Page 26 of Enemies with Benefits

I roll my eyes and scoff. “What stuff?”

“You know. . . the kissing, touching. . . Have you kissed a boy yet?”

I hate how he puts me on the spot. I hate how close he is. So close, I can feel his blue eyes as he stares at me, waiting for an answer. I’m too embarrassed to say no, I haven’t, and too shy to lie and say I have. “Oh, boy. I’m gonna take that as a no. Then again, you’re only thirteen. A baby—”

“Would you just shut up?”

“Whoa, feisty. Maybe these scenesdoit for you.”

I squirm around in my hole to face him. “You really want to do this right now?”

His eyes light up, and the stupidest grin forms across his face. “Do what, duckling? I wasn’t offering to be your first kiss—”

“Oh my god, gross! Ben, put it away!” I shout, grabbing everyone’s attention.

Ben glares at me, his eyes asking, “What the hell are you doing?”

“What’s going on back there?” Levi asks.

“Ben totally has a boner watching the old woman on the screen! So gross!”

“What? I don—”

“Whoa, Wallace, you into milfs?” Chase asks.

“I don’t like the—”

“It totally makes sense now!” I taunt further. “I saw you looking at Mrs. Matthews, but, man, I didn’t—”

“I don’t like fucking milfs!”

“Dude, you have the hots for my mom? That’s messed up.” Kip groans.

“You’re gonna get it.”

“Milf lover—”

He cuts me off, and I squeal as he tips us sideways into the water. I barely have time to suck in a breath before I go under. Darn it, my hair! It took me so long to blow dry and straighten it for school photos tomorrow.

When I pop back up, Ben is in my face. “You’re gonna regret that.” Turning, he swims to the ledge and takes off into the house.

* * *

“And then the little rabbit jumped for joy when he spotted the basket full of—”

The fire alarm blares, and the children jump. “Okay, everyone. Just like we practiced. This is only a drill, but it’s important to pay attention. Sarah, what is your role?”

“To be first in line—like the conductor.”

“That’s correct.” I smile. “And, Billy?”

“To be in back—like the caboose.”

“Perfect. And everyone in between?”

“The train cars!”

“Okay. Single file. Stay close together. We don’t want to lose a train car.” I take a deep breath and head out our designated exit.

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