Page 64 of Faking Forever 1
I thought you liked it?’ he looks back at them and then at me.
“Not when it sounds like it’s one mile from falling apart. I changed my mind.” my arms dangle as I deliver my words plainly.
“Thisisn’tabout the truck, is it?” he asks, looking guilty,
“What did your dad say?”
I blink a few times, swallowing my rock of emotion, “He won’t say anything. Silent treatment only. I’m the best daughter ever.” I quiet my last words, walking past him.
He takes a deep breath, following me down the sandy staircase. I see Sierra sitting with Beau on a giant blanket 148
HEY NICKY
and head in their direction. When we approach them, Sierra is on the phone, and Beau is talking to a group of guys. Josh sets the basket down, watching me toss my backpack. The minute it hits the sand, he grabs my hand, pulling me off to the side against my will. He turns me around, facing him, right against his chest. Not once does he loosen his grip on my hand.
Fixedly looking down at me, his fingers rub mine. I could probably wither into nothing, but I managed to keep myself calm. As for my heart rate, it has no discipline.
“Stopletting her get to you. Do that for me. You came here forme. Correct me if I’m wrong.” he states.
“Yeah…” my chin falls to my chest, but his fingers slip under to catch it, just in time.
“No, look at me—hey. Just forget about them. They don’t exist.”
In a perfect world, only we exist together. Forgetting them is pretty hard since they’re still here.
“I’m sorry. You’re right.” I mumble.
“You’re cute when you’re mad. But I don’t wanna see you mad all the time.” he chuckles, taking his hat back before planting a firm kiss on my forehead.
My body feels chilly when his lips leave my skin. His hand follows after the kiss, brushing my hair back. I hate him. Why is he fucking with me like this? Change the subject before you have a make-out with him right here in front of everybody, Paisley.
“Um—is there any beer?”
“I got those weird Seigrams coolers that you like. Ask Si. I think she has them in her cooler.”
Those suck. He knows I like the Budweiser, like him.
149
FAKING FOREVER
“Can I have yours? I wanna drink what you’re drinking.”
“So precious. You wanna be just like me.” he smiles, wiping his face.
It didn’t make him blush any less.
“So what?” I say, smiling.
I finally felt relieved.
“You can have whatever is in Beau’s cooler, okay?” his hand was still stuck to mine, so he pulled me in Beau’s direction, pointing in the cooler.
He grabs two Budweiser cans and hands me one.
“Aye, what the hell?” Beau turns his head, late with a reaction.
“Oh shut up, you aren’t missing anything, sober soldier.”
