Page 8 of When You Had Me Adapting

“And y’all stayed friends?”

“Oh God no. Poppy and I snuck out the next morning and honestly never thought we’d see them again, but then she ended up getting an externship at the school Logan works at. They fought their feelings for a while, but then ended up falling in love. Tanner and I decided to put our night behind us for the sake of the two of them.”

“How have you seriously never told me about this?” she asks over the rim of her cup.

“Well for starters most of Poppy and Logan’s relationship was a gigantic secret, but also you’re always too busy working,” I laugh. “This is the first time we’ve hung out in months.”

Her jaw slightly clenches and she exhales. “Ugh. I know, but student loans don’t pay themselves.” She tips her cup up. “Oh shit, I’m empty. Do you need a refill?”

“Sure.”

Gray stands to grab the pitcher of margaritas. “Jesus, some idiot is out here in a pedal boat alone and isn’t wearing a life jacket.” She points her finger and laughs.

I stand to see what she’s talking about. About fifty yards from our boat, a man in a pedal boat is headed right for us. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” My grip tightens around my cup.

“Right? Some people really must have a death wish. It’s insane out here today. He’s going to get himself killed.”

My heart starts to race.

“Oh, but he’s cute. Maybe we should rescue him and invite him on board,” she says, taking a sip from her cup.

I wish she was wrong, but she isn’t. The man in the tiny boat is shirtless and gorgeous. A sprinkle of dark hair covers his chest. The sun reflects off the sweat running down his toned abs.Tattoos cover his forearms. He looks fucking delicious and I hate that I think that. I hate that my body still reacts to him like it did at seventeen.Fucking traitor.At least my head and my heart know better.

I flip around, “Logan, I thought you said he wasn’t coming.” I jump up on the edge of the boat to get a better look and throw my hand in the pedal boat’s direction.

“Don’t look at me.” He puts both hands up defensively.

“Tanner?” I practically shout.

“Same here, Lace.”

“Wait, who’s that?” I hear Gray ask behind me.

“My ex and Tanner’s roommate.” My eyes stay glued to the tiny boat moving through the water. He’s close now and I can make out his perfect fucking face. I’m hit with the same emotions from a decade ago: anger, betrayal, embarrassment, and utter heartbreak. You’d think after ten years all those feelings would be gone, but instead they’re bubbling back up to the surface like they never left. Maybe they didn’t? Maybe I got really good at convincing myself they had.

“What?” she asks, obviously confused. “I thought you just told me you and Tanner slept together.” I glance in her direction and her eyes bounce between Jace, Tanner, and me. “Wait, is this why you didn’t want to come today?”

“It’s really the funniest story. Tell her Lacey,” Tanner shouts, pushing me completely over the edge.

I down my margarita in two large gulps. I wish I could escape. I wish I hadn’t come. I don’t want to have the conversation we need to have in front of everyone. Not today. Not now. I attempt to move back into the boat, but the surface is slick. I feel my feet slip out from underneath me. My arms flail out to the side. I try to find something to grab onto, but there’s nothing but the smooth side of the boat. A loud shriek escapesmy mouth as I fall. My body hits the water with a splash. Lake water burns my nose and fills my mouth.

I come up for air and see the ridiculous boat floating right towards me.

“You okay, pixie?” Jace reaches out his hand as I try to compose myself. I wipe the water from my face.

“Don’t call me that.” I swat his hand away and cough. His mouth droops into a small frown.

“Come on, let me help you.” He tries reaching out his arm again and offers me a small smile. “Please.”

“No, I’m fine.” I swim towards the large float where our friends all sit. Tanner pulls me up and I run my hands through my soaked hair, gathering it all to one side.

“What are you doing here, Jacks?” Logan asks the question we’re all thinking.

“Y’all are my friends too.” He gestures toward both of the guys. “We can all coexist, can’t we?” He looks at us with pleading eyes.

My eyes find Poppy’s and she shakes her head.

“Can someone please help me understand what’s happening?” Gray asks from the side of the boat.

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