When I hung up with Lyncee, I felt a little better. Not one hundred percent, but that’d take some time.
“Hey, Grace, come on up here. It’s bonfire time,” Dad said, dropping a load of wood near the fire pit. “We’re gonna roast hot dogs.”
“Coming.” I slid my phone into my back pocket and made my way to where everyone already had their chairs set up.
“I can’t believe how bad Sage’s eye looks,” Mom said.
“So, do you guys want to tell me what happened?” Mr. Castle eyed us, while getting the fire started. “He left too fast for us to get any answers this morning.”
“He rescued Grace,” Allie said.
My dad whipped around to face me, his mouth turned down in a frown. “From who? It wasn’t that Logan kid was it? Do I need to go down there and have a talk with that boy?”
“No, Dad. Some jerk showed up uninvited to Lila’s party the other night and shoved me. Logan and Sage took care of him.”
“That’s my boy,” Mr. Castle said.
“Well, I’m glad he was there.” Dad let out a hiss of air and handed me a skewer to put my hot dog on.
I slid the meat onto the prongs and went over to the fire. Yellow and orange flames leapt from the wood. Coals snapped, sending up a spray of red sparks. When my hot dog was blackened, I went over to the table and slipped it onto a bun, then dowsed it in mustard. I sat down and inhaled my food. Contentment washed over me as I watched my family. Mom cooked Caleb’s food, so he wouldn’t get burned. Dad laughed at some lame joke about fish turds. Benji and Allie chatted over their plates.
This was what summer was about. I loved it. And I was glad we’d come. When Dad finished eating, he went inside then came back out with his guitar.
“Okay, who’s ready to sing?”
The younger two raised their hands, while Mom cheered him along. “Not yet, Lor. We have to toss in the Christmas lights.” She reached beneath her chair and grabbed them out. Mr. Castle took them from her and set them on top of the burning wood.
The rubbery coating melted away and soon we watched brilliant purples and blues and greens spark up in the fire, like a dancing rainbow.
A mosquito buzzed by my ear, and I smacked it. Great, they were going to drain me dry if I didn’t get repellant on. “Mom, do you have the bug spray?”
“Yeah, come on over here and I’ll put it on for you.” She smiled.
She stood up and I covered my face, while she dowsed me with it. The fumes made me cough. “Okay, I’m good.”
Mom caught my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Are you doing all right?”
I nodded. “I am now.”
“Good. And Grace?”
“Hmmm?”
“I love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
When I plopped back down in my spot, Dad played the familiar chords to one of my all-time favorite songs by The Beatles. We all sung along.
Right then Sage came over and sat next to me. We hadn’t talked since my blurted confession last night. I prayed it wouldn’t be weird between us. Because it’d suck to just get him back as a friend only to lose him again.
“Hey,” I said.
“Okay, so I made you a s’more. And not just any kind. This here is a Sage Castle special, complete with graham cracker, marshmallow, and peanut butter cup.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Peanut butter cup?”
“Trust me, it’s good. Once you go peanut butter cup, you won’t go back.”
I accepted it from him and took a bite. The chocolaty peanut butter melted in my mouth. “Oh my gosh, this is so good.”
He chuckled. “See, told you. You will never again be able to use regular chocolate.”
“You aren’t kidding.” I licked my fingers clean, but came up with the taste of bug spray mixed in with the marshmallow. “So you’re not hanging out with Lila tonight?” I’d resigned myself to the fact that I’d need to accept her whether she drove me crazy or not. Because Sage was my friend and if he liked her, I’d have to try my best to get along with her.
“Nah. I wanted to stick around here tonight. I’ve been gone most of the week. I kind of needed a break. Oh, and if you want, tomorrow we can finish that video game we started the night of the fire.”
“Sure, oh, wait. I forgot, I promised Logan I’d go play beach volleyball at his house tomorrow.”
“Then maybe we can play when you get home.”
I smiled. “And we both know I’ll totally win.”
He snorted. “You talk a lot shit, you know that right?”
I rammed my shoulder into his. “Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you.”
“Hey, Grace, can you run in and put the clothes in the dryer? I forgot to do it before I came out,” Mom said as she helped Caleb with his s’more.
“Yeah.” I stood, but Sage stopped me.
“I’ve got it. I owe you for doing my chores the other day,” he said.
“Are you sure? I can totally do it.”
“Yes, I’m sure—because I don’t want you holding it over my head.”
I laughed. “Fine. You can go throw my brother’s underwear in the dryer. Watch out for the brown stains, it’s not chocolate.”
“You’re sick.” He shook his head at me as he walked away.
Across the fire, I saw Allie and Benji holding hands. They looked so cute together. I wondered if our parents might do some rearranging of who slept where in the house. Because, maybe the loft wasn’t a good place for the boys and girls anymore.
A few minutes later, Sage came back out.
“Done so soon?”
“Yeah, although I may be scarred for life. One of your bras touched my hand.”
“You’re a liar.”
He held up his arms. “Nope, it was a blue lacy get up.”
“Well, I had to fold your boxers, so we’re even.” My cheeks blazed.
“You’re cute when you blush, Gracey.”
“Stop—you’re just trying to make my face turn redder.” I covered my head so he couldn’t see it.
“I think we need to cut this short tonight. The boys have to get up early for fishing tomorrow morning,” Mr. Castle said.
Everyone groaned.
“Be careful out there.” I leaned closer to Sage. “I heard some of the worms Dad got for bait have a taste for human flesh.”
“Why do I feel a bad horror movie coming on?” He laughed.
“Probably because you’re scared,” I whispered.
“Maybe I’ll bring some worms back for you.”
I snorted. “Yeah, you’d do that, but only so you can play hero again and rescue me.”
“You know me so well.” He covered his heart with his hand, then stood. He reached down to help me up and we headed toward the house. “Good night, Grace.”
“Night. Don’t let the bed worms bite.”
It was officially a Castle-Evers summer. Just like old times.
Chapter Thirty
My arms stretched above my head as I turned over in my bed. Morning always seemed to come so fast. With a groan, I sat up. On my pillow, I found a CD with a sticky note attached to it. It read, Grace, since you made me a playlist, I wanted to return the favor. Hope you enjoy—Sage.
Rivulets of heat spun around in my belly like a pinwheel. With a smile, I held it against my chest. I wondered what kind of songs he’d put on it for me. I hopped out of bed and grabbed a pair of shorts and T-shirt. As I got dressed, I pushed the CD into Allie’s radio.
The first track was the theme for Star Wars. I laughed. He knew me so well.
“Grace, come on down, we’re having a girls’ breakfast on the deck this morning,” Mom yelled up the stairs.
“Be right down.” I ran a brush through my hair, and then braided back the front section so it’d be out of my face for volleyball later today. When I finished, I hurried outside, where the picnic table was covered in a flowery cloth.
“Oh my God, our moms are awesome.” Allie held up a strawberry and cre
am cheese crêpe. “These things are to die for.”
“I think we should send the guys fishing more often.” I slid into the spot next to Allie.
“No kidding.” She took a swig of milk then dropped a piece of bacon in her mouth.
“We figured it’d be nice to do something special with you girls today,” Mrs. Castle said.
“So is everyone enjoying the summer so far?” Mom buttered a crescent roll.
“Yeah, it’s been nice to get away from Greenville for a while,” I said.
“Just think, we still have over two months left.” Mom smiled at me. “Anything can happen during that time.” Her eyes twinkled.
“Right. I could kick another hornet nest down.” I grinned.
“Or, lose another bathing suit top,” Allie added.
Mom’s eyes widened. “When did that happen?”
“Um, a couple weeks ago. Don’t worry, Logan Meyers rescued it.”
Mom and Mrs. Castle screeched.
“No, he didn’t.” Mom threw her napkin at me.
“Oh, yes he did,” I said.
“He didn’t see anything, did he?”
“Actually, I have no idea.”
“That reminds me. Brenda, do you remember when we were in college and Lor was trying to impress you when we went to Daytona Beach?” Mrs. Castle asked.
Mom’s face turned pink. “How could I forget.”
“What happened?” I glanced between them.
“Your dad was trying to do a handstand and a wave crashed over him. Needless to say, he lost his shorts and when he stood up he had seaweed hanging off his—um—private parts.”
“Oh. My. God. That’s epic.” I laughed.
“Yeah, well, that was also the day my parents flew in from Lansing to join us on the trip and meet your dad. Your grandpa found it less than humorous.”
Allie and I cracked up. “But they still let you marry Daddy.”
“Yeah, but they never let him live it down. Our first Christmas party after that, your grandpa actually gave your father a box with dried seaweed in it, and told him it was his new swim trunks.”
Chico raised his head and glanced at us from where he lounged on the deck railing in the sun. Not amused by us, he stretched back out and went to sleep.
Mom and Mrs. Castle continued to tell us funny stories about when they were younger. It was nice. I hoped one day I’d be able to do this with my own kids. Make memories that’d last forever.
“Hey, I’ve got to go. I’m supposed to play volleyball with Logan today.” I grabbed my dirty plate to bring inside.
“Just leave it, we’ll take care of it.” Mom shooed me away. “Have fun and don’t lose any more tops in front of that boy.”
I rolled my eyes, but double-checked my bikini under my T-shirt to make sure it was secured tightly. After I brushed my teeth, I walked down the beach to Logan’s. When I arrived, there were already about ten people hanging around the net.
“Hey, you made it.” Logan bounded over to me. “So, let me introduce you around.”
Todd waved. “Hi, Grace, nice to see you again.”
I smiled. “Thanks, you too.”
“All right, everyone, this is my friend Grace. Make her feel welcome. This is her first beach volleyball game at the Meyers’ abode.” He grinned.
“You better hope you’re not on Logan’s team. He likes to cheat,” a brunette girl teased. “I’m Sofie, by the way, his older and much wiser cousin.”
“Don’t listen to her, Grace. She’s like three minutes older than me. And I got way better grades going than her.”
We laughed. Half the group was related to Logan, the other half were people he went to school with. And they were all super nice and made me feel at home.
“Let’s get our teams set,” Logan said. “Me and Sofie will be captains. But I get first pick since it’s my house.”
“See, he’s already trying to cheat,” Sofie said.
“Hey, my house, my rules.” Logan held his hands up. “Okay, I choose Grace for my team.”
I ran over to stand beside him and he gave me a quick hug. On they went, picking people until both teams had six players. It was Todd, Logan, me, and three others I didn’t know.
They put me in the center row by myself. Sofie’s team got to serve first. She threw the ball up and hit it across the net. It came right for me. I laced my hands together and hit it up in the air. Logan came up beside me and spiked it over the net.
“Oh yeah, in your face, Sofie,” Logan said. “Our serve now.”
“Hey, you didn’t tell us she could actually play. I want a redo on the teams.”
Todd served next, sending the ball up and over. This time, a tall guy on the other team spiked it toward me. With a squeal, I dove forward to save it and popped it up just enough for one of the other guys on my team to get it back over to the other side. Not expecting us to return the volley, it hit the ground and we scored.
Logan reached down to help me up and I grinned. “I think I just ate half the beach.”
“Trust me, the sand tastes better with sugar.” He chuckled as I wiped off my face.
We played for a while, until Sofie called a time-out for us to get drinks. Logan stood beside me as I chugged a bottle of water. He stared at something over my shoulder.
Before I could turn to see what he looked at, he leaned down and winked. “Good luck, Grace.”
I gave him a quizzical glance then spun around. There, coming down one of the sand dunes was Sage, who was dressed up like Han Solo, complete with unbuttoned white, billowy shirt, dark vest, and high leather boots. He had Caleb’s laser blaster belted to his side.
My eyes widened. What the heck was he doing? He sauntered over to me in the middle of the volleyball court.
“Sage?”
“Grace.” He smiled. In one swift movement, he bent down, and picked me up.
A bunch of whoops and hollers went up around us as he carried me down the beach toward our house.
“You-you dressed up for me?”
“Maybe—”
“Wait, I don’t understand. I thought you and Lila were a thing. That you—”
“No. You thought wrong.”
“But I saw you guys kiss at her party.”
“She kissed me. But I’m not here to talk about her.”
He continued down the shore, his grip tightening around me. “Then why did you come?”
“Why do you think?”
“I-I don’t know.” A few minutes later, we reached our deck.
“You really don’t know?”
“No.”
“The thing is, Grace, you never needed a list to unbreakup with me.”
I groaned. “So you’re the one who took it?”
“Yeah.”
I sucked in a deep breath. My eyes met his. “Sage,” I whispered. “I love you.”
“I know.”
I socked him in the shoulder. “I can’t believe you just stole that line from Star Wars, you’re such a nerd.”
His aqua-colored eyes glittered like pool water with the sun glinting off it. “I know that too. But do you want to know something else I realized?”
“What’s that?”
“I love you, too. I always have. And this time you aren’t getting away from me.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. Because the Force is strong with us, Grace.”
My heart thudded in my chest. His lips captured mine, his mouth moving against mine. It was soft and sweet. Sage’s hands laced through my hair, drawing me closer. My fingers stroked his face as his tongue darted against mine. Everything felt right. Perfect. Like this moment had been written long ago. I deepened the kiss, winding my arms around his neck. Heat raced across my skin and through my blood. Tingles erupted in my belly. Yes. He’s the one.
For a moment, I swore I heard Star Wars music.
I pulled back and stared at him. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too, Gracey.”
The music grew louder, and this time there was no denying it. I turned toward the house to see Allie in the window, aiming the stereo speakers at the deck.
“Did you arrange this?”
“Yeah, is it too much?”
“No. It’s perfect.”
“So are we officially unbrokeup?” His thumb traced my cheek.
“That depends,” I said.
“On what?” He watched me intently.
“How well you use the Force.”
“Hmmm … how’s this?” His head bent down until his lips met mine again.
“I might need to up your training,” I teased in between kisses.
“Is that so?” He spun me around, then set me on my feet. He tugged me onto the steps next to him and we sat huddled together. We watched as the sun sunk down like it’d fallen into the lake. An orangey-pink glow gleamed off the waves.
This was what summers were meant to be. Fun. Memorable. Special. And spent with the people you loved most. Someday, I knew I’d look back on this moment and remember every tiny detail. The list. New friends. My family. But mostly, Sage Castle. My best friend. My co-nerd. My boyfriend.
A long time ago, during a summer far-far away, I fell in love … and the rest as they say is history.
Epilogue
“You ready for this?” Sage asked when we pulled into the high school parking lot.
“Not really, I wish we were back at the beach house.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “Me too.”
With a sigh, I climbed out of his car. He came around the side and slipped his hand into mine. “I love you,” I said.
“Love you, too. Oh, and by the way, your T-shirt is awesome.” He grinned.
I smiled as I glanced down at my Star Wars top. “Thanks. Wait until you see the other girls.”
When we entered the halls, I found Delyla, Kenadi, and Lyncee waiting for me. We each had a Star Wars character adorning our tees. It’d been mine and Del’s idea. This would be our first year embracing the “real” us. And for once, I was ready to take on the world or at least Greenville High.
“There’s our girl.” Lyncee rushed me.
“Hey, I’ll catch you later.” Sage gave me one last kiss before he sauntered away. Several heads spun our way and I already heard the whispers about us being back together. But I didn’t mind.
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