Untouched (Bay Falls High, #1)(58)

His hand was still in a cast.

He froze and touched Beth’s back. He leaned in and whispered something to her and walked away.

My eyes followed for a second, wanting to say something.

But I didn’t.

“Hey,” I said. “I didn’t see you today.”

“You’ve been drinking.”

“You’ve been fucking.”

“Together we make a great party, huh?” she asked.

I took a step and missed the top step and crashed down to my ass.

Beth laughed and climbed up toward me. “You okay?”

“Yup,” I said.

“Ti…”

“What did you want to talk to me about?” I asked. “Before those bitches showed up and threatened us?”

“Have you had anything to drink other than booze?”

“Nope,” I said with a proud grin.

“Shit,” Beth said. “Sit here. I’m going to go get you a glass of water. Okay?”

“Water? Why?”

“You need water,” Beth said. “And I need you to seriously listen to me when I talk to you.”

She stood up and I grabbed her hand. “Is it bad?”

“Maybe.”

“Wait. Like really bad?”

“Ti, just trust me for a second,” Beth said.

I could see she was annoyed. Probably wishing she stayed down on the beach with Denny.

“Fine,” I said. “Whatever.”

“Just stay here. I’ll get you some water and we’ll talk.”

I waved and rolled my eyes.

Beth made it to the top of the steps and I pulled myself to my feet.

I looked back and saw nobody.

Beth was gone.

Gi and Iris were gone too.

“Fuck,” I whispered.

I faced toward the shore again and walked carefully down the steps.

I was fine.

A little drunk.

Not wasted or anything.

Taking a breather and having a glass of water would help too.

I laughed.

Help? There is no fucking help here, Ti. It’s all fake. It’s all lies.

A bottle of water suddenly appeared in front of my face.

I snagged it out of the air. “Thanks. Now what were you…”

I lost my words as my nose started to tingle.

My eyes went wide as I turned.

Beth didn’t hand me the water.

Pres did.





“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Heard you need water,” he said.

“Where’s the others?”

“Not your problem, sugar,” he said.

He was taller than normal to me as he was up a couple steps.

I twisted the cap off the water and took a big drink.

“You know, girls who drink as much and as fast as you did tonight are the ones looking for trouble.”

“Oh? And you’re here to be my hero? Save me from myself?”

“I’ve never been a fucking hero ever in my life, sugar,” Pres said as he came down a step. “Why would I fucking start now for a poor girl like you?”

“Wow, thanks for putting that into perspective,” I said. “But you forgot something.”

“Like what?” Pres asked.

“My junkie of a mother.”

“Ah, right. Except she’s not here. And she’s not you. And you’re not her.”

“Yeah?”

Pres stepped down into the sand, still towering over me.

He reached up and held my chin with his thumb and forefinger.

“Yeah, sugar,” he said. “So stop fucking carrying her shit around like it actually matters.”

“Fuck you,” I snapped. “It does fucking matter. It’s my mother. It’s my…”

“You’re what?” Pres asked. “Fuck her. Let her dig her own grave, sugar. If she wants to do it little by little with a needle then let her. Don’t stand next to her with a shovel.”

I laughed. “And you’re one to talk.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your mother is either stupid or just likes the money,” I said.

Pres stepped toward me, his eyes flashing an evil I never thought possible.

Holy. Shit.

I overstepped.

“You think I don’t know you were asking around about me?” Pres said in a low voice. “Looking for dirt, huh? And all you’re finding is sand.”

“Better than the ocean,” I said. “Going to throw me out there and try to drown me?”

I had to get the fuck out of there.

ASAP.

I turned and hurried, drinking the rest of the water, dropping the bottle.

Cursing myself for littering on a beach, but whatever.

I walked down to the fire and tried to blend in.

It was a small group of girls and guys. Two guys had guitars and were strumming away.

Before I could say a word, Pres appeared again.

The guitars stopped and everyone looked at him.

All he had to do was nod once and everyone stood up to leave.

Guys grabbing for their girl’s hand and hurrying away.

That was fucking power.

I slowly walked around the fire to put it between myself and Pres.