Chapter 9

June's POV

"June! You finally called back. Where are you right now?" Tiffany immediately blurted, answering her phone with more enthusiasm than warranted.

"I'm at the beach near the Surf Shop. Is everything okay?" I asked her as I made my way to the sidewalk. My brows pinched in worry, wondering what she could have called and texted me so much for.

"Everything is great! Dad just told me he's leaving this afternoon on a flight to Ibiza for a few days! Ty is throwing a stupid rager, so I thought I would see if I could spend the night with you. Save me, June," she begged, washing my insecurities away. She hadn't invited me to the party because it wasn't hers. No, instead she was seeking refuge with me.

"I'll ask my dad, although it's a real coin toss with him." She laughed as I answered.

"No, worries. I'll show up for dinner and convince him before he goes to work. Trust me." She sounded so confident that I wanted to believe her.

"Okay, but I don't have an extra bed to offer you, just the couch." I didn't really like the thought of her sleeping on the couch downstairs. It felt too exposing with all the easily accessible windows. I blame Dad for my extremely high paranoias.

"You will not share your bed with me?" I could hear the pout in her voice as she asked.

"I mean, I guess I could." I didn't think she would be comfortable with that. Am I?

"Yay! Okay, Rodney will drop me off around six, and then I'll work my magic on your dad." She giggled and I could hear Rodney's mumbles in the background. "See you later, June!"

"Bye, Tiff."

I felt fantastic as I walked back home, for once, feeling excited about something. Le Tigre was playing in my ears, making it impossible not to dance as I walked. My head was bobbing as "Slideshow At Free University" played. I know some people can find this song weird, but I absolutely loved the beat. When I arrived home, there was an unexpected police car in the driveway. Nash was here with his devilishly handsome face flashing me a wide grin. He was in uniform, which meant he was here on a legal matter and not a personal one. Nash was only a couple of years older than me, the youngest deputy in town. I would dare say he was the most eligible bachelor in town, with his sharp jawline, dark hair, and piercing hazel eyes. He much resembled a young Tom Welling.

"Hey, June. I tried ringing the bell, but I think your father's too deeply asleep to hear it. Do you mind letting me in so I can speak with him? It's important," he asked as politely as possible. I swear he had to have practiced that smile because it was too dreamy to be natural.

"Yeah, of course. Sure thing," I nodded, heading for the door, suddenly shaken.

"Just got back from swimming?" he asked, making friendly conversation as he waited for me.

"Yeah, the water was a little too warm for my liking."

"I know what you mean. It doesn't feel right to hop into warm water when it's so hot outside. Is that a new swimsuit?" I was happy my back was towards him as he asked, because I knew without looking that my cheeks were probably light pink. Not only was he looking at my body, but he had noticed that this wasn't my regular swimsuit.

"No, I've had it for a while, just don't wear it much," I answered, pushing the door open as I unlocked it.

"I like this one better," he smirked, dipping his hat politely as he marched up the stairs. Most of the deputies knew this house inside and out. Dad always made it a point to treat his co-workers like family. He told me when he's not at home, those people were his family, and they had to have each other's backs.

I followed Nash up the stairs, needing to shower and change. He knocked on Dad's room door as I entered my own. I was quick to grab my clothes and heading towards the bathroom in the hall. Sadly, I didn't have one in my room, but this bathroom was pretty much mine, as Dad had one in his room and there was a half bath on the first floor for guests. I could hear Nash and Dad talking through his door, but I didn't pry. Whatever it was, I didn't need to know about it. I didn't take too long in the shower, quickly washing my hair and the scent of saltwater off me. As I exited the restroom, I ran into Nash. Like physically run into Nash, crashing into his chest as I turned around from closing the door. He caught me in his arms, steadying me before he let me go. I was mortified. How did I even manage to do that?

"I'm so sorry," I quickly apologized, unable to look him in the face.

"It's fine, don't worry about it," he said, causing me to look up and see that smile of his again. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm so sorry," I apologized again, because that seems to be all I know how to do now.

"June, it's fine, really. I gotta get back to work. Thanks again for letting me in." He dipped his hat in gratitude once more, as if he were some kind of cowboy. Lord, help me.

"Be careful out there," I said, stepping aside so he could walk by me.

"Always am. Although, I don't mind you worrying about me." He winked at me with a cheeky grin as he walked by, rooting me in place with his comment. My heart raced with excitement at the thought of Nash having possibly just flirted with me. It wasn't until I heard the front door close that I could move again.

I rushed to my room, suddenly feeling giddy. It took me a moment to get myself to calm down and be logical about this. There was no way that Nash was flirting with me. Dad would kill him, probably, and I'm sure he knows that. I had just turned 18 in December, so it had only been 6 months since I became of legal age. Surely he doesn't see me any other way than as his boss's daughter. Right?