AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Whatever you’re saying to yourself in your head, be nice,” Gabe says, his gaze piercing mine. “At least be as good to yourself as you would be to your sisters.”
Oh, he’s got me. “All right.”
The waves crash against the shore beyond the hut. The night is dazzled with stars and a salty breeze.
I want to sink into the perfection of these days with Gabe.
When we get to Tino’s, it’s more than just Mendo, Anya, and Morrie there. A couple dozen people take over three booths and four adjacent tables, all mashed together in a way that has the server annoyed.
“How am I supposed to get anyone their drinks?” He’s tall and lean and clearly from somewhere else. Being chill is the island way. He’s the opposite of chill.
“We’ll pass them down,” Anya says. “Don’t worry.”
He lowers a huge tray of plastic cups. “Orange juice. Water. Water. Water. Four beers. Sweet tea. Two swankies.”
I drop into a chair next to Anya. “Swankies?”
“Tourist incoming!” someone in a booth calls out.
Anya flips the person off. “Reggie, shut up. It’s Gabe’s girl.”
All the attention turns to me. “Hey,” I say with a wave.
It’s an eclectic group, some dressed down in pajama bottoms and crop tops, others in jeans, still more in athletic wear. One man wears a three-piece suit, the jacket draped over the back of his chair.
“She doesn’t even know what a swanky is,” the voice says, but I don’t scan the group fast enough to see who’s speaking.
Morrie stands. “No bullshit or I’ll sit on you.”
“Promise?” This time I spot him, a guy with a sideways ball cap and a Steelers jersey.
“I could crush you like a bug,” Morrie says.
I’m thinking that nobody needs to crush anyone when Morrie turns to me. “But I’m happy to.”
Uh-oh. I said it out loud. “Thanks,” I add, like I meant to say the rest. I have to keep my mouth shut.
I lean close to Anya. “So, what’s a swanky?”
“Simple drink.” She raises fingers as she lists the ingredients. “Brown sugar. Lime juice. Water.”
“It’s coconut water,” someone argues.
“No, you wanker, it’s plain water,” Anya says.
“My aunt uses coconut water.” This person, a youngish woman in a pajama-and-crop-top combo, thrusts her chin.
“Then your aunt is an idiot.” The Steeler jersey man tosses a balled-up napkin at her.
She picks it up and tosses it back. “I like it with coconut water. You ought to try it.”
“I don’t drink swankies.” He holds up his beer. “Alcohol for me.”
The server turns to us. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’d like to try a swanky,” I say.
“Just water,” Gabe says. When the server leaves, he says, “Sorry about the craziness. We’ve all known each other for years. We’re tight.”
