Free Shady Bay by Casey L. Bond, Anna G. Coy

You threw freezing cold water on me, made me chase you, tackled me, and then squished the air out of me. You deserved what you got. Don’t want none? Won’t be none.”
    “You’re crazy.”
    “Yep. Best be learning.”
    “Oh, I am.” I grinned sweetly at him and he shook his head.
    When June and Brody returned to find Jaxon curled up on the towel next to me, I’d decided enough was enough. “So when are you guys going to go out?”
    June coughed. “What?”
    “Yeah. You obviously like each other. Go out on a date. Ask her out, Brody.” I looked at him and nodded my head toward June.
    He didn’t hesitate. “I’d love to take you out, June.”
    “Sure.” I’d witnessed the unthinkable. Someone rendered June speechless. Then she turned to me and said, “But, only if, you let me set you up with a friend of mine. You need to get out once in a while.”
    And it backfired. “Fine. You’re right. I do need to get out more.” I stood up and dusted myself off. “Time to get ready for work tonight. Oh, and June?”
    “Yeah.”
    I pointed my finger at her. “No freaks.”
    She and Brody laughed. Jaxon just stared at me. Weirdo. Must still be mad.

 
     
     
     
     
    Since Mercy had so heinously assaulted me on the beach, I’d only talked to her in passing at Shady. I saw the schedule board had been changed and that she’d traded shifts with Stacey. Must be date night. Her blonde ponytail swished back and forth as she made tracks to and from the tables on the main floor. She’d only ever waited on the sand until today, but Stacey was an indoors kind-of-girl. I’d have to find someone to take the sand tonight so she could be in here, or I’d have to hear her drone on and on about her pedicure getting messed up.
    “Mercy.”
    She jogged over to me. “Yeah?”
    “You traded shifts with Stacey?”
    “Yeah. Summer said we could trade as long as we write it on the board.”
    “She was right, just let me know next time, too.”
    “Sure. Sorry, Jax.”
    She turned to go. “Hot date?”
    She spun around again, this time with a smile on her face. A genuine smile. Shit! “Yes. It’s the guy June set me up with. I’ve talked to him every day this week. He seems so sweet. I can’t wait.” She bounced on her toes a little.
    “Well. Have fun and be careful.”
    “Okay, Dad.” She rolled her eyes and walked to the kitchen.
     

     
    I’d been stuck at Shady all day and long into the night and was ready to head home. I said goodnight to the staff, made my way to my car and drove the few miles down the shore. A blue pickup was parked in front of Mercy’s place. I looked up and saw her and her date standing close together on her porch. Her porch light was on and the two were facing one another and talking, smiling. I realized I probably looked like a stalker, so I got out of the car and started up my own steps.
    “Hey , Jax.”
    “Mercy.”
    When I locked the deadbolt behind me I heard her laugh.
    “Can I kiss you, Mercy?” What a tool.
    “Yes.” Are you kidding me?! On a first date? Granted, I’d done a lot more than kiss the women I brought home.
    I shouldn’t have done it. I should have walked away, back to my bedroom. But I didn’t. I padded to the only window in my place that I could see her porch from and I watched them. He didn’t pull her close or knit his fingers into her hair. His touch was tentative, cautious. Hers was as well. She held on to his biceps as if they were holding her feet to the ground. Then it ended.
    Thank the good Lord above. I paced the carpet, wearing a trail, I was sure. I couldn’t stand it. I hated seeing her dance with the sluggers . I even hated seeing her dancing with Brody, even though I knew he was only a friend. I hated seeing how the guys at the bar looked at her.
    But this ? This was too much. Seeing her kissing that nerdy looking idiot was just too damn much. I slammed my palm into the wall I was closest to and then snapped back into reality. I was by the