Page 91 of No Way Home
I heard Magnolia scoff with disgust all the way across the water.
Oh, good grief.
Blue chuckled in the background. “Man, I love it when we all get together.”
Theo leaned against the food table, arms crossed, his face carved into pure disappointment. He shook his head slowly. What did he want from me?
I caught Mom’s eye, sending a silent plea for help. Thankfully, she was already on her way.
“Hey, Nova,” Mom said softly, taking her by the triceps. “We’re ready for you to put your square in the quilt.” She guided her in the other direction. Nova hiccuped sobs as she walked away.
On the trampoline, Magnolia settled onto her side, hip protruding, her back to the beach. Liam faced her, smiling like he couldn’t have been happier to have her to himself.
I narrowed my gaze and peeled off my shirt.
“Bowen,” Fletch warned. “What are you doing?”
“Too little, too late, Fletch.” I jogged for the shoreline.
He sprinted to catch up, jumping in my way. Eyes wild, he grabbed my shoulders, pushing me back. His measly effortswere laughable. Sure, he might’ve won Regionals in wrestling back in eleventh grade, but the second he got his diploma, he never did another bench press or pull-up again. “She’s poison, remember? The cause of all your problems.”
He was just following protocol, spitting back the words I’d drilled into him two years ago in case he ever caught my will power weakening. But at that moment, I didn’t see a friend trying to talk me down. I saw an imbecile with a death wish.
“Move,” I seethed.
“Fletcher.” Charlie clapped at him. “Let him go.”
But my best friend since middle school was determined to be loyal to Past Bowen’s definitive instructions. Even if he had to die to do it. “Do I need to slap you?” he asked. Before I could respond, he did just that, once on each cheek.
My jaw rolled, cheeks stinging. “Youmoron.”
“You’re the moron—” Abilene inserted “—if you think there’s any way Maggie’s giving you the time of day.”
Fletch glared at her, teeth bared. “Back off, travel-sized Doctor Barbie.”
“Thank you.” Abilene curtsied. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Fletch scanned my face like he was seriously concerned. “Have you been bitten by zombies?”
“No.I’m finally seeing everything clearly. Now move. I’m going to getmygirl.” I pushed him to the side. Too hard, apparently. He stumbled backward and fell on his butt. “Sorry,” I called as I took off again, vision tunneled in on Magnolia.
“Remember what Team Bowen’s motto is?” Fletch screamed, the echo bouncing off the shores of Lake A. I flinched, certain he wouldn’t say it out loud. I turned back just in time to see him puff his chest and bellow at equal volume, “Magnolia Hollis: The Bermuda Triangle of hearts! She looks like paradise! But she’ll leave you a disaster!”
Theo released a noise that sounded like a chicken being strangled.
“Wow.” Abilene slow-clapped, rolling her eyes at me. “Genuinely impressive. I didn’t know the bar could go that low.”
“Oh, Bowen,” Charlie said, hands pressed to her cheeks.
“Dude.” Cash shook his head. “Not cool.”
I threw my hands up. “We made it up after the Spartan Race, okay? That was like…forever ago.”
Unfortunately, Magnolia had heard the whole thing. I knew because she called me a nasty name that floated right across the water and into my eardrums. I turned to see her standing on the trampoline, curves backlit by the setting sun, looking utterly gorgeous and downright pissed. But then she shook her head and plopped onto the mat like she didn’t care because she waswaypast me.
“Just…awesome.” I was never digging myself out of this hole. But I had to try, so I started toward the water again.
Suddenly, someone dove for me from behind, arms coming around my knees.
