Whit says nothing but stands, walking straight into the water and swims away.
“Shit. Was that the wrong thing to say?”
“He’s struggling with the Citadel thing,” Pete says. “He really doesn’t want to go. But his dad was hard-core Marines. He doesn’t have a choice.”
I glance at Nick, knowing he said something similar. Family ties run deep around here. It’s a whole different level of expectation than what I’m used to.
“I get it. At school I’m too far from the ocean,” Justin says. “I hate that. No surfing for me.”
Ivy cocks her head and pokes him in the belly. “I totally thought you’d come home with the freshman-fifteen. In reality it was only the freshman eight.”
His eyes widen in shock and he leaps at her. She howls and he shouts for her to take it back. “I go to the gym,” he declares.
My eyes skitter to the lean ladder of muscles climbing up his stomach. Yeah, he definitely goes to the gym.
“Sure you do,” she taunts. “After plates of mac & cheese and a case of beer.”
He gets her in a headlock and Maggie, laughing, hops up to save her girlfriend. They fall into the water. And Nick lumbers over, following them in. Whit is already halfway across the waterway, headed for shore.
“Should someone go after him?” I ask Pete, who’s the only one left on the sandbar with me. As much fun as they’re having wrestling and fighting, there’s no way I’m getting in.
“He’ll be okay,” but he whistles and jerks his head at the group. Justin looks over his shoulder and their eyes lock, sharing a nod of understanding. In a quick minute, the whole group is swimming after him.
Now it’s just me and Pete. He watches his friends swim away and walks over to me.
“You can go with them,” I say.
“Nah, I’m good here.” He drops to the sand and leans back on his hands. We’re stretched out together.
“You mean you’re stuck babysitting.”
His eyes drop to my chest then back up. “I’m not getting a childish vibe off you, Summer.”
His tone is soft—warm. I wasn’t lying when I told Anita I had no idea which guy I’d choose out of these boys. They’re all cute. Funny. Nice. Their loyalty astounds me.
It’s not long before Justin and the others catch up with Whit and we watch them off in the distance. The boat rocks not far away—Anita and Bobby no longer visible.
“Thanks for letting me tag along today,” I say.
“It’s been nice having you here. A little new blood is a good thing.” His shoulder brushes mine.
My mind is running a million miles at once and I finally blurt, “Nick told me about your pact.”
His shock confirms Nick hadn’t told him this. When he answers his words are slow and clear. “Did he?”
“I think it’s smart,” I say quickly. “Focusing on your goals. Not getting tied down.”
He tilts his head and a tendril of wet black hair dips in his eyes. “Jaded about love? Already?”
I shrug. “I’ve made some dumb choices. Like super-stupid decisions, and I’m not looking forward to repeating them.”
“So no more stupid decisions,” he says. “What’s the opposite of that?”
With every ounce of courage I have, I lean into him. His eyes flick from my mouth back to my own and there’s a beat. One…two…three—and he kisses me. Soft and salty. Tender and sweet. And new. So very new. Shiny enough that it washes away all the heartache I’ve been carrying for the last few weeks—at least for a minute.
He pulls away and touches my chin. “You think that wasn’t stupid?”
I hold his eye. “I haven’t even gotten started.”
