Page 108 of Save Me
“There’s nothing wrong with my dick!” Cody yells, his cheeks turning red at the unwanted attention, as gazes inadvertently drift downward over his shorts.
There isn’t, I can attest to that, and I told him regularly, when he fished for validation. I also caught him holding a tape measure to it once, so I know it’s a sensitive subject for him.
“Of course not.” Bailey adjusts her tone to sound like a mother placating an upset toddler. “It’s just as good as all the other dicks.”
The tiki cruise sorority sisters must have clued in to the bad blood between us by now because they suddenly break out in a chorus of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” a few at first until the others join in. Their voices carry over the sandbar, attracting spectators.
“Fuck you all.” Cody steers his boat away from us.
“Where are you going?” Bailey hollers after him, a devilish gleam in her eye. “Thanks for the ice cream!”
He revs his engine in response and cuts out, heading back toward shore.
My hands are pressed against my mouth. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“You kidding? I’ve spent a lot of time around men. I know his type, and he deserved it.”
“He did.” Normally I wouldnevercondone mocking a guy like that, but it’s Cody. There is no level low enough to sink to with him.
More loudly, she calls out, “We ladies stick together against cheating ball sacs, am I right?”
The sorority girls let out a cheer before returning to their conversations.
I throw an arm around Bailey’s shoulder. “How would you like a promotion?”
“Hey! What the hell! All I had to do was make fun of Cody’s dick?” Jeremy exclaims, feigning offense.
“You’re both getting a promotion. You’re now officially tiki boat admirals.” I mock salute.
“Finally!” Jeremy holds his hand up for a high five, which Bailey meets with a slap. “What’s our bonus?”
“Free scones?”
“Yes!” he hollers in triumph, earning my laugh.
But his amusement fades in the next beat as he spots something behind us. “Hey, did you bookTiki Threefor today?”
“What?No. What are you talking about?” I spin around to see what he’s talking about.
That’s definitelyTiki Threeapproaching us. The Sea Witch logo is front and center. Frank’s behind the wheel. What’s he doing? Why is he coming all the way out here? He could have just texted me.
And is that …
My pulse speeds up, as it does every time I spot Ronan. I didn’t think I’d see him again until tonight.
But why is Frank bringing Ronan here?
Unless … there’s only one reason I can think of that they wouldn’t text me, and that’s to deliver bad news.
“What’s that about?” Jeremy’s worried frown says he’s thinking the same thing.
I edge toward the other side, watching them approach, my heartbeat now a slow, repetitive thump in my ear.
They’re twenty feet away when Ronan leaves his seat and comes around to stand on the edge, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.
“Grab the line!” Frank calls out.
Jeremy makes to move for it, but Bailey’s faster, swinging around to the far end to catch the rope Ronan tosses her.
