Chapter Three
"Fucker," Edward said, pushing his cousin, Alec, away. He almost tripped over his dog thanks to him, when they came running onto the beach.
"Where are all the babes?" James asked, circling around with his arms wide open. It was early and a Wednesday, but Edward had no doubts that in a couple of days, the beach would have a lot more people.
"I told you, asshole, that we couldn't afford a place near Pismo or Morro Bay. This is what we could get for the money you gave me." None of them were rolling in dough, so they had settle for what they could get. Two weeks in Cayucos, California would be only four days in Pismo. They wanted to spend as much time together as they could, because in two months all of them were scattering all over the globe for college.
"That means someone needs to stay sober to drive us back," Alec pointed out.
"I already said I'd be a designated driver if you manage to score some alcohol," Ben said, pushing his glasses up his nose. At five-seven, Ben was the shortest of the group, and used to taking one for the team. Edward hated it, as he was his best friend since grade school. He had to make sure Ben had a little fun, too. "I don't mind."
Alec was by far the tallest in the group and easily passed for legal drinking age with the beard he grew out. With the dark scruff and expensive haircut, he looked about twenty five. They hoped he'd find a place that didn't card him. Alec draped an arm across Ben's shoulders. "No, I have plans for you, Ben. I plan to get you good and drunk, and find you the perfect girl to get to third base with."
"Leave him alone, asshole," Edward said, rolling his eyes. "If I remember correctly, not all of you have even managed to get to second base in the last year. So, shut it." They looked around, and saw a few people on the beach and a couple of surfers in the water.
Edward's hands ran through his longer than normal hair. He rebelled a bit in the past year, letting it grow out. Things hadn't been going well with his parents, even though he managed to get a scholarship. Actually, because he was leaving, the tension worsened once the school of his choice accepted him. He wasn't like his late brother; never had been, either. Yet, they'd been so strict over the last two years, that he barely left the house for anything but school and work.
He hadn't been some jock or nerd in high school in the last four years, but he was always sort of in between. Riley had been the school's golden boy, a title Edward never wanted. His grades were never a problem, he just managed to not to be in the top ten. Sports were never really his thing, though he swam and ran as much as possible. It kept him fit and helped him get through some of the toughest years of his life. His brother had left for college when he was starting his first year of high school. The summer before Edward's junior year, they received the call that would change everything.
His brother Riley had overdosed on heroin.
It wasn't long after his brother's death that his parents needed to know about Edward's moves every minute of every day. They tried to stop him from getting his license, until his grandfather had gotten him a car. Partying, or even dating seemed impossible for him, between them and dealing with the aftermath of Riley's death. After a while, Edward did everything he could to ensure he would find a way to go to a college of his choice and not his parents. They wanted him to stay close to home, so they could check on him. He wanted out, because he shouldn't pay for the things his brother did.
"Hey, look," James said, pointing toward the row of houses just up the hill. "Someone's checking us out." Directly behind them, was a two-story house with a glass balcony, where two girls stood.
"They could be old ladies, or something," Alec said, chuckling and pushing James.
"Get some contacts, asshole. No way, they are sexy as fuck. Besides, cougars are hot." James waggled his eyebrows, waving at the girls.
Edward shaded his eyes to see, and James was right. He couldn't see their faces, but the way they moved, he had to agree with James. Edward wasn't going to be rude and not wave, too. The one with long hair and a body to die for waved back, but soon, she and her friend disappeared further inside the house.
Eric and Mike joined them, asking if they could have a fire later that night. After tossing the ball around for a while, as he fucked around with his guitar, they finalized their plans to head out to find the beach house they rented for the next two weeks. They needed to grab something to eat; everyone was starving.
They hiked up to the van, but Edward was taking his time with his dog, who had yet to do his business. "Come on, boy." He finally hiked up a leg. Once done, they headed toward the van, but Edward saw one of the girls they'd seen earlier leaning against the railing of the balcony. He was very happy he was alone, because she was cute and sexy. Dressed in shorts and a red bikini top, it was hard not to stare at her long legs.
She gave him a little wave. "Cute dog," she said, a smile on her sweet face. "What's his name?"
"Riker," he said, wondering if she'd ask why he named him that, like everyone else.
"Ah, does that make you Captain Picard?"
He nearly choked on his tongue. She knew! Hell yeah. A science fiction fan was a definite plus. From where he stood, he couldn't tell what color her eyes were, but her hair was incredible. Brown, a few shades of blue, and it was long as fuck. He loved it and the way it blew around her, all he wanted to do was climb up the stairs to reach her and touch it.
That's not creepy at all, you ass.
Her smile wasn't as big, and he wondered what he did or said while ogling. His mouth did tend to run off while his mind wandered. "You guys coming by later?" she asked.
"If you're going to be around, I can make it happen."
She giggled, averting her eyes a little. If he wasn't mistaken, he'd have sworn she was blushing. "I might be."
"Bonfire tonight," he said, holding his hand over his bare chest. "Please honor me with your presence."
"Something tells me you're trouble."
He grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. "Only the best kind, I swear."
She shook her head, her hand raising to move her hair out of her face. It did incredible things to her chest, the sides clearly visible in her bikini top. "All right, Cap, I'll be there."
"Bring your friend," he said, grimacing when he heard his friends call out for him. He was not looking forward to getting into the van that six guys spent eighteen hours stinking up. It smelled worse than a gym locker. "Gotta go, see you tonight."
As he ran off, he heard her say, "I'm in so much trouble." Something told Edward, so was he, and he was looking forward to it.