Wheat Golden Love

Chapter 4

"I got that sunshine in my pocket, got that good soul in my feet...," Ashlyn sings along off beat. Half of us are piled in Tanner's truck, the other half in Pete's with a couple of ice chest in the truck bed we take a trip to Orange Beach for the day.

Windows down while going over the long bridge that hung above the ocean, the air already felt like freedom. Tanner is driving with Sam next to him and Lincoln riding shotgun. Ashlyn, Nina, and myself are in the backseat. Nina and Ash are sipping on wine coolers and singing along to the music. I have my head laid against the headrest looking out towards where the ocean meets the sky. In Pete's truck rides Lauren, Katy, Silas, and Forest.

We'd all grabbed breakfast at Sally's before we hit the road. Katy had made the point, "guys, we can't drink on empty stomachs. It'll be a puke fest out there." And of course Silas would rather beer fill the coolers instead of making room for food.

We barely have time to park before doors are opening everyone ready to get out on the beach. The guys lug the coolers while us girls grab our beach bags.

Katy, Nina, and Ash run through the sand snagging an open spot near the volleyball net while Sam, Lauren, and I follow slowly behind chatting about Pete finally making it official with Lauren.

The guys were already digging out a place to play sand beer pong once we reach the spot. I lay out my beach towel and begin dressing down to only my bathing suit. Lauren pulls out her volleyball and tosses it up in the air before spiking it to Nina on the other side of the net. The guys are divvying up teams for pong.

After setting everything up, the guys decide to cool off by a run into the water. I'm propped up on my elbows watching the waves roll in relaxing against the fresh saltwater breeze when I hear my name from a smooth, unusual voice, "Pearl?"

I look up, pushing my sunglasses on top of my head, I squint at the sun to see Forest standing over me with his shirt off. Damn. The boy look good. I mean in a "tattoos, defined muscles, and bad boy" kind of way.

"What's up?" I ask as he squats down to my level. Holding out his hand he says, "I'm going for a swim, but I don't have anywhere to keep these from getting wet. Do you mind?"

"Uh, ye-yeah!" I stutter. "Definitely! I'll just put them in my purse."

"Thanks," he replies as he drops his hearing aides in my outstretched hand. It was the first time I'd seen him smile. It lit up his whole face, noticing his dimples, I smile back. Then he bounces on his feet back to a standing position heading in for a dive.

"What was that about?" Lincoln slides down next to me.

"Nothing." I lie not wanting to expose what Forest had trusted only me with. "Thought you were playing beer pong?" I attempt to change the subject.

Ignoring my attempt, "Seems like Nebraska has an interest in you." Lincoln takes a jab at something he has no business inquiring about.

Turning my head towards him making eye contact, "And? We're not together, Lincoln." I state matter of factly.

"Could've fooled me," sounding pissed.

"Seriously? Are you really going there? We've got the day out on the beach and you want to talk about us?" There's no hiding my aggravated tone.

"If you would actually talk about it...," he trails off while staring into the distance.

Getting up I rub the sand off my hands, "we already have, and you know damn well this isn't on me," and I left with that leaving him to remember why we never labeled whatever the hell we had.

Lincoln and I started out dating about six months before. It was after him and his long time girlfriend broke up. By the time he decided he wasn't ready for anything serious, I had already developed feelings for him. We ended things for a few months, but one night after a party he asked to come over. Since then, we've never labeled or discussed our relationship. We didn't even spend much time together, but sometimes he would be too territorial over me acting like we were more than what we were. And I'm sure we could be, but I kind of got burned when it ended last time. I haven't had the courage to take that plunge again.