Page 32 of Hers to Kiss
Chapter 11
Keke glanced around the cafeteria. Still no Pete. Lea had entered a while ago, looking fresh from her shower after jumping into the lake.
Keke was convinced Lea’s “fall” had been intentional. The girl was counting on Pete to dive in and “save” her, despite the life jacket she was wearing. How could a wannabe marine biologist not know how to swim? You’d think if she really wanted to study marine animals, she’d have to get into the water at some point. Or maybe not. Maybe she wanted to study amoebas or something that didn’t require being in the water.
Either way, Pete had obliged and jumped in. He’d effortlessly lifted Lea back into the boat. Keke chuckled, remembering how Lea had been dumped into the boat headfirst. Even the kids in the boat had laughed.
But no one could argue with the result of her action. Lea had clung to Pete for the rest of the boat ride, and Pete looked like he was king of the world.
Keke frowned, and then and tore her eyes away from a girl who wasn’t a rival. Sure, Lea was younger and sillier—if guys liked that sort of thing—but Keke was experienced. In a man-catching contest, she didn’t doubt she’d win.
Except, Lea was winning. She had Pete.
Pete’s off limits, Keke told herself…again…for the fifth time since she had first noticed that he wasn’t in the cafeteria—about ten minutes ago. He was too young, and she wasn’t really interested in the brainiac type. He was too serious, and she was a free spirit. A creative while he was all cerebral.
It would never work.
Bertie laughed loudly, followed by the group of kids around her.
And then there was Bertie. Back in middle school, they had created the Best Friend’s Code for a reason: so they wouldn’t have to fight and lose each other’s friendship. And the code had worked all these years later. In its simplicity, from two naive and immature girls, it demanded they both possess a certain amount of integrity.
No way Keke would break it. It wasn’t worth losing Bertie’s friendship. A friend for life for a quick fling? Never.
Pete walked into the cafeteria—more like stormed in—keeping his head down. His face tight and his hands in fists. Keke and Bertie exchanged a look. Something had happened. Something not good if Pete wasn’t his normal, laid-back, “I’d rather be playing video games,” indifferent self.
The person who seemed totally unaware of this change in attitude was Lea. She waved at him and beckoned him to join her table. Pete lifted his head quickly. He sat down next to her after Lea shooed a kid to the side to make room.
Keke shook her head. What did Lea expect, exactly? Pete was probably going to Cornell. Where was Lea going? State school maybe?
Not that there’s anything wrong with state school. Only the girl couldn’t expect Pete to enter into a long-distance relationship with her. He would be off at school meeting other pretty girls and entertaining them. Lea was a blonde a dozen.
Meeting other pretty girls…
That didn’t sit well with Keke. She sucked in her already flat stomach until the discomfort dissipated. Soon, she would be surrounded by gorgeous actors and models. Why miss out on that?
One by one, the tables were called, and kids rushed into line to be served food. When Keke’s table was called, she took her place behind the counter. After washing her hands, she slipped on plastic gloves and a hairnet and took her position right when the first of her kids reached her.
They jumped excitedly at the dinner choices: pizza, hot wings, chips, and jello for dessert. Afterwards, they would all sit around the campfire again for another round of s’mores. It was going to be a sticky night.
Pete stood beside Keke, gloves and hairnet on. His group of kids right behind hers.
“What happened to you?” Keke asked after Pete stood silently waiting to serve.
“Nothing,” he said with a grunt.
“Pete, you’re never mad. At least, I’ve never seen you get mad.”
“First time for everything.”
Frustrated at his short tone, Keke put a hand on her hip, caught his arm, and swung him around. Well, swung his arm since she couldn’t exactly move him. His bicep was larger than she’d realized, and it made his entire arm seem heavy, even for a fit dancer like herself.
“Keke—”
“Pete, tell me,” Keke insisted. “I don’t like seeing you all…mad. I’d rather see you—”
“Crying? Embarrassed because you teased me one too many times?” His pointed gaze turned her mute. As she worked to get her jaw moving and figure out what to say, Pete whispered, “Sorry. I’m not mad at you.”
“Well, I was going to say I’d rather see you smile. You’ve been making progress with Lea, and you look…good. The two of you together, I mean.”
