Page 4 of Beachside Kisses With My Best Friend

“Eh, it’s just with Coach Jensen. He’s cool if I’m a few minutes late to history. Jimmy and I snuck over so we could walk our girls to their next class.” He nods toward another football player—the one who must have been meant to catch the ball Donny threw. The guy’s leaning up against a row of lockers, making out with a girl with long blonde curls.

“That’s so sweet.”

“I’m a sweet guy.”

“Oh, hey, I wanted you to meet a new friend. Donny, this is Jordan Carmichael. Jordan, this is my boyfriend, Donny Franklin. He’s one of the football team’s quarterbacks.”

Donny pastes on the fakest smile I’ve ever seen. “Sup. Good to meet ya. I’ll take care of my girl from here, though.”

Marilee opens her mouth to protest, but Donny leans down, tipping her chin up, and gives her a kiss. A really passionate kiss.

Marilee lifts on her tiptoes and responds.

I know I literally just met her, but the sight is a knife in my gut. Bitter disappointment, maybe? It’s really stupid is what it is, and I definitely should not be here watching like a freak show. Besides, I’ve got another classroom to find, and only five minutes to do so. Being late on the first day isn’t a good look.

My shoe squeaks on the linoleum as I turn to deliver the cookies to the desk in Mrs. Lincoln’s empty room. Then I duck back into the hallway and ignore the way Donny’s holding Marilee. Like he owns her. I head into Ms. White’s room and grab my backpack. After a second of contemplation, I grab Marilee’s too.

When I’m back in the hallway, I do the most awkward thing ever and clear my throat. Finally, when it’s obvious they’re not coming up for air, I tap her on the shoulder mid-kiss.

“Jordan?” She steps away from Donny, whose eyes flash murder at me. “Hey, sorry.” Her cheeks are flushed, her lips kind of swollen.

I hate it. Again, for no logical discernible reason.

“No worries. Just thought you might need this.” I hold her backpack out.

“Thank you.” She smiles and slips it on. “You have no idea how many times I’ve left this thing in a classroom.”

“No problem.”

Donny steps forward and wraps his big, beefy arm around Marilee’s shoulders. “That was nice of you, Johnny.” There’s a predatory gleam in his eyes.

“It’s Jordan.” But of course, he probably knows that. I’ve met plenty of guys like him, and I’m not letting him intimidate me. I turn my attention back to Marilee. “Let me know the plans for Friday night.”

“Plans?” Donny says, a challenge in his voice.

Marilee shrinks a bit, turning into Donny and patting his chest. “I invited him to hang with the gang to watch you kick butt at the game!”

“Iamgonna kick butt, especially if Kev’s arm isn’t back to normal and I get off the bench. I know I can bring it home for us.”

“Of course you can. You’re the best.”

Donny puffs out his chest. I can see what he sees in her, but what does she see in this dude?

“I kind of am, huh?” Then he studies her, maybe for the first time. Laughing, he swipes at a streak of flour on her forehead. “You’re such a mess, babe.”

I don’t know why I’m still standing here, but those words leaving his mouth… They make me honestly want to deck him.

I don’t have a right to deck him. And like I said, I just met this girl.

But the way her whole face crumples at the statement makes me want to protect her. To go to bat for her. To tell her, again, that she’snota mess. That she’s perfect.

Geez. When did I turn into such a sap?

“Oh. I know.” Marilee’s cheeks go red as she scrubs her palms across her face, wiping away the excess flour. “Sorry.” Then she rubs at a patch of white on his chest. “Oh, shoot. I got your jacket.”

“It’s fine. You can clean it for me later.”

Her mouth turns downward into a frown. He pulls her back in, kisses the side of her head. “Kidding, kidding.”

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