"Okay wait I still want to know something." I said.
We were all down at Grandma's cafe where we'd headed for lunch. A couple of minutes after Max hit us with his story, Grandma checked the clock and swore out loud as she realized that she was supposed to have opened two hours ago.
"Just how long have I been out for?" I asked, bewildered.
"It's the next day." Abby replied. "So not too long and way too long at the same time."
"What?"
"Not too long for me, I'm used to you getting knocked out. Way too long for Max, who didn't leave your side ever since we got you home."
"Aww." I grinned as Max looked away in embarrassment. To save him, my stomach decided to growl loudly.
"Hungry?" Max raised an eyebrow.
"Starving." I shrugged.
"You three want lunch in the cafe? I can fix something up for you if you'd like." Grandma asked briskly, already grabbing her keys.
"Yes please." My mouth watered at the thought of Grandma's food.
So that's how we ended up with heaps of food in front of us - Grandma firmly believed good food was the cure to everything.
"What is it?" Max asked, taking a sip of his blue lemonade. I smiled to myself, brought back to when we first met.
"What happened after I passed out?"
"Oh, that." Max glanced at Abby, who glared at him. "You wanna tell her?"
"I shot him." Abby said nonchalantly. "Got him in the shoulder. That was when the backup decided to arrive, at goddamn last." Abby rolled her eyes.
"They took care of it from that point. The police arrested Hugo Trelle and he's now in questioning, I think. He's really cooperative according to them. Seems almost proud of what he's done." Abby's eyes darted to Max whose smile had fallen off his face.
"Maniac." Abby shook her head, shoving the last of her turkey sandwich in her mouth.
"I'm sorry, you guys." Max blurted out suddenly, ducking his head and looking so much like a distraught puppy who was guilty that I wanted to reach out and pat his head. I resisted the urge, knowing it would bruise his pride.
"For what?" I asked, clearing my throat. He raised his eyes to meet mine, looking so forlorn I seriously wanted to just reach out and give him a hug.
"For dragging you into all this."
"Are you serious?" I laughed. "This is Abby and I's job, Max, and yours too. You of all people know how dangerous it is. It's okay, it really is."
"And besides," Abby added, stirring her coffee while I pulled a face. Coffee was gross. "It's most definitely not your fault that Shannon was stupid enough to get stabbed."
"Excuse me?" I exclaimed.
"What do we get trained for?" Abby shook her head. "Amateur."
"Abby Cole you take that back." I crossed my arms.
"Admit it, Miller, it's the truth!"
"I could knock you out in two seconds Cole!"
"You wanna bet?"
"Bring it the fuck on."
"Not here you won't." Grandma cut in, her tray tucked under her arm. "If you're going to continue arguing, I suggest you take it outside."
YOU ARE READING
Beach Days
Teen Fiction"Trouble just seems to follow you around, Max." "Trust me, you don't know the half of it." Meet Shannon Miller. She juggles school and work, keeping her busier than ever, but that's how she likes it ... especially after what happened a year back. W...
