The Friendship List(49)

Before he could answer, she felt a sharp, intense jab right above her shoulder blade. Nerve endings screamed, then so did she.

“Stop! Just stop!” She half rose, turning to face the guy. “Is that really what you’re going to do?”

He nodded. “That’s what it feels like.”

“How many pokes would you have to do?”

“I don’t know. It’s gonna take a while.”

“No,” she said firmly, stepping away from the chair and pulling on her T-shirt. “I’m not doing this.”

“I can’t give you a refund.”

“You keep the money. It’s fine.” Her shoulder still throbbed from the needle punches.

As she pulled out her hair clip, she heard a snuffling sound. She spun toward Thaddeus who was obviously trying not to laugh.

“Don’t,” she snapped. “It hurts.”

“Obviously.”

“You think you’re so tough, let’s see you endure that.”

He held up both hands. “I wouldn’t think of it.”

“My pain is not funny.”

“Of course not.”

She grabbed her bag. “We’re leaving now.”

She stalked out, Thaddeus trailing behind her. When they reached his car, she glared at him across the hood. “We’re never going to talk about this again.”

“Whatever you say.”

She reached for her door handle. “Did you really kill someone?”

The grin returned. “No.”

“You weren’t in a gang?”

He shook his head.

“So you lied?”

“It got your attention.”

“Not enough.” She got into the car and leaned back against the seat, only to wince when her shoulder came in contact with the leather. “I’m going to have a bruise.”

He took her hand in his. “You were very brave.”

“Oh, stop it,” she said, trying not to smile.

He was still laughing when they left the parking lot.

  There were days and there were days. Keith sat on the beach in Santa Monica, questioning nearly everything about his life. Why had he thought agreeing to bring a bunch of teenagers to the beach was a good idea? The ocean was big and dangerous. He’d had to use his stern voice to get everyone to use sunscreen and now the guys were out in the surf, like they knew what they were doing.

The morning tour of UCLA had gone well, so that was something. Coop had been a little distracted, no doubt thinking about his upcoming lunch with his father, but he’d done a good job on his interview yesterday. Lissa, on the other hand, could not have been less interested. He’d tried to talk to her about how great it all was, but she’d given him the why did I think having parents was a good idea look and had avoided him for the rest of the tour.

Keith adjusted his baseball cap, trying to keep tabs on everyone. Ellen should be arriving shortly. She was dropping Coop off at the restaurant where he was meeting his father, then joining the group on the beach. Tomorrow was the Disneyland visit and the day after, they would head up to Santa Barbara.

He tried to clear his mind and enjoy the moment. The temperature was in the high seventies, the sun was out, the sand was warm. He had to focus on the little things.

Keith did a quick head count and realized Lissa was missing. He stood up and looked around frantically, only to catch sight of her talking with a lifeguard. Of course she was, he thought grimly as he started toward them. When the guy put his arm on his daughter’s shoulder, Keith began swearing.

Lissa stood with her back to him, so didn’t see him approach. He hated her tiny bikini and wished she’d put on the T-shirt he’d asked her to wear. Instead of agreeing, she’d rolled her eyes and walked away. She was doing that a lot lately.

“Can I help you?” the lifeguard asked.

Lissa turned and saw him. “Dad!”

Keith ignored her and stared into the reflective sunglasses of the lifeguard.

“She’s seventeen,” he said bluntly. “I’ll press charges.”

The lifeguard took a step back. “You said you were twenty.”

Keith grabbed her arm. “She lied. You should know better, in your line of work.”

“Da-ad!” She shook off his hold and starting walking toward their pile of belongings. “You’re so annoying.”

“Back at you.” He pointed to the towels. “Go destroy your skin by tanning. Or hang out with the guys in the water.”

“Oh, you’ll trust me with them?”

“Sure.” He smiled. “They’re all afraid of me. I like that in a young man.”

“You think you know everything but you don’t.”

“I know a lot.”

Lissa darted toward the water. He watched her go, relaxing when she joined Andy and Luka in the surf. The guys would take care of her.

Just then his phone buzzed. He pulled it out and saw he had a text from Ellen.

Where are you?
Lifeguard station 20, he texted back. Can you see it?

There was a pause. Yes. I’m at 18. Be right there.

He headed north, looking for her. He spotted her, a large tote bag in one hand, her sandals in the other. Her long dark hair blew in the breeze and she had on sunglasses. When she saw him, she smiled and instantly the world righted itself.