Accepted Fate (10 page)

Taking my cup, I hand him his keys. "Yeah, I'm ready. Let's go."

"Keep them while you're here. They hold the pool house key, plus I have an extra set. Mom is weird about locking all the doors, so you'll need them. I'll get them before you head home." He holds the door open, waiting on me to pass. Walking through the door, we make our way to the truck.

We get to his dad's brand new Toyota Tundra to see him standing against the hood with his arms crossed, waiting. As soon as he sees us coming, he begins to smile. "You boys ready for some fishing?" Ryland's parents are pretty much like second parents to me. Since we were next door neighbors, we were also best friends until he moved here three years ago, right after Beau died. Ryland is my cousin as well as Beau's younger brother. Our moms are sisters. They couldn't deal with his death, being around constant reminders and Uncle Joe got a job opportunity so they packed up and moved here.

"Yes sir, how's the fishing here?" I place my free hand in my pocket once I'm standing in front of him. Uncle Joe stands about mid height with short brown hair and light blue eyes. He is a little more heavy set but not overweight. He is wearing brown cargo shorts and a red shirt identical to Ryland with a straw hat.

He puts his arm around my shoulder, giving me a sideways hug. "I'll have to admit, it's not like Mississippi fishing, but California can hold its own." He winks and smiles playfully. "Let's go before we're late, I've already put down a deposit."

I walk towards the back of the truck and get in the back seat, Uncle Joe and Ryland following closely behind. We start off towards the harbor where we are supposed to meet up with the charter crew. Staring out the window, watching everything pass by, I start to wonder what Kinzleigh is doing right now. She's probably sleeping with it being this early in the day. I really want to ask Ryland about her, but now doesn't seem like the best time. I don't need the teasing from Uncle Joe.

I can't seem to get those beautiful green eyes out of my head. I don't know what it is about her, but I want to get to know her. She seems so closed off, though, I don't know how I can find her again. Whatever it takes, I'm prepared to do. I have to see her again before I head back home. If I don't, I know I'll regret it.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize we were already at our destination. We pull into Dana Point Harbor and park in the mostly vacant lot. We must be some of the first people scheduled. There are several boats still docked in the harbor. We get out and grab the things we brought for the day such as the cooler of drinks. We get to the boat and meet the crew that's taking us out today. "Hello there, it's good to have you all this morning. My name is Jeff and I'm going to be your guide today," he says extending his hand to Uncle Joe. "You guys ready to get started?"

"Absolutely, I've been waiting for this all week. My name is Joe Reeves. My nephew, Breyson, is visiting from Mississippi so I want to show him how fishing is done in California." Uncle Joe says it with a smile on his face, looking at me. He then looks at Ryland and squeezes him by the shoulder. "This is my son Ryland."

"I think we can handle that," the guy says shaking his hand. He looks at me and winks. "Well, let's get started while it's still cool outside."

We walk onto the boat and the guide starts discussing the day's events as well as going over standard safety information for liability purposes. He hands each of us a life jacket and shows us to our spot along with getting our gear in order for the day. The boat begins pulling away from the harbor so I utilize the time it takes to get to our first anchor to ask Ryland about some wanted information.

We're standing on the deck, elbows resting on the railing, looking out at the water as the boat begins churning through the water. "Hey Rye, can I ask you a question?"

He looks at me, studying me, now curious. "Sure, what's up?"

"You know a girl named Kinzleigh?" Ryland was out surfing during the time Kinzleigh was at the beach so I'm not sure if he knows who I'm referring to, but I sure am hoping he does.

"Kinzleigh Baker?" Ahh... finally a little more information on miss secretive.

"I don't know," I say. "I never caught her last name. She has light, curly blonde hair and bright green eyes. Perfect body..." I trail off at the memory of her.

"Yep, that's her. Why do you ask?" He now has his eye brows pulled together as if he's honestly curious. He's takes grasp of his visor bill and begins moving it up and down across his forehead.

"Just curious I guess. I had a...run in with her on the beach yesterday while you were out on the water. Then, last night I did something stupid at that party so I took off to the beach to clear my head and found her crying..." I didn't even get the chance to finish when Ryland cut in.

"What the hell dude, are you holding out on me now? What happened at the party? All you had to do was call me bro. Now I feel like shit for leaving you alone."

"It's not important, besides I handled it. I wasn't going to call you when you were clearly...busy. You never chase after a girl, so I know she must be different." A smile takes form on his face before he turns serious again.

"Wait, did you say she was crying? I have never and I mean ever seen Kinzleigh cry. The girl comes across about as emotionally breakable as a cement wall. She's a sweet girl but doesn't take crap off anyone. Is she okay? Presley didn't mention her being upset. The two are normally glued to the hip. The only reason she wasn't at Logan's was because of her brother."

What happened with her brother? "She said her parents told her at dinner they are moving at the end of June. She doesn't really like to give out information about herself, apparently. I couldn't get much out of her. What happened with her brother that would keep her from going to a party? Did someone try to hurt her?" A flash of rage floods my body at the thought of someone trying to hurt her. I begin clenching my fists unconsciously.

"Calm down Rambo, what's up with the caveman act," he asks raising his brow. "Moving huh? That sucks, I wonder if Presley knows? That's going to be interesting to watch. If you didn't know any better you would think they were twins separated at birth." He laughs. "Anyway, about Konnor and Logan, I don't like putting people's business out there but since you're leaving I don't see how keeping it a secret is relevant, just keep it to yourself. Konnor, her brother, and Logan, you met at the party, were best friends until about a month ago. Konnor dated this girl Sophia for three years. He was obviously pretty crazy about her from the way he acted. In my opinion the girl was a whore in training, but what do I know? The guy is way better than her anyway. He's too nice and everyone loves him and she's the biggest bitch around. Not to mention, he's the best quarterback around these parts. He's a football star kind of like you and Braxton."

"The team was undefeated all four years he played. I'm really not sure how they lasted as long as they did, thinking about it now. She was always flirting behind his back, even with his friends and teammates, but no one had the heart to tell him. He was sickly in love with her. It wasn't because he couldn't get anyone else either, because the guy could get any girl he wanted. They were all lined up waiting for them to break up. Long story short, someone, names shall not be called, finally got tired of her whoring around behind his back and tipped him off. He came to Logan's in a panic. I guess he thought it was a joke at first, but after seeing the look on everyone's face he burst through Logan's locked bedroom door and found them going at it. Logan was trashed so I don't even know how he was about to get it up but Sophia didn't seem all that drunk at all. I'm telling you she's a bitch. He freaked out and put the guy in the hospital. I still would be surprised if that was even the first time she cheated. No one would say after they saw what he did to Logan. It was brutal. They haven't spoken since. The asshole hasn't even tried to apologize. He just keeps telling people he doesn't remember anything until Konnor walked in, like that's supposed to be an apology for your best friend witnessing you fucking his girl. Kinzleigh and her brother are really close so she cut her ties with anything Logan related."

Great, now I feel like a dip shit for going. Sounds like a charming guy, I think sarcastically. That's going against all bro code. "I want you to help me see her again. We went and ate at BJ's last night after we...talked on the pier for a while. The girl is harder to crack than embedded code."

He's shaking his head, trying to hold back laughter. I really don't see what is so funny. "Dude, there is no way you're getting anywhere with Kinzleigh Baker. Do you know how many guys have tried, me included? The girl doesn't date, she doesn't even flirt. I'm pretty sure she is still a virgin. She is a really nice girl and all she does is cheer and practice flips or whatever it is that cheerleaders do. I actually think she despises guys, with the exception of her brother. If she didn't before Logan screwed up, she does now."

"Well considering I kissed her last night, maybe I can knock down some of those man-hater walls. I don't usually kiss and tell but you're pissing me off. Are you going to help me or not?" I don't want to hear about all the guys that have tried to seduce her or possibly slept with her. I can feel my veins popping out of my neck.

Ryland is staring at me with his mouth wide open as if he's in shock.
It isn't so funny now is it?
"Are you joking?
You...
kissed Kinzleigh Baker? How the hell did you pull that off? I'm pretty sure she hasn't ever kissed anyone that I've heard about anyway. How did you manage to be the one to get to her?" He actually seems genuinely curious, but I have given him way too much information already. I am usually a very private person. I don't get into the gossip ring of sharing worthless information just to showboat with other guys. Most of the guys that have to sit around talking about all their conquests are lying anyway. I've seen too many girls' reputations get ruined because of a stupid guy running his mouth.

"Ryland, you're my cousin and best friend, but how is really irrelevant at this point don't you think?"

"You're really serious about this? If Konnor gets word, he will be at my doorstep the second he can get to you. He knows she's a good girl and her virtue is still intact so he takes his protection of her overboard. I've seen the guy in action. Do you really want to deal with that over some girl? Wait, don't you have a girlfriend?" I'm getting really tired of all his questions but he's my only option at getting anywhere with this topic.

"Yes, I'm serious. I wouldn't be having this conversation if I weren't. I'm not discussing trying to sleep with her; I just want you to help me get to the same place as her. If her brother needs to...discuss anything you can send him my way. I have a little sister so I can handle a man to man conversation. Not that it's any of your business, but I broke up with Natalie last night."

"No joke? Why? I thought that was a sure thing. Plus you're only here until Friday and then you'll be thousands of miles away from Kinzleigh." I am really starting to wonder about the questions. He seems awfully persistent in trying to sway me away from this subject; almost as if it's because he wants her himself. He did say he's tried. Now I'm getting pissed but he's my cousin.

"It was coming and needed to be done regardless of Kinzleigh or not. So, you going to help me or do I need to go another route?" I raise my brow questioningly as a smirk takes place mirroring his earlier.

"Bro you know I will help you, just getting the facts down. I think Presley is having an end of the year pool party tomorrow. She should be there. I think Presley said they leave for Cabo in a few days or a week, I can't remember."

"Are we invited?" I really hope we are because I may crash it regardless.

"To the pool party? You know it," he says with his cocky grin in place.

"Okay, awesome let's catch some fish." I need to pass the time until this party.

We head back over to the rest of the group to bait up our lines and get everything ready for a day of fishing. I usually do well at anything I try, given my competitive nature. Today we're fishing for Blue Marlin, my favorite. Since it's heavier fish and bait than normal small game fishing, the charter provides all the fishing rods and bait.

I'm standing on the deck and I cast out my line beside Ryland. Uncle Joe and the rest of the charter crew are on the other side. The sun is coming up so I pull my Costa sunshades over my eyes that are dangling around my neck. Looking across the water, I begin trying to formulate a plan for this pool party.

I really want to get Kinzleigh alone. She doesn't seem to open up at all around other people. She acts like she has some kind of phobia against males. Remembering her perfect body and the things Ryland said about guys trying to get with her, I know it's probably going to be a challenge. I can't stand the thought of another guy putting his hands on her. I barely know her and I already feel protective.

My knuckles turn white grasping the pole. The thought of another man putting his lips on her and touching her in intimate places is like a toxic venom running through my blood. I can't breathe and I feel weak. I don't even notice the tug on my reel.

"Breyson."      

My eyes see nothing but the reels in my thoughts of her biting her soft lips and her big, beautiful eyes closing in pure ecstasy at the pleasure of someone else. How many guys have tried to sleep with her?

"Breyson!"

My vision turns red and blurred. My fists hurt from how hard I'm grasping the rod in them.

"Breyson, what the hell? Sink your line before the fish gets off!" I finally realize where I am and what is going on. Dammit, I've got to get a grip. This has never once in my entire life happened to me. I don't know what this girl is doing to me. I prop the bottom of the pole into my lower abdomen for support and jerk the line to sink the hook into the mouth of the fish.

Quickly I begin reeling in my line. I can feel the fish playing tug of war as I use all of my strength to get it to the boat. From the weight on the other end and the amount of strength it is taking, I can tell it's going to be a good size catch; a prize.