“I don’t know.” Deena rubbed her eyes. “But if it was with her, we’re done. This is war. She can’t waltz in here and win him back just like that.”

I raised an eyebrow. He didn’t stay with her last night?

Beyond the girls, Adam dove into the water and swam toward a pontoon floating over the sandbar past the dock, his back muscles flexing with each stroke. He deserved to know my feelings were real and I never meant to hurt him. I couldn’t bear leaving with him believing the lies; I needed to talk to him.

Having nothing to lose, I tossed the journal on the rumpled bed someone else would make and put on my bathing suit. Winding my hair into a knot at the top of my head, I didn’t bother with a cover-up or a hat to shade my face, my mother’s voice ringing in my head that I was risking my youth. Purposely forgetting sunscreen was like giving my mom the finger. Hurrying to the beach, I marched straight past the girls and into the lake, splashing cold water up to my knees. Ignoring Deena’s snide “good morning to you, too,” I plunged forward, careful not to let my chin dip, paddling toward him.

I was out of breath when I reached the pontoon.

He lay on his back, staring at the sky, the sun soaking his golden skin.

“I didn’t post it. I know what you were talking about now.” I panted, struggling to heave myself onto the pontoon.

Sitting up, he hoisted me next to him. We sat facing the shore, knees nearly touching, our feet dangling in the water.

I couldn’t read his expression, but I kept talking before I lost my nerve. “My parents had a robot running my feed. I never said those things. Please believe I liked you—liked you more than I’ve ever liked anybody—I never would have hurt you like that.”

Looking at me sideways, he sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know what to believe, Ella. This whole thing is messed up. I’m starting to think I should stay away from all of you. Maybe I’m better off alone or starting over.”

“You’re probably right. You’re better off alone than with Deena. That much is true.” Sadness rippled through me at the thought of them together, and even at the risk of sounding like a jealous girlfriend—which I had no right to be—I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “How could you?”