“He said he’s clean, and I don’t know, I trust him.”
“Said every woman ever,” I sing.
We both dissolve into giggles, clutching onto each other so we don’t fall over. After a long moment, Aggie says, “Are you weirded out?”
“Why would I be weirded out? I’m just shocked. I didn’t even know you liked him.”
She laughs, high and bright. “I didn’t. Not until he started talking to me about when he was a kid, and his favoriteband, and how he never thought he’d get another chance after he...” Her face darkens for a second, then she shrugs. “It just happened.”
I squeeze her hand. “I’m happy for you.”
She beams. “Me, too.” Then, lowering her voice, she adds, “So are you and Ace like... a thing now?”
“God, I have no idea,” I whisper. “But I think we are. I kind of hope we are. He is under my skin.”
“Ugh, we’re so fucked.”
“We really are.”
We hug, and it feels good to have a moment where it is like being back to normal girls, talking about boys and gossip. It seems like such a long time since we have been able to do that. We make our way back toward camp, still giggling and trading secrets, and when we reach the fire Kellen is telling some filthy joke that has Rachel’s eyes wide.
I settle in next to Ace again, and this time he puts his arm around me and holds me close. I let myself relax into his warmth, his body, and I let myself believe, just for tonight, that this is exactly where I am supposed to be.
If only I knew what was coming.
I might have enjoyed that moment for a second longer.
15
IT’S EARLY, TOO EARLY.
I tiptoe down the beach, desperate to pee.
Rounding the corner, I pause when I see Kellen and Rachel standing by a large rock, talking. It’s not that they’re talking that halts me, no, it’s the position they’re in. Kellen is in front of Rachel, whose back is pressed against the rock, her head tipped back as she looks up at him. His hand is pressing against it, right beside her head, and he is leaning in, saying something.
She looks frustrated, and is clearly telling him off.
They’re arguing about something, yet the position they’re in indicates that there is far more to that argument. It’s screaming sexual tension.
My heart skips a beat.
Is Kellen messing with Rachel, as well as Aggie?
I am about to turn away when Kellen leans down, capturing Rachel’s mouth in his. He kisses her, almost ferociously, and she responds for a few seconds before pushing him back, saying something angrily in his direction before slipping out. Oh. Shit. I turn and rush away before they notice me, making it back to camp just in time. Kellen and Rachel return only seconds after me, and Rachel turns away, going back to her bed.
