Page 68 of Bumping into You

The world seems to slow down, giving a leisurely feel to the day. Gwen cracks open a book, the rustling of pages mingling with the gentle hum of the ocean and creating a harmonious duet of tranquility. It’s not long before the melody of sounds lulls me to sleep.

A frisbee to the stomach wakes me. “Hey, man, you wanna play?” calls Greg.

Sitting up, I sling the frisbee back to him. “I’m in.” I jog over to him and the others as they spread out to allow more room for me to join in.

Trent launches the frisbee with a grin, calling out, “Alright, now that the whole gang is in, who’s ready for some serious frisbee action?”

Holly, running forward with arms outstretched, goads, “Bring it on, Trent. You’re looking at the reigning frisbee champion right here.”

Laughing, Margot catches the frisbee before Holly can grab it. “Oh please, I’ve seen you trip over your own feet, Holly,” Margot teases.

Sticking her tongue out at her sister, Holly says, “That was all Murphy’s Law, not my doing. Plus, I’ve been practicing my frisbee skills.”

Joining in on the fun, I say with a wink, “Watch out, I’ve got some frisbee magic up my sleeve.”

Margot tosses the frisbee and Gwen catches it, “Alright,” she says, “let’s see if you’ve all got what it takes. Ready, set, go!” She throws the frisbee.

Holly dives dramatically. “I’ve got it, I’ve got it!” Holly hits the ground followed by the frisbee.

Margot laughs. “Wow, Holly! That almost made it look like you knew what you were doing.”

“Hush, you,” says Holly. She stands before picking up the frisbee.

Trent teases, “Where were those secret frisbee techniques you’d been boasting about?”

Holly’s only response is sticking her tongue out at Trent and tossing the frisbee.

“Don’t mess with my bestie,” says Gwen playfully in Holly’s defense.

The frisbee, flying through the air, looks like it’s flying right to Trent, but Greg intercepts it with ease. “Nice try, Trent, but this one’s mine. Can’t have you teasing my bride-to-be and getting away with it.”

“Dude, not cool, that was so mine,” says Trent, jogging back to his place.

“My man’s got moves,” says Holly, going up on her tiptoes to kiss Greg on the cheek.

Right as I catch the next toss of the frisbee, Margot walks toward me and whispers out of the side of her mouth, “So, what’s happening with you and Gwen?”

The question catches me so off guard that I end up throwing it past Trent and Greg, causing them to run farther away from the group. Glancing around, I notice Holly eyeing me and Gwen sending me an “I’m sorry” glance.

Ah, so they know.

I turn to Margot. “It really depends on Gwen.”

Margot nods, Holly smiles, and Gwen’s cheeks turn a captivating shade of pink.

I’m grinning like a eejit by the time Trent and Greg are back with the frisbee. The girls know about us. I don’t know how much, but it seems like they might be sound with the idea of Gwen and me together. Now, hopefully the guys will think that too when they realize I have real feelings for Gwen.

“What was that long toss about, Sully?” asks Greg, as they finally get back to the group.

“Yeah, dude,” says Trent, feigning exhaustion, “I didn’t sign up for marathon running on the beach. That frisbee went far out.”

“What can I say?” I shrug. “At least it didn’t go into the ocean.”

“If that was the case,” says Greg, “I’d have made you swim out to get it.”

“Fair,” I say.

“Enough jabbering,” says Gwen. “Let’s get on with the game.”