Forbidden (Franklin West University) by Addison Arrowdell

Author:Addison Arrowdell [Arrowdell, Addison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heated Heart Publishing
Published: 2022-09-29T16:00:00+00:00

DOUG

Standing on the beach, the cold air whipping off the waves as I stare at the never-ending horizon, my problems seem to shrink by the second. Sitting at home, stewing in my own filth, it was easy to think that my world was slowly crawling to a halt—finally reaching its pitiful demise. But out here, as I breathe the salt air into my lungs, I can almost taste the hope and possibility.

Voices carry to me on the wind and I try to ignore the uncomfortable twinge in my gut. I hadn’t expected anyone to come looking for me. Drew and Mika have called and messaged a few times, but I’ve blown them off. I didn’t tell them when I’d be back from the UK, so I’m assuming they think I’m still there.

I’m not sure whose idea it was to drag me out of the house today, but it fills me with an uncomfortable warmth, and my nose wrinkles at the unfamiliar feeling. I’m someone people tolerate. I always have been. Drew and Mika keep me around, but only when it’s all three of us and only when we’re drinking. I’m not saying they don’t care about me, but we have a different kind of friendship. They wouldn’t come to me with their problems any more than I’d go to them with mine. I know Drew and Mika have lunch together often and no one invites me. Maybe they did at the beginning. I can’t remember. So, these three tossers turning up, wanting to spend time with me, by choice? Quite honestly, it’s thrown me for a loop.

“McMann!” Masters shouts. “Get your ass over here.”

I bite back a smile, schooling my features into a scowl before turning and heading over to the huge plaid blanket they’ve laid out. The section of beach we’re on is completely deserted. Which isn’t surprising at midday on a Friday in early February.

“Great weather for a fucking picnic,” I say as I sit down, pulling my collar up around my neck against the wind.

Masters cracks open a can of beer and shoves it at me. “Shut up and drink.”

I accept the can and watch as Joy opens the cooler, pulling out flasks and bags of crisps.

“What’s with all the flasks?” I ask when she’s balanced four of them on the blanket. “Are we playing a drinking game?”

“It’s soup, you idiot,” she says. “We knew it would be cold. Not exactly bread and cheese weather.”

That’s actually really smart, and I nod appreciatively. “In that case, maybe spirits would have been better than beer.”

Masters reaches into the cooler and pulls out a bottle of rum. “There’s only one beer each, then we’re on to the hard stuff. Well. Except for Mr. Grump over there.”

I follow his line of sight to where Aldo is sitting, his arms wrapped around his knees as he stares out at the ocean. “Why are you grumpy?”

Aldo just glances at me out of the side of his eye then returns his attention to the waves.

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