Page 67 of If the Summer Lasted Forever
There was a time when we were younger that we thought her dad and my mom might get together, but it never came to pass. Now he’s seeing a lady that works in the travel center. I’m not sure how Paige feels about it. My mom has never seemed interested in dating, so I have trouble picturing how awkward it would be.
“I’m going to grab something to drink, and then I’ll be back,” she promises.
I turn to Landon. “I’ll go too. You want something?”
Sensing I need a little time with Paige, he hands me a five and asks for a soda. “I’m going to talk to the musicians,” he adds. “See if they mind if I film a little of their performance.”
Paige and I walk toward the food carts parked along the grass. They’re all busy, so we pick the shortest line and wait.
“Brace yourself,” Paige says when Gia, Thomas, Jarrett, andTanneramble our way.
Tanner won’t even look at Paige—guilt is written all across his face. But as always, Jarrett can’t look at anyone else. There are questions in his eyes, concern. But I barely notice the sweet way he studies my friend becauseThomasis looking atme.
“Hey,” Thomas says when their group joins us at the back of the line.
Gia frowns, not liking the attention Thomas is showing me. She sidles next to him and tries to slide her arm through his, but he subtly steps to the side, avoiding her. Apparently, despite how hard she’s trying, they haven’t gotten back together.
Anger and hurt flash in her eyes, but she tries to mask it.
“We need to talk, Lace,” Thomas says, using the shortened version of my name like he did when we were together.
“We’re good, Thomas,” I say, and as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I realize I mean it. I’ve moved on, and I’m finally in a place where I can forgive him for how he hurt me. Even if he doesn’t deserve it.
“But I’m not good,” he says, stepping toward me, even farther away from Gia.
On instinct, Paige steps closer to my side, protecting me, showing him it’s two against one should he push too hard.
“I miss you,” he says, lowering his voice. People around us glance our way, curious.
Jarrett, uncomfortable, clears his throat.
“I just want to talk,” Thomas pleads.
Gia crosses her arms, glaring at me—like this is somehow my fault.
“I’m with Landon now,” I tell Thomas firmly. “What happened between us last summer is done. Finished. That’s all there is to it.”
Thomas starts to argue, but Jarrett steps forward. “Enough, Thomas. Leave her alone.”
“Why do you care?” Thomas says, shaking Jarrett off. “You don’t want her. You’re too enamored with her easy friend.”
Gia’s mouth drops open, and Paige sucks in a gasp. Tanner’s eyes go wide, and he looks around, almost as if he’s planning his escape. Slowly, like a viper, Paige turns to face Tanner. “What exactly have you been telling people?”
He holds up his hands, shaking his head, looking guilty, guilty, guilty.
And then the strangest thing happens. Calm, quiet, sweet Jarrett turns on Tanner. With narrowed eyes and a deadly calm tone, he demands, “Whathaveyou been telling people, Tanner?”
“Oh, come on,” Tanner says to Jarrett, desperate to defend himself. “It’s not like everyone doesn’t already think she’s a?—”
And before he can complete that horrific thought, Jarrett punches him.
Gasps break out around us as Tanner recovers from the initial shock and charges his cousin. The two boys end up on the ground. Paige and Gia scream at them to stop, but there’s no need. They’re already being pulled apart by several of the men who were standing nearby in the concession lines.
A crowd has gathered—gawkers eager to see what all the commotion is about. Blood runs from Tanner’s lip, and the skin is broken by the side of Jarrett’s eye. It’s going to be black in the morning.
“What is going on here?” Paige’s dad’s big voice booms as he cuts through the crowd. People part for the sheriff, murmuring to themselves.
“What happened?” he demands.
