Page 28 of Secret

“Girl, you have it bad, but it looks like he is just as bad off as you.” Allie laughs.

I roll onto my side to see her. “Maybe, maybe not.” I wink, and we giggle. I watch the boys throwing water at each other from the corner of my eye.

“Sebastian said something about Elliot and you today, do you know him?” I ask as I watch Blake push Sebastian into the water while Tristan laughs.

“What did he say?” she narrows her eyes, looking angry. I almost regret asking.

I'm curious, so I say,“Just that Elliot wouldn't want to come today because you’re here.”

“Makes sense, we have hated each other since first school, the little shit stole my pens all the time.” She seems lost in a bad thought.

I laugh. “You hate each over some pens? Or is there more?” I raise my eyebrows as Allie rolls her eyes at me.

“There is a lot more. He lived to hassle me throughout school and scared half the boys in the class by saying bad things about me. I had to date outside the school because of him.”

“That doesn't sound like Elliot, he's so, well, quiet. The most I’ve seen him talk is to Blake,” I say and lie back down on my stomach, still looking over at her. I’m a little surprised to see a shadow of pain cross her face before she seems to mentally shake it off.

“Trust me, he isn't quiet around me, and he drives me mad. So now we avoid each other as much as possible.” She clears her throat and looks away from me. I wonder what exactly happened between them.

“Isn't it hard? I mean, being friends with his girlfriend and now friends with me?” I worry a little, not wanting to lose this friendship any time soon.

“Well, not really. Lily doesn't ever talk about him, it's weird. I wouldn't think they were dating unless I'd seen it. She is always staying over at my house. The spare room might as well be hers. I don’t get it as she could stay with Elliot.”

She laughs and then continues, “As for you, my lucky BFF, I don't care who you’re related to. You’re awesome on your own. Who else will I talk to about my sex life, or lack of?” she says.

I giggle. “I'm glad; you remind me of my friend, Tilly. She decided I was her friend from the moment we met in high school on the first day. You would love her, too, and her three brothers.”

“She sounds cool, where does she live now? And yes, yes I would.” She winks.

“In France, but we email, and she says her family is moving back in a year. Her parents were like parents to me after my mum died, but they couldn’t adopt me. She hopes they will move near me.”

I scream as cold, wet hands pick me up and throw me over a shoulder I recognise as Blake’s. He runs, holding me, into the water while I struggle to get away.

“Don't you fucking dare put me in that water, Blake! Blake! No, no, no!” I half-shout and laugh. I can hear the dickhead laughing away at me.

I scream as the cold water hits me and climb down Blake, so I'm straddling his hips.

For a moment, we both just look at each other before he lets go and laughs. I swim back up near him and jump up, splashing him with water. Sebastian helps by getting him with the water from behind as we all laugh.

We spend the whole day swimming, eating, and laughing. And it’s perfect.

Chapter14

IZZY

Ismile at myself in the mirror, remembering the fun we had at the beach today; even if I couldn’t kiss the man I can’t stop thinking about because my family was there. I sigh as I change into black-leather leggings and a black, tube-top with a strapless bra built-in. I bounce down the stairs in a happy, contented mood for dinner, smiling at the feel of my long hair flowing around my shoulders. I find all the boys in the lounge whispering, which stops when I walk in.I raise my eyebrows at their strange behaviour, but, hey, I’m seriously not letting anything get to me today.

I look around at their faces, which are varied between worry and stress, before smiling. “I was going to cook meatballs, and I wondered if anyone wanted any?” It's one of the few things I know how to cook, and it’s easy.

“No, we are all going out and will be back late. Make sure you lock the doors,” Harley says in a bored tone before coming over and patting my shoulder.

“Where are you all going? Maybe I can come?”I ask as they walk out of the living room with me following them.

“No, not today, it's work,” Luke saysover his shoulder, sliding on a blue jacket.

“Seriously, you need to shut up,” Sebastian whispers harshly to Luke and hits him on the back of the head.

“All right, have a good night. I’ll cook and leave it in the fridge for you later,” I say in my fake bored tone, trying to match Harley’s. Everyone leaves but Elliot, who stares at me for a second before grabbing his keys and coat then leaving, too.

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