“You mean because Wilder was lying to me and he finally had to tell the truth?” I counter.
Cash’s eyebrows knit together. “No, not at all. I just… I’m tired of holding onto secrets for people. It felt good to finally… I don’t know. Breathe.”
Breathe.
I hadn’t thought about it that way. Cash has kept his fair share of secrets for the people close to him.
And if I know one thing about him, it’s that he can’t function when he’s trying to hold everything in.
“You’re a good friend,” I say.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” He chuckles as he looks out over the ocean. “I’ve thought about punching Wilder in the face at least a hundred times since we left home.”
I laugh.
And it feels good.
“Ready to get wet?” Wilder breathes out, his chest rising and falling from running back to the car.
Cash clears his throat. “Yeah.”
Wilder grabs my hand and tugs me toward the water. “Come on, Blondie.”
I smile and follow as Cash jogs behind us.
The water is much colder than I anticipate, even in the middle of summer.
Cash kicks the water in our direction, but Wilder grabs me around the waist and twists me so the water hits his back.
I laugh, grateful for the sunshine above and the warm California breeze.
We spend an hour running through the water, collecting rocks and seashells, and soaking in the sun.
By the time the sun starts to lower in the sky, my stomach is growling.
“I’m starving,” I say.
Cash points to a few buildings down the street. “Wanna see if there’s somewhere to grab something to eat?”
Wilder nods. “We can get our phones on the way.”
We make the long trek through the warm sand to the street. I stop to wipe the sandy pebbles from the bottom of my feet. But Wilder suddenly crouches in front of me, I blink.
I guess he wants to play a game?
“I’m not playing leapfrog with you right now,” I say. “I’m too tired.”
Cash laughs hysterically.
Wilder groans. “Get on my back, Blondie. I’ll carry you.”
Oh. Whoops.
“I didn’t realize…” I trail off.
I climb onto Wilder’s back and he pushes off the concrete as my arms wrap around his shoulders and neck.
Wilder and Cash make small talk, reminiscing about the hours we spent at the creek every summer.
