It Starts With Him

19

My phone dinging and vibrating annoyingly against my knee is what finally pulls me out of my stupor of misery. I lift my head up and stretch my arms as wide as they can go, hearing satisfying pops erupt from my upper back. That can't be good for me, but it can't be too bad if it feels that good. I unwind my legs from being crossed underneath of me for over an hour and push myself up. Standing upright, I brush all the remaining sand off the back of my legs

Gazing out over the choppy ocean, I try to ignore what's at my feet. The dreaded, empty songbook. I've been sitting on the beach for an hour now to try to get inspiration, but am I shocked that none came? No. No, I'm not.

After last night, the most whimsical night of my life, I thought there had to be something I had to say. And sure, I could come up with a cheesy romance song, but is that really what a big-time producer would be looking for? Definitely not. After the kiss, we danced our hearts out. Everything that had been plaguing my mind left it entirely.

The thought of the Outlaws, of Ace's unexplained bruising, and of his secrets and mysterious past in general. We took the cab home soon after and had the movie night (at my place, of course. Ace never even lets me bring up the option of it being at his.)

We ended up watching some cheesy hallmark movie even though it's late July. I loved it nonetheless. He had my hand wrapped in his the whole night, tightly as if something was going to snatch me away from him. Though we didn't kiss anymore in the night, I found I didn't really need it anyway. Just being with him was what I needed. All I wanted. All I've wanted for a while, but didn't let myself come to terms with.

Coming down to the beach today seemed like the best idea I could have had. It's supposed to storm tonight, so the air has a delightful chill. I love the warmth, but sometimes it gets to be a bit much, and a cool breeze is exactly what I long for. Back home in Madison, I loved a good stormy day for writing. I could always smell the rain in the atmosphere before it even came, and would brainstorm and write for hours on end in the studio, the rain pattering against the metal roof.

Here on the beach, the sky is greying, and the water is dark and choppy. Whitecaps sweep over the tide, coming close to the shore. The sand is almost deserted. Count on South Carolina folks to hide in their houses at the even passive mention of rain.

I tug the arms of my olive green sweatshirt over my wrists and pull my phone out of my black biker shorts pocket. I expect it'll be Ace, but instead, I'm greeted with Brooke Rodney's name in bold flashing across my screen.

Brooke Rodney: You've been on my mind since I saw you last and I'd love to hang and catch up! Text me:)

I smile to myself but frown when I glance back down at my songbook. It'll just have to wait another day. I don't know how long Yates Morgan is willing to wait, but hopefully, it's longer than early August, that's for sure. August 1st is just next week.

I scoop the book off the sandy ground and brush it off as I make my trek back home. The grey chill in the air makes me smile. This weather really can be refreshing. As I step into my house, I text Brooke back.

Devyn King: I'd love to! Free today?

Before I can even reach the counter to grab a snickerdoodle from the batch Lucas made, my phone is already vibrating in my hand.

Brooke Rodney: Yes!! Meet me at my place at 7?

Right after this is her address, and I glance at the time on the upper right corner of my phone. It's currently 6:20. I text her back affirming the plans and dash upstairs, nearly running into Lucas on my way up. "Are you or dad using the truck?" I ask him as I dart into my room, popping my head out. Half of a snickerdoodle sticks out of his mouth as he replies. "Not tonight, why?" he responds, his voice sounding muffled. "Meeting with a friend," I reply, closing my door before my sentence is even out. I toss my songbook onto my bed and head into the bathroom.