Page 81 of Stone Promises

She shakes her head at me. “You have no idea the effect you have on people, do you? Years from now, Alyssa will tell the story of how she got to hang out on the beach with Thad Stone and his movie-star friends. It will be one of the highlights of her life.”

Before I grab the football to throw with Hayden, I kneel over her. “I only want to be the highlight ofyourlife,” I say, leaning down to kiss her.

“Get a room!” Megan yells.

I laugh and throw the football at her. She catches it, throwing a perfect spiral back at me. She comes over to keep Mallory company while I toss the ball with Hayden. I’m standing close to the towel they’re on, so I hear their conversation.

“So, what’s it like to be Thad Stone’s girlfriend?” Megan asks Mal.

“I don’t know, what’s it like to be Thad Stone’s best friend?” Mal asks her back.

They both giggle and I smile.

“You look great, by the way,” Mal says. “I love your shimmering silver bikini. You amaze me, Megan.”

She doesn’t have to explain what she means. Not many eighteen-year-old girls with one leg would come to the beach. Her titanium prosthetic is more than obvious without pants to cover it. But Megan doesn’t seem to care. Not anymore.

“What, this old thing?” Megan jokes. “It’s the only one that matches my leg.”

Alyssa and the other girls join them and they proceed to talk about girl shit I have no desire to hear, so Hayden, Julian and I throw the ball in the surf.

I haven’t had much time to talk with Julian this week. “How are things going?” I ask him after we’ve worn ourselves out.

“Couldn’t be better,” he says.

“Ana’s a great girl,” Hayden adds.

Julian smiles, as he and Ana share a private look from a distance. “She is.”

“Just how serious are we talking here?” I ask.

He shrugs. “We don’t really talk about it. We’re having a good time. We see each other when we can, but it’s not like we’re making long-term plans or anything.”

“You don’t think she’s long-term material?” I ask, offended on Ana’s behalf.

“No. It’s not that,” he says. “I’m just not sure this is the lifestyle I want to live. I know it can be hard. I’m the one who has to deal with Mallory every time she comes back from seeing you, and every time you leave. It’s tough on her. And it’s not like it will get any better, man. Not unless you expect her to quit the job she loves. And hell if I’m going to quitmyjob and follow Ana around like a fucking puppy dog. She’s great. But I’m not sure it’s worth it.”

“I don’t expect Mal to quit her job, Julian. That is completely up to her. We’ll make it work either way. And it sure as hellisworth it if you love someone,” I say, glancing over at Mallory who is laughing and having a great time with the girls. “Maybe you’re just not there yet. Give it time. But if you still feel this way in a few months, don’t string her along, okay? Ana is way too nice a girl for that.”

He nods. “No way would I do that to her, Chad. I’ve hurt one too many girls in my life as it is.”

My stomach growls and the sun is starting to set. “Come on,” I challenge the guys. “Let’s go pick up our girls and race to the top of the stairs.”

“How can we race?” Julian asks. “They are too narrow to pass on.”

I look up at the long stairway leading up to my parents’ house. “Good point.”

“We can have Megan and Alyssa keep time,” Hayden says.

“Hell, yeah,” Julian says, running over to scoop up Ana.

I laugh. We were always super competitive as kids. It’s nice to know some things haven’t changed.

We spend a few minutes making rules as the girls all roll their eyes at us. Then we send Alyssa to the top to time us on her phone’s stopwatch. Megan will yell from the bottom to start.

After I watch Hayden struggle with Noreen, I decide to change my tactic. I throw Mallory over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold. She fake screams at me while snapping me with the waistband of my board shorts. Megan is laughing and taking pictures. “What are you laughing at?” I ask her. “I’m coming right back down foryou. All my girls get door-to-door service.”

As I make my way up the steps, Mallory says, “I don’t think I’ve ever loved you more.”

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