Page 48 of Unraveled

I’d just finished saying hi to the guys on my way to take over for Annie when a group of girls approached, officially distracting all of my friends with their bikinis and spaghetti straps.

“Water break!” Kyle yelled and jogged over to a couple of blondes.

Taking that as my cue to head off to work, I heard Jet call out, “Hey, Tucker! Wait up!” I turned, and he tossed me his black duffel bag.

“Can you give that to Annie for me? I told her I’d bring it over to her, but the game ran long, and I’ve got to go to work.”

“Sure, but you don’t want to just give it to her yourself? I’m about to take over for her.”

“No, I don’t want to be late.”

He took off for his car, and I frowned, wondering if I should read more into that as I headed over to the girls. “Hey, Annie. Here’s your bag.” I tossed it up to her for a perfect catch, and she quickly dug through it, yanking the zipper shut before hanging it off the back of the chair.

“Here.” She tossed a tube of sunscreen to Emma. “I thought Jet was gonna bring it to me when he was done with the game?”

I shrugged. “Said it ran long and he was gonna be late for work.”

Annie’s face fell. “Oh. I was hoping to talk to him.”

I frowned again, knowing for sure something was up with them this time. “Y’all okay?”

“Yeah. We will be, at least.” But I could see the doubt in her eyes.

“Y’all will. Why don’t you head over to the shop? You know Stef will let you talk to him if they’re not busy.”

Annie pressed her lips together, considering. “Maybe. Yeah. Thanks, Tucker.”

She hurried down from the chair, and I climbed up, my eyes going to Emma as she spread the sunscreen down her legs.

“Oh, thank God,” she murmured. “I was beginning to feel like Izzy. Y’all better not be planning to get married on the beach, Tucker. InJuly. Izzy will burn so bad you’ll have to kiss your honeymoon goodbye.”

That wasdefinitelysomething to consider. I pulled my arm back in a stretch above my head and ran my hand through my hair. “We hadn’t really discussed it yet. We’re just trying to get through graduation and her audition first, andthenwe’ll start on the wedding.”

Emma nodded and settled further into her chair, scrunching her nose as she looked out towards where the sun hit the water. “That makes sense. How’s she feeling about her audition?”

“Stressed but good. She’s just worried since she regressed after the accident, but she’s been working her ass off ever since she got cleared by the doctor. Leo’s been trying to reassure her that she’s ready, but I know she doubts herself.”

“She’s gotta be a shoo-in. You know how good she is.”

I nodded. “It’s like a sports scholarship, though. You might be great, but it’s not going to guarantee you a spot. Can I use that?” I gestured to the sunscreen by her side, realizing I forgot to put mine on.

“Have at it.” She handed me the tube, and I quickly rubbed in a coat, tossing it into the open bag Annie had left behind as we shifted our focus back on the crowd.

“Hey, Tucker…” Emma hedged a while later.

“Huh?” I kept my eyes on the water. It was choppy today from all the rain this past week, and I didn’t want to miss anything.

“Ummm… I hate to ask. I know you hate it when I do this…” She fidgeted in her seat, and I immediately knew.

“You need to go to the bathroom. Right?”

“Please?”

“I swear, Emma. I think you must have the smallest bladder of anyone over the age of five. Don’t you go before you get here?”

“Yes! But you know we have to drink water out in this heat. I can’t help it.Please, say you’ll cover things for a few minutes.” She squirmed in her seat again, and I shook my head.

“Fine. Go, but you better hurry back. Shit always goes down when you’re gone.”

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