Sea Breeze 02 - Because of Low

week I’d do our laundry this evening. Feeling somewhat better about being a freaking charity case I headed for the stairs.
    “Low, hey gorgeous it’s been too long,” Preston flashed me his pretty boy smile and tucked a strand of white blond hair behind his ear. The boy knew his affect on females but apparently he hadn’t picked up on his lack of affect on me.
    “Hello Preston and yes it has. I’m surprised you’re not around more now that your friend is living here.”
    A small frown puckered Preston’s forehead. He glanced back up the steps at the door to the apartment then turned back to me.
    “Uh, yeah well about Marcus. He’s having a bad day. His sister is up there and she’s really upset over some family stuff they’ve got going on. Why don’t you and I go grab something to eat and head over to hear Jackdown play over at Live Bay tonight that is if you’re not working tonight. I haven’t seen Dewayne and Rock in awhile. I’m sure Dewayne would love to see you.”
    Going to listen to Jackdown wasn’t what I needed to do tonight. I had a fair amount of homework and tomorrow I would be working a double shift at the restaurant side of Live Bay. However, I also didn’t want to intrude on a family problem. I knew enough about those kind of problems to know Marcus needed some privacy.
    “Um, okay, sounds good. Uh,” I glanced back toward the stairs, “Do you think maybe I could run in and change real quick. I’ll just go straight to Cage’s room and come right back out.”
    “Oh yeah that’s fine. I just meant they needed some time alone. They’re probably in Marcus’ bedroom anyway and I doubt they even hear you come in. Come on I’ll go with you and grab a drink while you change.”
    I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out my key feeling the strange warmth inside me at the sight of it. It was odd how something so small made me feel secure.

    We stepped inside and I left Preston in the kitchen as I stepped into Cage’s room. I could hear talking coming from Marcus’s closed bedroom door as I’d passed by it. Maybe I could get out of here before they realized I’d come in. Marcus seemed okay with my being here a lot. I didn’t want that to change.
    I slipped into a short jean skirt and put on an emerald green halter top and then pulled on the black leather jacket Cage had given me for Christmas two years ago. My cowboy boots sat in his closet lined up beside his and I laughed at this small hint from Cage. He wanted me here. That much was obvious. The boy had no clue how impossible he made things.
    Stepping out of the bedroom I noticed Preston and Marcus whispering in the living room. I halted not wanting to intrude when Marcus eyes met mine. Slowly his green eyes traveled down my body and back up causing my pulse to race. I stood frozen in my spot until his eyes found mine again.
    “Damn girl let’s get your sexy ass out of here before Cage shows up. He’ll have me hung up by my balls and you changing clothes while he stands guard at the door.” Preston’s words were meant to break the silence but it only made Marcus’s eyes flare up.
    “Um, okay, good idea,” I forced a smile and then willed my legs to move until I was beside Preston. His arm slipped around my shoulders and he leaned his head down and sniffed me. “Mmmm... you even smell good.”
    Marcus cleared his throat loudly causing Preston to chuckle.
    “Go deal with Manda bro. I just gave y’all the privacy you need. Cage has a date with some girl from Monroeville down here for spring break. And I intend to keep this one out late.”
    My face heated up at the insinuation in his voice. Surely Marcus knew I wasn’t going to be out doing what Preston made it sound like I would be doing. What was wrong with him anyway? He never laid his flirting on this thick.
    “Good night Marcus, I hope you get things worked out.” I managed to say in a calm voice with no hint to the frenzy his attention had sent my pulse into.
    He nodded and turned around without a word.

    Marcus
    Cowboy boots . Did she have to wear freaking cowboy boots with that tiny little skirt? I slammed the refrigerator door without getting a drink. A beer sounded really good after watching Preston walk out with Willow tucked against his side. But Amanda needed me. I couldn’t drink even if right now all I wanted to do was get really trashed and forget this crazy mess my dad had laid in my lap.
    “Why’re you slamming things?” Amanda asked