“Hurry up. How hard can it be to unlock?”
“Stop it, Seth. Get out of my way.”
I hopped down from the window seat and waited for Tweedledee and Tweedledum to enter. Even after they got the door open, they were still pushing and shoving each other as they paraded back into the room.
“Dad wants you to come down to the pool,” Seth said. “He said to tell you that you should be with your family.”
“Plus Dad promised that if we got you to go down there, he would get us all ice cream,” Jackson said.
“Well, you’re out of luck, because I’m not going anywhere.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Come on,” Seth said. “Come to the pool with us. Tell you what, I’ll even teach you how to dive.”
I just looked at him, remembering the day at Arnie’s swimming lesson when he did teach me how to dive. He still didn’t know.
Seth puffed out his chest. “I’ve been surfing since I was four years old. If anyone can teach you, it’s me.”
Jackson said, “If she can even be taught. Maybe she’ll never be able to dive.” I gave him the same look I gave Seth.
“I bet I can dive the first time I try.” I tried not to sound too confident.
“Yeah right,” Jackson said at the same time Seth snorted. “If you really think that, then you won’t be scared of a little friendly wager, right?”
My eyebrows shot into the air. “What kind of wager?”
“I’ll bet your ice cream that you can’t do it on the first try,” Jackson said.
“Me, too,” Seth said. “I want in on that bet.”
It was like taking candy from a baby. Two babies, actually. Big dumb ice cream–less babies.
I clarified the rules one more time, just to be sure. “Okay, so if I manage to dive on my first try, I get both of your ice creams?”
“Yes, but more importantly, if you don’t, we get yours.” Seth smiled big like he’d already won.
I changed into my bathing suit, reached for my towel, and then followed them out the door. I almost laughed out loud at my sudden realization. I didn’t need London Malloy to be my best friend. I certainly didn’t need her to understand me and my life. What I’d been looking for was already right in front of me. We stepped onto the elevator and Jackson started pushing all of the buttons. So Seth punched him.
And it was while watching Jackson get walloped that I understood how lucky I was. I had three obnoxious, loud-chewing, sister-pestering, sticky, smelly brothers who I kind of enjoyed most of the time. (Some more than others.) And I was pretty sure they actually liked me, too. (Some more than others.) I could get through anything, as long as I had my wacky family by my side. I wouldn’t trade them for all the ice cream in the world.
And that was saying something.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First off, a special thanks to my amazing agent, Steven Chudney. Thank you for working so hard to find a home for Blue and for believing in me! Your sarcastic wit makes me smile always. I’m so glad we chose each other for this magical journey!
To Brett Duquette, you have taught me so much along the way. Thank you for taking a chance on this newbie author, and for championing this book. Your knowledge, expertise, creativity, and flat-out talent are such gifts! I feel so lucky to have been able to work with you! To the other incredible people buzzing about at Little Bee, thank you for all of your effort and hard work! Kayla Overbey, Dave Barrett, Shimul Tolia, Paul Crichton, and Natalie Padberg Bartoo . . . none of this could have happened without each and every one of you. (And for Kayla . . . an extra-special thank you from Fruit Ninja!)
I had many wonderful teachers growing up, but Mr. and Mrs. Jones went above and beyond. I’ve waited a long time to say this: Thank you for seeing this young girl when no one else did. Mr. Jones, you made me want to learn in a way no one else ever had before. And Mrs. Jones, you have a heart of gold. I’m a better person because of the two of you.
Thank you to my RSS family! Sara and Aaron Hoffman, thank you for showing me what it means to be part of a big family, even if it’s a little hard for me sometimes. To Kim Trotter, thank you for always checking my crazy. To Stephanie Gonzales, thank you for always telling it like it is. To Jessica Beuten, thank you for being the sweetest person I’ve ever met. And to all three of you, thank you for taking the time to read Blue and be a part of the process!
To Annika, my forever friend. Thank you for a lifetime of friendship. I admire you and love you more than you will ever know. And to Mike, for being the best friend a girl could ever ask for. You never stopped believing in me. Just know, I will never stop appreciating you.
Hunter, Emma and Haiden, always believe in yourself! You can do anything you set your mind to, so dream big, cutie-pies!
To Brooklyn and Dylan, may you always keep me on my toes and be the reason I smile daily. You are the absolute brightest stars, and I feel so lucky I get to watch you shine!
To my babe, my full house, and my partner in crime, Jake. You are my dream come true and my happily ever after. Thank you for that first night we met . . . for spinning me under the twinkling lights and for completely taking my breath away. And thank you for every day since then. There’s no one else I want by my side in this life. Always and forever, baby.
And lastly, to my Samantha Noel—you are the true love of my life and my absolute favorite person in the whole world. You never cease to amaze me with your creativity, kindness, integrity, and incredible beauty both inside and out. I am beyond proud to be your mother, and I am honored that I get to call you friend. I love you, sweet girl.
The Messy Life of Blue Page 16
