Megan paused and looked down. Gunner followed her stare to the bottom of the dune. Ellen had an arm around each guy, swaying as Troy played. Jon was either trying to light another joint or a cigarette.
He felt Megan squeeze his hand. “I’m so sorry about that,” she said.
“For what?”
Holding hands, they started walking toward the parking area. It was much easier on somewhat level ground.
“Those doofuses,” she said. “They can be a little…” She let the words trail off.
“Yeah. I see.”
“We were supposed to have more show up, but Dad told me the beach was on a silent lockdown, whatever that means. That’s why we moved the party way the hell out here. It’s not as cool as the rocks where we usually meet up, but I still thought more would come out. Maybe their parents heard the rumors too and wouldn’t let them. Who knows?”
“Think it’s true?” he asked.
“About the murder?” Gunner nodded. “I don’t know. So many stories like that start up around here, usually they’re just bullshit. You just don’t know what to believe. How were you able to come tonight?”
“I told my dad we were meeting at Quigley’s.”
“Oh? Good idea. Malcolm had to work tonight, which was why he couldn’t come. I’ll get him to cover for you, in case your dad asks around.”
“He works there?”
“We all do. But he’s a supervisor. He likes you, so he wouldn’t mind.”
“That’s cool. Thanks.”
“No problem.” She smiled. “Do you like them?”
“Sure. Your brothers seem all right.”
“Not them,” she said, laughing. “I could tell you like them. I meant my friends.”
Gunner took a deep breath. “Want me to lie?”
“No.”
“I can do without them.”
Megan laughed. Keeping hold of his hand, she swung out her hip, bumping him. Their legs touched. He could feel warmth where her smooth skin had rubbed across his. “Yeah, I don’t really like my friends, either. But they’re all I have, really. For now.”
“For now?”
“Yeah. I’ll be going to college after high school and they’re going to stay here and work for their parents.”
“Ah.”
“Yeah. Troy’s dad is going to manage the putt-putt place for my dad, so I’m sure that’s what he’ll be doing, prowling helpless teenage tourists in the process.”
Gunner laughed. “I can see that.”
“And Ellen, well, we’ve known each other for a long time, but I don’t know if we’ve ever really liked each other. Her parents were friends with mine, so we just kind of hung out, you know? Her family owns two shops in town. And Jon, well, who knows what Jon will do? His mom is a waitress at the Pancake Palace, so they don’t have a lot of money. Out of those three, he seems to have his head on the tightest, but it’s only held there by chewing gum.”
Smiling, Gunner shook his head. He wanted to ask if she’d ever dated Jon, but decided not to bring it up. It was an answer he probably already knew.
“Will your college be far away?” he asked.
“Not real far,” she said. “Asheville.”
“From the beach to the mountains, now that’ll be an experience.”
Laughing, Megan said, “That’s what I’m counting on. So what about you?”
“Me?”
“Got your head on tight?”
“Yep. Just replaced the bolts.”
“Like Frankenstein?”
“Pretty close.”
Megan grinned. Her fingers wriggled between his. “Got plans after you graduate?”
Gunner thought about it. Did he? Maybe back at home there were things he wanted to do. Here? He had no clue. “I don’t know, really. I just got here. I haven’t even thought about tomorrow yet.”
“I bet it’s all so confusing, huh?”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
“No doubt.” Megan’s nose wrinkled. “New guy in a new town. About to start a new school his senior year. You hardly know anybody. Must be terrifying.”
“Well, it is now!”
Megan tilted her head, stuck out her tongue. “Oh, stop it!”
Laughing, Gunner said, “Now I’m scared to death.”
“Did you apply to any colleges?”
“A couple.”
“And?”
“I was accepted to all of them.”
The pale block of her teeth appeared through her huge smile. “That’s great!”
“Yeah. When I applied, I wanted to get as far away from home as possible. So, I applied in Maryland, Florida, and Wisconsin.”
“Oh,” said Megan. Her peppy tone had diminished noticeably. “That’s great, though.”
“I did it, really, to piss off my dad. I don’t want to go to any of those colleges.”
“Have you looked into any others?”
“Not in a while. I figured I’d do the community college thing for a year or so, then transfer out. Hopefully by then I’ll know what I want to do with my life.”
“I bet you will,” she said.
“I’m glad you think so,” he told her.
The dark shapes of cars appeared. Three of them. The closest was white and glowed in the dark, the lot’s safety lights glinting off the pricey rims. Megan’s, he’d figured when he first got here. He spotted his bike on its side, partway on the sand, the front wheel pointing up. It had been upright when he left it. The wind probably knocked it over. As if to confess, a heavy gust buffeted them. Sand pelted his shins, stinging slightly. His clothes trembled.
Megan pulled out her keys, thumbed a button. Headlights flashed on. Their bright beams assaulted Gunner’s eyes, making him squint.
“Sorry,” she said. “Bright bastards, aren’t they?”
“Yeah. I think I’m blind.”
He heard her laugh, the shuffle of sand as she hurried ahead of him. Her body cut black shapes inside the blaring shine when she flitted across. She pulled open her door and the headlights faded to a dim smolder before clicking off.
“Better?” she asked.
“Much.” Now when he blinked, he saw flashes.
Megan turned around and leaned against her car. She folded her arms under her breasts, lifting them higher. They looked about to flop out of the low-cut shirt. “Seriously, though. I’m proud of you.”
Gunner tried to recall what they were talking about.
Colleges.
That was it. She was congratulating him.
“Thanks,” he said.
“You’ll figure it all out in time. You’re already miles ahead of people like Troy and Jon.”
“Thank God for that,” he said. “Although, I don’t share Troy’s musical abilities.”
Megan released a laugh that echoed around them. It was a contagious guffaw that brought one out of Gunner as well.
Wiping a tear from her eye, Megan said, “Can I give you a ride home or is that sad thing there yours?”
He saw her head look down. He followed her gaze to his pathetic bike. “I’d love a ride, but yes, this hog is mine.”
“Around here, it’s all you’ll need. She must’ve noticed Gunner’s quick glance at her car. She laughed. “I know what you’re thinking. ‘How can she say that when she drives that overpriced bitch?’”
“Not really what I was thinking,” he said. Not in those exact words, anyway.
“My dad’s idea.” She shook her head. “I mean—I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the car, but I do think it’s a little much. But you should see my brothers’ cars. Those are ridiculous. For a town this small, you can walk, jog, or ride a bike to get where you need to go. I’ve barely put any miles on this car, unless I go out of town, which is rare.”
“I’ll trade you,” he said.
Megan swatted at him. “Forget it!” She laughed. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t drive it. Just that I don’t need to.”
“Ah. Now it makes sen
se.”
Megan stared at him, the smile not leaving her face. Silence spread over them. The ocean crashed in the background, swilling with the hushed sounds of flowing water. Somewhere in the distance, a seagull cawed.
Gunner wondered if she wanted him to kiss her.
Try it and find out.
Sure. Like he’d do that. Last time he worked up the nerve to try was last year, and the girl had swiveled her head to avoid his lips. If Megan did that, he thought he might actually cry in front of her.
But what if she wants me to and I don’t do it?
She’d probably be disappointed. She’d think he wasn’t as charming as he’d somehow led her to believe. But Gunner would never know. When he looked at her again, she was no longer smiling.
“Guess I better get home,” she said.
I blew it. Blew it!
“Yeah,” he said, trying to stay upbeat. He failed. “Same here.”
Megan climbed into her expensive car. Reaching for the door, her shirt drooped low. He could see the pale slopes of her breasts hanging. She looked up at him. “Will I see you around?”
“Definitely,” he said.
I hope so.
Smiling, Megan pulled the door. It bumped shut. The interior light stayed on, so he could see her as she fumbled with her keys. Her brow was slightly creased, as if the dim light hurt her eyes. She found the key she needed and slipped it in the ignition. She glanced at the window, smiled, and twisted the key. The light clicked off and she was slowly swallowed by the darkness inside. The car vroomed to life.
Gunner stepped back, watching the car back up. The headlights raked across him. He doubted she was looking, but he decided to give a short wave anyway. Taillights swathed the parking lot in red as she drove away.
And there she goes.
Gunner felt depressed. He should’ve kissed her. Nothing major, just a lengthy soft kiss.
He saw it in his mind, could feel those bowed lips warm and moist against his. He looked down at her and told her good night, then turned away, picked up his bike and pedaled off. She sucked in a gasp at the sharp jangle of his handlebar bell firing off two quick farewells in retreat.
Gunner laughed at how stupid his fantasy was.
You’re an idiot.
He heard tires crunch and slide. Looking up, Gunner saw the red of her brake lights switch to yellow. The car started back, in reverse.
What’s she doing?
The car approached and stopped. The trunk popped open. Megan’s head hung out the window. “Put it in the trunk and hop in. I’ll give you a lift.”
Smiling, Gunner walked his bike to the back of Megan’s car. He lifted the lid. The inside of her trunk was empty and smelled like a new car. He doubted anything had ever been put in here before now. He felt lousy that his dirty, rusted bike would be first. But not bad enough that it prevented him from feeling bouncy inside.
She came back.
For me!
Gunner couldn’t believe his luck. What a girl. He’d tried to convince himself she was like other girls he’d known when they were at the campfire. But she wasn’t anywhere close to the snobby bitches back home. She was genuinely sweet and so, so beautiful. She made him laugh, and more importantly, he made her laugh. She seemed to like his jokes, not finding just his company a humorous punchline.
It took some effort, but he got his bike in the trunk and the lid closed without damaging anything. He walked to the passenger door. The door opened as he reached for the handle. He pulled it wide. Megan was leaned across his seat, her shirt so low on her breasts he could see the upper curves of her bra cups.
“Need a ride, hot stuff?”
A nervous flutter traveled through his bowels. “Uh…yes.”
She laughed. “Then hop in.”
Gunner climbed in, pulling the door behind him. The lights dimmed. It smelled like fruity lotion inside. Cool air blew from the vents. She had music playing, but it was so low he couldn’t tell what kind. As long as it wasn’t Troy, he’d be happy with it.
“All right, I’ll drive, but you have to navigate.”
Gunner nodded. “Deal.” He leaned back and didn’t bother trying to stop the smile spreading on his face.
Megan must’ve liked it, for she smiled too. She started driving. The smile drooped to a partial frown. “Huh?” Her eyes glanced from the rearview mirror to the windshield and back. “Odd.”
“What?”
She shook her head. “Nothing, I guess. Thought I saw somebody standing back there.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I don’t see anybody now.”
Gunner checked the side mirror. All he saw in the red glow behind them was a thin sandy cloud the tires made.
13
Ellen shivered. She hugged herself, rubbed her arms. She felt the rigid texture of goosebumps on her flesh.
“You know, Ellen,” said Troy, “if you’re cold, we could always use our body heat to warm you up.”
Ellen rolled her eyes. “You wish, Troy.”
Jon laughed. “He’s been wishing since the fourth grade.”
Nodding his agreement, Troy huffed on the joint. With his cheeks puffed out, he offered the joint to Ellen. She’d just had a hit and didn’t want anymore. She was already hungry and the weed, combined with the wood smoke, was giving her a headache.
“No, thanks,” she said.
Troy puckered his lips to the side and exhaled a long fluttering beam of smoke. “Great. Don’t tell me you’re getting like Megan’s new guy.”
Ellen snorted. “No way. What a drag he is.”
“Who are you, Yoda?” asked Troy. He hitched up his shoulders, trembling. In a frog-like voice, he said, “A drag he is.”
Laughter exploded from either side of her. Being alone with Troy and Jon made it easy to recognize just how loud they really were. “You guys are something else.”
“Well, thank you very much,” said Troy.
He leaned across Ellen’s lap to give Jon the joint. As he sat up, she noticed how he made sure his hand rubbed her thigh. More goosebumps stippled her skin. “I don’t even know why I hang out with you stupid-asses,” she said.
Jon, the joint to his lips, said, “Our devastatingly good looks?”
“Charming personalities?” asked Troy.
“Not even close,” said Ellen.
Troy played a few notes on his guitar. Or, at least, Ellen thought they were notes. There was so much string buzz where he didn’t get his finger in the right place, it was hard to tell. She hated this. Her hunger was killing her high, making her have a lousy time. But she didn’t want to risk smoking more and feeling worse.
Megan hadn’t made things any easier. This was supposed to be their last night of having fun before school started in two weeks. The beach being put on lockdown had put a damper on the plans. But she’d ruined it by inviting the new kid. Sure, he was kind of hot in a plain sort of way, but this wasn’t meant to be a gathering for strangers to crash. It was obvious he wasn’t having fun. And that was most likely why Megan left so soon.
I could’ve gotten to know him. Maybe he’d stayed longer.
Instead, she was a bitch to him most of the time. It might be a good idea to have somebody with such close ties to the police as a friend. They might be willing to help her out of some sticky issues in the future.
Screw that. I have Megan. Her dad’s the mayor!
Couldn’t go any higher than that in this town.
Ellen turned on her bucket. Behind her was her water bottle. She wished they had beer, but since Chad couldn’t come tonight, that meant they didn’t have his fake I.D. to buy any. Oh well, she’d make do without it. She grabbed her water, turned on her stool, and unscrewed the cap. She guzzled down a few heavy gulps and noticed the tug in her bladder.
She needed to pee.
Fantastic.
Where the hell was she going to pee out here?
Looking around, she scanned the area around them. Dark concealed everything th
ree feet past the orange tent of light the fire provided. Her eyes landed on the shadowy undulations of the ocean. From here, it looked like breathing shadows. Plenty of places to pee out there.
No thanks. Don’t want to get soaked.
If she only went out a little ways, she could squat and just let it go.
With these guys watching?
She turned to her right and saw Jon had his eyes closed and head back. He swayed as Troy on her left did a horrible rendition of Sugar Ray’s “Fly”. The need to empty her bladder intensified, becoming a hot clenched fist in her lower back.
Ellen stood up. She’d just walk a ways down the beach. Make sure there was plenty of darkness to hide her. She put a foot forward, but her hand was grabbed. She stopped and looked down. Jon was staring up at her with those green eyes of his. She felt a tingle in her chest. Something about his eyes always made her heart do a little tizzy.
“Where’re you going?” he asked.
“Just taking a quick walk. Stretch my legs. I’ll be right back.”
He shook his head. “Shouldn’t go anywhere alone.”
“Yeah,” said Troy. “Bigfoot’s watching.”
She could’ve smacked Troy. She gave him a look that he seemed to interpret as an order to shut his mouth. Wincing, he looked down and strummed away on his ratty guitar.
“I’ll be fine,” she told Jon when she turned back.
Jon was already starting to stand. “It’s okay. I don’t mind tagging along.”
But I do.
But not really. She kind of liked the idea of him walking with her.
“Okay,” she said. “Suit yourself.”
“I do,” he said. “Every day.”
“We going for a walk?” asked Troy. He was about to put his guitar down when Jon stopped him.
“No,” said Jon. “We’ll be right back.”
Troy looked annoyed. “Fine. Leave me here. I thought you said nobody could be left alone.”
“You’re a big boy,” Jon said. “Sit tight.”
“Whatever.”
Jon turned to Ellen. “Ready?”
She smiled. “All set.”
“Let’s walk.”
Together, they left Troy, a melodic song playing behind them. It almost sounded good until Troy obviously played the wrong chord, making the song go suddenly flat. Jon and Ellen shared a look and laughed.
Bigfoot Beach Page 10