Whiskey's Second Chance

28: Jealousy

Kayla POV

I hung up the phone and smiled to myself.

"I was wondering when you would smile again," a voice called from behind me, causing me to jump. "I thought I was going to have to call him myself, begging him to call you and do something about this whole thing. Thank god I didn't have to beg...Whiskey would have never let me live it down, and it's not my best look," Tiger assured me, smiling.

Thinking back, everyone, including Tiger, watched me mope around last week and it was downright sad. Even Lily checked in on me more than normal, trying to get me to take an extra day off, but I refused. Until now, I never thought a man would affect my attitude and actions as much as Whiskey has in the short time I have known him; but clearly he has.

Smiling at Tiger, "I'm sorry I've been so-so out of it for the last week. The wedding is a week away and everyone else is working diligently on it, and I've been bumming around or avoiding the house for no good reason. I'm sorry. I will call Lily and ask for a few days off this week and help you with whatever you need!" I reassured her.

"Don't worry about it. With everyone helping me out, pretty much everything is done, and all that is left is to get myself and everyone there in one piece! There's a few small things left to handle, but we'll figure it out," Tiger confirmed.

Apparently, in the last week, most of the long to-do list I had seen before was now complete. Which is reassuring to hear, but I feel horrible for not being there for Tiger and the others.

"Well, despite this last week, and my mood, I am ready to help and take some time off now. Plus, I think my conversation with Whiskey proved needed."

Tiger simply smirked and headed towards the door. "If you need something, I'll be at the clubhouse, or maybe my house. I haven't decided which disaster I want to tackle first," she laughed, closing the door behind her.

I couldn't imagine being in her shoes right now, with a wedding coming up, and building her own home with Ace. Tiger is being pulled in every direction. I, however, have nothing but work and whatever Whiskey and I are on my plate, and I can't even handle that without having a breakdown. All I want to do is fast forward a few days and be on the island with Whiskey. Talking while overlooking the ocean about anything and everything, working in the kitchen together for dinner, and maybe, just maybe, a kiss at the end of the trip.

When I told him I wanted to be brave, I was honest, but I didn't tell him the whole truth. I wished I was brave enough to tell him how I feel about him and ask if he viewed me as more than a friend. Lord knows I do, but that doesn't mean Whiskey does. I was too scared to ask him or say anything and now I am regretting it, but I know it is a conversation better had in person.

*****

The plane touched down, Looking out the window, white buildings with blue accents and awnings, and beautiful flowers and foliage grew everywhere. As the plane door opened onto the tarmac, the cool ocean breeze touched my skin and the smell hit my nose, and I couldn't help but smile. Ginger, Rachel, Haley, Raine, Lily and Tiger all squealed, excited for the next few days and to have finally landed. Ace and Killer insisted us girls and a few of the guys, Tiny, Gears, Shotgun, and Blade, fly in a private jet and we were beyond comfortable and taken care of. However, almost thirteen hours later, everyone was ready to breathe in the fresh air and touch solid ground.

As the door opened, I searched around for the one person I thought would be waiting for us, but I didn't find them. Shotgun leaned over behind me and whispered, "He's at the villa making sure everything is ready for us."

Thankfully, Shotgun was behind me or else he would have seen my complete embarrassment as I continued down the stairs and into the car. The drive to the hotel was gorgeous and everyone's eyes were glued to the windows as we drove up the tiny and windy streets. Gears and Rachel, however, kept their eyes on the road and tried to not throw up from motion sickness.

The closer we got to where we were staying, the more my nerves kicked in. I know Whiskey and I talked every day, whether through texting or phone calls, but I can't help but wonder if everything is alright between us. Our calls were lighthearted, fun, and about the wedding preparations, but never about us. The question "What are we?" was on the tip of my tongue, but each time I kept quiet, scared of the answer. My heart and head went to war every night. Hopefully tonight I will sleep with a small bit of peace and mind.

Twenty minutes later, we stopped in front of the most beautiful villa I have ever seen and realized this was where we would stay until the wedding. Everyone seemed to stand outside in shock and awe, unwilling to move, afraid to ruin the moment or place.

Whiskey casually walked over to us, smiling from ear to ear, wearing only a pair of shorts and sunglasses. My eyes ran over every muscle in his arms that were outstretched, across his chest, and down his torso as he welcomed us all to our new living quarters.

"Looks like someone is no work and is all play!" Tiger called out. Whiskey simply laughed and began making his rounds, welcoming everyone except me. His brown eyes locked with mine, and for a moment I saw lust beyond those dark-circled eyes, but I was wrong. He turned around and led us all into the villa and showed us around.

The entire ten-minute tour of the villa all I could focus on was why Whiskey seemed to want to put as much physical distance between him and I. Until now, I thought we were okay, but now I'm questioning everything.

We were back in the living room where we had dropped our bags off and now began the fight for who got which bedroom. I stood there as the others talked, realizing there were only six bedrooms and way more of us than there were rooms. A loud whistle rang through the room and silence fell.

"Alright guys, grab your bags. Let these girls sort this out while we go check out our living quarters' next door. Blade and Ginger get their own room here, all other guys, let's go!" Killer hollered. The guys let out a groan while the girls took their luggage and claimed their rooms, leaving Whiskey and me alone.

Whiskey stepped towards me, but Killer called for him. He smiled, winked, and walked out the front door. I let out a small groan and sigh, throwing my head back, frustrated with myself, and I knew why. My heart and body wanted him to see me, pick me up, and kiss me like no one was looking, but that was far from my reality.

As I stood there, I heard someone approach, but couldn't bring myself to move. "I'm sorry, Kayla," Tiger quietly said.

I turned around. "It's okay. I shouldn't have expected...whatever I was expecting."

Tiger looked at me like I was a sad dog who she didn't know how to help. Thankfully, the other girls came barreling into the room in bathing suits and cover-ups holding towels and sunscreen, with Ginger trailing behind. "Come on slow pokes, we're going to the beach before the bonfire tonight!" Raine beamed.

"Let me go change really quickly and we'll meet you out there," Tiger confirmed.

I grabbed my luggage and found a room with two beds, and one was empty. Finding my bathing suit, I quickly changed and found something to cover up and headed towards the back porch where a path led to the private beach. The porch overlooked the beach and I could see the others. Raine, Rachel, Lily, and Haley were all in the crystal clear water, while Tiger and Ginger sat under an umbrella and watched as the others swam.

Everyone was in a bikini and I couldn't help but feel jealous and self-conscious of myself. Despite Ginger being six months pregnant, she looked like a glowing goddess, while the others were all toned and tanned and I looked nothing like them. Finding a chair on the porch, I sat down, pulled out a book, and enjoyed the beach from afar.