It dawned on me that I was outing myself for being so paranoid and that I should probably shut my mouth while I still had the chance.
“Nothing. My car broke down, Nick saw me and stopped, and now I’m scatterbrained.” I exhale, looking at him at the end of my sentence.
His smile disappears and exchanges for worry instead.
“Why didn’t you call me? What’d he say to you?” he says rapidly.
“Nothing important. He left me on the side of the road.” I shrug, walking to the board table, “He wasn’t thrilled about our discourse at the party.” I say, ready to lift my surfboard on the platform.
“Is that not what you wanted?” Josh said, following me until we stood beside each other.
“It is. I just was a little overwhelmed, that’s all.” I shake my head, beginning to lift.
He grabs the board, taking it out of my hands and swiftly setting it on the table. He then returns his attention to me.
“Lemme make it better?” he turns to face me.
Pushing the sleeves of my hoodie up, I weakly smile.
“That’s why I came here.”
His grin beams contagiously. He then grabs the bag of food off the table and opens it. Ignoring everything, he goes straight for the scones.
“Aw man, you shouldn’t have. You know I can’t say no to 84
BAD IDEA
these.” he chuckles, closing the bag, “I’m definitely saving them for the perfect time.”
“Which is?”
“When I’m alone and get to be a fat-ass, do you mind?” he laughs.
Helplessly, I smile, hearing the sound of his laughter. I bind my hands together, silencing myself again, for I had nothing to say. What am Isupposedto say? I couldn’t think of anything suitable without bringing up the stupid kiss. He doesn’t seem bothered at all. He’s behaving as if it were an everyday occurrence.
Gazing around the table, I grab the wax comb, jumping right into the motion of scrapping my board and putting all my force into it. I was never good at it, so I always had Josh do it because he’s much stronger and fickle than I am. I thought I would try it on my own last summer, and I failed. It’s always either too much wax or not enough.
“I think it’s interesting that you brought up Nick. You’ll never believe who I saw at Caddy Shacks sharing a smoothie.”
Josh says.
I slow my arms down, wanting to listen, “Beau and a new girlfriend?” I joke.
He rolls his eyes, amused, “No. Close, but no.”
“So?” I ask, blowing a few strands of hair out of my face.
“Darcy and Chaz Michaels.” He crosses his arms.
“The hockey player reject?” I furrow my eyebrows, “I thought he moved to the city after he didn’t make the league?”
“So did I, but I’m pretty sure he’s here and dating Darcy on the side,” he suggests.
Sighing, I continue trying to remove more wax, “That’s 85
FAKING FOREVER
crazy, but what’s your point, Josh.”
