Daring the Bad Boy (Endless Summer)(12)

I glanced up to see Kelsey coming toward me. “Hey,” I said weakly.

“Where were you?”

“I had to go to the bathroom.” True, but I left out my running into Jacob. “Is Kyle here?” I asked, wincing the moment the words left my mouth. Could I be any more obvious?

“He is,” Kelsey said with a nod. She hooked her arm through mine. “Let’s go.”

Hesitation made my feet stick to the creaky wooden slats, and I glanced down. The water swirled below; I could actually see it, and all I could think about was falling through the weak slats. Plunging into the water. I sucked in a sharp breath, and Kelsey sent me a weird look, tugging on my arm. “You okay?”

My throat was dry, and I could feel the panic setting in. I took a deep, shuddering breath and inwardly commanded myself to start walking. And I did.

On shaky legs.

Kelsey dragged me along, the other girls coming to greet me, their smiles wide, their voices enthusiastic. I was ready to feel on top of the world tonight, and the moment I saw Kyle, my heart started to pick up speed.

Of course, he was gorgeous. Of course, he was dressed perfectly, the white T-shirt showing off his tanned skin. He laughed at something Presley said, and I fought the wave of jealousy that threatened. They were old friends. They could talk and laugh, though I wished he were talking and laughing with me.

“Come on,” Kelsey muttered as she took me over to where they stood. I said nothing, my brain scrambling to come up with something to say to Kyle.

“So hey. What happened?” Presley asked, her gaze on me. She had a tiny flask clasped in her hand, and she brought it to her lips, taking a big swig before handing it over to Kyle.

Shock coursed through me, though I didn’t know why. I fully expected them to smuggle alcohol onto the premises. I’d heard them talking earlier and knew there could be some here tonight. Though I didn’t want any of it. I wasn’t a drinker at all, and being this close to water? I didn’t want to lose control.

“What are you talking about?” I asked warily, noticing how Kyle’s lips shone with alcohol after he took a sip. He caught me staring and sent me a knowing smirk.

Blushing, I looked away.

“That guy. Fozzie’s nephew,” Presley said, her voice dropping an octave as she delivered that particular piece of juicy gossip. “You were talking to him out on the beach.”

Oh God. They saw that?

“He was actually touching you,” Presley continued, sounding the slightest bit…jealous? No way. “Why?”

Nerves buzzed in my stomach as everyone seemed to go quiet, all attention on me. Biting my lower lip, unable to look in Kyle’s direction, I said hesitantly, “I ran into him.”

“Okay,” Presley said slowly when I remained quiet. “And then?”

“He grabbed hold of me to make sure I wasn’t going to fall.” I took another deep breath, struggling to keep my voice steady. “Then he told me I shouldn’t be out here and he was going to write me up.”

“What an *,” Presley said, her big blue eyes wide.

“I know, right?” Everyone laughed and I smiled, the nerves settling somewhat. “I told him he couldn’t tell me what to do and came over here.”

“You did not,” Presley breathed, her gaze turning admiring. “So ballsy.”

“Very ballsy for a new girl,” Kyle drawled. He held the flask out toward me. “You should take a drink.”

“Um…” How to say no without looking like a total loser?

“There’s hardly any left.” Presley snatched the flask from his fingers and brought it to her lips. “I’m impressed, though, Annie. Next time I’ll make sure to bring enough to share with you.”

“Okay. Good.” I nodded, thankful I wouldn’t have to drink. The only time I’d ever had alcohol was a glass of champagne at my cousin Lydia’s wedding.

“Selfish,” Kyle muttered, shaking his head. “Our new girl had a traumatic experience with Jake the snake tonight. She needs something to calm her nerves.”

“Ew, did you really just call him Jake the snake?” Presley laughed. “You’re the snake, Kyle.”

“Am not,” he said, sounding like a sullen ten-year-old boy.

“He was kind of mean,” I added. Kelsey’s arm was still looped through mine, and she gave it a squeeze. “He looked…really angry.” And intense. So intense.

“Whatever.” Presley grinned and handed the flask back to Kyle. Guess there was more in there than she thought. “He’s hot, so I’d forgive him for being mean.”

“Is that all you care about, Pres?” Kyle asked, laughing before he took another drink. “Is if a guy is hot or not?”

“Pretty much,” she said, which only made Kyle laugh harder.

I laughed along with them, though it felt forced. And I couldn’t stop glancing around, the realization that I was standing out on a rickety old dock over deep water making me nervous. So many things could happen that were completely out of my control. We could be caught and get in trouble. The dock could collapse under our extra weight and we could fall into the water. Oh, and then I could drown and die.

Totally overdramatic, but I couldn’t shake those thoughts.

“Hey, we should play truth or dare,” Kaycee suggested, earning cheers from everyone on that stupid old dock but me.