Keeley took one look in the mirror and ripped out the bobby pins holding her brown locks back. Twenty minutes she'd been standing in the bathroom, curling and fidgeting with her hair and what did she have to show for it? Absolutely nothing. If anything, her hair looked worse—like a monstrous version of Albert Einstein's. Normally, she would put it in a bun and called it a day, but today wasn't any day. In exactly thirty minutes she would be meeting with Talon for the first time since sending those texts.

Her skin tingled with equal parts excitement and nerves. The meeting felt monumental, even bigger than their first date—which on paper didn't seem logical, but in a weird way it made sense. All the secrets, all the dirty laundry was out in the open. There were no more excuses for running away. This was it. They were finally getting a chance to date on an even playing field. Nothing was holding them back.  

Now if only I could tame this beast, she thought to herself as she grabbed a hairbrush and started untangling the knots.

Ten minutes later, she headed downstairs with a sore scalp and what felt like ten pounds of hairspray. She went into the living room to get her purse and bypassed her brother who was parked in front of the TV, lying on the couch in the same position she'd seen him since breakfast.

"You going somewhere?" he asked idly, one hand behind his head, the other on a remote flipping through channels.

"The boardwalk."

"I'll go with you." He dropped the remote and started to sit up. "I need to get out of the house."

"You can't," she said in a panic.

"Why not?"

"Because..." Because she didn't want her brother to mess up her relationship again. No, that wasn't fair. It wasn't his fault things went south with Talon.

"Because what?" he asked, standing up. He stretched his arms wide and yawned, looking like a bear coming out of hibernation. "And don't tell me it's because you're going to The Shack."

"I'm not."

"Good." When Zach learned what happened with Van, he had a fit. He wanted her to quit immediately and find a new job. "Those people should never have put you in that position."

"They didn't. Shawn couldn't have known what would happen."

"He knew that his friend had a problem." He held up a hand when she started to protest. "Has Van even bothered to thank you for possibly saving his life?"

"No," she replied, fiddling with the car keys. "I haven't heard from him." However, Shawn had called her several times to update her on his condition.

Zach gave her a knowing look.

"He was in the hospital," she replied defensively. "He couldn't call. Besides, he just checked himself into a rehab program."

Zach shook his head and picked up a sweatshirt thrown over the back of a chair. "I still think you should find some place else to work."

She might have caved before, but she was stronger now. She didn't need her brother's approval. The situation with Talon taught her that. "I like The Shack," she stated firmly. "I'm not going to quit."

He paused as he put on the sweatshirt, half of it covering his face. Then he shrugged and pulled it down, letting the topic go.  "So where are we going then?"

"We're not going anywhere."

"We're not?"

His tone made her cross her arms. "I'm going to the boardwalk. You're staying here." Away from Talon.

His eyes narrowed as he studied her face. Something must have tipped him off because seconds later he groaned, "This again? I thought he was over and done with."

"I know you don't like him and that's fine." She'd accepted the fact they would never get along. "But your feelings do not factor into my relationship with him just as how his feelings do not factor into ours."

"It matters," he argued. "How can it not?"

She didn't want to bring up a painful topic, but he left her no choice. "What if Claire wanted to get back together and I told you I didn't like her?"

His nose wrinkled. "You have no reason not to like her. She's never done anything to you."

"But if I didn't?" she pushed. "What then? Would tell her no? Walk away?"

He tilted his head down and pressed his lips together.

"See? It's not that cut and dry."

Thrusting his hands into his pockets, he replied, "It doesn't matter. That scenario would never happen."

Eyes filled with compassion, she told him softly, "Zach, it's time to move on." He was so busy looking backward, getting caught in a cycle of regret and unhappiness that he couldn't break free. How could he ever move forward with his life?

His jaw clenched for a few moments before he blew out a breath and admitted, "You're right.

I need to stop holding onto the past." A small pause and then a low murmur, "There's nothing left for me there anyway." She knew that last comment wasn't directed at Talon. He lifted his head and looked her in the eye, a sad smile pasted on his face. "I'm going to go walk Tucker. I'll see you later." 

"Wait, Zach—"

But he was already out the door with a leash in hand. Biting her lip, she wrestled with wanting to go after him, but knew he wouldn't open up. His feelings for Claire were deeply private. It was only by chance that she saw him cry after getting his class ring back. So instead she grabbed her purse and went to meet Talon.

He was already waiting for her by the time she pulled into the parking lot. His posture relaxed as he sat on a bench, quietly observing the waves, a pack of Peeps next to him. He didn't look nervous at all. Maybe she was the only one who thought this was a big deal. As she walked up behind him, she noticed he kept glancing down at his hands and then rolling his shoulders.

"Hey," she said hesitantly, slowing her steps as she neared.

His head jerked up at sound of her voice and he exhaled. "You made it."

"I did." She rounded the bench and stopped, not sure what she should do. What exactly was the protocol for seeing an ex-boyfriend who you planned on getting back together with? Should she hug him? Not touch him at all? Offer a polite handshake? Make a joke?

He jumped out of his seat and shoved something in his pocket—her phone. Her eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of the screen. It was text messages from her. Her gaze flew to his face and he gave her a sheepish smile. The tight coil of nerves she felt suddenly eased and she knew everything was going to be okay.  

"Why are you way over there?" he asked.

"Because I'm waiting for my hug."

He took two long strides toward her and scooped her up in his arms leaving her breathless. "I thought you'd never get here," he whispered.

"I know the feeling," she whispered back, blinking away tears.

Finally, he released her and they decided to take a walk along the beach.

"So what do we do now? Start over with a clean slate?" he asked, holding her hand.

"I don't think there is such a thing as a clean slate. It implies that everything is forgotten and that's not that case."

Talon's nose crinkled as he pulled away from her and kicked a seashell. "What are you saying? That what I did will always count against me?"

"That's not what I meant," she told him, moving closer and linking arms. "I've forgiven you for keeping secrets from me. I just don't believe we can go on acting as if it never happened. It did happen, but the difference is that we've moved on. Or at least I hope we have." She felt a muscle in his arm jerk and her lips turned down. "Have we?"

Talon opened his mouth and just as quickly closed it.

"What?" she asked, casting him an anxious glance.    

He rubbed his jaw. "I think we need to discuss something before we can fully move on."

She took a deep breath and exhaled before replying. "Okay. What do you want to discuss?"

"I know you said you trust me, but do you really? Do you believe me when I say I won't ever betray you? Because I don't want to go through this again, Keeley. I need to know that you're not going to hold this over my head every time something comes up."

She tampered down the impulse to give a quick nod. He put a lot of thought into this and she needed to do the same. "I believe that you won't lie to me again, but can I ask something first?"

"Of course."

"I need you to promise you won't make decisions for me again. I don't appreciate the way everything came out about Claire. Can you do that?"

He looked into her eyes and nodded. "I can. I'll be upfront from now on."

She took hold of that promise and held it next to her heart. "Then yes Talon, I trust you."

"Good," he murmured, bringing them to a stop, "because otherwise this could have been a really uncomfortable conversation."

She laughed and looped her hands around his neck. "And what about you? Do you trust me not to walk away again?"

He smoothed a strand of her hair and then let his hands drop to her hips. "I trust you, baby doll. You more than proved that when you stole my phone."

"I didn't steal anything."  

He tugged her till she was flush against his body. Leaning down, he whispered, "Then what do you call us having each other's phones?"

Tilting her head, she whispered back, "Great planning."

"Hmmm," he murmured, capturing her lips in a kiss that made her stomach clench. Stretching her body upward, she closed her eyes and let herself be swept away by him. 

A loud whistle pierced through the air, penetrating the fog that clouded her mind. Dragging her head back, she looked over Talon's shoulder to see a group of middle schoolers watching them. 

"We have an audience."

"Who cares?" he muttered, trying to kiss her again but she dodged his attempts.

Stepping to the side, she scolded him. "They're kids!"

He rolled his eyes. "They could learn a thing or two."

This time it was her turn to roll her eyes. She grabbed his arm and moved them further down the beach, far away from young impressionable kids. 

"Uh, I think someone wants to get ahold of you," Talon said. He held up her phone. There were three missed calls and four texts. She snatched it out of his hand. They were all from Zach.

When are you coming home? –Zach

Keels? You there? Need a time. –Zach

You coming back anytime soon? –Zach

Stop making googly eyes at your boyfriend and pick up your phone! –Zach

"You're tense. What's wrong?" Talon asked, rubbing his hands up and down her back. She shifted closer and he started to massage her shoulders.

"Zach," she sighed, leaning into his touch.

His fingers tightened. "What does he want?"

"Who knows," she said, frustrated with her brother. Was he really going to resort to this type of petty behavior? "He keeps asking when I'll be coming home."

Another text from him popped up on the screen, but she didn't bother to read it. It was most likely some type of insult about Talon. She started to put her phone away, but Talon grabbed her arm.

"You should text him back," he told her.

Surprised, she angled her head back so she could look him in the eye. He looked sincere and there wasn't any sarcasm in his tone. "Really? You want me to respond?"

"He might be worried."

"He knows I'm with you. He's only doing this to bug us."

"Probably," he acknowledged with a nod.

"There's no probably about it."

"But," he said, stressing the word, "there could be a small chance it's something else."

Her eyes narrowed. "Why are you being so nice about this?"

He turned her around so they were facing each other. "Because after getting that phone call Saturday night, I know what it feels like to be out of your mind with worry." His eyes darkened as memories came rushing back.

Not wanting those thoughts to intrude on their happiness, she squeezed his hand. "It all worked out."

He flashed her a grateful smile. "It did. Just text him back and then we can forget all about it."

"Fine," she conceded. Letting him go, she quickly texted her brother.  

I don't know when I'll be home. Why? –Keeley

Are you going to be past curfew? –Zach

She glanced over at Talon who was a few feet away rolling up his jeans. He looked up and gave her a goofy grin, pointing to a plastic pail and shovel someone had left behind.

I don't plan to be. –Keeley

Do Mom and Dad know who you're out with? –Zach

"So much for being worried about me," she muttered under her breath. Before she could respond, he sent her another message.

Because I need to know what to tell them if I'm going to cover for you. –Zach

She blinked and then re-read his text. 

Cover for me? You'd do that? –Keeley

Well yeah. –Zach

The ends of her lips twitched as happiness bubbled inside of her. The fact that he would be willing to help her spend time with Talon said it all.

I don't think I'll be late but I'll let you know if I am. -Keeley

And thanks....it means a lot. –Keeley

You've had my back plenty of times. It's time to I re-pay the favor. –Zach

She frowned, not liking how that sounded.

You don't owe me anything. I covered for you because I wanted to. –Keeley

I know. And I'm doing the same. –Zach

Does that mean you accept Talon as my boyfriend? –Keeley

Don't get ahead of yourself. Let's just say I'll tolerate it. Have fun. –Zach

As she made her way over to Talon who was already starting to build a sandcastle—or attempting to because if she was perfectly honest, it looked nothing like a sandcastle—she wondered if her brother's new attitude extended toward girls. Hopefully, he could put aside his ways and finally date one.

"Everything okay?" he asked, plopping a handful of wet sand onto another huge blob of wet sand.

She briefly told him about her conversation with Zach. He seemed as surprised as she did, but when she suggested they might turn into friends, his surprise gave way to a fierce glower.

"It could happen!" she said, winking at his dismay.

Suddenly, arms picked her up by her waist and twirled her around, getting sand all over her clothes but she didn't care. "Talon," she laughed, holding on to his shoulders, "what are you doing?"

"I thought it was obvious," he said, spinning her some more before gently setting her back down. "I'm celebrating."

"That my brother gave us his approval?"

"I could care less about that. No, I'm celebrating us—our relationship." He dropped his forehead onto hers and clasped her hands, drawing them up to his chest. "We made it, Keeley. Through all the crap life threw at us...we made it."

Her brows furrowed together. "There still could be problems in the future. Just because things are fine now doesn't mean it'll always be."

He pressed her hands over his heart, letting her feel the steady beat. "But we can get through it." His tone dared her to disagree.

A surge of affection coursed through her and she reached up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Come on," she said, tugging his hand. "Let's go finish building your sandcastle."

"Sandcastle?!" Red spotted his cheeks. "That's not a sandcastle."

She looked at the misshapen mound and sighed with relief. "Good because I wasn't sure how to break it to you that it looked like something out of a horror story. What were you trying to make anyway?"

"It's a fort!" he exploded, his eyes flashing with indignation.

"Oh! Oh...."

"It's clearly a fort! That's the watch tower." He pointed over to a small lumpy pile with rocks stacked on top. "And see? The barracks are over here and the—" While he continued to point out all essential features of the so-called fort, she silently laughed, wondering how he ever passed an art class.

"Are you listening to me?" he asked, tapping his foot impatiently.

"Of course," she told him, managing to put on a straight face. "The barracks. How could I not see it before? It's so obvious."

A glint entered his eyes as he took a step toward her. "You, baby doll, are trouble."

"Never," she teased, taking a step back.

He started advancing, the sun bouncing off his blonde hair. "Maybe you should be put in the dungeons."

"You'll have to catch me first," she taunted, running off down the beach. She heard him call her name as he started to follow, his long legs chasing her down. Laughing, she blew him a kiss and then let the boy who owned her heart catch her once and for all.