Page 73 of True Abandon

“Guitar.” Jax is way too nonchalant.

“Have we heard any of your stuff?” Jason is either very interested or he wants the vibe Kelli just set to be gone, quickly.

Not knowing how the conversation went from A to B, Jax tries to go with the flow. “There’s one song that’s getting traction, but you probably haven’t heard it.”

“What’s it called?” Isaiah leans his elbow one knee.

Jax answers like it’s something to be ashamed of. “Die a Happy Man.”

“I know that one!” Lani jumps to her feet. “If I ever, ever got together with you, I’d die a happy man.” Her voice is more melodic than when Shayna Waimer tried to sing it this morning.

“I know that one,” Kal nods a finger. He snaps his fingers a few times as if tryin to remember the words. “It’s four a.m., I’m thinking of what was said. The devil in disguise, I need to comprehend. How could I have let him get into my head? I’m gonna make it right. And I won’t stop till I get back with you.”

Lani and Isaiah clap, at Kal’s bellow – which was really beautiful. He gets up and keeps on singing. “It’s this one man’s stand to change the Maker’s plan and forget all the pain we created in the rain. I won’t give-up the fight. I’ll die making it right for you.”

My Hawaiian maniacs get up, Lani first and then followed by Jason and Benji, and start dancing around the fire, joining in when they know the lyrics. Isaiah even breaks out his ukulele and remains seated playing the chords to Jax’s song.

They sound like wolves howling at the moon. Jax has a shy smile on his face as he watches from behind his beer while these beautiful people who enjoy life sing his words.

Friends, booze, and a song. It’s a simple life. It’s perfect.

“We have to talk.” Kelli is kneeling beside me. Her death-stare is aimed at Jax who hasn’t noticed her presence.

Stepping away from the campfire, I follow her toward the ocean where the sound of the waves drowns out our friends’ laughter. Her arms are crossed, and her brown hair whips in the wind. I grab my own with two hands and pull it to the side of my neck.

“I know you’re surprised I didn’t tell you he was here,” I start. “I’m just trying to wrap my head around things. A lot has happened in the last few days.”

“This is perfect!” She speaks loudly over the crashing current. “You’re a fucking genius.”

I tilt a brow. “How so?”

“You have him exactly where you want him.”

I scrunch my face into a contorted grimace. “What?”

She gets closer to my ear. “This is your chance to get back at him. Mortify him the way he did you.”

I shake my head. “That’s not what this is. I’m trying to move on—”

“Move on?” she screeches. “Are you fucking kidding me? If I Google teenage-blonde-virgin-gives-boyfriend-ride-of-his-life, your face appears. Yours Trish. That guy made a sex tape with you and now it’s plastered all over the internet.” Her arms spread big and wide.

“Kelli. Please. Quiet. I’m trying to put it in the past.”

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Are you that weak that you’ll let him walk back into your life like nothing happened?”

It may be pitch black, but with the glow of the fire, I know she can see the seriousness in my eyes. “He’s not back in my life.”

“Good.” She relaxes her shoulders, satisfied with my answer. “This is your chance to make it right. I don’t know how exactly, but the ball’s in your court.—it’s payback time.”

“Trish,” Jax’s voice booms over the wind. “You guys okay out here?” He’s a few paces away. Thankfully, due to the waves and the wind, he can’t hear our conversation.

“Yeah, we’re coming,” I shout to him and then turn back to Kelli. “We’ll talk about it at the apartment. Just me and you and drinks.”

She looks over and Jax and then nods her head. “Yes. We’ll plan.”

I open my mouth to argue with her and then close it. She means well, but when she gets her mind set on something it’s hard to snap her out of it.

Good thing I won’t let her do anything stupid.