Page 24 of Faking Forever 1
As if it couldn’t get worse, a bouncy-haired Darcy links to Nick’s arm, as if she had appeared into thin air.
“Hey, babe. The guys are playing volleyball. Wanna—” she cocks her head in my direction, double-taking, “Ew. Why are you talking toher?” her eyebrows shift into complete disgust.
They both begin to bicker in a chipmunk-like manner, making me grip Josh’s arm even tighter.
“I have to get out of here,” I say, trying to stay calm as I drop his arm.
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BRING ME FLOWERS
I wasn’t joking. I was going to scream if I stayed present any longer. Directly after letting go of Josh, I took off running, booking it back to his Jeep before I could make the scene bigger than I already had. I could feel my face growing a burning sensation, followed by the hindrance to saying any words.
Oddly, it’s similar to when the Valley Girls would make me the bunt of all the jokes back in high school.
I wasn’t embarrassed as much as I felt like punching him and her in the throat for doing what they did. As if I thought the torture was over. There’s no way in hell I’m spending the next three months watching the two of them flaunt in my face. Not two years ago, not now, not even in a million years.
I wasn’t going to start today.
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4
melting
JOSHUA
“Paisley.” I raise my voice, dragging my shoes through the sand, “Paisley!” I try a louder octave.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her move as fast. Finally, she stops in her tracts, having reached my Jeep. She covers her face.
“Take me home.” her voice sounds muffled behind her hands.
Catching my breath, I stand in front of her, beginning to pry at her tightly frozen fingers.
“No. Forget about it, Pea. I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. We just got here. You’re gonna let them ruin it this early?”
“Yes. Yes, I am—look at me, Josh…” Her hands fall to her sides.
The tips of her hair were tinted pink now, and so were her white tube top and shorts. My solution wasn’t my favorite, considering it meant exposing herself, but it wouldn’t make 58
MELTING
her stand out like a sore thumb so much, either.
“Okay, take it off. The shirt and the shorts. You have a swimsuit on underneath. Problem solved.” I raise my beer, taking a sip.
“The shirt and the shorts? Nobody is in their swimsuit, Josh.” she looks down at her body.
“Do you want to make it better or not?” I asked, setting my beer on the rim of the Jeep’s trunk.
“Okay, you’re right,” she sighs, removing her shirt first.
Turning my head in different ways, I make sure no one is paying close attention, searching for a flash. As each article of clothing comes off, I toss it in the back seat.
“What about now?” she asks, tucking some hair behind her ears.
Taking another look at her, my eyes can’t help but linger along her breast line.
