2 8 | l u c k y  b a y

SUMMER WAS ENDING QUICKLY. It was barely 7PM, and the sky had already turned a milky purple, blending into darkness. A smattering of pale stars poked through grey clouds, the moon shining large and yellow high above the horizon.

The ocean sang to the moon, pushing and pulling in sync, waves reaching for the constellations. I smiled at the sound, drawing the shutters of the Shack down and locking them in place.

We'd had a group booking that ended late today, so I'd stayed back to help Tom lock up and store the kayaks. Everett had gone off with River and Connor a few hours ago and still hadn't returned. I glanced at the time on my phone, wondering if I should wait for him here, when footsteps crunched on the sand behind me.

I spun, meeting Austin's soft brown eyes.

"Austin," I sputtered, blinking in surprise. What was he doing here at this time?

Reading my mind, he sent me a half-smile, his eyes darting around unsurely. "Hey, Isla. River told me you were working late today."

"Oh." He wrung his fingers together and I furrowed my brow at him – at the way his smile faltered and didn't quite reach his eyes. He was never like this. I stepped forward, worry suddenly clawing at me. "Are you okay?"

He avoided my eyes, offering a shrug. My lips thinned and I rested a hand on his shoulder, unsure.

"Austin," I said, my voice firm and cutting through the slowly darkening beach. His eyes snapped up to meet mine and I arched a gentle brow at him. "What happened?"

I watched as he took his bottom lip between his teeth, chewing on it for a moment in thought before shaking his head. His eyes dropped to the sand and he released a quiet sigh.

"I broke up with Mia."

His voice had gone so quiet, it was difficult to hear him over the rising waves lapping at the shore. I shuddered to a stop at his words, my worry silencing and my hands growing still.

His eyes remained steady on mine, dark brown in the fading light and full of questioning – barely a flicker of hurt within them.

"What?" I couldn't help but ask. "Why?"

He shook his head again, his brow wrinkling and lips twisting.

"I don't know. We weren't good together. I..." He paused, lifting a hand to rest over mine. "I missed you, Isla."

"Missed me?" I repeated, my eyes growing wide. Something deep in my chest stirred at the words.

He nodded, stepping closer, his fingers tightening around mine. "I missed hanging out with you every day. I missed going to Isla with you and picking you up for work. I missed driving home with you, sunburnt and exhausted."

"But, Austin," I shook my head, confusion clouding my eyes, "she was your girlfriend. Us... We're just friends."

"But you want to be more than that."

My heart sunk into my stomach, lodging firmly and sending a wave of nausea through me. My vision blurred and I was sure I had swayed at the impact of his words. I rested a hand on the wall of the Shack, steadying myself.

"What do you mean?" I croaked, my voice coming out weak.

"Isla," he said, my name a breath on his lips – a whisper of wind over gushing waves. "I know you like me. As more than a friend. That you've liked me since primary school."

"What?" I sputtered, blinking. My face flushed, warm with embarrassment. "You've known this entire time? Why didn't you ever say anything?"

"I wasn't sure, Isla," he said, nonchalantly. He stepped closer and I felt trapped, suffocated by his presence. Our bodies were an inch from each other, his heat radiating onto me. When had I stopped craving that warmth?

"Isla." His voice grabbed my attention and I gazed up to meet his eyes. They hardened, his jaw tightening. "I see now. I had to lose you first, but now I see. I missed you."

"But –" I cut myself off.

He'd known since primary school. He knew this entire time. And yet, he continued lacing his fingers with mine in our car rides. He continued brushing his skin against mine and running his hands through my hair. He knew what it did to me, and yet he continued, like it meant nothing.

It hadn't meant nothing to me. Not for the past ten years.

Everett was right.

"Isla," he said, and I found myself suddenly hating the sound of my name on his tongue.

His hand released mine then, trailing up the side of my neck to cup my face. I stiffened at his touch, an uncomfortable lump settling in my throat. His eyes flickered over my shoulder for a moment before narrowing and then – then his lips were on mine.

I squealed in surprise, but he swallowed it with a kiss.

Immediately, everything around me faded to silence. The waves turned dull to my ears. I didn't hear the ocean tugging at the shore. I didn't hear the scrape of sand behind me.

All I could feel was the urgency in Austin's lips, and the touch of his hand against my jaw – calloused fingers, rough against my skin.

He didn't taste how I'd expected. I thought he'd taste sweet like the honey he took in his tea, or like the mangoes we shared every summer – like the tangy juice dripping down our chins. Instead, he tasted like the salt of the ocean, almost bitter against my tongue.

My eyes fell shut and I waited. For what? I'd waited ten years. And here I was, kissing Austin Wright, and still waiting.

Because I had expected fireworks. I'd expected goose bumps on my skin and fluttering in my stomach and painful thudding in my chest. I'd expected him to hold me in his arms and kiss me until I was dizzy and tell me he loved me.

But all I felt was the sliding of lips against lips, and his tight grip almost painful on my jaw. I felt his other arm snake around my waist, holding me flush against him.

I felt nothing.

All I could think about was someone else's lips. Lips that had been soft against mine. Lips that had tasted of sugar and vanilla.

I thought of Everett and how warm I'd felt against him – how hot his skin was on mine. I thought of the hazel in his eyes and how they sparked when we touched, when we talked.

It was impossible. He was leaving soon. I'd be in Sydney by next summer. We'd never see each other again.

But I had never been Everett's second choice. And that was enough for me.

I shoved Austin away, pushing at his chest until he released me and took a step back. I wiped at my mouth aggressively, trying to remove the bitter taste he'd left behind.

"What?" Austin asked, breathless. He wrinkled his brow at me, confused. "Isla, isn't this what you wanted?"

"It was," I admitted, crossing my arms. "It was for ten years."

"So, let it happen." He took a step closer and I took one back. He raised a brow at that, his lips thinning as he scanned my eyes. "Isla, I want you to be my girlfriend."

Pressure grew in my chest and I swallowed thickly. The words I'd waited ten years to hear.

Ten years too late.

"But I'll never be your number one girl, will I?" I asked, my voice quiet. The sound of waves washed over my voice, stars barely lighting his face enough for me to see the confusion in his dark eyes. "I'm just a back-up for you."

"What are you saying?" he asked slowly. "I just said I want you to be my girlfriend."

"No, Austin," I cut him off with a sharp look. "You lead me on. You use me when it's convenient for you, then leave me behind at the first opportunity. I'm your second choice."

"Second choice?" he sputtered, shaking his head. "Isla, are you hearing yourself? I broke up with Mia! For you!"

"Because I'm going to leave!" I was shouting now. My voice sounded distant to my ears, like I wasn't the one saying them. I pressed on. "You're losing your safety net, and you're worried. What's going to happen a month from now, Austin? Are you going to dump me for someone else? Get bored of me and tell me now's not the right time for us? Keep me waiting around for a few more years? Always fucking waiting?"

He said nothing, only stared at me, his jaw slack. I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head.

"You know what, Austin? I shouldn't have wasted any time on you." I turned, walking past the Shack and making for the bike rack at the edge of the beach.

Austin snapped out of his daze, jogging over the loose sand to reach me. He grabbed my arm and I twisted away from him, ripping it out of his grip.

"Come on, Isla," he said, his voice harsh in the quiet of the night. "This is what you've been waiting for! Just –" he cut himself off with an exasperated sigh. "Where are you going?"

"Where I should've been this whole time!" I shouted back, breaking into a run now.

"He's not going let you in!" Austin yelled.

I froze, blinking, before spinning to face him, my eyes wild. "What are you talking about?"

Austin's lips twitched up into a smirk now. He got me.

"Everett, right?" he asked, his voice lowering to a snarl. "He's not going to let you in, Isla. Not after what he saw."

"What he saw?" I echoed.

My heart lodged itself into my throat and I felt like I was suffocating. Of course. How stupid was I? Austin's eyes flickering over my shoulder before we kissed, his narrowed eyes, the sand crunching behind me as if beneath someone's feet.

Everett was supposed to meet me at the Shack.

"He saw us kiss," I managed weakly.

"You should've seen his face," Austin said, his voice cutting sharp and spiking a painful pressure in my chest.

"Is that why you kissed me?" I asked, frowning. My eyes watered and I shook my head, stepping back. "I thought we were friends, Austin. What happened?"

"He happened, Isla!" he shouted, waving his hands. "He came here, and you liked him. Don't give me that look, it was obvious. I saw the way you looked at him. It was the way you used to look at me."

Not special at all. River had teased me that day at the lagoon. He hadn't been the only one who noticed.

"And then he put ideas into your head, and then you said you were moving to Sydney!" he continued. "Sydney, Isla. How could you leave me? How am I supposed to live here without you?"

Suddenly, it all made sense. Why Austin would always pick fights with Everett. Why he'd kissed me so suddenly.

Because Everett was watching. Because I liked Everett, and not him. Because I was his safety net, and if I liked Everett, I would be gone. He needed to stop that from happening. He needed me to pine over him again. To get rid of my feelings for Everett and wait for him some more.

But he was too late.

I sharpened my voice into a low, threatening tone.

"Fuck you, Austin," I said, slowly. "Don't come after me."

He didn't chase me this time. I reached my bike, quickly unlocking it and hopping onto the seat. I rode it uphill towards Clemente House, my legs aching from a long day of work, but pushing as hard and quick as possible.

Because I wasn't Everett's safety net. I wasn't his back-up plan. Because Everett, not Austin, sent shivers down my spine and goose bumps blooming across my skin.

Because even if I only had a week, or a day, or an hour with him, I would choose Everett every single time.

I prayed he would be there.

I prayed he would understand. That he'd let me in, and Austin was wrong.

I jumped off my still-moving bike as Clemente House came into view, my shoes hitting the pavement hard. I threw it to the ground with a clattering bang and jogged up the steps, walking straight through the doors and up to the guest rooms.

I read every room number that I passed until I reached it.

Room 137.

I was out of breath, and my hair was probably horribly frizzy, and my face was probably flush from running up the stairs. But I took in a shaky breath and knocked on the door.

"Go away," came Everett's voice, muffled from deep within the room.

I rolled my eyes, knocking even harder. An annoyed grunt, then the door was pulled open to reveal him.

He looked like he'd come straight from the beach. He was still shirtless and in board shorts, his hair tousled and knotted from the salt of the water. His eyes fell on me and hardened.

"Monroe," he said. My chest ached. I didn't want to be Monroe to him. I wanted to be Isla. I wanted to hear him say my name.

He released a sigh at my silence, and took in my flushed, messy appearance. He stepped back, leaving the door open and taking a seat on his mattress.

I followed, closing the door behind us. He spoke before I could.

"So, you and Austin?" he asked. "Congratulations. I guess you've been waiting for this for a long time. Although, I have to admit. I didn't expect you to go for both Austin and River."

I blinked, stunned. Warmth spread throughout me, anger sinking its claws deep into my chest. I clenched my fists, stepping forward and shooting him a glare.

"Are you serious, Everett?" I spat. He looked at me with wide eyes. "I rode the hell out of my bike. I just ended a ten-year friendship. And that's what you're going to say to me?"

I shook my head, releasing a bitter laugh and turning. "I don't know what I expected."

I ignored the pang of hurt that ripped through my chest. I ignored the burning behind my eyes – the promise of tears yet to come. I had to leave before that promise was fulfilled.

I had just reached the door when Everett's hand wrapped around my arm. I twisted my body, aiming to force him to release me, maybe sock him in the face like the day we'd met, but his touch was warm and sent shivers running down to my fingertips.

And I found that I didn't want him to let me go.

But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of looking at him either. I glared at the door, waiting for him to speak.

"I'm sorry, Isla," he said quietly, and my stomach flipped at my name on his raspy voice. Isla. Like it belonged to him and him only. "I didn't mean that. I just – I saw you – you and Austin – in front of the Shack –"

His voice broke and I couldn't bear it any longer. I needed to see him. I turned, meeting his eye.

His face was pink, blushing and embarrassed. His hazel eyes were dark and hopeful. I wanted to reach up and run my fingers along those high cheekbones and agape red lips.

"He kissed me," I said finally. I watched him tense at the words. "I pushed him away."

Instantly, his shoulders relaxed, and his hand fell from my arm. He released a quiet breath, and then he was laughing. I frowned at him with narrowed eyes – laughing with his head dropped to stare at the floor.

I always knew he was secretly mad.

"I'm so glad," he said eventually, his laughter dying. He sent me a hopeful smile. "I'm so relieved."

It was my turn to blush now. My face warmed and the anger stirring inside of me quickly turned to desire.

"Everett," I said slowly. He nodded, listening keenly. "I don't like Austin anymore."

His lips twitched and he stepped closer, pinning my back to the door. His fingers tugged on my own before trailing up to rest at my waist. He dropped his head low, his breath fanning across my lips – sugar and vanilla and honey.

"Who do you want?" he asked, quietly.

I swallowed thickly. Why did he have to torture me like this? The embarrassment was killing me. I tilted my head, brushing my lips against his, but he pulled away.

"Say it," he said, his voice the rasp of stone against stone.

"The only one I want is you."

And he kissed me, hard.

My back hit the door, my head knocking against the wood, but I ignored it, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer. His hands dropped to my thighs, pulling on skin with calloused fingers and sending wild shivers up my spine.

He tilted his head, deepening the kiss and pressing his lips harshly against mine. There was nothing slow about it. My hands slid over his bare shoulders, feeling the way his muscles tensed – feeling the heat radiate off his skin.

"I'm leaving soon," he murmured against my lips.

"I know," I said, pulling away briefly to meet his eyes – dark brown and half-lidded. "I still want you."

"You'll get hurt." His eyes fell to my lips and he leaned in until his breath was mine.

"I don't care," I muttered back. "I'll be more hurt if we don't – if I don't –" my brain felt so foggy with his fingers digging into my thighs and our hips sharp against each other. I swallowed thickly, trying to form words. "I don't care if I get you for two weeks or two hours, Everett. I want you."

"Fucking hell," he said under his breath before leaning forward again, his lips meeting mine.

My nerves flared under his touch and with one swift movement, his fingers curved beneath my bum to pull me up, wrapping my legs around him and pressing me against the wall. I shuddered, my heart stumbling and butterflies going mad in my stomach.

He smiled against my lips before pulling away for a moment, scanning me with warm eyes and a smirk. He was hard against me, and even in the dark his face glowed with a blush, but he still quirked a brow in arrogance.

"Look at us," he teased, his voice husky. "Who would've thought?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. His smirk grew at my reaction and I pulled him back in before he could keep speaking, pressing my mouth against his and swallowing his words.

He pushed against me then, heat and desire trapped between us, like we'd been waiting all summer just to feel the press of our bodies against each other.

"Isla," he whispered against my lips, and it was perfect.

And we drank each other in, like summer was ending tomorrow.

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A U T H O R ' S  N O T E

There it is! We're in the end game now ppl! What did you think??? Tell me all your thoughts! On Austin, Isla, Everett? What do you think will happen next? Hint: Isla and Everett wake up, and Isla bumps into someone 🤭

The chapter was supposed to end at 'he kissed me' but I felt like y'all deserve more even though that was super embarrassing to write hahaha I hope you liked it! If you did, I could add more to the final few chapters so tell me what you think or what you want to see!

Thank you as always for reading, voting and commenting! See you soon! 💕💕