Page 68 of If the Summer Lasted Forever
Jarrett looks at the ground, and Tanner refuses to answer.
Paige, bravest girl I know, crosses her arms, defiantly raises her chin, and stares at Tanner. “He’s been spreading rumors about me—crude, hurtful rumors.Lies.” She looks like she’s about to slap Tanner...or maybe kick him while he’s down, but she controls herself and turns to the bleeding boy who defended her. “So Jarrett punched him.”
Paige’s poor dad looks taken aback—and for good reason. Quickly masking his shock, he stares down the two boys. “Are you done?”
They nod, though Tanner still looks livid. Jarrett seems uncomfortable but determined—like he doesn’t regret what he did and would do it again if he had to.
“Let them go,” Officer Hilden says to the men holding the boys. Then, to Tanner and Jarrett, he adds, “You two go at it again, and I’m taking you in. Understand?”
They both give him curt nods.
“You okay?” he asks, turning to Paige.
Her lower lip trembles, probably from fury as much as humiliation, but she nods.
Before he goes, Paige’s dad turns back to Tanner and points at him, his face deadly serious. “Andyouwill stay away from my daughter.”
Embarrassed and angry, Tanner shoves his way through the crowd. Thomas shoots me one more look, and then he follows with Gia on his heels.
Officer Hilden watches them, and then he awkwardly pats Paige on the shoulder, past uncomfortable, and heads back to his spot on the grass.
“I’m going to get such a talking to tonight,” Paige mutters. She turns to our crowd, waving them away like she’s shooing sheep. “Show’s over. Go on now.”
Most everyone goes back to minding their own business, but they’re probably still listening. It doesn’t matter. Gossip is going to spread no matter what.
“You’re bleeding,” Paige says to Jarrett, frowning at his eye.
Jarrett shrugs.
“Come on.” She takes his hand. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
And I try really hard not to whoop for joy. She flashes me a knowing smile over her shoulder as she heads for the parking lot, reading my mind yet again. “I’ll call you later, ‘kay?”
I clasp my hands to my chest, elated that something good came out of this catastrophe. “Okay.”
Paige rolls her eyes at my enthusiasm, but she’s smiling despite everything, and I am over the moon happy for her.
I head back to our spot on the grass and sit next to Landon, who’s already returned. He looks at my empty hands and gives me a crooked grin. “Did you forget something?”
Instead of answering, I press a firm and fast kiss to his lips.
“What was that for?” he asks. He’s kept his promise, and we haven’t kissed since the roof.
“Thank you for being one of the good ones.” I set my head on his shoulder.
Landon chuckles under his breath, a bit baffled, and says after a moment, “You know, I’m still kind of thirsty.”
Growling but not meaning it, I yank him up. “Come on then. You can stand in line with me this time. Just try not to punch anyone.”
Without missing a beat, still unaware of what happened, he loops his arm around my shoulder and says, “I’ll do my best, but I can’t make any promises.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Even though it’sa four-hour drive to Glenwood Springs, it goes by surprisingly quickly. I’m fine when we first leave Gray Jay, but by the time we’re taking the exit for the small mountain city, I’m less so.
“Nervous?” Landon asks, glancing over with a grin. We took my Jeep, but I was happy to let him drive.
“No.” I shake my head to emphasize my point.
