Page 79 of Too Safe

Decker

I examine the paper, then peek over at my friend. She’s watching me out of the corner of her eye and biting on the end of her pen.

Glancing back to ensure the rugby players are focused elsewhere, I fill in the note.

A question mark for Locke. A checkmark for Kylian. AnXfor Kendrick. And several deep, dark lines striking out Crusade’s name. I refold the note, pass it back, and watch her face as she opens it.

With her tongue in her cheek, she quirks one eyebrow at me.

“NeverCrusade,” I mouth, inspiring a silent snort that she covers with her hand.

A minute later, we’re all packing up. I hold back, not interested in bumping into the rugby players in the hall and having to continue that conversation.

“Let’s get going before one of yourboyfriendscatches us,” Hunter teases as she scoots to the end of the aisle. “We have places to be and cereal to buy.”

I shush her as she practically skips down the wide steps of the lecture hall.

Chapter 32

Josephine

OfalltheideasI came up with to get back at Decker for the parent stunt, this one was the cheapest and easiest to execute.

Hunter and I were in and out of the grocery store so fast I wasn’t even late to meet up with Kylian in the parking lot of the marina. And just like I suspected, he didn’t ask what was in the extra bags I was hauling.

I’m in the lake now—actually in the water for the first time after weeks of being surrounded by it—floating on my back with my limbs stretched out as far as they can reach.

“Josephine!”

I grin so wide my eyes water at the way he bellows my name.

My ears are submerged, but even with the water muffling the sound, I’m certain he’s still up toward the house, most likely on the upper deck. From that angle, he can very clearly see me where I’m floating. It’s only a matter of time…

The only flaw in my plan was that I wasn’t in the room to see his reaction when he realized that I’d replaced all his beloved almonds with sugary cereal.

And not just any cereal.

Cap’n Crunch.

The water ripples around me as he stomps down the dock. A larger-than-life shadow casts my world into darkness as he looms over the edge of the lake, blocking out the late afternoon sun.

Peeking one eye open, I keep my face placid as I catch my first glimpse of a furious Decker Crusade.

His deep scowl leaves him almost unrecognizable. He looks… villainous. It’s kind of hot, actually, the way the sun is projecting a halo of hazy light around him as he fumes so intensely I half expect smoke to billow out of his ears.

After several seconds of silence, he finally speaks.

“Josephine. Where are my nuts?”

Done. Gone. There’s no hope for me now.

I burst out laughing. The hilarity of his words juxtaposed against the seriousness of his tone sends me into a fit of giggles that threatens to pull me under. Literally. I have to fight to stay above water.

“You think you’re funny?” he demands, pacing the edge of the dock as he fists the ends of his hair.

I can’t. I just can’t. I right myself and tread, because if I keep trying to float while laughing this hard, I’ll surely drown. I had a whole sassy remark locked and loaded about him being an almond daddy, but I thought I’d have to poke and prod to get a reaction out of him.

I never expected him to gothisballistic when I replaced all his almonds and trail mix with Cap’n Crunch.

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