Toe the Line(19)

She stopped brushing for a moment and turned around to face me. “Have you ever had a serious girlfriend?”

Again, I tried not to admire how beautiful Noelle looked tonight. “Once. In high school.”

“What happened?”

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth. “She cheated on me with my friend, actually.”

“Wow. Okay. I can see why you’re turned off by relationships, then.”

“I’m long over that. But I don’t have time for a girlfriend. I’ve got too much to worry about. Bree’s not the type of girl who cares.”

“Well, lucky you.”

“She says with sarcasm.”

“No, truly. I’m happy for you.”

I mocked her. “‘I’m happy for you and that little floozie, Archie.’ Is that what you mean to say?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“I can read your face.” I took her in again. She’d put on makeup, which made her look older than her eighteen years. “You clean up nice, by the way.”

“Too bad I’ll have grease coming out of my pores later.”

“You should have him take you to the beach after. Jump in the water and get clean.”

“Maybe I will.” She rolled her eyes. “You’ll be there tonight, I take it?”

I placed my hands behind my head. “Is there anything else to do on this island?”

“I’m learning there really isn’t.” She smiled and changed the subject. “Have you been doing your homework?”

“You mean Googling my father so I don’t have to talk to him about his background? Yes.”

“Well, good. Whatever it takes.” She sighed. “Have you been feeling okay?”

“You’re worried I’m gonna freak out and have another panic attack?” I pointed my index finger. “Hey, there’s another P to add to your public speaking list. Panic!”

Her expression remained serious. She didn’t seem to appreciate my humor. “Seriously, have you had any more?”

I shook my head.

Noelle nodded and lowered her voice. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what you told me about your mom. I’m just…really sorry it’s happening.”

“Me, too, Noelle.” My voice softened. “Me, too.”

She looked down at her shoes. “And I promise to keep it to myself. I wish there was something I could do.”

“Just having you here this summer is helping,” I said, surprised at my admission. But it was true. “I’d been dreading coming to the island this year. School is my escape. I wanted to stay in California and not join my parents here for the summer. But I couldn’t do that to Mom. Believe me, if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have come.” I exhaled. “But…I was wrong about how things would be. I thought I was gonna have to keep pretending everything was fine a hundred percent of the time, that I wouldn’t have anyone to talk to. But I don’t feel like I have to pretend when I’m with you. And that feels good.”

Jesus. That was a bit much.

Noelle’s eyes glistened. “I’m really glad you feel like you can trust me.” She chewed her lip and caught a look at the time. “Shit. I’d better go. I’m meeting him there. I’m already late.”

I reluctantly hopped off the bed. “Have fun, grease monkey.”

She flashed me a smile before disappearing down the stairs.

Rather than go to my room, I returned to Noelle’s bed and stared up at the ceiling, wondering why I felt so damn out of sorts.

? ? ?

At least I didn’t have to worry about her with James. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. This situation could have been a lot worse. She could’ve been messing around with that Xavier douche. So, this was a good thing, I told myself.

That said, I couldn’t seem to stop looking over at Noelle and James after they came back from their dinner and joined everyone else on the beach. They were across from me, so I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. I attempted to read lips, but that wasn’t working either. I finally made my way over to them and played nice. “How was dinner?”

“It was delicious,” Noelle said. “And miraculously, I don’t have grease pouring out of me.”

“Grease?” James looked confused. “What?”

“Never mind.” She laughed.

“You two make a cute couple,” Bree said, clinging to my arm.

Jesus, I hadn’t even noticed that she’d followed me over here.

James smiled, and even in the darkness, I could see Noelle blush.

Noelle didn’t strike me as someone very experienced in the dating arena. I often wondered how experienced—or inexperienced—she really was. I also wondered about myself and why I seemed fixated on Noelle and her date with James. Did I feel protective of her, or was it something more? I couldn’t quite figure it out. But she’d been on my mind all night.

“We should go to the rocks,” Bree suggested.

I stayed silent as James looked over at Noelle. “Want to?”

“What’s that?” Noelle asked.

“It’s this rocky area that’s kind of hidden where people go for privacy,” he explained.