Practicing Partners (Maiden’s Bay #2)

Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

brAN COULDN’T REMEMBER the last time he enjoyed himself as much as he did today. Aubrie had vowed to not talk about work and kept her promise. They worked their way through the food trucks, sampling the finest seafood Maiden’s Bay had to offer. They played ring toss, threw darts at balloons, and learned knot-tying from the fishing experts.

It wasn’t the activities themselves that amused him. It was the fact he was there with Aubrie, seeing things from her out-of-town perspective. She held such enthusiasm and wonder, like a kid going to the movie theater for the first time. He had been to the Crab Festival several times growing up, but after Mom died, it didn’t hold the same excitement. Despite the annual visit being the one tradition Dad had continued.

“You’re not afraid of heights are you?” He stood next to her in line for the Ferris wheel. It was something he had wanted to do back when they entered the grounds, but he waited until closer to sunset to suggest it.

“Heights? No.” She looked up at the wheel, holding her hand over her brow. The sun reflected off the metal structure, the red, yellow, and orange seat colors nearly indistinguishable in its golden glow. “Other things, yep. But not heights.”

Without the talk of work, he had been able to keep it out of his mind, too. But now he wondered about her fears. Did they have something to do with Ben’s visit yesterday? As his mind strayed to Doc Bernie’s practice, the guilt of his plan—what he actually planned to do—crept in. The best part of him knew not to carry on with Aubrie. Not to long to touch her cheek or feel the soft strands framing her face or build a stronger connection.

But that’s what they were doing, and he didn’t want it to stop. He wanted more. He wanted everything of her, to know what she was thinking when she wasn’t saying a word, to hold her tight at night and again in the morning. He knew enough how others saw him, that it was all sex and no real emotions. Had there been times it was all for the fun? Sure. Had he wished for something more meaningful? Of course.

And now that opportunity was here, in his hometown. Right in front of him. Why, then, did his head keep saying to run? To leave her be, to let her find someone worthy of her love. Because he sure wasn’t.

Aubrie deserved better.

“Are you?” She looked at him quizzically.

He snapped out of his downward spiraling thoughts. “Afraid of heights?” He shook his head. “No.”

“I didn’t think so.”

“Why’s that?”

“You seemed pretty comfortable this morning, during the hike, atop Sentinel Hill. My brother, who is almost debilitatingly afraid of heights, wouldn’t have crossed the clearing at the top or taken in the view, let alone stand within thirty feet of the cliff’s edge.” Her eyes nearly glowed when speaking of him. She looked so genuinely happy.

“I get the feeling you’re close with him. Your face lights up when you talk about him.”

Her cheeks flared red, and she looked down at her shoes.

“Any other siblings?”

“A sister.” Her joyous expression faded.

They moved up in the line a few paces and reached the front, Bran thankful for the task interrupting the devolving conversation.

They sat in a red cart, Aubrie to his left. Bran pulled the safety bar into its locked position. The wheel creaked backward, and Aubrie clenched her fists around the metal bar.

“I thought you weren’t afraid of heights.”

“I’m not,” she said, giving him a stare. “Doesn’t mean I fully trust old fair rides.”

He chuckled. “Point taken. I’ve certainly seen my fair share of ride accidents—”

Her hand clutched his forearm. “No talk of work. Especially that kind of talk.” Her softening scowl reassured him she wasn’t upset or put off.

“You’re right.” He laid his hand on hers, and she didn’t pull back. He could leave it there all night as long as she accepted it.

The ride sped up a touch and brought them around to the top. The town of Maiden’s Bay sprawled out before them, the setting sun sending streaks of fire light across the water, bouncing off the windows of the shops downtown. The lighthouse stood in its nobility, a commanding beacon that would rotate its beam any minute now.

“Such a wonderful view.”

He took in the silhouette of her face, her dark tresses, bangs nearly touching her long lashes. “Sure is.”

“I don’t think there’s a bad view in any of Maiden’s Bay.” Her attention turned to him, and he swung his stare back out to the north.

“The views from the first floor of rooms at Maiden’s Slumber Inn aren’t much to look at.”

“Oh, no. That’s where you’re staying, right?”

“It’s okay. I have no complaints.”

“Except that the stranger from out of town, competing for the favor of your grandfather, is occupying your family’s apartment.” She smirked.

“You’re not a stranger.” He smiled as they descended to the bottom of the loop. “And I’m glad you came here. Even if it’s to whip my butt in medicine.”

She bit her lip, the pink returning to her cheeks in the dying sunlight. “I wouldn’t say I’m whipping your butt.”

“No?”

“I mean, I’m obviously doing better than you, but—”

He dropped his jaw in half-shock.

She elbowed him and laughed.

“Okay, Miss Competitive. I’ve got something for us to try. See who’s better once and for all.”

“Oh, yeah? If it involves catching crustaceans….”

“No. Something a little more fun.”

After waiting for two carts to unload, they finally exited the Ferris wheel. Bran grabbed her hand, more to help stay together through the growing evening crowd. But he’d be lying to himself if it didn’t feel amazing, to be connected to her, her soft yet skillful hands, the instruments for her talent. He wanted to protect them and her, not let this town or anyone give her cause to worry or feel sad or angry. She deserved to feel as happy as she did this night, for every night.

The sun’s final rays disappeared, the evening’s cool blues taking over. Strands of lights flicked on, some tiny and sparkling like Christmas lights, others big bulbs as if they were at a carnival. They weaved through the crowd, toward the coastline. A wooden platform was set up on the short beach, a stage that supported dancers and a live band.

“Oh, no.” Aubrie tugged at his arm, shaking her head. “You’re not taking me up there.”

“Come on, it’s just dancing.” He gave a mock pout, a desperate attempt at puppy eyes.

“If it means you’ll stop making that face.”

“Yes!”

“Let’s be clear. That wasn’t victory. That was me saving you the embarrassment of that awful frown. Even I know how this town talks.”

He chuckled and led her across a few feet of sandy beach and onto the dance floor. The bay waves lapped the shore some twenty feet away. The moon took over the night sky, casting its silver shadows along the windows of downtown stores along the shoreline.

Bran spun her around, taking the lead. Despite her hesitations, she was a good dancer, catching the beat and following his lead. The quick music ended, and Aubrie let out a sigh with her bottom lip, blowing her bangs lightly off her forehead. She took off her sweater and tied it around her waist.

“I can get you a drink if you’d like.” Sweat formed on his brow, and a drink didn’t sound bad to him right now.

“No, it’s okay.”

The crowd grew on the dance floor, pushing them closer to one another. The band kicked into a slow song. Without having to ask, Bran’s left hand met her right, their other hands wrapped around each other’s backs.

“You know,” she said, her warm breath on his neck.

He willed his knees not to buckle.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” He pulled her in a tad closer, her hand to his chest, afraid she would let go. That she was going to leave him standing alone on this dance floor, coming to her senses.

“For judging you when we first met.” She pulled back to look at him. “You’re not at all what I pegged you for. I assumed the worst, and obviously, I was wrong.”

He moved his hand further up her back, reeling her in closer. “You don’t have to apologize. You weren’t all wrong.”

The weight of his intentions swelled to his mouth, right at the tip of his tongue. He wanted to tell her everything. Confess how he was about to hurt Doc Bernie, all for himself. But she was staring right into his eyes.

“Hey, what is it?” Her hand caressed his face, and he closed his eyes. It was too much to bear, yet not enough of her.

“Aubrie?” The voice of the man next to them pulled Bran out of his push-and-pull conscience. He danced with a child no more than seven or eight who was all smiles and pigtails.

“Garrett?” Aubrie’s body froze and broke away from Bran.

That was it. That was the closest he was going to get to Aubrie. And it was more than he had deserved.

“Didn’t expect to see you here.” Garrett smiled, which turned south when he recognized Bran. “This is my niece, Cora.”

The blonde girl gave a nod, holding onto Garrett’s hands, feet atop his.

“Bran, can you give us a second?” Aubrie’s eyes read pity. Surely for him.

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Miss Cora.” Garrett gave her a bow, and she giggled before running off the dance floor.

Aubrie walked through the dancers behind Garrett. Bran followed their trail a distance behind. He stood next to a vendor selling seashell jewelry, making out the silhouettes of Aubrie and Garrett alongside the dance platform on the beach.

He couldn’t hear anything and didn’t want to be caught staring. But it was hard not to wonder what they were saying to one another. There were arm touches, and Aubrie rolling her head back in a laugh. And then they hugged.

Bran felt the fool for thinking Aubrie may feel anything for him. Just look at him. Obvious remnants of his fight in his purple bruise and split lip. He touched it as if it had split open again, the swelling down but not gone.

He wanted to walk away. No, run. Far from the festival. From Doc’s practice. From Maiden’s Bay. Despite feeling more at home here than he ever felt in his past, he wasn’t Maiden’s Bay material. He had broken hearts. Broken or bruised a few bones of Sebastian Hycliff, most likely. And he was about to break Doc Bernie’s trust, which was tough enough. But now Aubrie’s trust was on the line. How could he do either? What sort of person could hurt the people he loved?

He pressed his hands above his eyes, wishing all his past away. Wishing he could be better. Do better.

There had to be another way. A way for everyone to get what they wanted without hurting anybody. What that was, he didn’t know.

“Bran?” Aubrie touched his shoulder from behind.

He swung around. “Yeah? Are you… going with Garrett? It’s okay, I mean, I can walk back by myself.”

Aubrie shook her head, smirk growing. “No, Bran.”

“Oh. I thought I caught you two hugging.”

“Spying on us, now?”

“No, I—”

“Bran, I’m kidding. Again.” She laughed. “You really have to lighten up, you know that?”

“I’m the one who has to lighten up?” Somehow she had done it. Returned the smile on his face and made him feel like the most important person in the world. “So, then… the hug…?”

“I didn’t want to make enemies in Maiden’s Bay off the bat, so I told him how I felt.”

“Which is?” Bran cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, you don’t have to tell me.”

“No, I want to tell you.” Aubrie grabbed his hands in hers. “I told him that while I had a good time on our date, I didn’t feel a connection beyond friendship.”

“Oh.” Bran sighed and squeezed her hands a smidge tighter. “How’d he take that?”

“Just fine. I think it was early enough not to hurt too much. We wished each other well, and that’s that.”

“That’s that.”

“Mmhmm.”

Bran touched her cheek, wrapping his fingers behind her ear, along her neck. He pulled her in close, her lips near yet too far away. Beneath the festival air was the sweet smell of her, of flowers and vanilla. She closed her eyes, and he wanted a snapshot of her like this, open and honest and all things Aubrie. She was beautifully dizzying.

The band’s music stopped, and the feedback of the microphone rang in the air. “Thanks everyone for coming out tonight, for our sixty-seventh annual Crab Festival.”

The crowd cheered and whooped. Bran slumped his shoulders, and Aubrie smiled. He leaned his forehead to hers.

In another life, Aubrie Turnbridge.

He wrapped his arm around her back as they faced the stage.

“Is that the Master Crab?” Aubrie looked at him with a grin. “You know, the MC?”

Bran chuckled. “Either that or the King Crab.”

“Wow,” she said. “That was worse. Definitely worse than mine.”

“Oh, come on!”

“Thanks to all of our food trucks, vendors, and entertainment. Stick around for our fireworks show. It’s sure to be the best one yet!”

There was applause and hoots, and the band started up once again.

Bran turned. “You want to stay out for the fireworks? We can stay here, or head out to Campy’s and watch from the dock. A bunch of people gather there. It’s actually a better vantage point.”

“Where do they set them off from?”

Bran leaned in closer, his face almost touching hers. “You see those lights sort of bobbing on the water there?” He pointed out to the middle of the bay, and Aubrie nodded. “They do it off that ship. Just safer for the crowd, plus less likely to start a wildfire in these parts.”

Aubrie stared out at the water, biting her lip.

“What? What is it? I know that look.”

“What look?” Aubrie snapped out of her trance.

“The one where you’re thinking up something.”

She huffed in amusement. “I think I have the perfect place to watch them.”