Kira’s are more subtle, as if her uncle’s habit of hiding his emotions has rubbed off on her when it comes to these deeper, innermost feelings, but I can still see the hurt, the loneliness. Whether she felt romantically for Janessa or not, it’s clear she misses her.
And Lexie? That’s definitely more subtle. A realization kind of hit me belatedly this morning, and only once I’d had my realization did I see Lexie’s behavior for what it was.
I assumed Lexie is Kira’s best friend, but more importantly, I’d assumed Kira was hers. At the very least, they’ve been friends longer than Janessa was around, from the way they talk about their past. But, if Janessa was as close to Kira as she implied, she would have been part of their trio, meaning she would’ve been Lexie’s friend, too.
And once I realize that, I see Lexie’s rage in everything she does when Janessa is around. Her anger is an icy thing. It’s manipulative and bitter. She’s usually a ball of mischievous laughter, but whenever Janessa is looking her laughter is suddenly louder, more dramatic and enthusiastic, more of a show. A show that says ‘fuck you, you didn’t hurt us, we’re fine without you, you didn’t mean anything and neither does your betrayal’.
Whenever Janessa is looking, Lexie is the perfect supportive friend–she’s everything Kira needs, she’s making it clear that they aresoover Janessa’s entire phase in their lives; basically, she’s sending Janessa some strong signals that say ‘you’re dead to me’. She’s pretending she isn’t hurt, that she doesn’t care, but she clearly does.
She won’t even look at Janessa if she can help it. Any chance she gets to twist the knife, she takes it.
Like I’ve said before, her vindictive side appeals to me.
A roar from the jet skis signals the return of the most recent batch of riders. Brian and his two cronies ride toward theshallows near the shore, way too close to the two girls swimming further out, sending waves crashing over them that travel all the way to the dock. Their jet skis churn water as they come to a stop in ankle deep water so they can hop off their rides, laughing at the people that were dunked by their waves.
“Good job!” Janessa cheers for Brian, presumably for winning the race, but she stays at a safe distance. Brian huffs at her, shaking his head in annoyance, but doesn’t rebuke her or point out her hot-and-cold routine. He runs a hand through his wet hair, showing off, and looks around to make sure all eyes are on him.
He spots me, and scowls. Turns his back on me. His shoulders turn a little red, and I wonder if it’s from the sun or from humiliation. Hereallydidn’t take getting his ass handed to him in the ring very well.
“Hey, Claremont!” Leonard shouts, kicking water toward the dock. “Greg’s being a bitch and calling it quits, I want to race again. Come on, let’s see who wins!”
He’s got a big, dopey smile on his face and I marvel at the dichotomy of rich idiots. They can be cruel and bullying, then turn around and expect friendship and manners. Such strange people.
“Nah.” I wave him away. “I’m good!”
“Oh, Tommy,” Kira turns toward me in our chair, cuddling into my side. “Don’t stay back on my account. Go have fun. Have you ever even been on a jet ski before?”
I can tell she doesn’t intend for the question to be condescending or high-handed, so I let it slide. “Nah, there aren’t any lakes where I live.”
“You should try it,” she encourages in a soft, sweet whisper, while Leonard begs a few more people to race him, loud and whiny. “You’ll have fun. Isn’t that what this week is for? You get to have a good time, eat good food, and get paid. Right?”
She isn’t wrong… but…It feels weird to leave her here. “Shouldn’t I stay with you?”
Lexie leans over us, dripping water onto us from above and making Kira squeal. “If you think Kira would want a guy suffocating herall the time, you’re wrong. Give her some breathing room, geez. Let me have your spot.”
“Ah, so the real motivation comes out,” I tease. I glance at the jet skis, looking fast and fun and oh-so-exciting. “Are you sure, Kira? You won’t mind? It won’t look bad for me to go?”
“It’s totally fine,” she smiles and starts nudging me off the chair. “Promise. Go have fun. And, um, you know,” she blushes bright red, “win the race, okay?”
Gah, she’s giving me cuteness aggression.I smack a kiss to her forehead, and she giggles as I stand up and stretch.
“Alright, Leonard,” I agree, and he perks up like a labrador promised a game of fetch. “Show me how to use it, and I’ll race you.”
“Whoo!” He crows, throwing his hands up. I keep my sigh internal as I walk down the dock, onto the grass, and then into the shallow water where he’s waiting. Brian stalks away from me toward the drink stand, leaving his jet ski behind, while Gregory hands his off to Janessa’s friend, flirting with her all the while.
“Okay, so here’s the deal.” Leonard captures my attention and gives me a quick rundown on how to ride a jet ski. It’s not as difficult as I thought it would be. Just pull the throttle, and I’m golden.
I climb aboard and almost fall right off again, not used to the way it bobs in the little waves lapping against the muddy banks. I look at Kira, second-guessing, but she gives me two thumbs up and Lexie claps for me. I roll my eyes, and settle on the machine.
I do a little test pull– “Whoa!”
The sudden jerk forward has me smiling manically as I let it coast to a stop again. I try it again, then turn it a bit. I putter around a little, my smile growing so big it hurts my face.
“Kira!” I beam at her, maybe twenty feet away now. “Look!”
“Go Tommy!” she cheers for me. Janessa is staring at her longingly, but no one notices except for me.
“Come on!” Leonard shouts, and guns his jet ski forward full blast, shooting water in his wake. I laugh, rough and predatory, and do the same. We head straight for some floating buoys in the center of the lake, bobbing bright orange on the surface.
