29
JOSEFINE
I setthe ball for Daniel, and he jumps and spikes it hard. No one on the other side is fast enough to get to the ball before it’s landing on the sand.
Behind us, Vi and Kainoa loudly celebrate our second win as the music from Daniel’s Bose speaker plays “Pa’Que Retozen” by Tego Calderón.
“This can’t be.” Grayson stares, bewildered, raking his fingers through his disheveled hair.
“Oh, it be,” Daniel returns with a smirk and holds out a sand-covered fisted hand in my direction.
I don’t gloat about it the way the others do, though I do bump my fist against his and press my lips together to stop myself from laughing at the other team—Pen, Angel, Grayson, and Noah—who are arguing about their failed strategies.
Well, it’s Pen and Angel arguing. Grayson looks like he was blindsided by their loss, and Noah is staring at the pair with a bored expression on his face.
“H-how? Have you played volleyball before?” He stares at Vi and me with narrowed eyes, suspicion lacing his words.
Vienna laughs, brushing the sand off her stomach. “I told you I haven’t, but the game is pretty easy when you’re not playing by the rules.” She has, but they don’t need to know that.
“I don’t like to lose, so I don’t,” I add.
He scoffs. “Are y’all saying I suck?”
“Yes,” Kainoa and Daniel fill in for us.
“You’re just not that good, Gray. Face it, you suck ass.” Kainoa clicks his tongue, trying to look serious but his lips crack into a furtive smile.
While Grayson tries to defend himself to the guys, Vi and I step aside to drink water.
We’ve been at the beach for almost an hour and I surprisingly feel okay. Usually, I’d feel awkward, but everyone’s been nice. Though Noah’s been quiet, but Daniel says he usually is. Not that I have room to talk because I’ve been quiet too.
“You seriously can’t tell me you don’t feel that?” Vi says once we’re out of earshot.
I grab my water bottle and hand her hers. “Feel what?”
She softly groans, eyes widening as if she were askingare you for real?“The insane chemistry between you and Danny. Like please justfuck,” she exasperatedly whispers that word. “Already.”
I pretend I didn’t hear that and drink my water.
But she’s not giving up because she continues to speak.
“I know I’m being annoying, but I’m telling you I feel it and I’m not even involved. No, I’m pretty certain everyone feels it. Hell, the fishes probably feel it too.”
“I think you’re reading too much into things.”
“Point one: He stares at you a lot. I bet you if we turn around right now, we’ll find him staring at you.” I don’t turn but she does. A muffled squeal gets trapped in her mouth as she presses her lips together when she looks forward again. “He’s looking over here.”
“His stuff is over here. Maybe he’s looking at his water.”
“Point two: He calls you Jos.”
“Wow, a nickname. You all call me Josie.”
“Point three: You call him Garcia.”
“Again, it’s just a nickname.”
“No one else calls him that.”
