We lay our stuff in the sand, and I take off my clothes, determined, heading for the water. And yes, Jake was right, Amanda is here right in her daddy’s VIP section, close to where I decided to drop our stuff.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Anunknownmale voice shouts, and I’m ready to nut-attack someone when I see it’s Tanner.
Allison rolls her eyes and then practically throws herself at him, having their little couple snuggling session in front of the whole beach.That’s my cue to leave.
I go near the water and touch the water with my feet, seeing if it’s cold or not. Laughter is heard all around me, from small children to their grandparents. Water splashing around, everyone happy and tan, Jake sprinting my way- Wait-
I’m left with my mouth wide open, my hair a mix between wet and dry and tangled, and my hands in the air as someone who was expecting it, but at the same timewas not.
“You aresopredictable.”
I already knew he was going to do that. He always does that.
“Ah, but did you get out of the way? No.” He opens his muscled arms as if he is daring me to do the same thing. And now I’m screwed. In the sunlight, his torso is even more- I can’t even describe it. “You justlovemy belly area, don’t you?” He laughs, getting too close and making my cheeks burn.
I groan and push him away, turning around and crossing my arms.
He touches my arm, and I side-eye him.
“Showtime.” He gently pulls me towards him and moves his mouth close to my ear, surely pretending to say something in my ear, butgood gracious, if I didn’t just lose my self-respect as soon as he got down to my height to do that.
“Master has given Dobby a sock. Dobby is a free elf.” He mimics Dobby’s high-pitched voice perfectly, and because I wasn’t expecting it, I snort and then release a laugh, covering my mouth immediately after making such an inhuman sound.
He laughs right with me, and it’s like all the exaggerated childlike anger we felt for each other five minutes ago dissipates into thin air.
I make the mistake of inching a bit closer, and our eyes make the mistake of looking at each other’s lips.
“Is…Is Amanda watching?” I glance between his eyes and his mouth while he, on the other hand, doesn’t even look around while saying, “Probably.”
“They seriously have to do this in front of the whole beach? There are kids here…” Riden says, indignant, making us push each other just enough to realize what we were about to do.
I search for Amanda, and she’s absolutely looking over, eyes full of hatred.
“Jake, up top!” Graham throws a football in Jake’s direction, and I immediately avoid it, like my life depends on it.
They start throwing it around, and I just dive next to them, and while trying to come back to the towel, Graham calls me.
“Hey, Madelaine, wanna join?”
Is he being serious right now? Has he seen me with a football in my hands?
Jake just shrugs, and Aaron tilts his head, waiting. Riden side eyes me, knowing very well how my motor functions work.
“Sure.” Might as well enjoy this, right? In the spirit of adventure.
He throws me the ball, and I surprisinglycatch itand unintentionally smile, like a child.
I throw it to Aaron, and he receives it, impressed.
“Good throw.” He compliments, and I utter athanks.
Oh my god,I’m throwing a ball, and it’s going well. For approximately five whole minutes.
“OW!” The ball hits me right in the face, and I immediately see Jake all up in my face.
“Are you okay? Are you bleeding? I swear to god,Riden-”
“It just- It’s sore.” I remove my hand from my nose and gently try twisting it. Still hurts a little, but it was mostly impact.
