Chapter 14
14
Conversation flew easily around the dinner table that was big enough to seat six people. It was like Joseph had had dinner with us many times in the past. Like he belonged amongst us. Other than Ryder being his broody self, everyone else was in a cheerful mood.
Even I couldn’t stop smiling.
“Ava told me you’re a surfer,” Uncle Mason said.
“I should’ve guessed,” Ryder mumbled through clenched teeth.
“What?” my uncle asked.
“Nothing,” Ryder continued. I could feel the annoyance pouring out from him.
“I used to hit the waves when I first moved here.” Sadness passed through Uncle Mason’s eyes. He hung his head for a quick second, breathed in, and it was gone.
“My dad owns a surfing school. I’m in charge during the summer. He and his wife, my stepmom, just had a baby, so I’m giving them a hand.”
“I’d like to look it up one day,” Uncle Mason continued.
“Whenever you’re free. I have some sick boards we ordered. They got delivered this morning. Can’t wait to try them out.”
“How will I resist?” Uncle Mason said with a chuckle. “I miss the waves.”
“Just come by. I’ll send you the contact details. On Saturday morning, I’m giving Ava her first lesson.”
Ryder choked on his water, and my irritation toward him multiplied.
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Your parents moved here?” Aunt Melinda asked.
Joseph started explaining his family situation, answering all their questions.
My stare drifted to Ryder sitting opposite me. Our eyes locked. I sucked in a big gulp of air, the wall I’d built between us dissolving under the strength of his attention.
His gaze darkened. His lips thinned.
His face was unreadable.
What’s your problem? I mouthed.
He stayed impassive, his stare burning through me.
Goosebumps blossomed on my skin.
My throat felt dry, and clutching the glass in my hand, I took a hefty gulp.
Mind you own business, I added.
Why? I’m just expressing my thoughts.
No. False. You’re judging him. Me. Everyone.
Ryder shook his head. Nope. Don’t get all dramatic. I just don’t agree with your choice of friends.
I turned my head, ignoring him and his attempts to keep the conversation going.
Joseph said something I didn’t quite get and smiled at me. Under the table, a foot hit my shin as I returned the curl of his lips.
As if stung by a bee, my head jerked in Ryder’s direction. A smug expression painted his features.
Stop interfering in my life, I added with a glare impossible to mistake. You’re ruining everything.
You need no help in that department.
I rolled my eyes. You’re such a drama queen. Grow up.
His face hardened. And somehow, lava pooled in my belly at the sight. Ryder’s chair scraped the floor as he pushed it back and moved to his feet, his features strained. “Ready for dessert?” he asked. He cleared the table, the sound of plates banging together filling the otherwise silence.
With the towering pile of dishes, he disappeared into the kitchen and my eyes trailed his back.
I breathed easier once he wasn’t too close to me anymore.
Through the wide windows framed by shimmery pink curtains, I watched the sunset casting a bright orange glow over the line of trees in the backyard, then turned my full attention to the people still seated around the table.
“Do I get the pleasure of picking up Ava tomorrow?” Joseph asked. “We’ll go to Dusty’s and meet some friends. I’ll drive her back around midnight at the most and be here at six on Saturday to pick her up for her surfing lesson.”
My eyes rounded. “Six? Like in the morning?” I asked, alarm clear in my voice.
“The best waves are early,” my uncle chimed in.
“Six?” I repeated.
“You’ll do good,” Joseph said in a reassuring tone. “You’ll see. It’s easier than it looks.” His hand connected with mine over the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“I hope so,” I said, my lips stretching into a fake smile I hoped wouldn’t betray the uneasiness brewing in my stomach.
“Don’t stress over—” Joseph began, only to be interrupted by Ryder bringing a dish of hot chocolate pudding on the table with a “Careful, it’s hot” warning. Stepping between us, we couldn’t continue our conversation, and Joseph had to break our hand contact. Ryder didn’t have to come between Joseph and me, as his side of the table was free, but deep down, I knew it was an intentional move. Part of his Annoy-Ava plan.
Not ditching his scowl, he made it his mission to serve us dessert from his spot next to me, forcing himself into my space. The entire time, the heat from his body scorched mine where our skin touched.
“I can’t believe how much of a jerk he can be,” I complained when I accompanied Joseph to his pickup truck after he said goodbye to everyone. “It’s like he feels entitled to fuck with my days.”
Joseph let out a loud chuckle. “He’s something, I agree. Ignore him. He’ll find someone else to bother if you don’t give him the time of day. You’ll see. Can you blame him? A hot girl moves in with his pseudo-family, and now he must share his favorite slash only child spot with her. He’s reacting. And he’s probably disarmed around you. Guys feel threatened all the time by pretty girls, and we’re not always smart about it.”
“You think he’ll warm up to my presence? That it’s just a phase? Because so far, he’s done a pretty good job of making my stay hell.”
He grabbed my upper arms. “I’m sure. Don’t let him walk all over you, though.”
I nodded.
He pulled me against him and kissed my forehead. From the moment we met, Joseph had always been super affectionate toward me, not something I was used to. And I hardly knew how to reciprocate his affection.
“I’ll be here at six thirty tomorrow night. We could grab something to eat first—just the two of us—and then head to Dusty’s. What do you think?”
“Sure. Sounds good.”
“Fantastic. Thanks again for the invite.”
He leaned forward and kissed my cheek.
My heart fluttered in my chest.
Joseph’s breaths picked up.
I backed away, offering him a tight-lipped smile. “Thanks for coming tonight. I had a great time.”
“Anytime, Avalon. See you tomorrow.”
He climbed into his truck and waved at me as he pulled away.
Ryder neared me just as I was about to get inside the house. My body ignited the more he closed in on me, and I hated how it reacted to his presence without my permission. I stepped to the side, away from him, and schooled my features to give nothing away.
“This is a fucking joke.” His irate voice sliced through me.
I blinked, surprised at his sudden bout of aggravation. “What?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
My pulse went crazy at his admission. Even without his confirming anything, I could tell what had riled him up. How could he have something against Joseph? All night, he never gave Joseph a chance to befriend him.
Whatever went down between us since I moved to town and how sour our non-relationship was, he had no right to make Joseph the scapegoat.
Without another word to me, he hauled himself into his car, started the engine, and drove away, leaving a cloud of dust—and a bewildered me—in his trail. My heart sunk in my chest, plummeting down at a vertiginous speed because none of his actions and interactions tonight made sense. One second, he couldn’t stand me, and the next, he acted like a possessive jackass. How much more puzzling could Ryder be?
I sighed and pushed him out of my mind.
Spending time with Joseph was what I should focus on. Harmless fun. No drama. And a good time.
Dear Diary
I saw Joseph again tonight. Since arriving in Feather Lake, we hadn’t spent any time together. He was still as cheerful as what I remembered from our bus trip across the country. And his smile was as blinding as the first time.
He came over to have dinner at my place, and it felt natural to have him there. Aunt Melinda and Uncle Mason seemed to like him a lot.
When he’s by my side, I feel happier and calmer. And I end up smiling too.
And then Ryder happened. He was his usual broody self and made it his mission to try to sabotage our night. Seriously, something is wrong with him. I just can’t figure out why he loves to fuck with my life so much. The guy is such a mystery. And I hate that my eyes are attracted to him. And that my heart beats fast when he’s around.
We shared a moment earlier. I think we did. He asked me to kiss him, but I’m sure it was a test. Or not.
Something else also happened. His arm wound around me when I slipped and almost fell face first on the floor, and he breathed into my neck. I felt a connection for the first time. For just a minuscule, almost non-existent, instant. I am convinced I didn’t dream of it. But whatever it means to him, it means nothing to me. Ryder is a jerk, and I must remember that.
I must go to bed soon because I have a full day tomorrow. Joseph asked me out on a date. We’ll dine together, and then we’ll meet his friends. I’m a bit nervous about it, but Joseph is kind and protective—I witnessed it tonight with Ryder—so it’s all good.
On Saturday morning, he’s gonna teach me how to surf. This is exciting, even though it freaks me out a bit. I’m not a sports person, so I can’t wait to see how it goes. That’s not all. I’ll have to wake up at like five. In the morning. Can you imagine? Yeah, I know, it’s crazy. Spending time with Joseph hopefully will make up for the early hour. I’ll keep you updated in a few days and tell you how it went. I’m calling Iris now because you don’t talk back and sometimes, I need a friend who can help me out.
Night,
Ava
“Okay, you gotta help me,” I told Iris over video chat while I was getting ready to go to bed. “What should I wear? I have two dates with Joseph, and I wanna look cute, but not desperate. I have never dated anyone except Lucas. I’ve never even kissed anyone except Lucas. This is my having no clue whatsoever about what I’m doing.”
“Do you like him?”
I shrugged. “Yes. Maybe. He’s a bit too cheerful, but on him, it works. He makes me smile, which not a lot of people can succeed in.”
She clasped her hands. “Good enough. Enjoy whatever you two are. Or will be. Summer to remember, A. Repeat after me.”
“Summer to remember.”
“See, super easy. Now show me what you brought on this trip, and we’ll start from there.” I turned the camera around. “And, A, breathe. It’ll be fine. He sounds like a great guy.”
“Going on a date with a guy I barely know, meeting a bunch of strangers, learning how to surf. How is any of this a good idea? Please tell me to cancel, and I will.”
Iris’s loud giggle resonated through the speaker. “Come on, A. You’re doing what we said we would. Enjoying your summer. Just because we are apart, you don’t have to forget all about the plan. Kiss a hot guy. Learn how to ride a board. Meet new people. Get a job. Move away for three months. Those are all the experiences that create memories for your old days. Stop idling, and let’s start with which bikini you should wear.”
After we came up with different outfit options, I slouched on my bed, dressed in pink night shorts and an oversized T-shirt, and propped my phone on a pillow.
“That Joseph guy is definitely kissing material,” Iris said, batting her eyelashes. “Don’t miss your chance if he makes the first move. Carpe diem, they say. Or something like that. Seize the day. Take advantage of an opportunity. Live in the now. Anyway, you get the idea.”
“How about you? Met anyone? You never answer my texts or my calls.”
“The delivery girl at the gift shop…she’s kinda cute. We’ve been hanging out. There’s one tiny problem, though.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t tell anyone. My parents would have me locked up in my bedroom for the next fifteen years if they knew.”
“What is it?” I repeated.
“She’s twenty years old.”
“Twenty?”
“Yep.” She winced. “She’s funny, charming, and she gets me. She’s an introvert and loves to read. We fit. We kissed today. I swear all those butterflies swirled inside me when our lips touched.” Iris rested her hand over her heart, a dreamy expression dancing in her eyes.
“Iris, you kissed someone. I’m so proud of you. I’ve been away for what? A week? And already you have that smitten look on your face. Who cares if she is seventeen or twenty? You did it. Took you long enough,” I teased.
“How is it going with Mr. Broody-Should-Be-My-Middle-Name? Found other ways to play with your patience lately?” she asked, changing the subject without an ounce of subtlety.
“He’s been his usual self. I don’t know what his deal is. He’s friendly with everyone else, and then we cross paths, and he becomes a dickhead. We had a moment earlier. Something passed between us. I can’t explain it. I was still wet, just out of the shower. I lost my footing, and he caught me around the waist before I fell on my face and humiliated myself. I swear I could feel his breaths on my neck.”
Iris brought her phone closer to her face, entranced by my retelling of the events. “Then what? Don’t leave me hanging.”
“He accused me of hitting on him. Just after he asked me out on a date. And asked me to kiss him.”
“A date? And a kiss? What am I missing? Since when did your life become a TV reality series? Explain yourself, A.”
And I did. I told her everything about my heated encounter with Ryder earlier and the coffee and dead car battery episodes of the previous day.
“Okay, you won’t like what I’m gonna tell you,” she said after she reflected on it for a few minutes. “The guy is into you.”
“No, he’s not. I swear. He hates my guts.”
“He brought you coffee as a peace offering. It was done clumsily, I agree, but he said he was sorry. Not sure guys like him say sorry often. He’s intimidated by you.”
“He’s not. Why would he be? I’m this almost boring teenager. He has his own place. Works full-time. Probably receives head in the woods by the lake. I’m just plain me. And we fight all the time. Your theory makes no sense. Find a better one.”
“A, listen to me. Are you blind? I don’t think so. He was angry and felt threatened because you had another guy coming over.”
“Joseph said something before he left. That Ryder is disarmed around me because I crash-landed in his life and took the place that was exclusively his.”
“Maybe. But I still believe my version is more accurate. Think about it. It’s logical. You can’t deny it. He’s testing your boundaries. See where the limit is. And the more you engage in his behavior, the more he’ll indulge. Perhaps fighting—getting a rise out of you—is what turns him on. Some people enjoy weird fetishes.”
“I do hope you’re wrong. On all accounts. Because why would I go out with someone I’m barely able to tolerate? Or whose dick grows hard while insulting me?”
Her mouth popped open.
“Shush. Don’t answer.”
“A, I’m seeing a whole lot of trouble in your near future. Who could have guessed your summer to remember would turn out so interesting after all?”
Someone knocked on my bedroom door. “It’s open,” I said.
Aunt Melinda’s head peeked inside. “Ava, when you’re done with your call, can we have a chat, you and I?”
“Sure. Gimme a couple of minutes more.”
“Come and get me when you’re ready. It’s kinda important we talk about this.”
I nodded, and she closed the door after her.
“What is this about?” Iris asked. “Did you kiss surfer boy in the middle of the kitchen? Or did I’m-a-jerk say something about your little encounter?”
“I have no idea. Guess I better find out. Geez, I hope it’s not something bad.” I pinched the fabric of my shirt to fan myself. “See, now I’m getting all sweaty. Wish me luck.”
“Luck, girl. Keep me updated. I’m really wondering what you did. Your aunt sounded so serious.”
“She’s usually pretty chill.” I fanned my body again. “Night, Iris.”
“Text me once you’re done, okay? Don’t forget.”
“I will.”
We hung up, and I left my room to have the talk with Aunt Melinda. I felt I was about to enter the death row. I stopped mid-step when I heard her having an agitated conversation with her husband in the living room.
“…they’re just kids,” she said in a soft voice.
“Yeah, well, I’ve been that kid once. You witnessed my actions. Don’t deny it,” my uncle replied, his tone harsh.
“It was just a phase,” she said, intertwining her fingers with his. “You grew out of it.”
“For you.” He shook his head. “Still, I’m not sure it’s a good idea that—” He noticed me and didn’t finish his sentence. “Hey kiddo. Everything all right?”
“Hmmm… You guys are busy.” I brought my attention to my aunt. “Do you prefer we do this some other time?” I suggested, praying she would say yes.
“She’s all yours,” Uncle Mason said. He stood and kissed his wife, and when he passed me, he tapped my shoulder before exiting the house. “I’ll see you two later.”
When Aunt Melinda looked at me, her smile reached both ears. “Honey, let me grab two mugs of tea and meet you in your bedroom.”
“Oh…okay. Thanks.”
With my pulse racing and air barely reaching my lungs, I made a dash for my room and took a seat on my bed, waiting for my aunt to join me.
A weird feeling weighed heavy in the pit of my stomach. Was I the reason they were arguing?