Summer Girl

Summer Girl - Chapter 8

Chapter EIGHT 

I was in bed, late that evening, when my phone buzzed.

   I'd spent the previous hour on the beach, sitting with my feet in the water. I loved everything about that spot on the beach. It was where I first experienced the Gulf, at three years old. It was where I'd learned to play racket ball with Aaron. It was where I learned to swim. Now, so close to being an adult, I still felt like if I closed my eyes, I was a kid again.

   I could see downtown, the lights on the Surf Shack. Some people were sea-dooing, far out in the water. It was peaceful. I wasn't going away for college. I wasn't moving back to the city. I was staying right there, for as long as I could.

  CAN I CALL YOU? A text from Max came in just as I closed my eyes.

  SURE, I sent back right away.

  And when my phone starting ringing, I didn't hesitate to answer. It had only been six hours since I'd seen him, drunk, walking away from Harley and I. But it might as well have been days.

  "Hi," I answered, smiling without even realizing it.

 "Hi," he repeated. "I am so sorry about earlier."

  "What about?" I asked, stretching out my legs.

  "Being mostly drunk, after lunch. Harley said I was acting like an idiot."

  "You weren't," I told him.

  "Well, okay. But I know I kissed you, and -"

  "My cheek. And that is fine with me," I said quickly, then laughed. "You are...pretty great."

  He snorted. "I can't believe you said you're awkward. Or anti-social."

  "I am."

  "No, you're not. You're awesome," he insisted.

  "Max. Really, thank you."

 "For?" he asked, and I could hear him smiling.

  "Everything."

  "So, Harley walked you home," he changed the subject.

  "He walked with me, yeah."

  "And?"

  "And nothing."

  "And something."

  "I don't know what you want me to say," I admitted.

  "Harley won't tell me anything. I need to know the details," he laughed.

  "Nothing to tell," I told him.

  "Ugh. See you tomorrow?" I could hear it in his voice that he was teasing.

  "Okay. Tomorrow," I agreed.

  And every day for the next five days, I saw them. They showed up at the Hut while I was working, either to eat or just say hi. They came down to my spot in the evening, after texting to see if I wanted to meet them. It was always both Max and Harley, never one or the other. And I liked it that way. They were practically a package deal. They were both just as special to me, in different ways. Max was slowly becoming the best friend I'd never had. Harley was still, Harley - my biggest ever crush. But he was also becoming a friend.

  The day before my birthday, I only worked until 4 p.m. I still hadn't even told Cay about the picnic on the beach, let alone the boys. I was sort of embarrassed about it, actually. Cora would make a big deal about it, I knew that. Tom would huff and puff, probably saying how silly it was. And I had to face Clara, who I hadn't seen in six months, and Sam and his new girlfriend. I wanted to tell Cora to forget it, that I'd rather hang out with Max and Harley for my birthday. But I couldn't do that. I had to suck it up and let my birthday be a big thing, then watch Cora and Tom leave the following day for their month-long vacation from me.