Текст книги "Avoiding Commitment"
Автор книги: K. A. Linde
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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 29 страниц)
Ramsey grabbed both of his roommates by the back of their collar and yanked them off of her. “Hands off. She’s never been to one of our parties,” he said roughly pushing them to the side.
“All the more reason,” the one dressed in navy said.
“Agreed,” the other, in a yellow Georgia Tech polo, approved.
“Uh...I don’t think so,” Lexi said pushing her hands out in front of her. Then she caught a glimpse of Jack’s face. He wasn’t doing a very good job at hiding his displeasure. If she had thought that he had been jealous earlier today, it was nothing compared to the waves of jealousy he was sending her way now. Somewhere deep inside, she knew that she shouldn’t enjoy the fact that he felt that way, but she was pretty much ignoring all the things that she was supposed to be doing and feeling. She was in Atlanta for Jack which was bad enough. If Jack was getting some backlash for his bad choices, well then so be it.
“I don’t even know your names,” she said buying herself some time.
“You don’t need our names,” Georgia Tech guy informed her sidestepping Ramsey and snaking an arm around her waist. So maybe his roommates weren’t as handsome as Jack or even Ramsey, but they were still cute. At least cute enough that she would have flirted with them on any other night.
She thought she heard his friend whisper something derogatory into the other’s ear, but she didn’t catch all of what was said. The end was something along the lines of ‘after we’re through with her.’ But understanding the looks that were cast between the two of them, she probably didn’t want to know the rest. She needed to say something to get their minds off of sleeping with her, because that would never happen.
“So explain this party to me. It’s pretty early to drink on a Sunday,” Lexi asked glancing between Ramsey and his two roommates.
“It’s never too early here,” navy guy said.
“Plus, Ramsey comes pretty stocked,” Georgia Tech guy answered eye-fucking her clothing choice. It was a good thing she didn’t do self-conscious.
“Oh does he?” she asked eyeing Ramsey suggestively. Jack coughed uncomfortably in the corner. Bekah had snaked an arm up to his hair and was gently twirling the longer strands in the back between her fingers.
“I thought we weren’t friends,” Ramsey reminded her pushing aside his roommates who looked all too ready to devour her.
“We’re not,” she said smiling coyly at him from under her long lashes. “I’m not this nice to my friends.” This was better. She could avoid being rude to him for a few minutes while Jack watched. Though, she wasn’t all too sure how long she could hold out the routine.
“Alright,” he began, looking at her peculiarly as if wondering when she had become so nice, “I have a good deal of friends who work in late night establishments during the weekend. So, I host parties Sunday nights for them.”
That was simple enough. “That’s uh...nice of you.”
Bekah giggled. “Nice is one word for it.”
“Bekah,” Ramsey said turning his attention to her. Though the tone wasn’t sharp and the look he sent her was the same perfect Country Club smile that gave away nothing, she knew he wasn’t pleased. She wasn’t sure what it was about him that made her realize it. There was just a slight line of tension forming around his mouth, and his hands were curled into loose fists. Something about the way his eyes clouded over as he stared at Bekah. Lexi seemed to have accidentally stepped into a family dispute, and was feeling all the more uncomfortable as Bekah returned his resolute smile.
Slowly, he shifted his gaze back to Lexi. “Anyway, what they meant is that I have a fully stocked bar,” Ramsey said sweeping his arm out to reveal a black bar along the majority of the back wall. The only wall space not obscured by the construction was a back door with a large window opening up to a balcony.
“Ya know, I kind of figured that,” Lexi said.
A few people were already ordering drinks from a tiny blonde bombshell whipping up concoctions as fast as they were requested. Jack and Bekah sidled up to the girl hand-in-hand, and began knocking back their drinks.
“What would you like?” Ramsey asked her. “Valentine can make you anything.”
Lexi giggled a little at her name. Valentine really? God, that was awful. Sounded like a stripper’s name or something. She quickly composed herself as Ramsey looked down on her fondly. She hadn’t meant to giggle. “A Grateful Dead would be nice,” she told the bartender picking a drink at random. Within seconds the drink was before her complete with a cherry and everything. She was impressed. “This is kind of awesome,” she admitted. The smile she received from Ramsey was nearly blinding. He genuinely looked ecstatic that she approved.
Another uncomfortable cough emanated from behind them, and Lexi hastily turned around to find Jack looking between her and Ramsey. She wasn’t sure why he was acting like this. Honestly, it was ridiculous. He was here with his girlfriend. She was the one who was supposed to be jealous. Not him. But it was kind of nice to have the upper hand in this silly game they were playing.
“We’re going to dance,” Jack said pointedly grabbing Bekah’s free hand and pulling her into the crowded living room. Lexi watched them become enveloped in the mass. She hated how they were acting. Wasn’t she supposed to be getting over Jack? She couldn’t see how hanging out with him like this was helping anything.
Quite the contrary. She felt as compelled to him as she had when she had first glimpsed his brown hair at the coffee shop or those enticing blue eyes at the club. She had been right to say that things weren’t different. And Chyna had been right to say that she needed some semblance of closure. She needed to be over him. She couldn’t keep living her life hoping they would one day find the right moment to be together.
Turning back to face Ramsey’s perfect smile, she downed her drink as fast as she could automatically reaching out for him to steady her weak legs. “Wow, that’s the good stuff,” she said returning his smile.
“Want another?”
“Mmm...sure. Wait,” she cried stopping him before ordering, “let’s do lemon drops! Those were my favorite.”
“Were?” he asked raising his eyebrows.
“Yeah, in college. I drank them every weekend. It feels like one of those nights.”
The peculiar look he had given her earlier returned. She liked it. He was very cute indeed. He turned back to Valentine. Seconds later, two lemon drops were in front of them. The dizzying effects of vodka coursing through her body were helping her successfully escape Jack’s hold. She needed another. After two more rounds of shots her mind was good and cloudy, and she was ready to dance. Ready to forget.
Lexi grabbed Ramsey’s hand and pushed her way through to the center of the crowd. He seemed surprised that she wanted to be around him all of a sudden, but got over that as she began to shamelessly grind her ass against him.
There was hardly enough space for her to breathe let alone move around much. That left her the option of being plastered against Ramsey’s strong chest, and really she didn’t mind. He was a solid rock of muscles. She had to be right in her assessment that he worked out constantly. There was no other option for how strong he was.
The best part was that he was also a great dancer. Each time she would change up her motions, he would follow along perfectly somehow making the movements even sexier. Lexi reached up, and wound her hands around his neck as she stood on the balls of her feet. He took advantage of the opportunity to move his hands along her exposed body feeling the hot skin through her clothing. Leaning back against him, she let her head fall onto his chest, and she stared up into his amazingly well-structured face.
Just as that happened, a buxom blonde shimmied up to them and began grinding on Lexi. The girl was doing things with her body that Lexi had never dreamed people were capable of. She was contorting and twisting all the while touching herself. The girl’s eyes were blood shot and unfocused, occasionally rolling back into her head. Lexi had no idea what was wrong with her.
Ramsey grasped the girl’s arm forcefully and squeezed. Her eyes snapped open. Lexi stared between the two and stopped moving. “Not tonight Coco.” The girl glared at him.
“You sure, baby?” she purred despite the fact that she looked murderous.
“Go get that shit out of your system,” he said lowering his voice in warning.
“Whatever,” she said yanking her arm away from him and exiting the living room.
Lexi’s head jerked back to Ramsey’s face. “Sorry about that,” he said his voice returning to normal.
“What was that about?” she asked curiosity getting the best of her.
“Just don’t worry about it. She comes here like that all the time. She’s supposed to be clean,” he said grasping her hips that were now facing him and pulling her close.
The hypnotic feel of intoxication was hitting her hard and she giggled compulsively. “Is her name really Coco?”
“Just a nickname,” he said swaying his hips in time with her. All of his friends seemed to have nicknames.
She stopped thinking as the next song came on, and focused on dancing in Ramsey’s muscular arms. The music and dancing took her back to hanging out with Chyna in New York when she was just able to be young and carefree, dancing all nights in clubs, and drinking an exorbitant amount of alcohol. No matter how often she drank, she was still the cheapest date of anyone she had ever met. Her tolerance never wavered. She was sloshed after the second drink, and would likely be throwing up if she exceeded five.
As she let her body roll against Ramsey, she focused in on a couple in front of her seductively dancing against the wall. Lexi’s heart rate picked up as she watched. Bekah pushed Jack back against the wall and began to kiss him feverishly. Lexi couldn’t pull her eyes away. She hadn’t even thought of Jack since she had gotten out on the floor with Ramsey. It had been a comfort to forget him, but now here he was…on display. Bekah gripped his hips and slid alluringly down his front. She took no care of her tiny skirt as she perched with her head in front of his crotch. Lexi felt as if she were intruding on a very private moment. Their intimacy was so seductively erotic that had they been alone Bekah could have easily been going down on him. She watched as Bekah forced herself up and back against him. He moved easily with her as if this were a common motion…just a transfer of sexual emotion from the bedroom to the dance floor.
Lexi hated to admit it, but they looked good together. It sickened her watching them move together so perfectly…to fit together so perfectly. She could feel alcohol-induced tears welling in her eyes. She turned around so fast she knocked into Ramsey, and nearly fell back from impact. He snatched her before she could fall into another person, and looked down upon her mortified face. The tears were threatening to seep out, and that was the last thing she wanted.
He seemed to comprehend that as he bent down to speak into her ear. “Do you want to get some fresh air? I’m kind of suffocating,” he admitted, though she knew it was more for her sake.
The crowd parted as he passed through, and he staved off his roommates. Opening the back door, he ushered her out into the humid August air where they found themselves blessedly alone. She checked her cheeks and found them dry, which was her sole comfort from the entire episode.
“Are you okay?” he asked purposefully giving her enough room to breathe.
Lexi remained silent but nodded. After a few minutes of strained silence, she felt more composed, and a little extra tipsy from the emotional whirlwind she had just undergone. She breathed out heavily, and leaned her elbows back against the wooden banister. Ramsey walked forward and stood in front of her. She couldn’t help but notice how attractive he looked in the moon light. She smiled at him endearingly.
“It’s good to see that you look better.” She shrugged again. The earlier incident, though not out of her mind, was at least momentarily forgotten.
“Thanks. I think I dress up well too,” she said biting her lip and staring at him flirtatiously.
“I think both clothing options work for you,” he said taking another step closer to her.
“Thank you very much. I have to say…” She eyed him up and down. “Both options work for you too.” She hiccupped and leaned forward against him as she giggled. “Though, these muscles are much better in your polo.” She placed her hand on his bicep and squeezed.
He smiled his perfect smile, and reached out to help support her. “I’m glad you like them. I spend a decent amount of time in the gym to keep them.”
“I didn’t say I liked them,” she said blushing.
“Fine. I’m glad they look better in my polo,” he corrected boldly circling her waist. She let him. It was a nice feeling. He wasn’t exactly holding her, but having his big strong arms this close was nice indeed. “You really don’t remember me then?”
“Nope!”
“You know I wasn’t being completely honest with you,” Ramsey said sliding her back another step and leaning her against the balustrade.
“It doesn’t matter,” she slurred staring at his lips. By now, she wasn’t all too sure what he was talking about. She couldn’t remember if it was important.
“No, I guess it doesn’t, but I could still tell you.”
Her head felt heavy and it lolled backwards twice before she looked back up at him. God, his lips looked damn near edible from this close up. They were a soft pink color and perfectly proportioned. He licked his lips as she watched, and couldn’t help but let loose a soft breath as her heart rate picked up.
He chuckled quietly when he noticed she wasn’t really paying attention to what he was saying. “Lexi, don’t you want to know what I’m talking about?”
“Yep,” she said letting her focus shift back to his emerald green eyes. “I want to…”
“You want me to…” he began letting the words hang in the silence. Her eyes widened and pupils dilated with longing at the words. “…tell you what I’m talking about?”
“Oh,” she said, sucking in her bottom lip in confusion. “That’s not what I thought you were going to say.”
He snickered again. “What I have to say can wait. What did you want me to say?” he asked leaning into her.
She blushed furiously as her thoughts turned sexual. She tilted her head back to look up at him. Suddenly, she wanted to be sitting on the banister so she could get a better look at him. She wanted to be eye level with him. “Put me up,” she demanded slapping her hand playfully on the banister.
“Alright, but be careful,” he said hoisting her up and sitting her on the top of the railing. He held a firm grip on her so that she wouldn’t fall. A ten foot drop while she was drunk probably wouldn’t do her any serious damage, but he didn’t want to take the chance.
She liked her seat. Now she was even with him. This was much easier. His hand came up and swept her hair out of her face. “You know, Lexi, you’re very beautiful.”
She smiled at him through her lustful eyes. “Thank you.” Her breathing quickened as she noticed how close they had gotten. She hadn’t noticed it before, but he had scooted in between her legs to block the view from the window. She felt her bare thighs press against his sides, and realized her skirt was barely covering her lower half. One hand was wrapped around her holding her securely in place. The other was on the back of her neck gently kneading the muscles. His breath was hot on her face. Their mouths were so close together.
There was no reason for her not to kiss him. She was single. She was completely one hundred percent available. Jack was nothing to her. She couldn’t have him. Not the way she wanted him. She might as well go for what was right in front of her. She pushed herself a little closer to Ramsey. She was so close she could almost feel his lips against her. His breathing was wretched with anticipation. As he moved closer to her, something caught her eye in the window. She let her gaze shift fleetingly, and saw the most brilliant blue eyes lock onto her own. Then Ramsey was kissing her, and all thoughts were lost.
CHAPTER 10
MAY THREE YEARS EARLIER
Lexi crept back into the beach house just before sunrise. She and Jack had sat together all night peacefully enjoying each other’s company. Their attempt at friendship had been mildly successful. Lexi was glad that they had resisted kissing again. She was pretty sure they had gone over the line that was normally reserved for friends, but it was so incredibly mild and tame compared to their normal impulsive demeanor, neither of them had complained.
They had ended the night with a long hug at the base of the stairs. Both were staying on the cautious side, and didn’t want to be caught together like that in the house. She checked to see that the coast was clear, and then slunk across the den and into the bedroom. Being extra careful not to wake Sandy up, Lexi gently twisted the handle and secured it into place. When she turned around, she realized all efforts were futile. Sandy wasn’t there.
Lexi’s heart beat in a panic. She could feel herself beginning to hyperventilate. If Sandy wasn’t there, then that meant that she knew Lexi hadn’t been in bed. Sandy would tell everyone. Lexi had no idea what to do. She couldn’t risk everyone finding out.
Changing clothes, she lay down on the empty bed, and contemplated her options. She could rush out of bed now and start making breakfast or something. However, she wasn’t sure at what point Sandy had left last night and it might make her look even more conspicuous. She figured she could go find Clark, and snuggle with him. That would cover her tracks if Sandy came back, but would hardly explain anything if Sandy had snuck out earlier in the evening. And anyway, after staying up all night with Jack, she hardly wanted to see her boyfriend. They hadn’t done anything wrong…well after they had talked it out they hadn’t. But either way, she wasn’t quite ready to wash the familiar scent off of her skin or erase the memories of their night together.
She was fresh out of options. When she was about ready to give up, the door burst open and Sandy sauntered in looking all too pleased with herself. Noticing that the room wasn’t empty, she gasped dramatically and swung the door closed behind her.
“When did you get back?” she asked hesitantly, fear evident in her face.
Lexi wasn’t sure why she looked so terrified. Lexi was the one who had been out at all hours of the night doing things that she didn’t want anyone to know about. Why would Sandy be so scared? “What time is it?” Lexi asked stalling.
“Please don’t tell anyone I was out,” Sandy squealed rushing to the bed and sitting heavily on the quilt comforter. “Oh God, please don’t tell anyone.” She looked to be about to go into hysterics. “I didn’t expect you to be back this morning.”
Now Lexi was really confused. Where had she been? Why was she so frantic about people finding out? Luckily, this saved Lexi from being confronted about why she had been out all night. “Where were you?” she questioned Sandy trying to compose her features.
“Okay, I’ll tell you, but promise you won’t say anything,” she demanded grabbing for Lexi’s hands as tears began to well in her eyes.
“Sure. I promise.” Lexi was just damn curious now.
“Okay. Okay,” Sandy said taking her hands back and brushing at her eyes. Obviously, she took some comfort in the fact that Lexi wouldn’t say anything. Her hysterics abated, she began speaking. “I woke up when you left. I knew immediately where you were going.”
Lexi tried to keep her face neutral, but couldn’t help her look of surprise. “Where was that?”
“Obviously you were going to Clark’s room,” Sandy said making the most girly giggle Lexi had ever heard.
“Oh.” Lexi breathed out a sigh of relief. Of course that was where Sandy would think she had been. Most sane women would have gone to see their boyfriend in the middle of the night while they were on vacation. That would have been the logical thing to do. She scolded herself.
“Don’t worry,” Sandy said conspiratorially, “I won’t let anyone know that ya’ll were up all night.”
Oh God, Lexi didn’t know it was possible to feel this bad. Lexi bit her lip to the point of pain and then began to push her hair behind her ear. She did not want to cry right now, but Clark was so damn smart. He would know. He would see Jack all over her. He would be able to piece everything together and realize what had really gone on last night.
“But when I saw you were gone, I snuck upstairs to the master bedroom.” Lexi nodded along. Really, she should have figured as much. The two had been all over each other since they had arrived. “Seth was very persuasive, and I…well…I stayed most of the night. I didn’t sleep much though,” Sandy said as if she were confiding in a friend. “I know you and Clark are together, but have you and Seth ever?”
Lexi quickly shook her head no. There was no way in hell. Seth was such a pig. “No. No. No. No. No.”
“You should maybe give it a try. He’s…wow…amazing.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so.”
“More for me then,” she said contentedly. “He made me swear not to tell anyone. It’s our little secret. So, if you could just keep it between us that would be great.”
Obviously Seth wouldn’t want Sandy to tell everyone that they were sleeping together. That way he could sleep with the other two girls he had brought with him without any of them knowing about it. How did Sandy not see that? Lexi didn’t really care to find out. As long as they were both under the impression that they were keeping each other’s secrets that would work out just fine for her.
She was exhausted, but still she was unable to sleep for very long. Tumbling noises from upstairs informed her that the guys had woken up. From that point on, she would never get any shut eye. Lexi grabbed her toiletry bag and hobbled into the empty bathroom. She stared at her reflection in the mirror in surprise. No wonder Sandy had thought she had been up all night doing the nasty. She was a wreck.
Her hair was tangled and windblown from a night on the beach. Her cheeks were plump and rosy. Her lips cracked and chapping. Two large circles had formed under her bloodshot eyes from the lack of sleep. Luckily, Sandy hadn’t noticed the sand covering her body or else she might have asked more questions. Despite her exhaustion and renewed fear that Clark would notice a difference in her, she was ready to start the day. She was ready to see Jack again.
After a shower, Lexi figured she at least looked presentable, and was ready for some breakfast. As she exited the room and began to climb the stairs to search for something to eat, the smell hit her. Pancakes.
She turned the corner and found Clark already in the middle of whipping up a fresh batch. Smiling brightly as she entered the room, she walked up to him and grasped him around the middle.
“Good morning to you too,” he said leaning down and giving her a kiss. “You look fresh this morning.”
She blushed. “Thank you, dear.”
“Go have a seat, and I’ll get you some pancakes. Orange juice, yes?”
“Uh...yeah. Sounds great,” she said turning away from him. Her gaze rested on the breakfast bar where a certain someone was seated looking smug.
“Mornin’,” Jack said tilting his head at her as a welcome. She watched as he poured an exorbitant amount of maple syrup on his pancakes.
“Good morning to you,” she said cheerfully, taking the seat next to him and glancing back up at Clark. After pouring several pancakes onto the griddle, he turned around and was staring at her intently.
“Sleep well?” Jack asked between mouthfuls of the oozing goodness.
Lexi leaned back in the chair and prayed she didn’t blush. “Sure,” she said unable to keep a mischievous smile from creeping onto her face. “You?”
“Nah. Slept like shit. That couch is full of lumps. Feels more like sand,” he told her forcing down another bite, but still not looking up at her.
Clark looked between the two, and seemed genuinely pleased that they were having normal conversation. Every other time they were in a room together, Lexi was fleeing the premises or they were locked in a tight, spitfire conversation for several minutes then Jack would storm off. It wasn’t pretty.
“Man, that’s because it probably is full of sand. Think about how many times people sit on that couch after coming in from the beach,” Clark said shaking his head.
A brief, knowing look passed between Jack and Lexi. She tried to hide her delight at Jack’s playful comments. It felt nice being able to discuss their night together without anyone…even Clark knowing what they were talking about. To anyone else, all the comments Jack made would seem completely neutral. It was exhilarating.
“You’re probably right,” Jack agreed scraping the last remnants of his breakfast from his plate. “I probably should have thought about that before I let it keep me up all night.”
Lexi accepted the plate of pancakes and orange juice from Clark, and tried not to look anymore impish than usual. As she began to dig into her plate, Kate walked in.
While they had been up all night, they had confided in each other about their relationships– the ups and downs about being with their significant others. At first, Lexi had found it strange to discuss these things with someone who had been feverishly kissing her only minutes before, but after they started talking neither could seem to stop. It was refreshing to be able to speak with someone so openly about her relationship, knowing that they didn’t mind…actually reveled in the bad qualities mentioned.
Lexi had found out that Jack and Kate met through a mutual friend of theirs. She was pretty much everything you expected out of a cheerleader prom queen type: average height with stick straight, naturally blonde hair to her shoulders, large baby blue eyes, and a toned build with a killer tan. She wore her emotions on her sleeve, and her bubbly personality only intensified that aspect of her character. The silver spoon she had been fed on since birth made her have a predisposition for expensive name brand clothing, acrylic French manicures, fake and bake tanning, and ultra bright highlights. The only things keeping her from being a snotty brat was the fact that her parents were extremely religious. At least in that respect, she had been humbled from her high horse. The faith had remained with her all through college. No matter what had gone on Saturday night, Kate could be found every Sunday morning sitting in a pew…confessing her sins.
Despite the fact that Jack wasn’t on a sports team for the school like her three previous boyfriends, his natural charm won her over. She liked his music and adventurous nature even though she wasn’t a big fan of the big wide open outdoors herself. She had been hooked after the first date. He had taken to her to the nicest restaurant in town for a candle lit dinner with wine pairings, roses, and everything. The whole shebang. Afterwards, they traversed a moonlit path around the campus gardens. When he had described it to Lexi, she couldn’t help thinking that it was far removed from a simple carnival ride.
They had started talking after Lexi stopped returning his calls, and had been dating for over a year and a half now. Apparently Jack lived by the rules: the best way to forget the last is to move onto the next.
Kate sidled up to Jack in her bright yellow bikini and broad-rimmed floppy sun hat. Lexi watched as she kissed him, and then hooked her leg up onto his lap and swung herself up on top of him.
“Are you ready to go to the beach yet?” she asked wide-eyed.
“Just about,” he said circling his arms around her waist and leaning his head against her shoulder. “I could use about five more hours of sleep. You interested?”
“You didn’t sleep?” she asked.
“He slept on sand all night,” Lexi said taking a long sip of orange juice.
Kate jumped as if just realizing that they weren’t alone. “You were on the beach?”
Jack flicked his gaze over towards Lexi in warning. Lexi just continued eating. She knew that she wasn’t that great of a liar. She couldn’t word things like Jack could. He could manipulate his language so that no one would be able to tell anything was different.
“No, I was telling Lex and Clark that the den couch feels like it’s full of sand.”
“Oh, gross. You know that I’d come and share with you to make it more enjoyable, but I just cannot sleep on a couch,” she said flicking her hair over shoulder. Every time she moved it just bounced back in front. “You need to go change so we can get our asses on the beach,” she said sliding off of his lap and tugging him out of the kitchen.
Lexi skimmed her eyes across the departing couple. Her stomach twisted at the sight of Jack’s arm hanging loosely around Kate’s waist…well a little lower than her waist. She wanted things to work out so that she would be able to be around Jack more often, but so far she wasn’t all that certain they could stay like this. She couldn’t change the way she felt about him.
“You two seemed to be getting along better,” Clark said flipping a pancake over.
Lexi shrugged. “I guess,” she said nonchalantly. “I’m going to go change for the beach. Thanks for breakfast.” She hopped off her chair, kissed him on the cheek, and then rushed out of the room before she could give herself away.
*****
The next few days passed in a similar fashion. The group would spend a fun filled day at the beach hanging out in the ocean, playing volleyball and Frisbee, and a whole hell of a lot of sun bathing. Each night after everyone passed out from physical exhaustion, Lexi would crawl out of bed and into the den. She would shake Jack from his slumber if need be, and they would slink down to the beach to spend the remaining hours until daybreak together. The next morning, they would wake up at the crack of dawn eager to be in each other’s presence. She had resorted to afternoon naps on the beach to keep herself going during the day. Clark couldn’t figure out why she was so tired all the time, but she continually blamed it on the sheer amount of alcohol she had consumed coupled with the sun’s heated rays.