Page 24 of Before You
JJ
I DIDN’T KNOW what to expect when Marley called me, but I’m glad she did. I haven’t asked again what happened, and I’m not sure I want to know. I don’t trust what will come out of my mouth, and I’m not sure I’d be doing it for the right reasons.
Marley’s smile is wide as she throws her arms out and spins in the fountain. This is our fifth stop on our fountain jumping spree. It’s tradition here, and while it’s something usually only freshman and graduating seniors partake in, it’s worth it to see her face light up.
I splash her as a couple other people jump in, wanting momentary relief from the California heat.
“JJ! You’re getting my clothes wet,” she pretends to complain, frowning at her maroon shirt, speckled with wet spots from the fountains. Her denim shorts and sneakers were a lost cause after the first fountain.
“Sweetheart, your clothes were already wet. Me splashing you isn’t going to make a damn difference,” I say, shaking my head at Marley. I falter, realizing I just called her sweetheart, but Marley smiles, thankfully not commenting on my slip, before splashing me in return.
“Where are your manners? It’s not polite to splash others.”
“Oh, but you can splash me?”
“You splashed me first, making it fair game.”
I lean down, sending a large spray her way as she shrieks with joy.I think that might be my new favorite sound.
“I’m going to get you,” she says, trying—and failing—to sound threatening.
“I’d like to see you try.” I grin at her, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. I think I needed this as much as she did.
This is one of the larger fountains on campus, so the water goes up to my knees and she has a little room to back away from me. Marley must trip on something, because the next thing I know, she’s falling backward into the water, a small yelp escaping her mouth on her way down. The people on the other side of the fountain turn to see what the loud splash was, and Marley sits up, her wet hair covering her face.
“Shit, are you okay?” I ask, moving closer, looking to see what she tripped on, but it looks like it was only a pipe.
She moves the hair out of her face, creating a tangled mess, but I’m shocked when she starts laughing. “I fell,” she says, pointing out the obvious.
I choke back my laughter, offering her my hand. “You did, but are you okay?”
The smile forming on her face is radiant, pulling me further in. “I’m great, but now my clothes are drenched. Good thing you suggested I leave my phone in your car.”
I would have left mine too, but I couldn’t risk the anxiety of not knowing whether Bailey would call, so mine is sitting next to my keys and water on the ground next to the fountain. The ringer is on full volume, so I’m not worried about missing a call.
“Well, I didn’t think you were going to fall in the water, but I’m glad I suggested it,” I say, and Marley takes my hand, letting me pull her upright. I let go once she’s steady, despite how much I don’t want to.
“Is it okay if we hit the rest of the fountains another day? I feel really gross now, and I’d love to change into something else,” she says, adjusting her denim shorts before wringing out the ends of her hair. I look away, trying not to stare at the sight of Marley’s wet shirt clinging to her curves in a way that’ll haunt me in my dreams. I’d love to get Marley out of those clothes too, but the last thing I want to do is scare her off by popping a boner.
“Sure, I’ll drive us back,” I say, stepping out of the fountain, snagging my things.
We walk in silence toward the car, our shoes leaving wet footprints in our wake. I tried to tell Marley she should take her shoes off before the first fountain, but she hopped in with hers on before I could say anything, and it only made sense to follow Marley’s lead.
“Thanks for doing this with me. I had a lot of fun,” she says, and it feels selfish to be glad she called me. I’ve been trying to leave the ball in her court, because if it were up to me, I’d spend as much time with Marley as I can, but I’m trying to respect her relationship, even if Trent isn’t.
“I did too. I haven’t done this since my first week freshman year,” I say, spotting my Jeep parked on the side of the road where we left it.
“I bet football keeps you plenty busy,” she says, and I notice the smile on her face fading.
I gently nudge her with my elbow. “I mean, it does, but it’s all about finding a healthy balance. You make time for the things you want.”
She kicks a small pebble on the sidewalk, sending it skittering across the concrete. Her shoulders sink a little as she sighs. “My dad has always been really busy with his job, but he made a point to be home every night for dinner—even if my mom was cooking, and she’s a really horrible cook. She’s successfully burned water before, and if I hadn’t seen it withmy own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it happened. He’s never missed a birthday, or a school event, and if he can do it . . . then why can’t other people do the same?” she asks, and years of being my older sister’s best friend has trained me for this moment.
“Do you want me to think of an answer, or just listen?” I ask, opening the passenger door for her. I know what Marley’s implying, and I hate Trent for making her head spin like this.
Marley’s cheeks flush and she shakes her head. “Sorry, I’m just thinking out loud. Don’t mind me.”
“It’s okay. I like hearing what you have to say,” I say, shutting the door behind her, walking around to the other side.
