Chapter 9 #2
“I heard that!” her father yells from the kitchen, where pots and pans clink and clatter. Mr. Croft has insisted on making us fish tacos before we… Well, Alex goes to the annual concert at the town park.
Alex rolls her eyes. “No, what is dramatic is you staying home to avoid a guy you haven’t even spoken to in a week.
You say you’re over it and don’t care, but if that’s true, you would gladly get up, brush your awful hair out, and come with me.
” I run my hand over the knot on top of my head. She’s probably right about the brush.
I know it’s been a week since the boating incident, and she’s right, I did say I didn’t care. But until that kiss, I didn’t think I would ever find another guy whose presence made me aware of every single cell in my body.
I was wrong.
“I’m not avoiding him; I’ve seen him plenty. I talked to him yesterday, for your information. I’m just choosing to stay home with my books and imaginary boyfriends.”
Alex raises one eyebrow.
“Yes, I have multiple.”
“First of all, passing him at the resort when you’re working and saying thank you when he placed your meal in front of you at the bar is not considered ‘talking.’ If you don’t get your ass off this couch in three seconds, I’m going to drag you off it. This is your final warning.”
“Ha, I’d like to see you try.” I turn over and face the cushion.
I should know better by now, Alex always keeps her word.
Before I have time to even let out a scream, Alex grabs both my legs and drags me off the couch. My head hits the floor with a hard thump.
“Ouch! Seriously?” I yell, cradling the back of my head.
“Don’t underestimate me, bitch.” She smirks and walks into the kitchen, yelling over her shoulder, “Be ready in thirty minutes or you won’t like what I have planned next.”
Her threat scared me, and the back of my head is still a bit sore, but my hair is brushed and pulled into a ponytail.
I mustered the energy to throw on some cutoff shorts and a plain tank top.
I might have agreed to go out, but I am most definitely not dressing up.
Alex has stacked my wrists with red, white, and blue glow stick bracelets and applied stick-on glittery star-shaped gems to the corner of my eyes.
At least one of us is feeling festive .
After finding street parking, we walk along the sidewalk downtown on our way to the park.
It’s refreshing to be on actual pavement and not a dusty dirt road.
I haven’t come into town as much as I expected, and it feels good to see life outside of the resort.
Up ahead, I can see the park with a small stage set up in the center, and a decent crowd already gathering.
Food trucks line the street at the entrance, with the lines already a few people deep for drinks and carnival food.
“The opening bands are normally locals. They get better the later it gets, and the headliner is always a surprise!” Alex loops her arm through mine; she has always loved live music. “Come on, let’s get ice cream!” I can’t help but let my bad mood melt away with her childish excitement.
I order a chocolate caramel ice cream with gummy bears, and as soon as it’s in my hands, I pop a big spoonful into my mouth. I turn to leave the counter, my eyes closed, and a joyful moan escapes my lips. Damn, that’s good, I smile to myself.
“Wow, maybe I should order what you’re having. Sounds like you’re enjoying it.” Once again, I can feel his dumb smirk before I even open my eyes.
Hux stands directly in front of me, his hair still wet from the shower and a loose-fitting white button-up with the sleeves rolled up his arms. Every time I think he can’t get any hotter, he proves me wrong.
“Hilarious.” I don’t make eye contact while grabbing a few napkins and searching the crowd for Alex. I see her chatting with Elle and Ashlee. Awesome, my only escape is talking to my mortal enemy number two. I knew I shouldn’t have come. My newfound good mood is quickly evaporating .
“Lighten up, would you?” He laughs. He’s laughing at me.
“I should lighten up? You’re continuously Mr. Grumpy, and I’m the one who needs to be in a better mood?” I ask, exacerbated.
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re the one who has been actively ignoring me for the last week. Clearly, you didn’t like our evening cruise.” His eyes bore into mine as he speaks. He is trying to make me as uncomfortable as possible.
It’s working.
I immediately feel my cheeks flush, but I find the courage to look up and lock eyes with him.
“I don’t think it was me who was unhappy with how that night went.
As I remember, someone else stormed off with better things to do .
” Losing my courage, I look down into my bowl.
My heart is pounding against my ribs so intensely that even the cold ice cream can’t stop the feeling of heatstroke.
“Yeah, about that…” He rakes his hand through his hair and wets his lips. For the first time, he looks a little nervous. Is there a hint of remorse in his eyes?
“Evie Baby! Let’s go! The show is starting, and we want to get a good spot!” Alex yells from her place with Ashlee and Elle.
I look up at Hux, whose lightheartedness has instantly disappeared and has been replaced with his normal look of annoyance.
Without another word, I walk past him and link my arm through Alex’s again.
“You okay?” she asks, even though I can tell from the concerned look on her face that she already knows the answer.
I only nod. I can feel tears threatening to make their way out. I can’t explain why I feel a sad ache in my body as I get farther and farther away from Hux. It feels as if something is over, something that never started.