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“Oh god, I hope not, guys.” Flicking through songs on my car stereo, she settled on one of our favorites; Matt Nathanson’s “Laid.” “I’m perfectly content as I am.”
“Yes, you are perfect as you are,” I agreed.
She rolled her eyes in response. “Oh, and fair warning, Hugh is like a demon since he got home from work.”
“Why?”
“It’s my fault,” she muttered, drumming her fingers on the car door. “Liz was at the pool this morning, and I asked him to talk to her about something.” She shrugged in defeat. “Obviously, it didn’t go well because he’s been banging around the house like a bear with a sore head since he got home. I mean, God only knows why. It’s not like his life is terrible. Pretty girlfriend. Pretty sister. Pretty fantastic life if you ask me.”
“You are fantastic.”
“You’re a dope.”
“I’d gladly be dope if you put me in your mouth.”
“Gibs, you’re getting worse.” Shannon laughed from the back seat. “That was weak.”
“It’s because I’m rusty,” I defended with a huff. “I haven’t seen anyone in weeks to practice on. I’ve been on house arrest, remember?”
“Well, it serves you right for doing what you did,” Claire cackled. “In all fairness, Gerard, what did you expect them to do?”
“Not ruin my summer.”
“You stole your stepfather’s tractor.”
“A digger,” I corrected with a huff. “It was a digger, not a tractor, and I borrowed it.”
“And then you rolled all over Mrs. Kingston’s flower bed with the wheels.”
“Only because I couldn’t get a handle on the pedals.” I narrowed my eyes. “And if I recall correctly, I wasn’t alone in my mission, either.”
“I plead the Fifth,” Claire snickered.
“You would.”
“Why would you guys steal a digger?” Shannon laughed.
“No idea.” I laughed.
“Seemed like a good idea at the time,” Claire added.
“And now?”
“Now?” Scratching my chin, I grinned sheepishly. “Maybe not so much.”
“You ruined her petunias,” Claire reminded me with a mischievous grin.
My mouth fell open in outrage. “That was you!”
“Nuh-uh.” She patted my thigh. “Not according to our parents.”
6
Boys, Beaches, and Besties
CLAIRE
Our trip to the beach turned out to be a glorious one. Surrounded by friendly faces, and on a day filled with sunshine, sandcastles, and seaside paddling, we celebrated our last days of freedom before school returned and the summer gave way to autumn.
