Page 49 of Crossroads
I watch them walk off, jealousy burning my insides at how perfect they look together. “You okay?” I jolt when I hear Millie’s voice and turn to look at her watching me very carefully.
“Fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You look a little homicidal right now,” she says, her eyes full of questions that I can’t and won’t answer.
“I’m fine. Just bored. This is lame,” I say, and I know I’m not convincing. “I think I’m going to take off.”
“You rode here with us.”
I wave her off as I start to walk away, unable to watch Jasper and Lucy, with him twirling her around on the street dance floor, laughing away. What if he kisses her? Or she kisses him? Would he kiss her back? “I’ll find a ride,” I barely say as I quickly stumble away, winding through the crowd.
I don’t wait for her to say anything back. I just need to get away from here.
He wants his girl back. Fine. It’s none of my business. I’m nothing to him anyway. Clearly.
I find a group of guys around my age who have a bottle of tequila, passing it around like it’s no big deal and like therearen’t tons of cops at this event. They don’t seem worried about getting busted, and at the moment, I really couldn’t give a fuck.
I take several swigs with them before stumbling off down the street, feeling the liquor, but really just a slight buzz. It’s mostly rage and jealousy pushing me on as I wander the darker streets of Kensley.
I walk further and further away from the street dance when I see a tall, white water tower with the wordKensleyspelled out in big black letters.
Huh. Been a while since I’ve climbed a water tower.
I don’t think about it either, just hop up the ladder, taking my time. But before I know it, I’m already about halfway up, the gentle breeze of summer air feeling good on my overheated face.
But then I nearly slip when I hear Jasper’s booming voice coming from the ground. “What the fuck are you doing?”
I laugh, swinging out and holding on with one hand. “Jasper! So nice of you to join me.”
“What the fuck are you doing?” he repeats, and I see he’s standing there with Millie, both of their arms crossed and worried scowls on their mouths. They should know I’m unbreakable by now.
I reach for the rung with my hand and pull myself up another step. “I’m climbing the water tower. You guys should come up. Wait till you see the view.” I look down at Jasper. “Hey, maybe you can see your favorite cow from here.”
I chuckle to myself and then face the tower again, going up another step.
“Stop climbing. Get your ass back down here before you break your neck.”
I laugh bitterly. “As if you fucking care about that, Jassssper.” Okay maybe I had a little bit too much to drink after all because I kind of sing his name.
He walks closer to the tower, standing at the very bottom. “What the hell does that mean?”
“It means you and Lucy looked awfully cozy out there. The perfect couple.” I look down at him. “So pretty. I bet the townsfolk are buzzing with the news of you two being back together. Will it be a fall wedding?” I ask with mock excitement and then look back up at the ladder.
Whoa. I’m really high up here already, but I’m determined to make it.
“This is about Lucy? Seriously?” He sounds annoyed. Good. So am I.
“Nope. I’m happy for you. I’m celebrating!” I say and let go of one rung to swing my arm out again to show him just how happy I am—but nearly fall and grab on for dear life, my legs shaking.
“Holy fuck,” I hear Jasper gasp.
“Get down, Emerson. Don’t make me call my mother,” Millie says, and I don’t like that she sounds genuinely scared.
“I’m fine,” I say again, still clinging to the ladder.
“You’re not fine,” Jasper snaps. “Get down.”
“Make me,” I taunt and climb up again.
