Chapter 25 #2
“Hi, Nick, I, um, I’m showing some of my friends from college the sites. They came to visit for the weekend. Guys, this is Nick. He’s going into his sophomore year at Harvard this fall.” Hannah and Josh both shake his hand.
“Nice to meet you guys! It’s great to have some new people from the city up here.
” He laughs in a way that’s off-putting to me.
“After a while, the locals can get a little… I’ll just leave it at…
Uninspiring.” He laughs again, his tone indicating that “we” the city people are better than the rest here. I grind my teeth a bit.
“What do you guys have planned for the rest of the afternoon? I have my boat tied up down here and was grabbing some supplies. A few friends who are still here were supposed to come out on the water for a bit but they just bailed on me. I want to soak up the last of this summer weather, and then my buddy Tyler is throwing the last bonfire of the season tonight. Are you three interested?”
Before I can protest, because I am fully aware that spending the afternoon on Nick’s boat will not do me any favors when it comes to Hux, Hannah perks up. “That would be amazing. I would love to get out on the water and see this lake Evie here has been raving about.”
“Perfect. Everly has been out on it a lot. Did she tell you she can even drive a boat now? With my close supervision, that is.” He winks at me.
“There’s a shop right near the dock that sells cheap bathing suits if you guys want to grab anything before we set sail,” Nick adds before heading in the direction of the shore.
Hannah skips ahead of me, then turns walking backward as she mouths the words, “Oh my fucking God, that’s him, isn’t it!? The guy!”
Before I can shake my head no, she’s trotting up to Nick. Knowing her, she’s about to fish for more information. Oh, what a messy situation I have gotten myself into, I think, looking up to the crystal-clear sky as I reluctantly follow behind my friends.
As expected, Nick has won over my college friends in no time.
The same charm and charisma that drew me in have Josh and him already making plans for when they are both back in the city.
I can tell Hannah is even a little starstruck by him, but she’s trying to keep her distance and disguise the twinkle in her eye, still under the impression that Nick and I have something going on.
I’m not sure why I haven’t just come clean that the broody bartender is the only guy in this town who is taking up all my waking, and sleeping for that matter, moments. Is this the people pleaser in me sneaking back in? The “city” Everly who still cares way too much about what people think?
I’m in no way embarrassed by Hux, but I mean, would it have hurt him to not be an ass for once?
It’s taken me months to break down his tough exterior, so it feels like a slap in the face when he puts those walls back up so abruptly.
My friends are protective of me, and they don’t have months to get to know him.
They only have two days. Would it kill him to try a little?
I pull out my phone and send a quick text message. The middle of the lake has service in spots, so when I see three bars, I take the opportunity to check-in.
Hey, what was that earlier? I know my friends were unexpected, but you didn’t have to be so rude. Give them a chance. I think you would like them.
I decide to omit the fact that I am currently on Nick’s boat. I highly doubt this little fact will make his mood better.
I’ve got a lot of shit on my mind. It’s slammed here and there’s still is no word from my dad. Have fun with your friends.
Hux’s dad was due back yesterday. Hux had told me it wasn’t uncommon for him to be a day or two late depending on how far he travels and the weather, but I know he is still feeling anxious about it.
I’m sure he’s ok. He knows what he is doing and knows the woods better than anyone.
Can we please plan to meet up tonight? I don’t have much more time here, and I’d like you to get to hang out with Hannah and Josh before they leave tomorrow.
I feel like things are weird between us …
“Everly! Come on the tube with me, please,” Hannah whines as she zips up her life jacket.
“No way, that water is still freezing, like hypothermia level cold. Get Alex to go with you.” I’m so distracted and honestly irritated by the situation with Hux that I don’t realize Alex isn’t currently on the boat.
“She and Josh got flipped and are still in the water. Come on! I’m too scared! Don’t make me go alone!”
I look out at the two heads bobbing in the water. Alex winds up, dragging both her arms through the water sending the biggest wave she can muster crashing into Josh’s face. Her head tilts back as she laughs. She looks so happy.
It makes me smile to see my best friend having fun.
I know this trip has had its challenges for her.
She’s spent a lot of time becoming reacquainted with a place that holds so many childhood memories but was also blamed for so long for the dissolution of her family.
Nights when I was out with Hux, she was bonding with her dad, so though we have been together, our summer experiences have been quite different.
Josh and she have the same easygoing, child-at-heart vibe, and I am excited to see two friends from different worlds mesh together so well.
“This might be your last chance, Ev, just saying. The rain is coming in tonight, and I’m not sure that we are going to get any more picture-perfect days before we all head back to school.” Nick’s arms are stretched out wide to the lake that surrounds us.
“Fine.” I throw my phone down on the seat and dramatically take off the cheap touristy tank top and shorts I bought earlier.
The water will feel like being stabbed with a thousand needles at first, but there is something about being baptized by Aurora Lake that feels so cleansing every time I dare myself to jump in this summer.
Nick is right; this might very well be the last time I get out here on the water, and the idea of that makes it impossible to pass up.
I take in my surroundings, taking a deep, refreshing breath before clumsily maneuvering myself onto the tube.
There isn’t a cloud in sight, and the lake is calm except for the wake from passing boats.
With a sky like this, it is hard to believe bad weather could even be coming our way.
But I can feel it, there is a hint of something in the breeze that pushes the loose hair escaping from my ponytail across my face. A storm is blowing in.
It’s almost here.