“Are you going to drop more truth bombs on me?” I ask. During our run, Dylan told me all about Andrea’s punishment and what happened after she told their mom about blackmailing Dylan to date me.
“Only if you’re ready.” Dylan digs the front of his shoe into the wet sand.
“How much more do you have?”
“Middle school,” Dylan says.
“You’re going to tell me what’s between you and Paul?” I had asked him about it before, and he said he would tell me later.
Dylan scuffs the sand with his shoe again and leans forward over his legs. “I already told you. It’s you.”
“Me?” I thought he was joking the last time. “How can it be me? What did I do? I barely talked to you guys. I just swam in your lane every now and then.”
“You won’t think badly of me if I tell you? Because it was stupid middle school behavior. It’s not me now.” Dylan tilts his head my way, and the intense color of his turquoise eyes poke through the curls draping over his face.
“No,” I say. “I promise I won’t.”
Dylan picks up a rock from under his feet and stands. He throws the rock, and it skips across the surface of the water, darting over the small waves. “We both had crushes on you during the summer before high school.”
“I know,” I say. I still find it hard to believe one of them, let alone two of them, had a crush on me. I’m not much to look at or listen to now, and I was less so after eighth grade.
Dylan glances at me behind him and picks up another rock. He skips it across the water. “It was something we had in common, a girl we both liked. It started as a friendly competition. You were the unlikely goal. I think I knew if given the choice, you’d pick Paul, but I wasn’t going to go down without a fight, especially in front of the other guys in the locker room.”
I pick up a rock and rub it between my fingers, a feeling pulsing through me. At the mention of a locker room, I know where this story is going. It was nearly four years ago, a lifetime ago in our eighteen years. We were all different then.
“We made a stupid bet,” Dylan says.
“Sounds familiar,” I say. “Guess you haven’t learned to not make bets.”
I hear Dylan chuckle and he skips another rock. “This is one bet we can all be happy we didn’t try to accomplish. It was stupid hormonal teenagers who don’t think.”
“What was it? Who would be first to kiss me?” Paul had thought Dylan kissed me after eighth grade, but it wasn’t until this school year that he did. Dylan was my first kiss at seventeen.
Another rock skips across the water, disappearing into a wave. “That’s part of it. Paul said he bet you would kiss him first. The guys in the locker room were egging us on, and I said…” Dylan picks up a bigger rock, and rather than skipping it, he chucks it in the water with a hard throw. There’s a large splash. “I’m sorry, Ashley. It was stupid.”
“What’d you say?” I ask, but I already know before he tells me.
“I said you would be the first to sleep with me.”
Dylan keeps his back to me. I don’t need a moment to let his comment sink in. I know him and I know what he’s feeling right now. I get up and walk to Dylan. My feet sink into the soft, wet sand. “You were,” I say and nudge him in the side with my elbow. “I fell asleep with you first.”
Dylan grunts with a small laugh and looks down at me. His eyes are brighter than the dark blue water of the lake. They’re like a gemstone on the beach. “You know? You’re seriously the best.”
I pick up a rock. “What happened?” The rock leaves my hand and skips twice.
Dylan bends over and grabs another stone. He throws it and the rock skips twice as many times as mine. “Someone told the coach and neither of us could swim near you again. We stopped talking after that. I wish I could go back and change what I said, but I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks for telling me,” I say. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy.”
Dylan dares to look at me again. “Everything seems easier with you.”
“Or harder,” I say. “I seem to be a problem for a lot of people without even trying.”
“Don’t think that,” Dylan says. “You just can’t see the good things you bring.”
“You know, you sound like Nora,” I say, the edges of my mouth lifting into a tiny smile. “She sounds like a motivational poster sometimes.”
“Guess it means I’m a good substitute for when she’s not with you.”
I pick up another stone and try to skip it, but it only falls into the water. “I can see why you like it here. I’d come all the time if I could.” The white clouds dot the blue sky like sheep in a pasture and the lake sparkles where sunlight dances on it.
“You’ll have to come this summer with me. We can go kayaking together.”
“I’d like that,” I say. I throw another rock, and it skips this time.
When I thought my story was ending, maybe it’s not over yet. Other unseen parts wait to be written and being friends with Dylan and Paul is just the beginning of another chapter.
“It’s the middle of April,” Nora says. “Why is it so cold?”
The sun is setting, and we all stand on the beach in our swimsuits. I wiggle my bare toes in the sand. I’m not even in the water yet, and I’m freezing. I pull my towel tight around me.
“This is crazy,” I say. I edge up to where the waves lap in on the sand.
Sabrina steps ankle deep into the water and jumps back like she got bit by a snake. “This is freaking cold! I don’t know if I can go all the way in.”
“Should we be comforted there’s at least three lifeguards here?” Taylor asks. She’s still wrapped in her towel like I am. “Or should I be worried?”
“We won’t be much help if we’re suffering from hypothermia,” I say, watching Dylan throw his towel on the sand.
“All you have to do is jump in quick, and then run up to the hot tub,” Dylan says. He already has goosebumps poking out on his flesh from the cool breeze, and he hasn’t even gotten in the lake. The temperature of the water must be just above freezing.
On an impulse, I throw my towel on the sand and charge into the water. I’m the dragon going after the knight. My knees lift high as I try to keep them above the waves and my feet hit rocks on the bottom of the lake. A stinging pain blazes in my lower limbs as they remain in the cold water. I keep plowing through the waves until I’m chest level. I dunk under the water for a quick second. The freezing water leaves me breathless. Breathless, because it’s so cold it takes my breath away, and because it’s a wonder. It makes me feel alive. When I surface, Dylan surfaces next to me. He must have followed me. Everyone else is still on the beach, looking like they’ve seen a Loch Ness monster.
“Come on, you chickens!” I yell at the four on the beach.
“I can’t believe you ran out first,” Dylan says, admiration in his eyes.
My teeth start chattering and I jump up and down in the water to try and recover some warmth. “I might pay for it,” I say. “But it was fun.”
“Just do it!” Dylan yells to encourage the others.
I grin and my teeth chatter while I watch the others. Taylor charges in, like Dylan and I did. It’s the competitive swimmers who take the polar bear swim head on. Nick follows in a run, Sabrina shrieks with every step, and Nora takes it one baby step at a time.
It’s too cold to stay in the water long, and after Nora gets to us, we all return to the beach. There’s a throwing of towels and we scamper as quickly as we can up the wooden stairs back to the house. Dylan has the hot tub warmed up and waiting for us on the back patio.
I stick a foot in the hot tub. “How do you do this?” I ask. It burns and feels unbearably hot.
“Give it a minute,” Dylan says as he sinks in the water.
I slowly lower myself in and it soon starts to
feel comfortable again. Everyone is chatting and enjoying the warm water. I’m usually wound tight, and I haven’t felt this relaxed in ages.
Dylan bumps my knee with his. “Do you want to go out with me again?”
I tilt my head his way and furrow my brows. Why is he asking me this? “We’ve already done that.” We went out first trimester and we’ve had our friendly date.
Dylan stands, and water drips down his torso and off his shorts. “It’ll be easier the second time.”
I look through my lashes at him. He’s been packing on the muscle recently. I think he went from a six-pack to an eight-pack, if that’s possible.
“I don’t know about that,” I reply. I like things where they are right now.
Dylan steps out of the hot tub. “Anyone want to come for another dip?”
If I weren’t already warm from the hot tub, my cheeks would be blazing now. Dylan’s not talking about dating me again. How did I even get that idea in my head?
I stand and the cool air hits my skin. “I’ll go.”
No one else wants to join us. Dylan and I walk down the wooden steps to the beach and step on the sand. It’s chilly on my bare feet, but it’s not as cold as the water’s going to be. I shiver at the thought of running in again.
Dylan’s hand stretches out to take mine, and then he jerks it back. I’m the one who’s supposed to initiate touching. “Ready?” he asks.
There hasn’t been much I’ve been ready for this school year. Waves roll up on the beach, licking at our toes. The cold water stings my feet, but I know what to expect this time. I’ll be ready.
I grab Dylan’s hand. “Ready,” I say.
He looks at my hand for a few seconds and then squeezes it with his. Those turquoise eyes meet mine. “Ready,” Dylan says, and we run into the cold waves together.
TWENTY-NINE
The next afternoon I sit on the cushioned bench in the window seat at the far end of the bunk room. Dylan and I went for a run earlier, and then I cleaned up in the bathroom. My hair is still damp. Nora’s in the shower right now. I’m not sure where Taylor is. I stare at the phone in my hand. There’s a text and I don’t know what to think about it or how to interpret it.
Paul: I miss you
My forefinger taps on the side of the black case on my phone. I’m at a loss for how to reply. I’ve been doing well at moving on and trying to let my broken heart heal. I’m afraid of it getting hurt again. I told Paul I love him and it’s safer to keep him at a distance, but I’m still tethered to him. It’s hard to sever the string of love tying me to him. I’m a kite in the sky and he tugs on my line, trying to pull me back to the ground. I type out a safe answer, one that lets me stay afloat in the clouds a little longer.
Me: See you soon
I glance up, and through the window I see Sabrina and Dylan together on the beach. Their backs are to me and Sabrina has her arm linked through Dylan’s. They’re talking, and from their body movements it looks serious, not their usual playful banter. It feels a little like I’m spying and shouldn’t be watching them. If I were a casual observer, I’d think they were dating for real. Their bodies are now turned to face each other. Sabrina says something and Dylan nods before they hug in a long embrace. Sabrina’s dark hands stand out against Dylan’s light sweatshirt. Her hands rub Dylan’s back in a soothing gesture. I bite my lip and wrinkle my nose. I know I don’t have a monopoly on Dylan’s time. He’s free to spend it with other people, other friends, and other girls. I’m not sure why seeing him with Sabrina tugs at me like it does, but it gives me an idea.
“I’ve got a plan,” I announce when Nora walks into the bunk room after taking a shower. We’re headed into the small town north of here for dinner and everyone’s getting ready for a night out. I now sit on the bed with my legs crossed.
“To get a date?” Nora smirks.
“No.” I glare at her. “Well, except for someone else.” I pull out a notebook and colored pens from my bag next to me.
“Oh, no.” Nora sits on the bed next to me. “You’ve got a notebook. You’re serious.”
“Yes.” I uncap a turquoise colored pen and write on the top of the page.
Nora reads as I write. “Get Dylan a girlfriend? That’s your plan?”
“Part of it,” I say and write the next part on another page in blue pen.
“How to be friends with Paul?” Nora makes an exasperated noise. “Seriously, Ash? Can I just strangle you right now?”
I look up from the notebook. “What’s wrong with having a plan?”
“First.” Nora grabs the pen from my hand to make me listen to her. “Paul broke up with you. He’s an idiot, but he did. You shouldn’t have to figure out how to be friends with him.” I try to swipe the pen back from Nora, but she pulls it away. “Second. Dylan would go out with you in a heartbeat.”
“That’s why I need to find him a girlfriend,” I say. “He needs to see there are better options.”
“Oh my gosh!” Nora exclaims. “Please don’t be one of those wishy-washy girls lamenting over her ex-boyfriend when she’s got a perfectly good one waiting in the wings.”
“I don’t need a guy waiting in the wings.” I stare Nora down. “I don’t need a boyfriend. I only need a friend right now.”
“If you string him along, I swear…”
“I’m not stringing him along,” I say. “He’s well aware of what we are. We’re much better as friends. And I’m not trying to get Paul back. I’m trying to be his friend.”
“You’re using the word friend a lot.”
I swipe the pen back from Nora. “Yeah, well. You’re using the words ex-boyfriend and boyfriend too much. I’d rather say friend.”
“Really, Ash?” Nora scolds me again. “You need a plan on how to be a friend? It should be natural. I don’t want you resorting to stuff like Tara and Bridgette.”
“I would never.” I act insulted. “But, fine.” I cross off the How to be Friends with Paul title in my notebook. “I’ll hold off on that plan for a bit and just wing it, but I’m still planning to find a girlfriend for Dylan, or at least a date. You can help me make a list of girls to try.”
Nora groans loudly. “This is a very bad plan.”
I write a name on the paper. “I’ll try Sabrina first. They do such a great job fake dating. I think they’d actually make a cute couple.”
“Because fake dating always leads to real dating?” Nora asks. She rolls her eyes.
“Exactly,” I say. “Have you seen them since we’ve been here? They’re awfully close.”
“I think that’s because of you,” Nora says.
“No,” I say, picturing what I saw earlier. “Now who else should we put on the list?”
THIRTY
Nora refuses to help me with my list, but that’s okay, I’ll figure something out. Right now, we wander around the quaint lakeshore town after being treated to dinner. It’s beautiful, and I would move here in a heartbeat. Small islands dot the lake in the distance. We walk the tiny town, looking through the windows of the shops when we reach a small candy and sweet store.
“You all go get something, and I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes,” Dylan says. “I’ve got to pick up something for my mom at the shop across the street.”
Everyone else orders before me because I can’t decide what I want. There are too many options, and I’m not the most decisive person. Do I want a homemade waffle cone with ice cream, a cinnamon roll, fudge, taffy, or something else? It’s hard to decide, but I also find myself distracted by the cute guy behind the counter. While I was dating Paul, I didn’t notice if the guys around me were cute, because my attention was on Paul. I haven’t noticed other boys lately, but now I find myself checking this guy out. I might be mistaken, but I swear he keeps glancing my way. His hair is blond, lighter in color than Paul’s, and it has an effortless shaggy look
to it. His dark blue eyes match the color of the lake down the street.
I still don’t know what to order when the cute guy leans over the counter and looks at me with a smile. My heart flutters, which surprises me, in a delightful way. I didn’t think it was quite ready to move on, even though the rest of me is.
“What can I get you?” he asks.
I notice his name on the tag clinging to his light blue polo shirt. “What do you recommend, Chase?” My heart thumps hard against my chest, and a shot of adrenaline shoots through me. This is exciting, in a good way. I’m talking to a guy without freezing up and stuttering in my normal awkward way.
Chase smiles even wider after I say his name. “I’d recommend ice cream in a waffle cone. I just made them a little while ago.”
“I guess I can’t go wrong with that, if you made them,” I say. Who am I? This is unlike me.
“You can’t go wrong with me,” Chase says with a wink. A rush of heat passes over me because I’m quite sure we’re flirting with each other. “And what kind of ice cream can I get you?”
“Just give me your favorite,” I say.
Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpse Nora. She stands near the register, her ice cream in front of her face, and her expression of surprise frozen on me. The ice cream in her hand might melt before her appearance does because I’m shocking her as much as I’m shocking myself.
Chase starts to scoop ice cream into the cone, and I’m thankful it’s not something with nut chunks. It’s chocolate ice cream with pieces of peanut butter cups and chocolate fudge swirled in it. I’m going to melt because it’s so perfect. “That might be my favorite too,” I tell Chase. I watch him roll the ice cream into a round scoop in the container.
“Are you from around here?” Chase glances up at me through the glass counter. His eyelashes are long and full. They’re a striking feature of his.
Cycling Downhill: A Sweet Young Adult Romance (Love is a Triathlon Book 3) Page 14
