He's With Me

by Tamara Summers

  anybody else for once.”

  Colin flushed. “Bree,” he said.

  “Dare,” she said promptly.

  “Um.” Colin picked at the carpet. “I dare you to tell us who the hottest guy

  in the room is.”

  “That’s just a truth dressed up as a dare,” Bree complained.

  “That’s my dare,” Colin said stubbornly.

  “Fine,” Bree said. “I pick Riley. Now it’s my turn. Lexie, darling, truth or

  dare?”

  Riley was grinning. He looked for the first time like he’d noticed that Bree

  was interested in him. Lexie was surprised Bree hadn’t picked Jake as the hottest

  guy, but she wasn’t surprised that she was the next to go. She had a feeling that

  that was where this had all been leading up to. “Um, truth,” she said. She did not

  want to do anything Bree might dare her to do.

  “Figures,” Bree said, rolling her eyes again. “Okay, let me think.” She

  tapped her chin with a manicured fingernail. “Lexie, Lexie. All right, tell us the

  truth.” She leaned forward. “How long have you been in love with Jake?”

  Cold prickles ran down Lexie’s spine. Now what? Should she lie and say it

  had only been a couple of weeks? Should she tell the truth and admit it had been

  years? Would Jake figure she was lying no matter what she said? Or would her

  voice give her away?

  “Go on, Lexie, tell us,” Bree said.

  Lexie’s eyes went to Amy, who was pretending to look bored. Would it be

  embarrassing to admit that she’d liked him while he had been dating Amy? She

  tipped her head back and looked at Jake.

  His smoky-gray eyes were watching her. He leaned his head against hers

  and whispered, “Don’t worry.”

  Whatever that meant, it decided her. She would tell the truth.

  “As long as I’ve known him.” she said, lowering her gaze to meet Bree’s.

  She felt his arm tighten around her, and he rubbed her shoulder in a way

  that she found reassuring.

  “Aww,” Bree said. “How adorable. Or perhaps I mean pathetic.”

  “I don’t think so,” Jake said. “I feel the same way.”

  “Whatever, it’s not your truth,” Bree snapped. “Lexie, hurry up.”

  “Riley,” Lexie said. A great idea had just occurred to her. If Jake did think

  anything had been happening with Riley, this should convince him otherwise.

  “Dare,” Riley said, smiling crookedly.

  “I dare you to kiss Bree,” she said.

  He looked surprised. So did Bree. So did Jake. A perfect trifecta of startled

  expressions.

  But Riley got up without protesting and sauntered over to their couch. As

  he leaned over Bree, Jake whispered to Lexie, “Let’s get out of here.”

  She nodded and pulled herself up, tapping Colin on the shoulder.

  “Where are you going?” Bree said, shoving Riley away mid-kiss. “Jake, you

  can’t leave your party – it just started.”

  “Sorry,” Jake said. “I promised my parents I’d be home for a birthday

  dinner.” He lifted his palms up as the others groaned.”What can I do? If I’d known

  about this, I would have planned differently.” He helped Lexie to her feet.

  “Well, then Lexie should stay,” Bree said with narrowed eyes. “Since she

  didn’t schedule you better.”

  “She’s invited for dinner,” Jake said smoothly. “You know...because she’s

  my girlfriend.”

  Bree scowled, and Lexie hid her smile. How did he manage to be so

  perfect?

  “Have fun, guys!” Jake said. “Thanks for the party!”

  “Bye,” Colin said with a wave. Claire wiggled her fingers at him and he

  blushed.

  “See you tomorrow,” Lexie said. Riley half saluted at her. He looked lazy

  and carefree, as if their intense conversation earlier hadn’t happened.

  The flustered maid let them out, and as the front door closed behind them,

  all three let out relieved sighs. Lexie started laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” Colin asked.

  “We’re such freaks,” Lexie said. “Normal kids would be psyched about a

  party, but we can’t wait to leave.”

  “That’s cause it’s a Bree party,” Jake said. “I’d rather not be normal than be

  like those boring people in there. Oh, oops – I forgot my present.”

  “The expensive leather jacket?” Colin asked.

  “Yeah, the one Bree just happened to have lying around,” Jake said. “Quick,

  let’s go before she realizes and chases after us with it.”

  “But it’s your birthday,” Lexie said. “Don’t you want you hang out with

  everyone?”

  “Yes,” Jake said, “if by ‘everyone’ you mean you guys.”

  “Sadly, I can’t,” Colin said. “I’ve, uh, hot stuff to do.”

  They had reached their bikes now. Colin’s was hidden in back of the garage,

  next to a couple of others.

  “What stuff?” Lexie said. “What stuff could you possibly have to do in the

  middle of summer?”

  “Just stuff, okay?” Colin said defensively.

  “Our hard working friend Colin,” Jake said. “Is it film-related?”

  “No,” Colin said. “And maybe if I weren’t a moron, I wouldn’t have to work

  so hard.” He kicked off his bike and pedaled away fast.

  Lexie and Jake exchanged puzzled glances.

  “Any idea what that was about?” she said.

  “Nope.”

  “He’s been acting like that for a week,” she said. “I wish he’d tell me what’s

  going on.”

  “At least you’re not ditching me yet,” he said. “Want to get ice cream?”

  “You don’t really have to be home for dinner?”

  “Not till nine,” he said. “Mom’s on call until then.” His mother was a burse

  at the local hospital. “And I assume you told yours you were going to a party.”

  Lexie laughed. “She couldn’t have been more excited if I’d told her I’d won

  an Oscar. ‘My Lexie! A party!’ If I’d given her time to shop, I can’t imagine what

  she would have come up with.”

  “But then I’d have been suspicious,” Jake said.

  “Exactly,” Lexie said. “So instead you got a chlubby T-shirt-and-shorts

  girlfriend.”

  “You mean adorable girlfriend,” he said with a grin, and pushed off.

  Lexie’s heart ached as she watched him sail down the block. Why does he

  have to be so cute? Why can’t this be real? When is it going to end?

  And...what’s going to happen to me when this is over?

  Chapter 13

  Friday morning arrived.

  “Are you ready?” Jake said as Lexie walked down the steps of the porch.

  “Ready?” she asked.

  “For the pool volleyball finals!” he said. “We’re going to win! Rarrr!” He did a cute

  goofy victory dance, crashed into his bike, and tipped over onto the lawn. She

  giggled.

  “It’s like I always say,” Jake said from the grass. “Coordination, grace, the

  ability to stay upright...all totally unnecessary in the pool.”

  “I think our team would have a better chance of winning if I didn’t play,”

  Lexie said.

  “No way,” he said, scrambling to his feet. “You have to play. You’re

  essential. You’re the heart and soul of the team! Besides, we need five players or

  Cynthia will disqualify us.
You know her; she’s a stickler for rules.” He grinned and

  she smacked his shoulder.

  “Oh, it’s nice to be so vital,” Lexie said.

  As he pedaled down the driveway, she checked her shoulder bag again. Her

  black bathing suit, a book to read, sunscreen a change of clothes were all there.

  Why did she have the weird feeling that something was missing?

  She must be imagining things. She waved to Colin, who was standing in his

  window, and took off after Jake.

  During tennis, she left her bag, as usual, with the other bags over by the

  benches under the shelter. She could see it from the courts, but she didn’t pay

  much attention to it, since she was focusing on trying to hit the ball.

  It wasn’t until the girls went into the changing room at the pool that Lexie

  opened her bag again.

  A sick, nervous feeling shot through her stomach.

  Her bathing suit was missing!

  She shoved the rest of her things aside, feeling around at the bottom of the

  bag. Then she sat down on the bench and dumped it out, putting everything back

  in piece by piece.

  It was definitely, definitely gone.

  Her breathing seemed to have sped up and she felt on the verge if panic.

  Without the bathing suit, she couldn’t play, which meant letting down Jake and

  the team. Sure, it was only a dumb volleyball game, but she would still feel awful

  about it. And Cynthia was going to be mad. Lexie wondered if you could get

  detention at summer camp.

  “Oh, dear,” Bree said, and Lexie turned to find her leaning against the

  nearest mirror. “What on earth’s the matter? You look so pale, Lexie, dear.”

  Sally popped her head out of a stall a few doors down, as if the tone of

  Bree’s voice had aroused her suspicions.

  “My bathing suit,” Lexie said. “It’s gone, but I’m so sure I packed it this

  morning...” A horrible suspicion hit her. She looked up at Bree, whose fake

  concerned expression couldn’t hide the smirk in her cold blue eyes. “Did – did y –”

  “And it’s your only one, isn’t it?” Bree said sweetly. “That is so sad. What

  are you going to do? Your poor boyfriend is so excited about winning this

  tournament. Oh, dear.”

  “Bree!” Sally said, stomping over. “What did you do?”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Bree said, batting her eyelashes. “Poor Lexie has lost

  her bathing suit. And I’m still not speaking to you. Oh, I have a great idea, Lexie.”

  “’Great’ meaning ‘humiliating’, I’m sure,” Sally said, her arms crossed.

  “Why don’t we check the lost and found?” Bree said, ignoring Sally. She

  pranced over to a large cardboard box in the corner. “Maybe your bathing suit is

  here... or maybe there’s another one you can wear!” With a flourish, she yanked a bathing suit out of the box and brandished it at Lexie.

  It was the most hideous thing Lexie had ever seen. It was a mustard yellow

  with giant bright pink flowers all over it. There were ruffles at the sleeves, ruffles around the waist, ruffles at the thigh. And it was obviously about three sizes too

  big for Lexie.

  “Perfect!” Bree exclaimed. “I mean, considering you don’t have anything

  else. I guess you either wear this, or you ruin everything for your boyfriend.

  Hmmmm.” She touched one of her long, manicured fingernails to her chin and

  pretended to look thoughtful, which on Bree looked more like she was trying to

  pick a new nail color.

  “Bree, give her back her bathing suit,” Sally snapped. “Give it back right

  now.”

  “I don’t have it,” Bree said. “I suppose you could search all over

  Summerlodge for it.... It must be around here somewhere, right?” She smiled, and

  Lexie felt cold all over.

  What was she going to do? She’d never get Bree to give her the suit, and it

  must be somewhere hard to find. But she did not want to wear the yellow

  flowered monstrosity. If she had any chance of Jake ever wanting to really date

  her, his seeing her in that would definitely kill it.

  Sally looked as worried as Lexie felt. A whistle blew out by the pool.

  “Lexie, I have to go out there,” Sally said. Her team was up first, playing

  another team for third place. “You have a little while before your team has to

  play. You’ll think of something, don’t worry.” Sally started toward the door, then

  turned and hurried ack. She dug into her bag, pulled out her cell phone, and

  pressed it into Lexie’s hand. “In case you need it,” she whispered. “And I’ve

  changed my mind. Bree is crazy and evil.” She gave Lexie a quick hug and ran out to the pool.

  Bree dropped the yellow bathing suit on the bench next to Lexie. “See you

  out there,” she said smugly, and strolled after Sally, winding her lavender towel

  around her waist as she went.

  Lexie stared down at the phone in her hand.

  There was one other option....

  She touched the yellow bathing suit and pulled back her hand with a

  shudder. Had Bree planted it in the lost and found box? Was it just her luck that

  there really was something so hideous in there? Did that mean someone else had

  worn it before? It gave her the heebie0jeebies just thinking about wearing it.

  She switched on the phone and dialed home.

  She was hoping Colin would answer, but instead it was her mom’s cheery

  voice that said, “Hello, hello, Willis residence!”

  “Hi, Mom,” Lexie said, wincing. “Um – is Colin there?”

  “No, he’s not, sweetie,” Mrs. Willis said. “Is everything okay? Aren’t you

  supposed to be in some activity class right now?”

  “Yeah,” Lexie said slowly. Where the heck was Colin again, in the middle of

  the day? If only he were there, she wouldn’t have to let her mom know what

  she’d done with the red bikini. But she had no choice.

  With a sigh, Lexie said, “Mom, can you do me a favor?”

  “Sure, honey. What is it?”

  “I, um,” Lexie said, “I forgot my bathing suit.”

  “And you have the pool volleyball finals today, don’t you?” her mom said.

  Lexie could never predict what her mother would remember and what would just

  fly out of her brain the minute it went in.

  “That’s right,” Lexie said. “So I need the red bikini. Could you bring it to

  me?”

  “Absolutely,” her mom said. She sounded so pleased to be able to help.

  Lexie felt extra guilty about what was going to happen next. “Where is it?”

  “In my room,” Lexie said. She could hear her mom’s footstep going up the

  stairs, and the creak of her hinges as Mrs. Willis went into her room.

  “Is it in the closet?” Mrs. Willis asked.

  “Um. No,” Lexie said. “It’s... under the bed.”

  There was a pause. Lexie heard rummaging noises, and then another pause.

  Finally her mother said. “Lexie, it still has the tags on.”

  Lexie could picture her mother standing in her bedroom, holding the red

  bikini with a crestfallen look on her face.

  “I know, Mom,” Lexie said. “I’m sorry.”

  “You haven’t worn it?”

  “I’ve been wearing the black one,” Lexie said, “but I really want to wear

  that one today.”

  “Oh, Lexie,” her mom said. “You don’t have to we
ar it if you don’t like it.”

  “I do!” Lexie said. “I mean, I need it. As soon as possible. Please, Mom?”

  “I’ll be right there,” her mom said.

  Lexie hung up the phone with a sigh of relief. She dreaded the thought of

  wearing the bikini, but it couldn’t be as embarrassing as the mustard-yellow

  ruffles.

  Out by the pool, Bree was lounging on the bleachers next to Riley, She

  raised her eyebrows at Lexie and made ruffling motions with her hands next to

  her shoulders.

  Lexie scooted up to Cynthia, who was watching the volleyball with the

  intensity of a bird of prey.

  “I forgot my bathing suit,” Lexie said. “My mom’s bringing it. Can I go meet

  her?”

  Cynthia barked, “Yes! Hurry, but don’t run! And don’t do it again!” without

  taking her eyes off the game.

  Lexie ran down the path to the parking lot, ignoring Cynthia’s instructions.

  She had been standing there for only a minute when her mother pulled in. Lexie

  nearly threw herself through the driver’s-side window, she was so pleased to see

  her.

  “Thanks you, Mom!” she cried. “You saved me, you really did.”

  “Are you sure you want this?” Mrs. Willis said, holding the bikini out of

  arm’s reach. “We shouldn’t cut off the tags if you just want to return it.”

  “I do want it,” Lexie said, leaning in the window. “I do, I promise. Please,

  please, please.”

  “All right,” her mom said, cutting off the tags with a pair of scissors. “But,

  Lexie, you should always tell me if I get you something you don’t like.”

  “Impossible,” Lexie said, grabbing the bikini and kissing her mom on the

  cheek. “Thank you! Bye!” She ran back across the parking lot and all the way back

  to the swimming pool, although she remembered to slow down as she passed

  Cynthia.

  Had that been a surprised look on Bree’s face as she went by? Lexie hoped

  so. She couldn’t wait for Bree to realize that her evil plan had been foiled. Unless,

  of course, the bikini looked as terrible as Lexie was afraid it would.

  She jumped into a stall and undressed quickly, carefully putting her bead

  necklace in the zipper pocket of her bag. The top of the bikini was a halter top,

  but luckily not the kind you had to tie in the back. Lexie was always afraid those