Faking It For Real ✔

Ch 23

"And why is that?" He asked, his arm hanging around my neck as the tip of his nose touched my ear.

I rolled my eyes, "You didn't give me enough time to get ready." I said, "Not my fault we're running late."

He chuckled, the sound of his laugh doing things to stomach as we trailed down the stairs where everyone waited for us.

All our friends were up and ready to leave for the beach. The excitement of the campfire and barbeque lingering in the air as some heads turned our way when we joined them.

"Look who's finally here." Derek's voice boomed.

Hannah smirked, "And here we thought Ethan had locked you in your room and thrown away the key."

I blushed, shooting a glare at her as our friends laughed. "Ha ha," I said, rolling my eyes. "Very funny."

"Now that everyone's here, let's go." Luke said, trailing out of the beach house. Jeremy and Derek trailed behind him along with all our friends as I saw Hannah walk to my side.

She nudged me, eyeing Ethan and I as she said, "I see some red spots on your neck," she raised a brow, "Tell me, what were you two up to?"

I blushed a deep shade of red, covering my neck with my hand, "Do you really wanna know?"

She rolled her eyes, "Fine, I don't wanna know." She took a step aside, facing Ethan, pointing her index finger at him, "And you," She said, her voice suddenly icy, "If you hurt her, I will make your life a living hell."

Ethan held up his hands in mock surrender, a grin playing on his lips, "I wouldn't ever hurt her intentionally. She's too special to me."

Hannah scrutinized him for a moment before seeming satisfied with his response. She turned back to me and grabbed my hand, giving it a squeeze. "Just remember, I'm always here for you, no matter what."

"I know." I said, "Now let's go before Luke peels our skins off of us."

She snorted, rolling her eyes, "Yeah, as if he could as much as touch me." She said, but rushing towards the beach nonetheless.

The beach was a mere ten-minute walk but Hannah had already ran off, leaving the two of us alone as we walked back.

The barbeque was being set by the guys when Ethan joined them and I helped the girls with the campfire.

The sun started setting and the vibrant colors of orange, pink, and purple painted the sky.

The smell of barbecue wafted through the air, causing my stomach to growl with hunger.

"You guys wanna play a game?" Hannah excitedly asked, her voice loud as Carrie lit the campfire.

The sky had almost darkened to a dark blue now, the stars twinkled above us as the peaceful sound of the waves crashing accompanied us.

Derek and Gavin, who had volunteered to cook up our barbeque hollered together, "Heck, yeah!"

"How about 'Never Have I Ever'?" Hannah suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The group agreed, and we settled down in a circle.

"Never have I ever," Hannah began, her gaze mischievous, "gone skinny dipping."

The group exchanged glances as Ethan took a sip of his drink, a sly smile on his face. I nudged him playfully, my eyes wide with surprise.

"You've gone skinny dipping?" I whispered, trying to keep my voice low.

He chuckled, his breath warm against my ear. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Ava."