Page 30 of Hot Girl Summer

Justshyoftwenty-fourhours later, I bask in the buzzing, pre-show atmosphere of Quiet Waters where Monty James is due to headline.

“Ryan’s not coming,” James says, raising his voice over the music coming through the PA system.

“Why?” I ask.

“Training, or something.”

“That sounds like an excuse. Basketball season is over, right?”

James shrugs. “Whatever, I’m texting April,” he says.

“Don’t,” I say.

“You can’t let the ticket go to waste, and you can’t stop speaking to each other forever over a tiny misunderstanding.”

“Wrong. She’s been ignoring my messages all week. The ball is in her court.”

“You two need to sort out this high school drama,” Stefan says, cutting in.

“Fine, ask her. But I’m not apologising again for something that never happened. I don’t see why I’m the one being punished while Ryan gets off scot-free. I didn’tinvitehim into my bed.”

It’s true, I didn’t. But I still have this niggling feeling of guilt in my chest. I never meant to hurt April.

“Stop being such a baby,” James says, retrieving his phone. While the bartender sets down our drinks, he types out a quick message, then slips it back into his pocket. I take a long pull of my gin and tonic, savouring the cool botanicals coating my throat, and tap my card against the machine before we make our way through the bar into the main room.

Quiet Waters is an intimate beachfront venue housed inside a classic Victorian building. It’s home to heavy hitting indie acts and superstar DJs, as well as household names road-testing new material. Rows of pillars run alongside the right-hand wall, creating a perfect space to lean on, rest drinks or climb up to jump out onto the mattress of people below, if one were that way inclined—though my crowd surfing days are dead and gone. In terms of clarity of view, it’s lacking, but we manage to squeeze in next to the sound desk along the back left-hand-side. The other alternative is more spacious, but its location in an alcove by the bathroom is unappealing. Naturally, we veto that option.

It isn’t long before the first warm-up act, an Americana-style cover band, start their set. Early noughties throwbacks spark nostalgia, instantly lifting my defiant mood, and I catch myself glancing around the room while I vibe with the music.

“Who are you looking for?” Stefan shouts.

“No one.”

“Look, there’s Danny,” he says, pointing behind me.

In an instant I’m following Stefan’s finger, and falling into his trap. Danny isn’t there. Man, how desperate do I look right now?

“Dickhead.”

“I knew it,” he says. “You like him.”

“Do not.”

I hate when Stefan’s right, which seems to be more often than I am. If I refuse to admit my feelings for Danny to myself, I sure as hell won’t admit them to Stefan.

When the first band approaches the end of their set, I sneak a second look around, and realise James has slipped away from us. A few moments later he returns in an arm link with a sombre-looking April.

“Can we talk?” April asks, cocking her head towards the side door.

I down the rest of my drink, and set the empty glass beside a pillar. Outside, the sun is low, and the breeze coming from the ocean switches the air from scorching and uncomfortable to balmy and bearable.

Across the road, people play volleyball to a stunning backdrop of deep red clouds and a violet sky. I lead the way through puffs of vanilla-scented vapour and cigarette smoke, towards a quiet corner. My defensive stance takes hold as I fold my arms across my chest. I need to be ready for anything April throws my way.

“I’m so sorry, Phi.”

Well, this is unexpected, and surprisingly easy. I breathe a sigh of relief, dropping my shoulders and loosening the grip around myself.

“I’m sorry, too. I don’t know why I didn’t say anything to begin with. I feel terrible. Yes, Ryan stayed over, but I swear nothing happened. I came back from seeing Alex, and he was asleep on our couch. He woke up, and told me that Chrissy broke up with him, and he told me about you two. He was really upset.” I take a breath. “And he asked if he could stay in my bed because he’s a fucking giant. That’s all.”

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