Page 84 of Faking Forever 1
“True. Let’s kick ass.”
He turns around again, holding his arms up for me to sit on his shoulders. I always loved this game when I was a kid. It was harmless fun. I still love it but for the competitive aspect instead. I love to kick anyone’s ass in any game, but it’s more thrilling when you knowingly dislike someone and have an excuse to wreck their shit for fun. My intrusive thoughts are telling me to give them both what they deserve, but I promised I would be a good girl. Just this once. I will never agree to that bull crap ever again.
I don’t remember when, but I must’ve put myself through the wringer because I woke up to Josh giving me the bounciest piggyback ride known to man. We went back to our campsite and ate the leftover fish that Rich caught, which sat on the ice. Considering we were leaving in the morning, it was the last of our dinner, and it left us with less to carry. Josh boughtcorn cobs from a local market, and after a few of those, I was especially full.
The night had arrived in no time, and the fire was still going strong. We gathered around it on decently sized logs, close enough to warm our bodies. I planned on staying put until the fire’s verylastspark. It was just gorgeous to watch. Nick and Darcy had called it quits, running off to their tent, making 199
FAKING FOREVER
noises that sounded very opposite of sleeping. John had called it a night pretty early on, claiming that the food was putting him down for the count. That left only Josh, Rich, and I. Plus an awkward silence.
“Alright, kids. I’m hitting the sack. My eyes are barely staying open, and we’ve got a long morning ahead.” Rich grunts, standing up from his seat and tossing his hand towel over his shoulder.
Josh comes back out from our tent, his dad patting his shoulder in passing as he walks toward me. He drops to my level, securing each of his hands on my lap. There was an innocence in his eyes—an openness that showed through his brightened, brown orbs.
“Let’s go,” he whispers.
“Go where?” my eyes can’t seem to pick between looking at his hands or face.
“Away from here. I wanna go back to the waterfall—you and me.” he leans closer to me.
His eyes start to beg me with his glare.
“Josh, it’s like eleven at night.”
“And? They’ll never know we left. We’ll take a few lamps.”
What is this man’s obsession with sneaking off?
“Okay, but just for a little bit. It’s all dark and scary.” I hop up from the log.
Like a puppy dog, he jumps up with excitement.
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when you can’t sleep at night
JOSHUA
All day, I had been distracted by her stupid strawberry swimsuit. Before that, it was the baby pink bra and panties that had me in a chokehold, stacked with the idea of what lies beneath each piece of fabric. I know the tension isn’t one-sided between the two of us—it just can’t be. If she’s exchanging the same looks as I am, then internally, the feelings must be the same. So, me bringing her out here during the thick hours of the night shouldn’t be for no reason at all.
I think.
“I think I have to say you were right. Nick is weird, but Darcy is weirder.” I say, tearing a hole in the eerie silence.
“I told you. He’s a dingbat. And she’s a peeping-Tom.” she says matter-of-factually, pushing bushes out of her way.
“A peep—a what?”
Since when did she roll like that?
“She was stalking me while I was changing earlier. I’m 201
FAKING FOREVER
pretty sure she has a photographic memory of my boobs now.”
