Thin Ice

𝟔𝟖

JULES POV

The water lightly splashes my back as we hit a strong wake, Pink +White by Frank Ocean blasts from the stereo, my friend's laughter surrounds me, and the smell of salt water and sunscreen fills my senses. This is what summer feels like.

"Are we almost there?" Faye questions for the fifth time in the span of five minutes. We got on the boat twenty minutes ago to go eat and she's had to pee for the last fifteen.

"Three more minutes," Lukas answers as he lightly spins the wheel. Lukas decided to take us all out to eat for lunch at this cool place across the lake. Apparently it has Hawaiian food and great desserts, his words not mine.

"I think I'm going to piss myself," Faye continues as she forcefully crosses her legs.

"Just pee in the lake," Alex suggests. It's actually not a bad idea but I already know Faye's against it by her disgusted facial expression.

"I don't have a swimsuit on and I am not pissing in my underwear, they're new," she explains as she anxiously taps her foot.

"Then you can hold it," Lukas interjects, clearly over this conversation. He's had to tell her the same thing for the past twenty minutes and his face is screaming that he wants to throw her overboard.

"I will," she states as she turns her nose up towards the water. "I can't even look at the water, it's making it worse."

I let out a small laugh and lean back in my seat to soak up the sun. I've only been here for two days but the tan I've put on it's quite nice. My skin's a golden color and the sun is starting to make the freckles on my nose pop. People think it's weird that I only have freckles on my nose but I think they're cute.

"Having fun back there?" Lukas questions where only I can hear him. I open my eyes and gaze up at him. I can't help but gawk at the sight of him, the sun is doing him wonders too. His usual tanned skin is even tanner and it's making his green eyes pop.

"I love the sun," I state as I resume my laid back position. I hear him release a low chuckle and feel as the boat makes a wide turn and slowly comes to a stop.

"Finally!" I hear Faye exclaim from across the boat.

"Come on babe," Alex chimes behind her.

"I need to go too if we're being honest," Kiara mentions.

"I'll stay with Alex," Andy replies.

"You guys go in and save us a table, Jules and I will dock the boat," Lukas speaks up. I feel one last tug on the boat and I open my eyes to notice the teal building we're stopped in front of. The building is two stories and I can smell the delicious food from all the way out here. "Hold on to this," Lukas adds as he passes me a rope.

I grab onto the rope and watch as Lukas pulls out neon floats of sorts and a heavy steel anchor. He throws the achor over the side of the boat and I realize it's my job to figure out when it hits the bottom. I wait a couple seconds and once I feel a tug on the rope, I wrap the excess and tie it on the hook on the side of our boat. I step out of the boat and Lukas throws me the neon padding to place. I take a step back and tumble backwards but someone's arms are around me, helping me back up.

"Are you okay?" the low voice asks. I regain my balance and turn around to face the tall, blonde man.

"I'm fine, thank you," I answer before turning back towards Lukas.

"You're really pretty," the man continues. I turn back around and watch as he eyes me up and down. Ew. The man has a nice build, shaggy blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. The man himself isn't bad but he's no Lukas, Lukas outshines any generic man any day.

"Thanks," I mutter with a half smile. I've learned to be polite in these situations but it takes everything in me not to run far far away.

"Are you from around here?" he continues the conversation.

"Nope, just visiting," I reply, dryly. I keep that fake smile plastered on my face and gaze up at the blonde man.

"Where is a gorgeous girl like you from?" he questions as he crosses his arms and gazes down on me.

"Around," I answer, not wanting to give much identity away.

"But you said you were visiting?" he questions, trying to keep up with whatever story I'm telling him.

"I'm visiting from around," I clarify. Whatever the fuck that means.

"Oh," he pauses, trying to take in whatever I just said. "I didn't catch your name, pretty girl?"

"I never threw it," I quickly answer. I pop my hip and cross my arms. I feel like I'm going to be here for a minute.

"I'm Logan," he states as if I asked. He holds out his hand for me to shake it but I opt on letting it hang in front of me. I'm not trying to be rude to this guy but he's clearly hitting on me and I don't want to entertain it.

I feel an arm snake around my waist and pull me flush to his chest.

"She's not interested," the familiar voice growls. I watch as the blonde guy's face falters and he takes a step back. Lukas throws him a look and then guides the two of us inside. I've never been more thankful for him, God bless. "What was he saying to you? I only heard the last bit of it."

"He was just hitting on me," I answer, not wanting to get into it.

"Next time tell them you're married and walk away," he mutters as he guides me upstairs.

"I don't see a ring on my finger," I state through a laugh.

"They don't need to, the second a guy hears you're married, they'll run. Guys our age are scared of commitment and want to stay far away from it," he explains lowly as we arrive at the table full of familiar faces. I guess he has a point but with no ring it's not believable, not to me at least.

"Sit next to me, Jules," Kiara exclaims, patting the seat next to her. I slide in next to her and watch as Lukas takes the seat across the table. I'd rather him sit in front of me but I seriously need to attend to my friends more. I've been putting Lukas before them lately and it's not something I'm proud of. "We ordered you guys water."

"That's fine," I reply. The only drinks I like are water and lemonade anyways. I stopped drinking soda whenever I was paranoid about getting cavities. "Where's Faye?"

"Right here," she states from behind me. I guess she finally got to go to the bathroom. "It was crowded in there. I'm being serious when I say that I made four new friends while I was in line."

"Four seems dramatic," I answer as I chug my water.

"I'm serious, see I'll name them off - Shelia, Nicole, Jasmine, and Kierstin or Kia or was it-"

"So she met three real people," Kiara cuts her off with a laugh.

"It was Kalani and she was a worker here!" she announces with a relieved sigh. I gaze over at Kiara and we both share the same mhm face. I lean back in my chair and finally gaze over the menu.

Everything looks good, I don't know what to choose. There's not many Hawaiian places back in our town so everything looks new to me. Also, Lukas wasn't lying about the deserts. There's this Tropical Mango Souffle with my name written all over it.

"Hi, my name is Kalani and I'm your waiter for today!" she announces with a large smile. Kiara and I glance over at Faye who has a told you so smirk on her lips. "Can I get you started with any appetizers today?"

The group all exchanges looks and whispers before settling on the macaroni salad. The kind girl jots something down on her notepad before turning on her heel and dashing back downstairs.

I'm about to fuck up this meal.

~

Lukas getting protective??

hehehehehehehe