. Croix, and the sentiment touched me.

  “We appreciate that,” said Theo, leaning against the doorframe. “Thanks, Nora.”

  “Don’t mention it. We’re eating around six.”

  ~

  Living next to Eli and Nora ushered in a new era. They were easy to be around, more friends than landlords, and we spent many evenings on their front porch, talking until late into the night.

  Nora was older than me, but not by much—27 to my 22. The classes she’d taught at UVI focused on wildlife conservation, something she was still passionate about though she’d officially “retired” to be a full-time mom.

  “Most of the advanced academic stuff was at the St. Thomas campus when I was in grad school,” she said one afternoon. We were hanging out in the kitchen, noshing on nachos. “But the local campus is starting to catch up, thankfully. St. Croix has always been a hotspot for conservation and research work because of the sea turtles.”

  “Tell me more about that,” I said. “What exactly do you do? Tag and follow?”

  She nodded. “We work with local agencies, like the St. Croix Environmental Association, the Nature Conservancy, tagging turtles and collecting data during the summer. Most of my work’s at Sandy Point, which isn’t open to the public right now, but if you wanted, you could come as a volunteer.”

  I sat up in excitement. I loved the slow pace of island life, but part of me itched to get back to research. “Really? That would be incredible.”

  “We’ll get you sorted, then. Introduce you to Gerald and the others.” She cocked her head. “It’s too bad you won’t be here in September—that’s when hatching hits its prime.”

  “Man, I’d love that. Classes start in August, though.”

  “I get it.” She shrugged. “Well, you’re always welcome to stay with us if you come back. I don’t know how long Theo plans on living here, but…”

  “He might stay longer.” Something like envy tugged at my heart. “For a while, at least. He wants to live it up before he starts law school next year.”

  “I hear that. Anyway, I’m heading down to Sandy Point with a group on Wednesday night if you’re interested.”

  Grinning, I typed it into my phone’s calendar. “Definitely. I’ll mention it to Theo. He doesn’t geek out about this stuff like I do, but…”

  “You can ride with me,” said Nora. “We just have to get you vetted so you have beach access.”

  “Are you gonna come with us, Alina?” Sydney, who was seven, plopped into my lap. We’d become fast friends over the past week. “To see the sea turtles? The babies are this little and so cute!”

  “I’d love to,” I said. “But I might not be here when the baby turtles hatch.”

  “Where ya going?”

  “Back to Florida. For school.”

  Sydney wrinkled her nose. “Florida?”

  “Yup. That’s where I’m from.”

  “Okay.” She handed me her comb, having moved on I guess. “Can you do my hair? Like yesterday?”

  “Syd.” Nora pursed her lips. “It’s a little late, honey. Come on.”

  “Please.”

  It was hard to say no to someone so cute, but the hour was late. “How about tomorrow? We can do a French braid again, if you want.”

  I’d never been hungry to have kids, but Sydney and Sadie Taylor made me reconsider. Chatty and feisty, they were also unbearably cute—tan and tiny remixes of Nora’s Korean features and the blond, blue-eyed E
li. They’d really taken to Theo and me during our time as neighbors, making realize how awesome it was to be loved by small children.

  We were on the porch swing late the next evening, playing with kittens and doing French braids, when a black Jeep pulled into the driveway. It crunched to a stop over the gravel, music cutting out as the door opened. Sadie, who was four, leaped from the porch. “Uncle Joo!”