Down the Shore (7 page)

I woke up the next morning still in the clothes I had on from the previous night. I still felt tired and wanted to go back to sleep, pretending it had all been a dream. I looked over at the alarm clock, aware of the day ahead and hopped out of bed to get ready for work. I stared at myself in the mirror and noticed the bags under my eyes, surely caused by the crying rampage. I threw cold water on my face, trying to give my eyes some relief. I walked out to grab a bite to eat, and saw Makenna, whom I had not noticed before, sitting on the couch. She looked up at me.

"Were you crying?” she asked, concerned. “Your eyes are so puffy."

She rose from the couch, pulling me toward her.

As I looked at my best friend, the tears came crashing back. Strong as the night before.

"What happened?” She forced me to look into her eyes.

"It doesn't matter,” I tried to convince myself.

"Yes, it does. What's wrong?"

"It's Nick. I thought we were having fun yesterday, but,” I hesitated. “But... he got a little impatient with me and then last night I think he may have been with another girl. I heard some people up there last night and I'm just not sure."

She looked at me confused. “So you're telling me you heard people, well, girls, I presume, and you think Nick was with one of them? Is that right?” She laughed at me.

"I'm just assuming,” I replied.

"Stop assuming. You'll go mad if you do.” She gave me a hug, “Dry your eyes and let's get to work. I'm sure it's nothing,” she assured me. “Besides, you don't want to get too attached to the guys down here. You'll never see them again."

"I know that,” I admitted.

"We don't want to be late for our last training day. Let me jump in the shower and then we can go."

Fifteen minutes later and looking refreshed, she grabbed my hand and off we went. Makenna made me feel better about everything; she made me realize Nick and I weren't dating exclusively, and I didn't have to do anything I wasn't ready for. He could see whomever he wanted and so could I. I had just hoped in the back of my mind that he was the one, and that I would prove enough for him. I still could be and I wasn't willing to give up on him yet. The summer had just begun.

After our last day of training, Joey scheduled the restaurant to open for lunch at eleven the next day. It was still early, so we walked farther along the boardwalk toward Clancy's. The beach teemed with its fair share of people even though it had barely reached ten. The forecast called for eighty-five degrees and high humidity. As we approached Clancy's, I noticed some girls gathering on the bench, laughing and tossing their hair in the breeze. Colin lounged right smack among them, laughing with them, pulling the hair away from a small blonde's face. I tried hard not to be aware of him, but that was impossible.

I turned my face away toward the storefront so he couldn't see that I was interested in anything he was doing. Makenna rambled on about a boy she had met the night before. I peered into the glass and casually looked back over my shoulder to get one last glance. Of course all the girls would be falling all over him. What was there not to like (except the cigarettes)? When I took one last glance, his eyes locked with mine. It surprised me—almost—to realize that he noticed. He smiled in his ever-so-charming way. I managed a small smile back. He looked like he was laughing at me under his breath when he looked away.

Our eyes met several times as the day went on, but we didn't speak to one another. He was like a magnet to me. I just wanted to be around him. I wanted to know more; I wanted to talk to him; I
had
to talk to him. I found him on the outside deck learning different drink concoctions when I approached. His hands fumbled with the glasses as he looked up.

"How's it going?” I asked, my teeth delicately biting my bottom lip.

His eyes lingered on mine before he placed the glasses down, and with one hand on the bar and the other on his hip, he said, “It's about time, lass.” His crooked smile made my heart skip a beat.

There was an awkward silence. When he spoke, his voice made my heart stop.

"Abigail,” he cocked his head to the side. “It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Colin Murphy.” He held out his hand. I reached out to take it, but I knew I might never want to let it go.

"It's Abby, actually,” I corrected him. “How'd you know my name?"

"It's on your shirt, love,” he said with an impish grin. I looked down at the name tag pinned to my shirt and blushed.

I rolled my eyes, “Oh, that's right I...gosh, that's stupid of me.” I felt myself blush.

He still held onto my hand. “It can happen to anyone.” I released his grip and peered out toward the ocean.

"Well, it was nice to meet you.” I started to turn around, not knowing what else to say, and completely flustered. I had never been drunk, but I felt like I was this minute. My head was spinning. He pulled my hand back into his.

"Can I ask you something?” I turned back around to look at him, nodding in silence.

"Can I walk with you later?” he asked with some hesitation.

I giggled.

"Walk with me later, why?"

"Don't know, just thought you might like my company."

"Umm, I walk home with my roommate, but you're welcome to join us, if you like,” I quickly added.

He nodded his head. “Sounds grand.” He winked and I turned and walked back in the restaurant.

The day dragged. Truth be told, I was excited for the walk home with Colin. I finished up earlier than Makenna and went out to the boardwalk to wait for her. I knew he would still be working outside and wondered if he would be waiting for me.

I opened the door, and the heat took my breath away. I looked over in Colin's direction. He was still working. While he worked, he flirted with the blonde girl I had seen him with earlier. I ignored them and kept walking. I sat on the bench peering out into the ocean, pulling out my iPod and placing the earphones gently into my ears. The mist blew up and onto the boards and the seagulls fussed over a funnel cake they had just stolen from a little girl. I could hear her loud cries as she tried to talk between breaths. I stood to help her, but her mother had already gotten to her.

I sat back down, twisting my body to look back at Colin. I didn't quite know what to make of Colin Murphy. Why did he want to walk me home? As I let different thoughts swirl in my head, they flashed back to Nick. What would he think if he saw me with Colin—would he be jealous? After several minutes lost in thought, I lifted my eyes back and glanced toward the restaurant. Colin strolled toward me, coming closer and closer, his hands jammed in his front pockets. My heart raced louder as he approached me. My heart pounded so fast I was sure everyone that came within a five foot perimeter of me would hear it. I fumbled with my iPod and tried to turn the music off.

"Abigail, ‘bout ready for that walk, then?” he asked, his soft eyes appraising me.

"It's Abby, and do you mind waiting for Makenna?” I wasn't sure how much longer she would be.

He looked back at the restaurant. “Actually, she's busy, love. She's going for a walk with a friend of mine,” he assured me. “Don't worry, Liam's a good lad."

I gazed into his chocolate eyes and sensed he was excited about our walk as he smiled at me.

"You're not afraid to be alone with me, are you?” he asked playfully.

"Of course not.” I tried to put some conviction in my voice. I turned, glancing back to the restaurant looking for Makenna. I saw her conversing with his friend and she caught my eye. She waved to me and smiled, giving Colin a quick grin. He followed with a quick step.

Deep down, I was nervous as hell. I knew my inexperienced heart could fall for him, fall fast and fall hard. He was the kind of guy every girl wanted with his good looks, his charm, and of course, his Irish accent. I also knew I couldn't let that happen. He would disappear in a few months, never to be seen again. I knew my heart wouldn't be able to take that one.

"Do you mind if we walk on the beach?” I asked.

He gestured me toward the stairs. I kicked my shoes off, casually carrying them in one hand. The sand warmed the soles of my feet; the sun felt hot on my face. Beads of sweat started to find their way to the back of my neck. We walked side by side slowly, talking about everything. He had so many questions, and they never stopped coming. I attempted to ask him about his life in Ireland, his family, but somehow, the conversation always seemed to lead back to me.

"How old are you?” he asked.

"I'm eighteen, just last month,” so happy I could point that out.

"Hmmm,” he murmured.

"How about you?"

"Ah, a little older love. Twenty.” He grinned, his eyes piercing right through me.

I loved the way he spoke, the way he called me ‘love.’ His accent was just as mesmerizing as his face. He stopped to point out some dogs running through the water, playfully catching Frisbees. “Look at that. How free, huh?” After a pause, he asked, “What kind of things do you like to do?"

"I like a lot of things, especially swimming at night,” I answered. I didn't understand why I told him that.

"You're not afraid to swim in the dark?” He sounded surprised.

"Not at all. My dad and I always go out at night. The moon lights up the water. It's perfect.” He was staring at me intently.

"Well, that's good to know, in case you ever need rescuing."

Time flew by. I looked down at my watch. We had been walking for nearly two hours, talking about everything. He had so many questions, asking me my favorite color, ice-cream flavor, flowers. We both realized we had made it clear down to the end of Ocean City. Our eyes met, and we both started laughing. We decided to walk up to the streets and grab a slice of pizza and a soda. We found some cute little table tucked in the back at Three Brothers. I slid into the booth and he sat across from me, our eyes meeting now and then.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything,” he replied.

"Why did you want to walk me home tonight?” I asked, feeling a bit sheepish, taking another sip of my soda.

He grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. “I'm not really sure. This is kind of a new feeling for me. I saw you the other day and I don't know, there was just something about you. I just had to find out who you were,” he confessed.

With his hand still holding mine, I asked, “Why? What so special about me? There are at least forty girls at Clancy's, not to mention hundreds down the shore.
Why me
?” I insisted on knowing the answer.

"Like I said, Abigail, I'm not really sure. You have something special, a charm about you. Something I'm willing to figure out. It's hard to find someone who isn't quite of aware of herself and the beauty she carries with her, y'know?” he confided.

I chuckled, letting go of his hand, not sure what to say. “Are you going to insist on calling me Abigail the rest of the summer?"

"It fits you, but if you really prefer Abby, fine.” He rolled his eyes. “I'll try, but no promises."

I wanted to get back on track. How could he possibly think I have some kind of charm, as he put it?

"We barely know each other. Why do you think I have a charm, as you so gracefully put it?” I asked.

"I've been watching you,” he said. “Trust me, there's something there, an innocence about you.” He leaned closer to the table and whispered, “You're beautiful."

I hid my face behind my hair and glanced up at him. I was embarrassed. If my heart weren't beating out of my chest right this minute, I would think I had died and gone to heaven.

We started our walk back home.

I knew where this was going. I didn't want to stop it, and I didn't want to hurt his feelings or mine, for that matter. My heart said ‘go for it,’ and also, ‘no.’ Even if Nick and I were nothing, I didn't think I could handle Colin. Sure, he was sweet, but I was also sure he'd want exactly what Nick wanted from me.

"I'm already seeing somebody,” I was unsure why I told him this. “I think you're really nice...but like I said, I'm involved."

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him. My breath hitched, but I kept talking anyway.

"Friends?” I asked.

He chuckled. “Friends. Friends are fine for now. We have all summer, Abigail, there's no need to rush this.” He cocked his eyebrows, then added. “Besides, it might be more fun this way."

He walked me up to my front door, kissed me on the cheek and turned away, “See ya tomorrow, then."

I noticed a shadow in the corner of my eye walking toward me. Nick had been watching.

"Who was that?” Nick asked.

"Just a friend from work. Why?"

"Didn't look like just a friend.” I read the jealousy on his face.

"Nick,” I grabbed his arm “You and I went on one date. He really is just a friend,” I reminded him.

"You're naive, Abby, if you think that's all he wants. Tell him to keep his hands off. I don't like him messing with my girl.” He leaned over and kissed my lips.

"Your girl?” I asked with confusion in my voice.

"Of course. Can I come in?” he asked as he opened the door.

"Sure,” I shrugged. On one hand, I was excited that he'd call me his girl, but on the other hand, I wasn't so sure he was exactly what I was looking for.

He sat on the couch channel surfing. I wanted to confront him about the voices I had heard coming from the deck last night, but something told me not to.

"I'll be right back. I just want to change out of my work clothes.” I bounced out of the room. I ducked into my bathroom and brushed my teeth, trying to get rid of the garlic from the pizza. Suddenly he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

I jumped. “You scared me."

"Sorry,” he teased, as he kissed the nape of my neck. I suddenly couldn't remember how I had gotten myself into this situation.

I pulled his hands away. “I'll be right out, okay?"

He looked at me, surprised.

"Sure,” he left the bathroom sulking.

I pulled myself together then joined him on the sofa. He must have felt my anxiety about being with him. He held me close to his body, but never once did he try to go too far. I started to feel comfortable in his arms again when he insisted on making some drinks. I watched him nervously walk to the kitchen and pull two beers out of the refrigerator. He winked, then turned his body toward the sink before moving toward me.