Chapters (39)
- Cover
- Dedication
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- What’s next onyour reading list?
I’m lying on a pizza slice raft, taking a nap, when an excited shriek wakes me, a cold splash to my left. When I turn, I see Andrew and Danielle struggling to fit in the same inner tube. Her hair is in a wet knot on the top of her head, red bikini struggling to stay tied as she lunges onto his shoulders, trying to dunk him under. I can’t seem to look away. They’re both so beautiful, like they’re in some bubblegum ChapStick ad in Teen Vogue, and the sight makes me a little sick. I wish they didn’t look so much like they belonged together.
Andrew notices me looking and waves, shaking the water out of his hair like a dog. I wave back and his smile falters for a second and I know he’s feeling the same way I am. We shouldn’t be waving to each other across the lake, not today.
“Hey, Collins,” Danielle says, shouting a little bit so I can hear her. “Do you think James Dean would buy us some booze? For tonight?”
I don’t really want to get Dean involved, not when there are so many other available options; Andrew’s cousin, for one, or whoever supplied the thirty rack of beer currently chilling in the cooler on the beach. But I know, for Danielle, it’s some sort of test. She wants to see if I can; if I’ll have the guts.
“I’ll give you money,” she calls across the water. “We need your help, Collins!” She loops a slippery arm around Andrew’s neck, pulling him close. We. Like they’re a unit.
“Yeah,” I call back to them. “No problem.”
• • • • • •
DANIELLE
Sooo did you ask James Dean for alcohol yet?
ME
Not yet
DANIELLE
Get some beer for the dudes. My parents have a margarita machine, so have him pick up some tequila and chasers too
ME
I don’t know, that’s a lot to buy with a fake ID
DANIELLE
Just ask, Collins. If we don’t have booze at the party it’s on you
• • • • • •
ME
Hey
DEAN
What’s up
ME
Can I ask you something?
DEAN
. . .
DEAN
What
ME
Danielle is having a party tonight and she needs alcohol
DEAN
That’s not a question
ME
Do you think you could maybe get some for us?
ME
No pressure
ME
I’ll pay you back
DEAN
How?
ME
. . .
DEAN
I’ll see what I can do
• • • • • •