Salty Kisses

Chapter ONE

Chapter ONE

I left the city that never sleeps with so many questions and doubts. Jay broke up with me and has already moved on with his new flame. While it leaves me with a taste of vomit in my mouth, I'm glad it's over. It turns out he wasn't the guy I thought he was. At all. He's a jerk.

But Peyton? I mean why didn't he say anything? All those years, he stayed silent when he wanted to be with me. He is one of my best friend, a confident and so much fun to be around. When he kissed me earlier, I didn't know what to do or say but he wanted me and claimed me. Things escalated so fast after that. We had sex in the apartment I shared with Jay. That's fucked up. To me, it was goodbye but to Peyton, I'm scared it was more. For now, I can't think about it. It sucks to do that but I won't contact him, he'll have to do it. Sex was a terrible idea. Even if it was fun.

It shouldn't have happened. The kiss was fine and it should've stopped there. I got lost in the moment big time. Before I'm over my breakup with Jay, I'm already engaging with another man. This isn't me. What is happening to me?

Driving my Jeep to Wilmington, I try to think of something else but there's nothing else on my mind. North Carolina is the state where I was born. I grew up in a military family, in Fayetteville. The beach of Wilmington, the summer house are synonyms of good memories.

I called my mom in a panic when my world went crashing down and she suggested that I spend some time in our summer house by the ocean. Yes, that's what I need. The beach, the ocean, and my board. One hour of surfing would do me more good than five hours of therapy. Call it back to basics. What I used to love more than anything before I moved away.

Leaving the few New York City friends I have, including Peyton, suck. Wilmington is beautiful and offers a different lifestyle but I don't have any friends there.

The drive is easy with the music blasting out of the speakers. I may not have a voice when I get there but who cares? I'll be alone in my own little bubble.

The summer house is located on the beach and away from all the attractions in a quiet area. I can't wait to look up at all the stars at night or to relax on the porch with a coffee in the morning. No longer surrounded by the big city constant noises, I'll enjoy the sound of the wave breaking on the shore. I won't have any issues getting used to that lifestyle.

Driving to the summer house in one shot seemed like a good idea but as I enter Wilmington, I am exhausted and all I think about is calling it a night.

Dad's friend was supposed to come into the house yesterday to have everything running for me. So hopefully, I'll unpack and crash into my bed.

Tomorrow will be grocery shopping and I wouldn't mind finding a job in a small cafe or something like that. Just so that I have enough cash to live on without digging into my savings.

One of the good thing with Jay, he only made me pay a very small portion of the rent so I saved up for five years.

The smell of the salted water, the warmth of an August evening, I breathe it all in. There is a smile growing on my lips knowing I'm only a few minutes short of arriving at the summer house. I spent most of my summers here with my parents and grandparents. It brings out so many good memories. The houses from the neighborhood pass by slowly until I see it. The Willis House as it is written over the front door. I park my car and get out without wasting a minute. My legs need a good stretching.

"I'm here," I say facing the house.

I find the hidden key my mother told me about. She said under the third rock on the right of the door, I lift it and find a small plastic box with the key I need.

"Great."

I unlock the door and find myself in the living room. From here, I can already see the sand and the ocean. The first floor is an open space with the living room, kitchen and dining room. The wall facing the ocean is made of floor to ceiling windows.

I open a few windows to let the breeze in while I unpack the Jeep.

Having Peyton here would be kind of helpful but no, it isn't a smart idea for now. I needed a break of boy related complications. I like Peyton but I've never thought of him that way and what we had done earlier today was a mix of bad decisions.

Box after box and bag after bag, I clear the car with sweat rolling down my forehead and back. I'm not made for this. I have four bags of clothes to bring to my room on the second floor.

I sigh. I'll do that tomorrow.

I grab a towel from the cabinet and hop in the shower. A well-deserved shower. So much happened today. I saw Jay for the last time of my life, I slept with Peyton and I already regret it and I moved all these boxes out of my car. For the first time today, I'm crying.

The reason why is still undecided. Hurt or tired, I can't tell but one thing I knew, today sucked.

***

Seagulls and the beautiful sound of the waves wake me up the following day. Groggy and confused, it takes a few seconds to remember where I am or that yesterday is real and not a dream.

"Ugh." I groan.

I open the curtains of my bedroom and let the sun enters the room. "Welcome to paradise," I say to myself. This place really is paradise. It once was owned by my maternal grandfather but when he passed away, my dad bought it and had it remodeled into a spacious modern home. I've spent many summers here and my parents still come to relax every once in a while. Lucky for me, my bedroom had the best possible view of the ocean. I could see the pier from afar or the ocean and both happen to be postcard worthy.

Taking the moment to let the fact that I'm here sink in, I close my eyes and enjoy the morning breeze coming into my room.

I have a lot to do today. There are boxes that don't need unpacking since the house already have everything I need. These boxes are going to be tossed in the garage. I had no idea how long I would stay here but for now, this is where I wanted to be. My family holds an important place in my life and so did my friend but a break is much needed right now. Alone time is what I want.

At 28, it sucks to be single again. Most women at my age have a husband, kids and own a house. Apart from living in New York City which I think was an amazing opportunity, I have nothing.

I worked so hard in the past few years. Long hours, high level of stress, this isn't the type of living I want anymore. Right now, I don't know what I want for my future but I need a job. Anything that will help me pay for my needs and doesn't require me to dig into my savings. When I was with Jay, we had talked about traveling around the world and that's why I saved all this money.

"We can stay a month in Costa Rica, Australia or wherever we want." Jay knew how to convince me. All I could think about was surfing around the world.

Jay had a lot more money than I did. Yes, my family has money, too much of it but my dad thought I should first try to earn it. I have a degree, work experiences which make me proud of myself. My dad is a military retired but my mom, she owns a small fortune. Her family side has a lot of money. More than I can count.

I sigh. I guess I won't be traveling the best surfing beaches across the world after all. Wilmington will have to do.