Page 142 of We Are Just Us

The way she said all made Kieran glance at Rory, who became suddenly fascinated by the horizon.

“You have?”

“Oh yeah.” Her smile turned slightly mischievous. “Aubrey, can you say hi to Kieran?”

Aubrey squinted at him. Worked her mouth around the word like it was too big for her face.

“Hi, Keernan!” she said confidently.

Kieran’s heart about exploded.

“Hi, Aubrey. It’s nice to meet you.”

Samantha looked back at Kieran. “You better be careful today. Another jellyfish might get you.”

“Rory told you about that?”

“Rory told everyone about it.”

His face went hot.

Rory grinned and winked at Kieran. Aubrey looked between them, confused.

“What’s a gellyfish?” Aubrey asked.

“A sea creature that stung Kieran,” Samantha said, making an ouchy face.

“Did it hurt?” Aubrey asked, eyes wide.

“A little,” Kieran admitted.

“Did you cry?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure.” He laughed.

Aubrey seemed satisfied with that. “I’d cry,” she said, then turned back to Rory. “When do you go?”

“In about ten minutes.”

“Can I watch in the water?”

“You can watch from the beach.”

“But I wanna be close!”

“Beach,” Rory repeated, firm but gentle.

Aubrey pouted but didn’t argue.

Rory glanced at his watch, then at the water. The second heat was wrapping up. Surfers were paddling back in, shaking water from their hair, comparing notes with their coaches.

“I should get ready,” Rory said.

“Go,” Samantha said. “We’ll be watching.”