11. Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Cara
It’s the day of the sandcastle competition and I ride my bike to the beach. I’m still wobbly, but at least I’m not crashing into things. I pedal faster, wanting to beat Victor to the beach for once. Just to see his face light up when he spots me there.
We’ve spent the last few days together, riding bikes, walking on the beach, chatting about anything and everything but mostly New York. Kissing…
Today, I’m going to tell him that I think he should move back to NYC. We can vacation in Friendly every summer. That way, he’ll still get to see Jared, but we can also have a life together in the city.
I’m nearly to the boardwalk that crosses the dune when I hear voices. I brake and plant a foot on the ground to stop the bike. Up ahead, I see two figures walking together over the dune. Even from their backs, I recognize them as Jared and Sean.
They stop walking and turn to face each other. Even in the dim early morning light, I can see that they both wear masks of anger.
I know I should make my presence known, but I quietly move into the shadow of a nearby building instead.
“What is your problem?” Jared demands.
“You’re acting like a kid, and I’m sick of it,” Sean retorts.
Jared laughs scornfully. “You’re the one with the criminal record, my friend, so I don’t think I need to take advice from you.”
“My record was expunged! But do you remember why I used to get into so much trouble?”
Jared throws up his arms. “Beats me?”
“Because I was desperate to get my dad’s attention in any way I could. It never worked, because my dad is a scumbag. But your dad—”
“He’s not my dad!”
“We don’t get to choose our dads. Trust me, I know. But Victor moved all the way to Georgie to be closer to you. I’d give anything for my dad to care about me even half a much.”
Jared runs a hand through his hair. “It’s just—he’s not going to stay here, man. He’ll leave, just like Mandy did.”
Sean shakes his head. “I know she hurt you, but Victor hasn’t left, even with you pushing him away. Give the guy a chance—or don’t. But stop stringing him along. It’s cruel.”
Jared hangs his head. “Okay.”
Sean crosses his arms. “Okay? What’s that mean?”
“I don’t know,” Jared admits. “But I promise I’ll give it some thought. Now, are you going to help me win this competition or not?”
“Not.”
“Seriously?” Jared asks. “Why not?”
Sean shrugs. “Because I don’t know the first thing about building sandcastles.”
Jared laughs and pushes his friend into the rail. They run over the dune and out of sight.
And I stay in the shadow of the building with my heart pounding in my chest. I can’t ask Victor to move away from Friendly. Not when there’s a chance Jared will let him be a part of his life.