“There she is.” She smiles when she sees me, making room for me to slide in next to her. “You’ll never guess who just stomped off crying.”
“What? Someone’s crying already?” I ask, thinking it’s a bit early in the trip for that.
“Sarah.”
“Let me guess, Callum was involved.”
“How’d you know?” She laughs.
“Wild guess.” I roll my eyes.
“I’m betting she was hoping for more and he shot her down.”
“Probably,” I agree. “Any sign of Ethan?” I lean in so only she can hear me.
“He was out on the dock with a few of the guys earlier, but I haven’t seen him in a while. Why? Thinking tonight’s the night you’ll make your move?”
I shrug.
Truthfully, I haven’t really thought much of this through. All I know is that if I don’t try now, I may never get the chance. Even if I get shot down, at least I won’t be left wondering what if.
“Yeah you are.” She grins, knocking her shoulder into mine.
It takes the guys working the fire another thirty minutes to get it going, but once they do, several more students join in on the festivities. We roast hot dogs, drink beer, and a few of the girls, Camila and April included, decided to turn a dirt patch into a makeshift dance floor so they could sway their hips to the music blaring out of a large speaker set up on the cabin porch two over from ours. I chose to snag a spot on a log a few feet from the fire and people watch while sipping beer from my red, plastic cup.
I feel completely content. Happy even. Watching my friends and classmates goof around and make idiots of themselves, specifically the guys. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel weighted by the pressures of my home or school life. It’s an incredible feeling and one I’m not ready to let go of anytime soon.
My heart rate spikes when I catch my first sight of Ethan as the last of the sun’s rays disappear behind the trees. He looks so sexy in his board shorts and sleeveless gray tee that I can physically feel my skin heat. And this time it has nothing to do with the temperature.
I shift, ready to push to my feet when I stop mid-motion, watching none other than Heidi Pratt, captain of the cheer squad and hands down one of the most popular girls in school, slide in next to Ethan and slip her arm around his waist.
I feel like someone has punched me in the stomach as I watch him smile down at her before leaning in to lay a kiss to her lips.
Tears prick the backs of my eyes as jealousy slides through me.
I’m so consumed by watching the two that I don’t notice someone settle in next to me until his deep voice breaks the surface, causing me to jump slightly.
“Ethan Ripley, huh?” Callum grunts, following my line of sight.
“What?” I choke, my gaze swinging to where he’s sitting next to me, his long legs stretched out in front of him.
Like most of the guys, he’s dressed in board shorts. His are black with red checkered. Only unlike the other guys, he has no shirt on. I find my eyes dipping to his bare torso, and even though I don’t want to think it, I can’t help but wonder when he got so ripped. I mean seriously. It looks like his abs have been airbrushed on, they’re so defined and perfect.
I’m not sure if I suddenly feel sweaty because it pisses me off, or because of how good looking he really is isn’t lost on even me.
“Ethan.” He nods his head back in the direction of where Ethan and Heidi are standing.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I swallow hard.
“You sure about that? Because given the way you were looking at him, I’d say you’re not happy to see him with Heidi.”
“Don’t you have your own drama to deal with? Why are you over here bothering me?”
“Word gets around fast.” He chuckles.
“You think that’s funny?”
“Kind of.” He shrugs indifferently.
“You’re a real piece of work, you know that? I told you it wasn’t fair of you to use Sarah like that.”
“Sarah knew what we were doing. Hell, it was her idea.”
“What?” I draw back.
“Surprised?” He arches a brow.
“Then why did I hear she ran off crying after talking to you?”
“Because clearly she was hoping our one night would turn into more.”
“And it’s not going to?”
“Nope.”
Irritated and over this conversation, I move to wrap this up. “You realize people can see you talking to me, right?”
“And?” He throws me a sideways glance.
“And, you’re not worried I might make you look bad?”
“Why would I worry about that? Do you think you make me look bad?” There’s humor in his expression. What I wouldn’t give to be the kind of girl ballsy enough to reach over and knock the look off his face.
“Don’t you have someone else you can annoy?” I say instead.
“Why, when I’d rather annoy you, P.”
“Poppy,” I growl in correction.
“My bad... Poppy.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “You know, it’s going to take a lot more than a pretty face and good grades to land a guy like Ethan Ripley.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m just saying. Guys like Ethan, they like a certain type of girl.”
“Certain type of girl,” I repeat slowly.
“Yeah, you know, a certain type.” He gives me a knowing look.
“You mean the kind that puts out.”
“Well, that isn’t exactly what I was saying, but yeah. I guess knowing you’re sexually available doesn’t hurt.”
“And I’m not?” My nostrils flare.
“Not what?” He seems mildly confused, running a hand through his messy, dark hair.
“Sexually available.”
“You?” He snorts. “Not even a little bit.”
“How the hell do you know that? What did you hear?” My paranoia over what he may or may not have heard last night rears its ugly head.
“Nothing.” He chuckles, the sound deep and low in his chest. “It just means... Well, let’s face it. You’re not like most of the other girls in our senior class.”
“Why, because I’m ugly?” I try to keep the hurt from my face, but I have no doubt that it shows through just the same.
“I never said that. I was just simply pointing out that you’re not like Heidi. You’re not one of those girls that feels the need to throw her body in guy’s faces. You care about school and grades. Your priorities aren’t landing the next hot guy to sleep with.”
“Well, good. I don’t want to be one of those girls,” I snarl.
“Which is why you’ll never get a guy like Ethan. He wants someone forward and sexy. Someone who’s not afraid to put on a show to catch his attention. Let’s be honest here, Poppy, when’s the last time you put on a show for anyone?”
“Why should I have to? Either someone likes me or they don’t.”
“Listen, there’s really only one way to land a guy like that.”
“And you know so much about Ethan?” I try to keep my temper at bay, but the cut in my words is unmistakable.