Page 116 of Counter Bet

“I’m here,” Nina replies, giggling behind her hand, struggling to compose herself. “So, spelling bee? How’s it going?”

He sighs deeply as if he’s exasperated. “Yes, Nina. It’s going well. I’m confident that we will beat the competition tomorrow.”

Matt buries his face in my hair, shaking with silent laughter.

Nina beams with pride. “That’s great, babe. Go you!” she cheers enthusiastically, fist-pumping the air.

I bite my lip hard to hold in my own laughter.

“Err, okay…” he replies awkwardly. “I’m going to hang up now?” It comes out as a question.

Nina makes a series of kissy noises before disconnecting the call and looking over at us all expectantly. “See, I’ve landed myself a smart one. He can lick pussy like a pro, solve complicated mathematical problems and hold a debate about climate change.”

“Wow, what a catch,” Josh teases, then rolls on the sand to escape the large stick she chucks at him.

“You should talk to Ben and Dallas,” Matt whispers in my ear.

I look at Ben. His stormy eyes are on Matt. “You think so?” I fidget with a rip in Matt’s jeans. “Ben doesn’t exactly look happy to see me.”

Matt sighs, and his hot breath falls across my neck. “He loves you, princess. He’s just wary of getting dumped again. There’s no nice way to put it. You hurt him.”

Tears prick my eyes. I run my finger over the exposed skin through the rip in his jeans. Ben loves me, but it doesn’t mean that he’ll take me back.

“Okay,” I whisper, getting to my feet. “I’m going to talk to him.”

Dallas smiles up at me encouragingly as I walk over.

I do another lame finger wave. “Hi, Dallas.”

“Hey,” she breathes, patting the space next to her.

I debate if I should ask Ben to come to talk with me now or later since he seems less inclined to hear me out if his lack of eye contact is anything to go by. In the end, I sink down in the sand next to Dallas.

Yes, I’m a coward.

“I read your last message,” I say. There, straight to the point, like ripping off a band-aid.

She turns her body to face me fully and waits for me to speak.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, my heart galloping in my chest. “I hurt you because of my own stupid insecurities, and it wasn’t fair on you to go cold like that.” I pull at the hem of my dress.

She puts her hand on mine to stop me from fidgeting.

I lift my eyes.

“Yes, you hurt me, but you haven’t lost me.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “I can’t hold grudges like that anymore, not after I lost my family. Life is too short! Let’s promise to lean on each other when we get scared instead of running away. I want to be there for you. I’m here, even if it’s only through the phone.”

Her words are my undoing. I crush my lips to hers, swallowing her soft sound of surprise. She smells of bonfire and tastes of forgiveness and second chances. Her hands are in my hair, and mine clutch the lapels of her leather jacket. I don’t ever want to let her go.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper between kisses. “I’m so, so sorry!”

She palms my cheeks as she smiles against my lips and whispers, “It’s already forgotten. Just kiss me.”

I take her mouth greedily, swiping my tongue against hers, and moan when she pulls me closer. Her hands are back in my hair. I can lose myself in her forever, but my heart is only half-healed. There’s a certain blue-haired boy I need to make things right with.

I break away, breathing heavily, lips tingling.

Dallas leans back in, but I shake my head, eyeing the empty spot next to us.

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