Chapter 27
ALEX
“I’m so nervous,” Rach said as we walked down the pier, her fingers fidgeting with the chain around her waist. “Do I look nervous?”
“No, you look fine,” I said, giving her a sideways glance as I shoved my hands deeper into my pockets. “And what are you nervous about? You said you practically spent all summer with Dan.”
“I’m not nervous for me, I’m nervous for you .” She tugged on my arm dramatically, nearly making me stumble. “And to meet supermarket slut. You’ve literally told me like two things about him.”
“Right, firstly, his name is Alfie - please don’t call him supermarket slut to his face - and secondly, I’ve told you more than two things, haven’t I?” I raised an eyebrow at her.
She shook her head, her space buns bouncing. “All I know is he goes to Westley and you work with him.”
“That’s kind of all I know about him.” I shrugged, kicking a pebble along the wooden boards. “And that he’s on the football team.”
“Oh, a footballer,” she said, eyebrows shooting up as she nudged me with her hip. “You gonna be a WAG?”
“What’s a WAG?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“It’s what they call people who date athletes. Wives And Girlfriends, I think it means.” She waved her hand vaguely. “But I don’t know what the word for a guy would be… maybe a HAB? Husbands And Boyfriends.” She shrugged again.
“I’m not going to be any of those.” I laughed under my breath. “And I don’t even know if I like him like that. It’s a bit soon to be planning weddings.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” She nodded thoughtfully, then grinned. “But today you might know for sure. Hell, you might even kiss.” She shrugged her shoulders.
I stayed quiet, staring out at the water. That was all she needed.
“What?! You kissed and you didn’t tell me?” She grabbed my arm with both hands, shaking it.
“It all happened so quick,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Well, when was it?” She practically squealed.
“After the whole thing with Coach. When you left. He drove me home.” I kept my eyes on the sea.
“No way! How was it?” She leaned in, eyes wide, practically bouncing on her toes.
“It was… okay.” I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly very aware of how warm my face felt.
“Just okay?” She stopped walking dead in her tracks, forcing me to stop too.
I shrugged as the breeze pushed my hair across my forehead. “Yeah. It was okay.”
“No fireworks?”
“Should there be?”I asked, genuinely unsure, hands spreading helplessly.
“Yes.” She threw her hands up, exasperated. “Every time I kiss Dan I get a full-on tingly feeling in my stomach. And definite fanny flutters.”
“Well, I don’t have a fanny,” I said dryly, trying not to smile.
“Fine. Ball bubbles then.” She waved vaguely, already laughing at herself.
“For fuck’s sake.” I dragged my hands down my face, groaning.
“Either way, you’re supposed to feel something down there.” She gestured vaguely toward my lower half and giggled.
“Eyes up here,” I said, pointing at my face. She burst out laughing, doubling over slightly.
We slowed to a stop outside the ice cream shop, the smell of warm waffle cones drifting out the open window. People milled around, the afternoon sun catching on the glass.
“Is he here?” she asked, craning her neck toward the pier.
I pulled out my phone, my stomach tightening as the screen lit up. “Not yet.” My thumb hovered over the messages. “Yours?”
“He’s walking down now,” she said, slipping her phone back into her bag. She smoothed her dress and adjusted her chain. “Do I look alright?”
I looked her over - the black dress, the white socks, the low-rise Docs, the glitter in her parting catching the sunlight. She looked like she’d stepped out of a magazine.
“Like a punk princess,” I said, with a cheesy grin.
She lit up instantly. “You always know just what to say.”
We were lucky with where we lived - lucky to have a beach right on our doorstep. Sure, they were all pebbled, but they were still beaches nonetheless. And the pier was great: three fish-and-chip places, two restaurants, more ice-cream shops than anyone needed, an arcade, a couple of bars.
Most of it shut down in the colder months, though.
When the sea turned choppy and the wind cut straight through your clothes, no one wanted to wander the pier or waste coins in the arcade.
But now, at the beginning of September, it was perfect - the sun warm on my back, the salty breeze keeping it from being unbearable.
I tugged at the sleeves of my hoodie as we looked out to sea.
Even though I was roasting in denim jeans and black cotton, there was no way I’d be seen without something covering my arms. I couldn’t deal with people staring, or asking questions about the scars, or the angry-looking blister in the centre of my forearm.
My fingers curled around the fabric, pulling it down just a little further.
The sea stretched out in front of us, glittering under the sun, waves rolling in and out with a steady rhythm, and for a moment - just a moment - it calmed something in me.
I let myself breathe, watching the water swell and break against the stones, the sound soft and steady like it was trying to soothe me.
“Rach.” A chipper voice called out from behind us.
We both turned, and I found myself staring at who I assumed was Dan.
I didn’t know what I’d pictured him looking like, but somehow he was exactly it - like a male version of Rach.
Dark clothes, black boots, tattoos curling up his forearms like vines.
He had kind eyes and an eyebrow piercing that caught the sunlight when he smiled.
His hair wasn’t dark like Rach’s, though. It was a light, buttery blond - almost the same shade as Kai’s.
The comparison hit me before I could stop it. I swallowed it down hard, tugging at the sleeves of my hoodie as if that could push the thought away.
Kai didn’t like me anymore. We weren’t friends.
I forced my expression neutral as Dan approached, but something in my chest tightened anyway.
Rach squealed and practically launched herself into his arms, wrapping herself around him and kissing him like they hadn’t seen each other in months. Dan laughed, lifting her clean off the ground and spinning her once before setting her back down.
I hadn’t expected them to be that comfortable with each other, but it was nice seeing Rach happy - even if she was lying to him about her age.
“Come on and meet my friend,” she said with a smile, tugging on the sleeve of his leather jacket as she dragged him toward me. “This is Alex.” She beamed.
“Hi,” I said, giving a small wave.
Dan held out his hand for a shake. “Hi, Alex. I’m Dan. You’re Rach’s neighbour, right?” He glanced between us, and Rach shot me a look that clearly meant just go with it .
I nodded my head, part of me feeling bad for the guy. “Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand, trying to ignore how warm my face felt.
“So, shall we go in?” he said, gesturing toward Whip It with a little flick of his wrist.
“Yeah,” Rach said, already stepping forward. “Alfie can meet us in there.” She pushed the door open with her hip.
I nodded, suddenly feeling kind of shy now that Alfie wasn’t here yet. My stomach tightened as I checked my phone again - no message, no ‘running late,’ nothing. I wasn’t the nagging type, so I wasn’t about to text him first. I just tucked my phone back into my pocket and kept my head down.
Rach and Dan led the way through the busy shop, weaving between tables. I followed a step behind, trying not to look like I was scanning the room for him.
They stopped at an empty table on the far side of the room - a corner seat tucked beside the big window. The sea stretched out beyond the glass, waves rolling in slow and steady, sunlight catching on the water.
I slid into the booth after them, the view doing nothing to settle the flutter in my chest.
“Alright, Rach,” a waitress greeted her as she passed, “Here on your day off as well?” She blew out a breath, eyebrows lifting like she couldn’t believe it.
“Hi Jenny,” Rach mused, leaning back with a smug little smile. “Only ’cos I knew you were going to be in.” She winked, then reached forward and tugged the menus straight out of Jenny’s apron. “Now wait on me, bitch.”
“I’ll make sure to spit in yours,” Jenny laughed, snatching one menu back.
“Yum, extra flavour.” Rach grinned widely.
Jenny rolled her eyes and gave her a light whack on the head with the menu.
“Ughhh, Rach,” I said, scrunching my face in disgust. Dan mirrored me, turning his nose up.
“Is she always like this?” Dan asked, flashing a cheesy smile as he leaned his elbows on the table.
“Unfortunately,” I joked, shaking my head.
“Hey, don’t you both start acting like I’m not the best thing that ever happened to you,” she said, flipping her hair dramatically. “Or you won’t be getting my colleague discount.” She sat up straighter, proud as anything.
“Just ignore her,” I said to Dan, waving a hand. “They’re all empty threats.”
“Wanna bet?” She slid the menu right out of my grip and narrowed her eyes at me like she was about to start a war.
“I take it you’re not ready to order yet, then,” Jenny said, looking equal parts frustrated and amused as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
“Actually, Jenny, we’re waiting for one more,” Rach said, holding up a finger to signal the extra person.
Jenny sighed, “Give me a shout when you’re ready to order.”
“Thank you, Jenny; love you, Jenny.” Rach batted her eyelashes at her, and the lady just shook her head as she walked away with a small smile on her face.
“I bet you terrorise her,” Dan said, looking over at Rach.
Rach shook her head. “Nah, she loves me.”
“You sure about that?” Dan teased, and Rach playfully nudged him.
“Whatever,” she drawled, rolling her eyes.