I chewed my bottom lip, unsure of how to answer. Rhodes’ eyes fell to where my teeth worked the tender skin and I watched the muscles in his jaw tense before he found my eyes again. “That’s what I thought. This is about him.”

“It’s not just about him.”

He swallowed, but didn’t argue. Instead, he sighed, his chest deflating, and stepped back to put distance between us. “It’s okay. It actually makes sense now.”

“What does?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. I’ll help you get your boyfriend back, Natalie.” He pointed to the elliptical. “Finish with the cardio drill we did the other day. The intervals. Do thirty minutes.” He pulled the white towel from his pocket and wiped his forehead before turning away from me.

“Wait,” I tried, but he kept walking. “Where are you going?”

“I have another client to tend to. We’re finished with weights today so just finish with the cardio and you can go. I’ll see you Thursday.”

He didn’t face me again as he said the words. He just threw them over his shoulder and let the door close behind him as he exited the gym. I stood there for a moment staring at the door he’d walked through like it would open again, but it didn’t. Sighing, I climbed onto the elliptical and took a long drag from my water bottle before starting the session.

Rhodes told me to do thirty minutes but I did an hour. I texted Willow when I was finished and told her I was going to hit the hot tub but she could start heading that way. She was just finishing up at her weekly coffee house poetry slam, which was just about a half hour from the club, so it worked out perfectly.

I changed into my one-piece quickly and grabbed a towel from the locker room before heading out to the pool. The rain had cleared, but the pavement was still wet as my feet padded across the small garden area to where the pool and hot tub were tucked away. It was a full moon and the light from it reflected off the soft blue of the pool water, casting a cool glow over the white folding chairs lined up on either side. I tossed my bag and towel on one near the shallow end of the pool just as I heard light laughter.

Following the sound, I glanced toward the hot tub on the other end of the pool and sighed when I noticed it wasn’t vacant. Probably two old, drunk, Poxton Beach Country Club members doing God knows what. So much for steaming out the soreness in my muscles. I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around me again, though my muscles cried out in disagreement. There was no way I was going to join whatever party was happening over there, though. I lifted my gym bag strap onto my shoulder but as I turned to head back inside, I glanced at the hot tub again.

And I was met with fierce green eyes.

Rhodes was staring at me, brows low, his mouth narrowed out into a straight line. An older woman who I didn’t recognize was kissing up his neck. She caught his earlobe in her mouth and wrapped her long, manicured nails around his jaw, pulling him into her touch.

I swallowed, but I couldn’t look away. Rhodes watched me carefully, but his gaze was just as unwavering as mine. When the woman’s hand dipped below the water line, my stomach sank and I felt a wave of something roll over me. Nausea? Jealousy? I wasn’t sure, but I’d had enough. Averting my eyes, I tucked my towel around me tighter and skipped going back inside, heading straight for the entrance, instead.

I thought maybe he would come find me. I thought maybe he would tell me not to worry, she’s just a client, blah blah blah. But he never came. Then I realized, why would I think he would? Rhodes didn’t owe me anything — least of all an explanation for having a woman’s hands in his swim trunks. I was trying to figure out why it bothered me so much but fifteen minutes went by with my head spinning and no answers coming. Willow pulled up in her cherry red Jeep and snapped me out of the spell.

“Ow owww,” she whistled when she came to a stop. “I can’t believe I get to spend all night with this sexy beast. And I stole some wine from my parents’ stash? Oh yeah, tonight will be trouble.” She winked and I tossed my bag in the back before plopping down beside her and fastening my seatbelt. When I didn’t smile or joke in return, she frowned, but didn’t ask me what was wrong. She just threw the car in drive and turned up the volume on the radio.

She would ask me for details when we got to her house. I knew that. This was only a temporary relief. And I knew I’d have to tell her what I was feeling. I’d have to tell her what was going on with Mason, with Rhodes.

The problem was, I wasn’t sure I really knew, myself.

The fair that came to Poxton Beach in late May was nothing like the state fair that rolled through South Carolina each October, but it was an event that drew all the locals out in addition to the tourists passing through. It was themed around corn, being that it was held right in the middle of harvesting season, and there were food competitions, Future Farmers of America showcases, and rides for a promising night of entertainment. I always got excited for it before, but Willow had to practically drag me from her house this time.

“I promise we’ll have fun, Natalie,” she said for the seventh time as we made our way through the dirt lot to the entrance. I was struggling, trying to balance and walk somewhat gracefully in the nude, strappy wedges she’d forced me to wear. “Just ignore Mason and Shay. They’ll probably be off doing their own thing, anyway.”

“Wishful thinking.”

She glared at me, applying another coat of lip gloss.

“Fine,” I sighed. “I’ll try. For you and only for you, Lo,” I trailed off, watching my feet as we walked. “You’re right, we don’t have much longer together. I want to have a fun summer with you, regardless of them. Especially since you’re probably leaving me early, too. Because we all know you’re going to get into the advanced program.”

Willow wrapped her petite arms around me and gave me a squeeze. “I love you! Don’t get sad on me now, though. Tonight’s about fun.” She pulled out a purple sparkly flask. “And that fun starts now.” She winked, took a swig, and passed it to me.

Smiling, I accepted her offer and threw back a shot. Last time we were out I made the mistake of turning down alcohol. This time, I wouldn’t be so stupid. I was down for anything to numb all the feelings bubbling up inside me.

“I wish you would have let me wear sneakers,” I complained. “It’s a fair. It’s mostly dirt and grimy concrete covered in fair food. Why did we have to get so dressed up?”