Page 69 of Bad Behavior

“You can’t tell anyone about—” I begin, then censor myself. “Emma and I were just talking.”

Forest crosses his arms. “Bullshit.”

“I’m serious!” I lie. I never lie to my brothers, as a rule, but just now I don’t even feel bad about it. “And what about you and Maia? I saw you, with your hands on her hips.”

Forest looks a little embarrassed. “Nothing happened.”

We stare each other down for a few seconds, then Forest shakes his head.

“Whatever, man. I just need to know that you’re not going tell anybody. Especially Gunnar.”

I squint at him. “I won’t talk if you won’t.”

He extends hand to me, and we shake.

“Deal,” he says. “Now can we please get back to the beach and never talk about this again?”

“Lead the way.” I follow Forest down the path, back toward the beach, lost in thought.

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