Page 40 of Summer After Summer

“That’s even worse.”

“Okay, okay. What do you want to do?”

“We were supposed to learn how to surf.”

I don’t remember this being on the list, but now’s not the time to bring that up. “Let’s do it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, sure. Where should we go?” I stand behind Ash and check myself in the mirror. My hair is loose to my shoulders, which are bare in the dusty pink, strapless cotton dress I’m wearing. I’ve got a bulky sweatshirt out for the beach too, but for once I’m happy with the way I look.

“I think there’s a place we can learn in Montauk.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

“Tomorrow?” Ashley presses.

I’m about to agree when I remember. “I can’t tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m supposed to go to Fred’s house for dinner.”

“Reschedule.”

“I can’t, Ash. I’m meeting his aunt and uncle for the first time. It’s a big deal.” I put my arms around her neck. “Come on, I can go any other day. Just not tomorrow.”

“You promise?”

“I do.”

“Just us, right? No Fred.”

“No Fred.” He has to work anyway, and I assume we’ll be back by dinner time.

“And then you’ll sleep over?”

I meet Ash’s eyes in the mirror. She’s testing me. “Sure.”

“Great. I’ll set it up tomorrow morning.”

“Olivia!” Aunt Tracy calls. “Fred’s here.”

“Remember,” Ash says. “You promised.”

I smile at her and go greet Fred. He’s wearing broken-in chinos and a faded blue sweatshirt that I love, and he smells clean and fresh from his shower. I want to drag him to the backyard and hide inside the summer house forever. Instead, we walk hand in hand to the beach, Fred on one side and Ash on the other.

When we get there, there are about twenty kids gathered around a bonfire. One of them is playing DJ with his iPod and a large speaker like they did on my birthday. Inevitably, the shore police will break up the party later, but for now, it’s early enough that they’ll let us have some fun.

Fred gets us each a beer, and then I spend the next hour trying to pay him less attention and Ashley more. It’s hard, because instead of wandering off as she usually does, she’s glued to us. I’m not sure how Fred feels about it, I’ve never asked him if he likes Ash or not, but I can tell that Ash is still not satisfied. She’s being loud and pushy, the way she gets when she’s frustrated, and she keeps encouraging both of us to drink. I don’t want to, and Fred almost never does, so we walk around, each with a beer caught in our fist, feeling them go warm while Ashley downs one after another.

“Maybe slow down a little?” I say to Ash two hours later. She’s started slurring her words.

“I’m having fun! You two should have some fun too!”

“I am having fun; I’m just worried about you.”

Ash waves her arms around. “I know you’re just waiting for when you can go off to your kissing place.”

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