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She gives me a sad smile, her eyes full of sorrow. “I can handle it. But Josh… I’m not so sure.”
Sighing, sadness descends over me as I picture her fifteen-year-old brother, his shaggy brown hair that constantly hangs in his eyes, dimples in both cheeks when he smiles, and green eyes full of mischief like his sister. He was a surprise her parents hadn’t planned for, which is likely because Vanessa’s mom was having an affair with her personal trainer. Her dad was running for mayor at the time and feared adultery and divorce would ruin his election chances. They remained married and he claimed Josh as his son.
Publicly, they appeared to be the perfect family. Privately, the past seven years have been a war zone for Vanessa and Josh.
Her parent’s divorce has been grueling, bitter, and part of the reason she stayed in Cape May for the summer. Josh was involved in various summer sports camps that helped occupy his time. When he wasn’t at camp, he stayed with their grandparents. Their home was only a twenty-minute drive from the Cape May beach, so Vanessa saw him often.
“How’s Josh holding up?” I glance over at Vanessa, noticing the tension in her shoulders increasing as she navigates her vehicle through traffic. Everyone else would think she’s tense from traffic. But I know better. Her body is like a tightly coiled snake because she’s concerned about her brother.
“As well as can be expected.” She stares at the road, her shoulders sagging. Vanessa has always been the fun-loving, upbeat friend you can count on to make you laugh and cheer you up. I hate to see her spark dimmed due to her family situation. “Let’s talk about something else. I don’t want talk of my dysfunctional parents to dampen our weekend. Classes start Monday, and you know how busy things get. Let’s enjoy ourselves before we get busy with the drudgery of classes and studying.” Glancing over at me, a Cheshire grin is on her face. “Let’s talk about finding you some hot men and good sex. Bonus if you fall head over heels in love.”
A sarcastic laugh breaks free from my lips. “Ugh. Back to that again?Nothanks.” I change tactics, trying to distract her from my non-existent love life. “Did I tell you I accidentally elbowed my dad’s coworker’s son in the balls at the coffee shop two weeks ago?”
“No way. Please tell me it wasn’t Donovan, the hot blond lifeguard from the Hillside community pool?” Vanessa perks up, her head swiveling to study me as we stop at a red light.
“Of course it was Donovan.”
Vanessa groans. “Oh, God. What happened?” She turns onto the road leading to downtown Lockwood Village. Traffic is much heavier than the last time I was here, indicative of the frenzy of students returning to off-campus rentals.
Grimacing, I shake my head, my cheeks heating. “I was reaching for my frozen mocha at the pick-up counter. Donovan walked around me to get a straw for his drink. I spun around to say hello, and my elbow nailed him right in the groin.”
Vanessa laughs, her wide eyes visible through the lenses of her sunglasses. “Oh shit. What did he do?”
“Well, he groaned and doubled over, his hands between his legs. I apologized and asked if I could do something.” I can’t help the humiliated giggles that burst from me. “He groaned, his eyes wide as saucers and gasped out, ‘Yeah. Stay the hell away from my junk.’ God girl, I was afraid he was going to throw up. His face was green!”
“Oh no.” Vanessa cracks up laughing, throwing her head back. “So this means he’ll probably never ask you out, right?”
Shaking my head, I’m laughing too hard to answer. Finally, I gasp out, “I-I’m pretty sure I ruined any chance with h-him.”
She pulls into the parking lot of the coffee shop, finding a parking space and cutting the engine. Wiping the tears from beneath her eyes, she says, “Girl, only you.”
We exit Vanessa’s car and link our arms together, heading across the parking lot. It’s a beautiful, sunny day, a light breeze causing our hair to dance around us. Lush green maple trees line the sidewalk, and pedestrian traffic is heavy since many of the college students have returned to the area. Maple Valley University is only about a ten-minute drive from downtown Lockwood.
We step inside the quaint coffee shop, the aroma of pastries and espresso filling my nose. It’s not overly busy yet, so we are the second people in line to order. Vanessa and I order our usual frozen mochas, as well as chocolate croissants. Soft rock music wafts from the speakers nestled against the ceiling.
I nudge Vanessa in her side. “Will you stop laughing about Donovan?”
“I can’t help it. It’s just so damned funny.” She puts her hand over her mouth, trying to hide her snicker. The image of me elbowing Donovan in the balls is going to live rent-free in her head all weekend.
Shaking my head, I steer her toward the pickup counter. Grabbing our croissants and coffees, we spot an empty round table. Pulling out a wooden chair, I settle in with my food and beverage, Vanessa sliding into the seat across from me.
I’m feeling sentimental as I take a sip of my frozen coffee, gaze roving around the coffee shop, then to my best friend. “It’s bittersweet. This is our senior year.”
“Time really flies.” She shakes her head, taking a bite of her croissant. A frown pulls her lips down, her excitement momentarily dimmed. She has a faraway gaze in her eyes and I know she’s lost in the memories we’ve made the past four years.
Reaching across the table, I squeeze Vanessa’s hand. “We will always remain friends for life. No matter where it may take us.”
She squeezes back, visibly perking up. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“You damned well better.” A grin pulls up my lips. “Do you remember when we first met?”
“Oh my God. Of course I do. We have Celine the drama queen, and Sadie and her spear-like toenails to thank for being roomies, then becoming best friends.” We both howl with laughter, unable to eat or drink, as memories of our quirky roommates from hell our freshmen year overtake us.
“God, do you remember when Celine the drama queen sprayed my peanut M&M’s with her perfume? What kind of psycho does that?” I clench my fists, still angry that she ruined my candy. As well as all the other crazy stuff she did to annoy me.
Vanessa quirks an eyebrow. “Sadie cut her toenails in those weird points, then kept the pieces in a bag. How muchweirdercan a person get?”
We crack up laughing again. Once we finally get ourselves under control, the conversation turns to our summer adventures, and occasionally, misadventures. As Vanessa launches into a story about a hot guy she met in Cape May, her phone lets out a shrill ring, interrupting her. She looks at the screen and instantly, her brows furrow, and her face tightens. Glancing at me, her eyes are full of concern. “It’s Josh. I need to take this.”
