I started to tap the beat of the song on the door with my hand as I let my gaze drift outside.

When I looked back in front of me, Stone was watching me with an amused expression in the reflection of the rear mirror.

"Sorry about the shitty music." Brennan complained "Stone's car, Stone's rules as he likes to say."

My immediate reaction was to defend the music but then I realised I would be complimenting Stone on his good taste in music. I did not want to compliment him on anything, so I bit my tongue and stayed quiet.

"So, what kind of music do you like?" Lana questioned Brennan, attempting to get to know more about him.

"I don't really like music." Brennan answered sheepishly to her.

Disliking music was probably the only flaw that Lana had found in Brennan since meeting him. It might not have seemed like a massive deal, but I knew it would cause problems for them in the future.

Music was Lana's life and ambition and she wanted somebody to share her passions with.

We were approaching the main beachfront. The palms trees whizzed by as we passed onto a new street. The scene was aesthetically beautiful. The sea in the distance glistened under the sun and it highlighted the turquoise waters.

The place made me feel uneasy.

I felt sick at the realisation I was going to have to go to the beach. I felt I was going to faint at the realisation that the sand was going to touch my toes and that the sea air would fill my lungs.

I was too caught up in wanting to be there for Lana that I forgot why I avoided the beach like the plague.

My feet had not touched the sand since my mother's passing. My body had not touched the ocean since my mother walked into the water and never came back.

Maybe it was because of the sun beating down on me through the window or because of the confinement of the truck or perhaps something else but I needed out.

An abrupt uncomfortable heat started to swallow me whole and threaten to suffocate me.

Knowing we were only a few minutes away from the beach made me panic more so I pushed the button in the car and rolled the windows down to try and gain my breath back.

A gust of cool wind hit my face and I let out a breath. I closed my eyes and stuck my head out of the truck. I focused on my breathing and tried to forget everything else.

I then sat back and my chair and let my head rest against the seat.

My eyes opened and they instantly met Stone's in the reflection of the mirror.

He wore a foreign expression on his face as he watched me. It was still stern, yet it was softer than I had ever seen it.