Seven
Saint
The summer heat makes today the perfect day for hanging out at the lake. Unfortunately, it seems like everyone in Yule had the same idea. When my best friend, Royal, and I arrive at the lake in my mom’s old truck, the place is already crowded.
We planned to spend the day hanging out with our boys. We’d swim, gorge ourselves on snacks, and tan. But as soon as we climb out of the truck, I know that plan is out the window.
Royal’s twin sister, Reign, is standing less than fifty feet away with her best friends—Nora; Ella Mae, whom Royal has a massive crush on despite pretending otherwise; and Winter.
Knowing my best friend as I do, I know he’ll insist that we join his sister and her group to get close to Ella Mae.
If I try to protest, I’m sure he’ll point out that this could be my chance to get back on Winter’s good side.
Royal’s been my best friend since preschool and knows all about my lifelong obsession with Winter.
There’s no point trying to escape the inevitable. I’ll just have to play it cool.
“Hey!” he yells to his sister, who immediately turns to us.
She smiles and runs over to us, her friends following behind.
I’ve never seen two siblings who get along as well as Royal and Reign. Maybe it’s the twin thing, but since I don’t know any other twins, I can’t confirm that. Not only do they never seem to fight, but they’re very close.
“Looks like you guys had the same idea as us and everyone else today,” she says as her friends catch up.
Royal points to our cooler. “We brought snacks. Y’all want to hang with us?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Winter give a subtle head shake toward Reign, who promptly ignores her and accepts the invite.
“Sure, we’ll hang. Our snacks met their demise already.” From the way Ella Mae rubs her stomach with wide eyes, I assume they ate their snacks on the drive.
“Great.” He wraps an arm around Ella Mae’s shoulders, leaving the rest of us to follow behind.
Watching them walk away, it’s hard to fathom that neither has realized their feelings for each other yet. It’s extremely obvious to everyone else but themselves and Reign, who they wouldn’t want to know.
The time slips away at a rapid pace while we float around the lake on tubes, take turns riding a jet ski Royal’s family owns, and lie out on lounge chairs.
Before we know it, the sun is starting to set.
The families that brought their kids to splash around have long gone, and most of the adults are packing up their things to leave.
The lake at night becomes a spot ruled by the teenage population of Yule.
A bonfire is being built, and everyone is helping to carry branches and logs to stack into the pile. Technically, it’s against the rules, but we never get in trouble for it. As long as we aren’t causing trouble, we can hang out as long as we want.
The fire is being lit when several SUVs pull up, screeching to a stop in the parking lot.
I sigh with irritation. Of course Jake Rivers and his friends can’t arrive somewhere like normal people.
They have to draw as much attention as possible to themselves.
It’s frustrating to see them hop out of their vehicles, a couple of them grabbing cases of canned beer.
There’s no way this will end well, and it’s been such a surprisingly good day up until now.
Royal breaks away from the group he was talking to and comes to stand next to me. He doesn’t know why I don’t like Jake, but he doesn’t either. He had run-ins with the popular football player as well.
We keep our distance from him and his cronies, choosing to relax across the fire. I still keep an eye on Winter, who’s drunk several beers. His friends seem to bring her another one every time her drink is finished. I’ve been watching, and they aren’t doing this for anyone else.
After what’s probably the fourth one she drank, Jake grabs her hand and pulls her away from the fire. She giggles and stumbles after him, unable to walk straight.
My anger wars with concern at what’s happening.
She’s walking off into the dark with him, clearly drunk.
I elbow Royal as I hurriedly get out of my chair.
He doesn’t question me, seeming to have also witnessed what I did.
He grabs one of the large water guns Reign brought today and hands another to me.
We march off in the direction they disappeared, hearing their footsteps, and follow them to the dock. When we get closer, they’re sitting on the end of the pier, dangling their feet off the end.
It’s dark, but the fire illuminates their silhouettes just enough to see when Jake leans toward her. His hand reaches for her as his face gets closer to hers. Acting on impulse, I shoot them with the water gun, and as soon as I do, Royal joins me.
Winter screeches and jumps up, spinning in our direction. Her leaping up causes Jake, who has been leaning, to fall off the dock, landing with a splash into the lake.
We can’t hold it together as the anger melts into amusement at Jake’s situation.
Winter stomps over to us, not finding any humor in this. She charges at me like a raging, drunken bull. She tries to shove me while screaming like a banshee, water dripping from her wet hair.
Most of what she says is unintelligible due to her anger. I’m only able to make out something along the lines of ‘what is wrong with you.’ She can be mad at me all she wants, but I wasn’t going to let that asshole take advantage of her.
She tries to push against my chest again, but she’s too drunk and loses her balance, nearly falling off the dock as well. I grab her arms to keep her from falling, then toss her over my shoulder. She kicks and screams, but I stay firm—it’s time to get her home.
Royal confirms that he’ll drive his sister, Nora, and Ella Mae back in the vehicle they came in so that I can drive Winter home.
I manage to get her into the passenger side of the truck, which is no easy task. She’s squirming and trying to get out, but her drunken struggles are as fierce as a kitten’s—an adorably angry kitten.
Buckling her in, I make sure she stays put. Then I climb into the truck and drive her home.
She grumbles the whole ride until she finally goes silent. I glance over and find that she’s sleeping. Her hands are tucked under her face, leaning against the window.
When we arrive at her house, I quietly open the door to avoid waking her. Carrying her bridal style, I step inside. Her mom notices me when I enter. I whisper that she was tired and I’m taking her to her bed.
She doesn’t question me, and she isn’t close enough to smell the beer on her, so I probably just saved her ass, even though she’ll never know it.
When I go upstairs to her room, I pull back her comforter and lay her on the bed. I take off her flip-flops and place them on her shoe rack. Tuck her in and turn off the light as I leave.
She can hate me all she wants now. Someday, I’ll make her fall in love with me, no matter how long it takes.