“That shit doesn’t freak you out?” My hand freezes its mug rim rotation, and I raise widened eyes to hers.
“I mean, I’m staying here instead of there, so yeah, I guess it does.” She laughs again, but it gives more nerves than humor. “It’s why I don’t want to go to the carnival. Jay and I share that sentiment. Shitty little town, creepy ass carnival.”
“Yeah, I could skip it as well. They don’t exactly creep me out like they do you, but if Julian is twitchy about it, I’d rather not go.”
“But your guy from Molokai wants to go, right?”
“Not my guy, but yeah. He’s pretty stoked to check it out. So I guess we’re all going. But you can bail out if you want. It’s just that Noah and Lilly are our best friends.” I shrug with a closed-lip smile.
“It’s all good. I’ll suck it up. Least I can do since you’re putting up with me for winter break.” She slides off the barstool and adds, “Speaking of, should we get going? See what last-minute stuff Jay needs for the bonfire?”
“Yep. If we hurry, maybe we can sweet-talk Pete into some breakfast burritos.” I take both of our mugs, rinse them and place them in the dishwasher. “Wanna drive to Brew? Or we can jog if you want?”
“Ugh, no, I’ll drive. You and Jay are nuts. Running should only happen if you’re being chased.”
My giggle is genuine. I know most people don’t get running. Even Julian doesn’t love it, but he joins me sometimes and does it effortlessly—like everything else fitness related.
Chapter 6
Julian
As we make our way into Southy, I tap my fingers on my chest and drive one-handed. I do it subtly so Ever doesn’t track it. I want her to enjoy the carnival, not worry about me. That all six of us piled into Allie’s 4Runner helps because she’s distracted chatting with Lilly, Noah, Seth and Taya. Surprisingly enough, Taya blends right into our group. Even Seth treats her like he’s known her forever. But that’s the charm of Taya. Always has been. She puts you at ease and sucks you right in.
“Sunset Point has been perfect for learning how, and it’s close to campus, so . . . win-win.” Taya and Seth are trading surfing stories. That she knows how to surf impresses me and locks me into that conversation instead of my growing unease the closer we get to the vacant lot next to the baseball field.
“Man, you should come to Pismo. Consistent breaks. Perfect for beginners.” Seth’s passion for surfing oozes from his pores.
Watching the two of them in the rearview mirror, I feel an odd tug on my heart, a warm swirl in my gut. It’s clear Seth isn’t immuneto Taya’s thrall, and so far, he seems like a decent guy. Semi-frat guy stereotype aside, he’s super chill, go with the flow, kind and genuine. I like him. The dynamic between him, Noah and Lilly is unforced and smooth, like they’re a unit. I wonder, fleetingly, if there is a throuple situation happening. Not my business, but their threesome is curiously undefined although natural, effortless. Noah and Lilly are turned toward each other, leaning their arms over the back of the middle seats, joining Seth and Taya’s conversation. No territorial jealousy, just openness. I make a note to ask Noah about it when we get a minute alone. He and I have a quiet, honest friendship that I appreciate more than he knows. Not one to become attached to others, I value the bonds I’ve built with him and Lilly. And Ever. Always Ever. I stop tapping my chest and reach for her hand and lace our fingers.
She squeezes and pulls them to her, settling them against the apex of her abdomen and thighs. Her eyes jump to mine when Seth adds, “Ask Davis. She killed it her first time.”
“Ever, you surf, too?” Taya asks, her eyes wide with surprise.
She’s taken to using my nickname for her as I’ve gotten laxer in saying it in front of others. Ever doesn’t seem to mind. I personally love it because that’s who she is. JustEver.I bring our joined hands to my lips, pressing a kiss to the back of hers. Hearing that she learned when she bailed to Lilly’s drops me back into that desperate space of those two days. Combined with the dread of being near the trailer park, I need the contact of her skin to ground me—remind me who I am now.
Lilly pipes up, “She’s a little badass, too.”
I track her nervousness in my periphery. She’s rubbing the palm of her other hand up and down her thigh and tightens her grip on myhand as she answers. “Let’s not get carried away. I surfed once. If we’re getting technical, I stood up maybe three seconds.”
“No, she did,” Noah chimes in. To me he says, “It counts.” Then he swivels back and adds, “You’d love it, Taya. Especially if you already know how. Nice, consistent breaks, and even some larger stuff if you want a challenge.”
“Noted. I’ll have to come visit and hit you guys up. When the grind of law school allows.”
“Anytime,” Seth, Noah and Lilly say in unison, followed by their joint laughter at their timing.
See? Throuple energy, whether it’s factual or not.
Pulling into the dirt lot, Lilly squeals, “I’m not riding the Ferris wheel.”
“We’ll see,” Noah retorts.
I turn off the engine and audibly sigh, forgetting to hide my anxiety for a second. Ever releases my hand and grazes her fingertips along the scruff on my cheek. I turn my face into her touch and reluctantly meet her eyes. She reads me too well, and I don’t want her to see my apprehension. I smile and kiss her palm. “Let’s go win you a ridiculously overpriced stuffed animal at the games.”
She rolls her lips inward with a flat smile that doesn’t reach her eyes but prompts both dimples to pop out. She’s letting me pretend I’m fine, but she sees me, and I love her more for it. I plunk a kiss on the tip of her nose as she nods her agreement.
The air is thick with the aroma of overly sweet funnel cakes, the shrieks of excited kids, the clang of games and the constant hum of overlapping laughter and chatter. Lilly and Noah get accosted by their families almost as soon as we enter the carnival. Between face painting,photo booths and risky rides, I venture we won’t see them until it’s time to leave. Seth and Taya find the closest beer stand and grab two each, offering one to me and one to Ever. We press our plastic cups together, take a slug of foam and beer and meander toward the rows of games, choosing the ring toss first.
Funny enough, Taya and Ever win more games than Seth and me, but it may have more to do with the mostly male carnies’ affinity for their jaw-dropping beauty than their talent for fixed carnival games. The more they win, the sassier they get, lording it over us that they “dominate.” Without discussing it, Seth and I unite in sarcastically agreeing with them at every turn that they indeed prevail. We also keep pounding cheap beer until my bladder screams for release.
