Chapter 4: Chapter 4 : Poolside Altercations
Becca.
The warm Miami heat toasted my skin as I lay on a white lounge chair by the pool. As much as I wished I had this kind of comfort back in Savannah, I didn’t. It was more humid there than enjoyable, and Miami weather was much different.
It was one thing I enjoyed about this place.
This was the one comfort I took from years of hard work for my future. While I was here in Miami, I could be anyone and do anything my heart desired.
Because no one knew who I was, and after a lifeti of having to be soone in particular—well, it was welcoming.
Tally had insisted on having a bunch of people over for a pool party, and as they milled around in the cool water laughing and drinking, I couldn’t help but feel annoyed by them.
They seed so carefree with their upscale lifestyles, able to co and go as they wanted. Never really having to work for anything, and having their parents hand them money whenever they wanted.
That wasn’t sothing I was accustod to. My parents had worked hard all their lives to give the best they could, and even now, I worked hard too. Because I planned on taking care of my father one day. My mom had passed away a few years ago.
Dad had given up so much for , and unlike the rest of these people who expected to have whatever they wanted—I wouldn’t take my parents for granted.
“Are you just going to lie there all day or co join us?” Tally asked as her shadowed form peered down at , blocking out the sunlight I had been enjoying.
“I am joining you, but just from this chair. The sun feels amazing, and I don’t feel like swimming,” I told her with honesty as I relaxed further into my seat.
“At least you’re drinking,” she smirked.
Holding up my margarita, I let the corner of my lips rise. “That I am. Tequila and sunshine.”
“With hot guys?”
“Uh-no,” I laughed. “I can satisfy myself. Haven’t you heard it’s the twenty-first century? Won don’t need n. We have each other and toys for our entertainnt purposes.”
“Well, that needs to change. I want you to et soone,” she replied, rolling her eyes.
My lips t tightly as I shook my head. “No, Tally. I told you before. I’m not ready.”
“Oh, my god. It’s literally been almost a month, Becca. You’re wasting your ti being no fun at all because Chad was f*cking soone else.”
What the f*ck?
Taken aback by her forward response, I looked at her in shock. “Wow. Thanks for that.”
She may be my best friend, but she was a f*cking bitch sotis.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, she sat down next to , placing her chin in her hand. “You know what I an. I—I just want you to be happy again.”
“Well, then maybe my boyfriend shouldn’t have been f*cking soone behind my back. Second of all, I am happy.”
Groaning with frustration, she rolled her eyes again. “Let it go already. He isn’t worth it.”
“Oh, I am well aware of that,” I scoffed. “Now, leave alone. I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. I don’t know why you keep lying to yourself,” she replied, causing to shake my head. She had no idea what she was talking about.
“Why don’t you stop worrying about trying to play matchmaker and find yourself soone to play with?” I urged her with a smile as I closed my eyes behind dark sunglasses and tried to get back to relaxing.
“I am really happy you ca, Becca,” Tally said after a mont of silence. “There is no telling where we will be next year, and I have missed spending my sumrs with you over the last few years.”
Peaking open one of my eyes, I watched the sincere expression cross her face. She was being honest, but there was sothing about the way she acted lately that told otherwise.
It was as if she was happy, but then also hiding sothing. Deciding not to press further, I let a smile crest my lips. “I’m glad I ca too. But I’m still not letting you play matchmaker.”
“No fun.” She laughed hysterically. “Fine... do what you want.”
“Oh, I will. Now, hurry and get back to that sexy redhead. He has been watching you with f*ck- eyes since the mont you left the pool and ca over here.”
Turning her head, she peered at him, pushing down her glasses slightly before giving him a small wave. “He is cute, huh?”
“Yeah, he is,” I replied. “But he is more your type, so you have fun. I will catch another man so other ti. I am content for right now.”
“Fine, fine,” She smirked. “Don’t say I didn’t try.”
Turning on her feet, she skipped over towards the red-haired man who pulled her into the pool. Her giggling voice echoed through the air as I settled back into the comforting zone I was in before she arrived.
However, without warning, another figure took her place, and it was that of a godly built Hispanic man with a clear agenda on his mind.
“Well, hello gorgeous.”
Raising a brow, I let my eyes rack over him before a sigh escaped . “No.”
“No?”
“Yeah, no,” I snorted. “Look, I don’t know what Tally has told you, but I’m not interested, honestly. I just want to do my own thing and lie by the pool, relaxing.”
“She told you played hard to get. I like that in a woman.”
Oh, for f*ck's sake. Is he stupid?
“No, I am not the kind of woman to lead a guy on. I am genuinely not interested… I’m sorry, I didn’t get your na…”
“Alejandro,” he replied. “What might your na be?”
“My na?” The question followed with laughter as he nodded his head. “It’s… I’m not interested.”
I wasn’t trying to be a bitch, but I also wasn’t going to beat around the bush. I grew up with the philosophy that it was better to be forward and to the point.
Alejandro stared at for a mont with disbelief as I tilted my head, curious about his response. But in shock, he simply smiled.
“I like it,” he claid as he tried to lean closer, my eyes widening as I quickly moved back and stood from my seat. Was he really trying to make a move on ?
“Excuse , but I told you I wasn’t interested,” I snapped as I grabbed my things and quickly made my way inside.
To think Tally had actually sent that guy to et . Disgusting.
“Becca, what’s wrong?” Tally called from where she was in the pool. “Don’t be like that.”
Don’t be like that. Was she f*cking serious right now?
Without saying a word, I shut the door to the kitchen behind . Taking off the wide brim sun hat I was wearing, and laying it down on the counter, I took a deep breath.
“I can’t believe–”
“Where are you going, beautiful?” Alejandro said behind while closing the door.
Spinning on my feet, I watched as he stumbled his way towards . It was clear now this guy had been drinking, and from the way he kept looking at , he only wanted one thing.
“Look, I will say this slower for you, so you understand. I’m not interested, honestly.”
Laughter left his lips as he walked towards . “You don’t have to lie.”
“I can assure you I am not lying,” I replied, backing away from him. “Now, please just leave alone.”
“Leave you alone?” He laughed again. “Won wish they could be in your shoes. I am one of the most eligible n in Miami….”
“Please, stop!” I yelled at him as he backed into the fridge. My heart raced, and my palms were clammy. The last thing I wanted was to be in this situation, but at the sa ti, I didn’t want to attack the man.
I just wanted him to leave alone.
“I think you’re just scared. I heard about your ex, and I promise I won’t hurt you.”
Was this man f*cking serious?!
“How dare you?!” I scread as I tried to move around him. “You don’t even know , and you have no right to say such things to .”
Grabbing my arm, Alejandro pushed against the counter, pinning with his body. I knew exactly what was going through his mind, but there was no way I was going to let that happen.
Thinking fast, I brought my knee up and clocked him between his legs.
“You f*cking bitch!” he roared as his hand ca up, slapping across the face. He had hit , and my desperation in getting away beca even more real.
“Let go!” I yelled, hoping anyone would co to intervene. I didn’t want to be the woman who was sexually assaulted at the party because no one noticed she was missing.
“Stop, stop.” He laughed as I struggled against him. “Stop fighting , mi amor. Let show you how to love again. I will forgive you for your actions just a mont ago.”
“Get the f*ck off !” I scread as his hand ca over my mouth.
“Oh, baby co on—” he panted. “I know you want this.”
“What the f*ck is going on here?” Jas snapped as he walked into the kitchen.
Alejandro turned, looking over his shoulder, and scoffed. “Mind your business, old man.”
It was obvious this kid didn’t know who Jas was, but with the way Jas’ eyes narrowed and his fists clenched, I could tell he was about to find out.
“Excuse ?” Jas sneered, “I think you need to leave… now.”
I found myself wary about the way Jas spoke, and I would have sworn that this guy would have as well. However, that wasn’t the case.
“You heard …”
Before Alejandro could finish his sentence, Jas grabbed him by the neck and brought him in close. “I am the owner of this house, and if you don’t leave right now, I will make sure your future in Miami is done. Do YOU understand ?”
Trepidation spiraled through as I watched the scene unfold.
Alejandro was ripped from my body, and as he was, I fell to my knees on the floor, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart.
If Jas had not stepped in, god knows what would have happened. Alejandro was much bigger than , and I was already having a hard ti fighting him off.
The two n struggled in the kitchen until security arrived, and Jas had him thrown from the house. He had been my rescuer when no one else was around.
Tally and I were seriously going to have words about this.
I couldn’t believe she thought this guy was the right fit for . He was everything I despised in a man, and so much more.
“Are you okay?” Jas asked, pulling from my thoughts. My eyes slowly t his as my breath caught in my throat. Through everything I had just gone through…
He took my breath away and set my body on fire.
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