“Come back in,” Josh says. “I’m already warm.”
I punch my hands on my hips and glare at him. Then I give in and jump back in the water. It may be spring break, but it sure isn’t warm out. Swimming around will warm me up eventually.
“All right, girls, get in here.”
We make our way into the spa when it finally reaches scorching hot temperatures. We have to turn on the jets when Josh starts making bubbles of his own. That’s when Dominic and Ben arrive.
“Hey, guys,” I shout. “Did you bring your trunks?”
“Nah, just came by to give you a message since none of you are answering your phones.” Ben stands out of splash range with his hands in his pockets.
“Well, it’s not like we’re gonna keep our cells with us in the pool,” Keesh tells them.
“I get it now why you weren’t answering,” he says.
Dominic takes a few steps toward us and kneels down to say hello to Steph. “Hi,” he says, and kisses her on the cheek.
“Put one right there,” Josh tells him, touching his finger to his forehead. Dominic smacks him in the head.
“So what’s the message?” I ask them, while the others laugh at Josh.
“Alex is coming a day early. He asked if we could all meet him at the airport. I guess his parents can’t pick him up,” Ben explains.
“Why do we all have to go?” Josh asks.
“I don’t know,” Dominic responds. “Sounds like he has something planned but he won’t tell us.”
“I’m in,” Steph says, “I love surprises.”
“Me too,” I tell them. Everyone else seems to agree.
“Well,” Ben pauses, swinging his hands back and forth, “we hate to break up the party, but you might want to cut it short. His plane arrives at six thirty.”
“In the morning?” Travis yelps.
“Uh huh.” Dominic runs his hand down his face. He’s not a morning person either.
“Boys, go home. We’re going to bed,” Steph orders them. She’s the first one out of the water and dried off. The rest of us follow more slowly.
We chat a bit longer before the guys gather their stuff and leave.
A surprise, huh. For all of us.
What r u up to?
Me? What r u talkin about?
Dont play dumb. Pick u up at the airport? Surprise?
R u coming?
YES!
Guess ull hv to wait n see
Ur killing me
Gotta get back to sleep
Whatever
U should too. Its gonna be a long day.
Ugh
Miss u
Miss u 2. Butthead!
At five flipping thirty in the morning, Ben pulls up to my house and the girls and I all run out. Keesh and I jump in the car with him. Steph, Andi, and Josh pile in Dominic’s van.
The airport sucks. It’s not like the movies where you get to wait at the gate for your loved ones to suddenly appear. No. Instead, we have to either wait out front or at the foot of one escalator that leads flights full of people toward a baggage claim.
We have about fifteen minutes to spare by the time we park and make our way to the escalator. The boys wanted to wait outside, of course, but after five minutes of arguing, we agreed on coming inside. I want the first opportunity possible to see Alex. I can’t wait to ask him what the surprise is. I bet he has something planned for all of us to do today. We’re probably going on a road trip from here or something. Oh shit. He better not have a beach trip planned already. This better not all be about a bikini.
My phone vibrates.
Safe and sound and on the ground
“He just landed.”
We park ourselves across from the long motorized staircase, watching as people appear at the top and then glide all the way down. Some travelers look happy, others look tired. Some are just little kids, all on their own.
Getting off the plane
“He’s coming. Just got off the plane,” I fill the others in.
“How long does it take to walk from the gate to here? Fuck, he’s slow,” Josh says.
The top of the escalator is high enough that I’ll be able to see Alex’s face as soon as he gets on.
“Son of a bitch, he’s taking forever,” he complains again.
“Shut it, Joshie. It hasn’t even been five minutes,” Keesh tells him.
“It seems like five years,” he mutters. Tell me about it.
Finally, I see his big cheesy grin at the top of the stairs. Little by little, inch by inch, he glides his way down.
He smiles at us and waves. Like dorks, we all wave back.
“This better be good,” Josh says.
My eyes are fixed on Alex as he turns around and taps on the shoulder of the guy behind him.
Without warning, Keesh screams and cries out “Omigod!”
Twenty Six
When Keesh screams, I look at her quickly to see if she is all right. When I turn back around to search for Alex, I’m stunned.
Omigod is right.
My best friend has her arms and legs wrapped around our surprise, sobs shrieking from her core. “I can’t believe you’re here,” she says, her voice muffled by the tears.
Jonathan holds her. “I’m here, baby. I’m finally here.”
The rest of us just watch. Amazed.
Alex hikes his bag on his shoulder and bends down to kiss me on the top of my head. “Good surprise, eh?”
“The best.”
I look over at Josh, who’s still in shock. I take a few steps to him and notice tears coming down his cheeks. Sliding my arms around his waist, I squeeze the hell out of him. “You’ll get your turn, buddy.”
“I know,” he says, wiping his face with the back of his hand.
“You gonna be okay?”
“Yeah.” He squeezes me tight, then taps me on the back. “Let’s go pry him out of Keesh’s grip before she suffocates him.”
“Anyone have the jaws of life?” Travis jokes.
It’s crazy. I can’t believe Alex did this. I will forever be grateful to him for bring Jonathon home. Since he’s been going back and forth from Berkeley so much, along with his dad traveling for work, I guess he’s racked up some free miles. He called Jon and arranged the whole thing, for free. Jon’s parents couldn’t argue with that.
We’re all back at Alex’s house for a BBQ, and I can’t help but feel giddy inside. Keesh and Josh can’t stop staring at Jon. It’s like they’re scared to turn away in fear he might disappear. I remember feeling like that the first few times Alex came home from college. Sometimes, I guess I still do. But right now, I’m just looking at him in complete awe that he would do something like this, and that he actually pulled it off. Seeing Jon appear from behind Alex was like a freaking movie.
“So, were you all surprised, Meggie?” Alex’s mom puts an arm around my shoulder.
I look up at her hazel eyes, shaped just like her son’s, only a different color. “Oh hi, Mrs. Aguilar. Yes, we were in shock. I think some of us still are.”
“Who’s your new friend?” She nods in Andi’s direction.
“That’s Andi.” I go on to tell her Andi’s story about being new and such.
“Well, that’s very nice of you girls to make her feel welcome.”
“She makes it easy. She’s really funny and easygoing.” I watch her as she observes the boys talking, animated, loud, and obnoxious. She studies Travis and grins every time he laughs.
Mrs. Aguilar smiles. “She has the hots for blondie, doesn’t she?”
“I think so, but she won’t admit it. Not entirely, anyway. She’s afraid to say anything,” I explain.
“She shouldn’t be. I’ve noticed him look her way a few times.” Her arms are crossed and she scans our crowd, taking it all in.
“I thought I saw that too. It wasn’t just my imagination,” I squeal.
“Well, I’m going to go back inside. You have a good time. Come back and visit. Don’t let my
boy keep you all to himself.” She reaches over and ruffles my hair.
“I’ll try not to, Mom,” Alex says, as I feel his hands wrap around my waist from behind. I lean back into his chest as his mom walks away, shaking her head. “How’s it going?”
“Freaking awesome. How much better could vacation get? You’re the best.” I watch as Jon uses his hands wildly to tell a story. “Let’s go chat with Jon Jon.”
We sit down at a table with the rest of our friends.
“Hey, thanks, man.” Jon slams his hand on Alex’s shoulder. Both he and Travis have grown like weeds in the last year. “I still can’t believe I’m here.” His voice has changed too. It’s a lot deeper, more manly.
“I’m just glad it worked out,” Alex tells him. “I thought this one here,” he hikes a thumb in my direction, “was going to keep texting me till I gave up some information.”
“She’s so impatient,” Ben says, “I’m surprised she didn’t.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t call you,” Keesh adds.
Then Steph, “Or Skype you till you coughed up the details.”
“I know. Meg can’t wait for anything. She’s like the chick in Willy Wonka. She wants everything now.” Joshie has to give his input.
Dominic, Travis, and Andi nod in agreement.
“You guys suck!” I whine.
“So are you two back together?” Jon asks, pointing to me and Alex.
We look at each other with a grin. “Nope,” I respond.
“How about you guys?” he asks Steph and Dom.
“Nope, not us either,” she tells him.
“So, you’re just FTF then?”
“What’s FTF?” Steph asks.
“Friends that fuck,” Jon blurts out, with an expression like we’re all dumb asses for not knowing what it means.
“Nope. Not that either. No one’s fucking here,” I tell him. Alex shakes his head with a smile.
“And no one’s fuckin’ here either.” Steph looks disgusted.
“We’re all a bunch of horny action-less bitches,” Keesh rattles off.
“I’m full of action, baby.” Jon winks at her.
“I can’t wait to find out,” she says, winking back.
“Well, let’s go then.”
She stands. “All right.”
And with that, Jon smacks hands with all the boys, hugs all the girls, and they’re out.
“Where the hell are they going?” I ask, completely confused. What just happened here?
We don’t see Keesh and Jon again until our Third Annual Beach Trip. It’s getting easier to tolerate the sand and dirty ass ocean, but I’m not going to say I like it. I’d rather stay home and take a dip in a nice chlorinated pool in the privacy of my own sand-less landscaped backyard.
“Wow, Meggie. How come you don’t Skype me in that?” Jon barely finishes his sentence before he catches Ben’s hand to the back of the head. I forgot Jon was already gone before spring break last year. He didn’t see me in my bathing suit.
“Well,” I say, striking a goofy pose for Alex. “Was it worth the wait?”
He scans my body from head to toe, raising a brow. “Absolutely.”
I grab him by the back of his neck and pull him close so only he can hear me. “What’s the big deal? It’s not like you haven’t seen me in a lot less than this,” I whisper in his ear. And then for the benefit of the whole group, “You guys are dumb. Now that you’ve seen me in a suit, go play in the water and let me relax.”
“Sounds like a plan,” he says, adjusting himself. Way to be discreet with your chub, Alex. “I can use a dip in the cold water.”
The boys chuckle, while us girls roll our eyes.
They make their way down to the water, boogie boards in hand, kicking sand and pushing each other. Not much has changed since ninth grade. Mom says boys rarely grow up before they’re forty. I’m starting to believe her.
Andi and I get comfortable on some beach chairs while Keesh and Steph get cozy on a blanket.
“You got some perky little titties, Andi,” Keesh teases. “Everything about you is so petite.”
Andi crosses her arms over her chest, and I give Keesh a sneer.
“What? I meant it as a compliment. You’re adorable. And I don’t think I’m the only one who’s noticing.”
Her cheeks flush first. The pink color spreads over Andi’s entire body. “He doesn’t like me. Dude, have you seen the other girls he’s gone out with? I look like a little boy compared to them.” For being so fun and full of energy, she sure lacks confidence.
“Give me a break.” Steph waves a hand in her direction. “He doesn’t like any of those girls. He’s just having fun. Plus, he’s not the kinda guy to be so shallow. I think he digs you. Did you guys hear how many times he said dude?”
I crack up every time I hear him say it so I know exactly what she’s talking about. “Hey, have you been talking to Travis on the phone or something?”
“Almost every day,” she says.
I look to Keesh. “Do you talk to Travis on the phone?” She shakes her head. “How about you, Steph?”
“No. I sure don’t,” she answers.
“Me neither,” I say. “So if he’s not interested in you, then why is he talking to you every day? And why is he starting to sound like you?”
“Dude, everyone says dude. It’s not like I copyrighted the term.” Oh my gosh. I can’t help but laugh at her. She is too funny. She doesn’t even realize she has a dude saying problem.
“Okay, well, you keep talking and see what happens. I have a feeling it’s going to be good whatever it is.” I think he really likes her. Even if she’s not ready to believe it. Even if he’s keeping his feelings quiet. Things will eventually work themselves out.
Later on, we’re all sitting around the fire pit, wire hangers in hand, roasting marshmallows. Keesh is sitting comfortably in between Jon’s legs, and the two take turns taking bites from the same S’more. It’s very cute. She’s in love all over again, and while I’m happy he’s here, I’m also afraid of what it will be like for her when he leaves again.
“So how’s the ultimate single ladies year going?” Jon asks, looking directly at me.
“It’s going great. So great I may stay single for the rest of my life.” They all laugh, but I’m not joking. Dating sucks ass.
“How about you, Steph? Find anyone yet to make you forget about the big guy?”
“Yeah, Steph. Find anyone yet?” Dom nudges her with his knee, and she sticks an elbow in his ribs.
“Too many to count,” she replies.
“I’m being serious. I don’t know why you gotta lie. It’s not like we don’t know what you’ve been doing.” Jon has a point. They know all about our plan, even though we tried to keep it quiet for so long.
“They can’t hide shit,” Josh says. “Steph’s been doing the best. She got the football player for a while. He liked her. Then she went out with one of my cousins. He liked her too. Keesh hasn’t had much luck. I think Meg’s best date was with Quinn. I heard she had a good time.”
“Good time, my ass.” Keesh raises her voice. “That guy was a dick. He …”
I reach my leg as far as I can and kick her. I have no interest in talking to the guys about what an asshole Quinn turned out to be.
“What happened, Meg?” Alex shakes my ponytail.
I give him a look, letting him know I don’t want to have this conversation. “I thought we said we weren’t going to talk about stuff like this.”
“We weren’t, but if some guy was a dick to you, I wanna know about it.”
“So do I,” Josh adds.
“Me too,” Ben says. “We all do. What happened?”
I sneak a peek at Keesh and Steph, eyeballing them, trying to tell them telepathically not to spill the beans about Quinn getting aggressive on our date.
Keesh looks up at Jon. “She went out with some guy named Quinn. They went skating. He was romantic and sweet until he took her home.”<
br />
Travis leans in closer, his elbows on his knees. “Then what happened?”
“Keesha, don’t. It’s none of their business.” I really don’t want them to know. Nothing good can come of it.
Steph reaches out and squeezes my hand. “When he brought her home, he got a little grabby.”
Alex puts his hand on my shoulder, and I look up at him. “What does grabby mean, Meg? Did he hurt you?”
“Omigod, no. He didn’t hurt me.” I knew they were going to make this something it’s not.
“He didn’t hurt her,” Keesh tells them. “He just scared the hell out of her. He grabbed her tit, and when she tried to push him away, he wouldn’t let her go at first. Then he cussed at her, and she cussed him out. It’s all good. Just not the great date Josh heard about.”
“I’m gonna kick his ass,” Ben grunts out.
“That makes two of us,” Alex says, kneading my shoulders with both hands. “That fucking little prick.”
“You guys can’t do shit,” Josh tell them. “I’ll handle it.”
“Bullshit, Josh.” Ben stares him down.
“I hear ya,” Travis says. “Dude, you guys can’t do anything. You’re over eighteen. You can get arrested for assaulting a minor. Josh and I got it covered.”
Twenty Seven
Spring break is quickly coming to an end, and Jon is only a day away from jumping back on a plane for Texas. Instead of chilling at home, staring at him all night, we decided to go to a party at Eric’s house. His brother is having another soiree and there’s gonna be people from school there along with a bunch of grads. It’ll be cool because we can kick back with our friends, and Alex, Ben, and Dominic can see theirs too.
“Hey, girls,” I yelp. “Check it out.” I point to a group of guys as we walk up the street to the party. “The water polo team is here.” Along with a lot of other people. The street is packed with cars.
Double Time (Double Threat series) Page 17