Chapter 3

I wake up. My head kills; I try and stand up, but fall back onto my bed. Oh man another hang-over! I pull myself to a sitting position, and reach over and nudge Harper. “Harper, wake up I got to go to the yacht club today.” I say softly. Harper rolls over, opens one eye, looks at me and says, “Okay well do I have to go, because I’m probably going to be in bed the rest of the day?” I shake my head, get up, grab my swimsuit and change. I pull on my sweatpants and my t-shirt. I pick up my cell-phone and head out to the car. I pull out of the drive-way. I walk up to the perk and order my caramel macchiato. I grab a muffin and drive to the yacht club. I walk down to the boats. Libby and Dakota were down by the boats. Austin was waiting for me. “Hey, um sorry I’m late” I said avoiding Austin’s eyes. “Get your boat rigged, and I’m going on with you today.” Austin replied, he passed me and walked up towards the yacht club. I turned around and ran over to Libby and Dakota. “you-guys are not going to believe this,” I said, Libby looked at me and said “No you didn’t did you? Omigosh you did.” I look at her puzzled and say, “Um I have no clue what you are thinking, but last night when Cole and I went out onto the dock last night when you were all up in the house and well um I gave him a hand job.” I looked over my shoulder to see Austin heading back down towards us; I looked at Libby’s face in total shock and ran over to my boat, and pulled the sails up.

 

Sailing ended around two. I docked my boat and rolled up my sails. I walked up towards the yacht club to put my sails away. As soon as I walked out I saw Aaron standing by his car. I ran over to him, he opened his arms, gave me a hug, and we kissed. Austin walked up behind us and cleared his voice, “Anna, where are you going?” I turned around, but before I could say anything. Aaron said, “Oh hey Austin what have you been up to?” Austin’s eyes widen, he looks from me to Aaron and says, “Oh um good, but Anna is not going with you, she needs to finish putting her sails away.” I start to say something, but Austin just stares at me and motioned with his head to go up to the club. I turn around give Aaron, an apologetic look, and a kiss and walk up to the club. Austin waves good-bye to Aaron and follows me up. Austin led me into the office, sighed and sat me down, “Anna, I don’t understand why you seem to pick the older guys, I mean its not even legal with these guys, you need to be careful, I don’t want to see you get hurt, I mean you don’t know what’s going on in the mind of these guys, all they are after is sex.” I frown and say, “No Austin it’s not true, you don’t even know them like I do and you can’t say that.” Austin took a step back, paused and said, “This discussion is not over, I have to give a lesson and then I will meet you at my house.” “Well thanks to you I don’t have a ride home,” I said, rolling my eyes. Austin paused, “Um well fine, go home with Justin.” He turned around and walked out of the room. I followed him. Libby was outside getting on some guy’s motorcycle.

 

I waved, and proceeded to find Justin. “Justin, hey can I get a ride home from you?” I asked looking hopeful. Justin nodded, and grabbed his bag. We got in, and headed towards Austin’s house. I was shaking and my hands kept running back and forth, sweat dripping from them. Last time I was with Justin… Last time I was near him was when he tried, when he had almost forced me to have sex with him. I just don’t how could you forgive someone after that. “Anna who was that guy you were with earlier? The one you kissed?” Justin said softly. “His name is Aaron, he is a friend, what you want hate him too?” I said accusingly, in a meaner tone then I had intended. Justin slowed, I got ready, we passed the Kum and Go. I was close to home, if he decided to drop me off somewhere, he was fuming, but then he chuckled. He swung into Spier Park… Memories flooded into my mind… His hands, my lips, his tongue, my hands… All coming back, knocking me out of reality, for just a minute, that was last summer, when everything had been… innocent fun, or so I thought. Justin parked, he looked deep in thought, and maybe he was remembering last summer, that last night. I grabbed my bag with one hand, and reached for the door handle. I mumbled a thank you, my back to him; he reached over, firmly grasping my wrist. I gulped and turned back around, “Justin let me go” I said, my eyes darting looking for a way out. “Anna, please just listen, I’m not trying to hurt you… I felt so bad about what I did at the party, I never met to hurt you,” his hand let go of mine and he turned his face outwards. “I just got overwhelmed, I was remembering what you said about how you wanted to lose your virginity, but you wanted to lose it to Cole.” My hands shaking I clasped them together, keeping them still, “Oh god, Justin that was in December, I was so confused, I’m still trying to figure stuff out… I’m sorry,” a tear glistened in my eye. I pushed it back, and took a breath. “Anna, I have never felt this way about a girl… Just please give me another chance, one more that’s all I’m asking for, I promise I won’t mess up again.” Justin whispered. I focused my eyes on this tree… so tall, so full… Bringing myself back to reality, “Okay Justin, one more chance,” I replied. I forced a smile, and kissed Justin, he put his arms around my face and rested them on my back, still kissing I started to loosen up, I forgave Justin, I honestly did. We were interrupted by a knock outside my window, we broke away, and I turned around to come face to face with an angry Austin.

 

He motioned with his fingers for me to get out of the car, I slid out, “Leave. Now Justin,” Austin snarled.  Justin hesitated and then drove away. Austin swirled around and stormed away. I stood there, not knowing what to do, “Anna, Follow Me Now!” Austin yelled. I hesitated, but slowed forward. Austin stops abruptly making me run into him, “Anna, help me try and understand, why do you keep going for guys that are too old for you? But not even that, but illegal, you need to stop this s**t, now before it gets any worse,” He stated. I tilt my head and turn my attention to a bird, “Anna, seriously pay attention,” he yelled. “Austin stop yelling at me, I didn’t do anything wrong, and I know you keep playing this “older brother” card, but seriously it’s getting old, I am just having fun, so you need to chill,” I screamed, giving him a smirk. “God damn it Anna, you will listen to me, so just get it straight, now let’s go to lunch, and we can have Libby come to. Austin forced a smile, and stalked off towards his house. Libby met Austin and me at Bob’s. We sat and ordered and then talked about the sailing season and about some of the drama that has been going on lately. “Anna, hey is that you? Wow California made you all tan on me,” Ben came up behind me and said. “Ben, Omigosh, how are you,” I jumped up giving him a hug. Turning around, I introduced Ben to Austin and Libby. Austin got up and shook hands with him, I rolled my eyes, “Anna, you want to go walk around a bit before I have work?” Ben questioned. “I umm, would love…” I stopped, turning towards Austin with pleading eyes. “Can I please go with him?” I begged. “Fine, but meet back at Garret’s when you get done,” Austin insisted. “Okay okay thanks,” I said giving him a quick hug, and then turning to walk away with Ben.