Page 26 of Black Wave

Emma

Liv is talking with Dax, and his friends have also come over to chat with us. The guy who was staring at me came over to introduce himself, and I felt a sense of familiarity with him. I don’t know what it is about him, but I am relaxed and at ease.

He puts his hand out. “Hi, I’m Jameson.” He continues to hold my hand.

“I’m Emma.” I look over to Liv and then back at Jameson. “How do you guys know Liv?” I pull my hand out of his grasp, and he frowns at the loss of contact. My lip pulls up at seeing how adorable he is when he pouts. His full lips puff out like a toddler who has to part with his favorite new toy.

“Liv didn’t tell you?” He looks over at Liv and Dax, who are deep in conversation, much like long-lost friends catching up on the past ten years of not seeing each other.

“No, she didn’t,” I say reluctantly. “Although, she didn’t have much time since she worked last night and…” I trail off, not wanting to discuss Liv’s problems with a stranger. I don’t feel that mentioning this is appropriate.

I don’t have to because when I look back, I see Brodie has pulled Liv aside and they are now in a heated discussion. Thatgirl from the bar is here and is laughing, walking away after saying something over her shoulder at Liv. Anger heats my face, and my fist clenches at my side. Jameson must notice because he touches my shoulder, and I tense at the feel of his hand there.

I see Liv walk away. “Excuse me, Jameson. I have to go check on my girl,” I say over my shoulder as I walk off, intently focused on Liv right now.

The sadness is etched on her facial features when I reach her. I know she has uttered the words that should have been said years ago. She held out hope for some reason, but waiting for someone to change is nothing but a life full of misery and disappointment.

Liv walks back toward us, and I catch up with her. “I take it you talked to Brodie about last night, Liv?”

“Oh, yes,” she sniffs, barely holding back her tears. “Brodie told her it was a mistake. I overheard their conversation. She also told me to enjoy her leftovers or something to that effect. I don’t remember her exact words because I was trying to make my brain catch up with what was happening.”

“Whoa,” is all I manage to get out. “That’s crazy, girl. What happened next?”

Liv shifts on her feet. “He told me he was ‘drunk-impaired.’” She mockingly makes air quotes for emphasis.

I have to admit that I like this side of Liv. A side that finally makes me believe she has had enough of this shit relationship. I wish I could confide in her. I wish I could let my best friend know that I understand. But I can’t. All I can do is be there for her. I feel like a fraud. I am a liar, but my selfishness has already put enough people in danger. I can’t lose anyone else. I refuse to be responsible for someone else getting hurt or killed.

“Oh, usingthatexcuse, is he?” I mutter the word ‘asshole’ under my breath.

“R-ight, Emma!” Liv begins to raise her voice. “Like drinking and wrong choices are a medical condition of his.”

I change the direction of this conversation. “Do you think you could ever trust him again?”

Before I even finish this sentence, Liv is shaking her head back and forth. “No. I told him it was over.”

“Well, hell. What about this Dax guy? A spring break fling then?” I want to know all about this spectacular specimen of a man who seemed hot and heavy for Liv. His friend, Jameson, isn’t bad looking either.

“I’m not sure,” Liv replies, but she bites her lower lip, which she does when telling a little lie.

I chuckle. “Dax’s friend is hot,” I admit, and Liv laughs. “Come on, Liv. Let’s get back to the party.” I throw my arm around her shoulders and then remember how short I am. I scowl and curse in anger. Liv laughs, and I swear I see tears of laughter leaking from her eyes.

“Are you making fun of me?” I can’t help but laugh along with her.

“Here.” She throws her arm around my shoulders and tugs me closer. “How’s this?” I hook my arm around her waist, once again annoyed with my short stature. “Perfect, jerk face. Let’s go.”

“Real mature, Emma,” she taunts as we return to the beginnings of a bonfire.

Let the festivities begin.

Before we know it, the night is upon us, and the bonfire has increased in intensity. Even though my friends surround me, I can’t shake the feeling that someone is still watching me. I thought it was Jameson, but I have been talking to him, and the feeling will not subside. It’s not the feeling I had when I noticed Jameson earlier. The tingling of my skin was different. This feeling is the hair on my arms standing up and a tightening in mystomach. It reminds me of when you are at the amusement park ride, and you get to the top of the roller coaster, hovering there, waiting for your stomach to drop out at the quick descent into the abyss. That is what I feel, as if my stomach is on the precipice of dropping out.

I scan through the flames and don’t notice anyone in particular. I look around and still don’t see anyone. Unfortunately, I have to pee. I saw a skid-o-can farther back behind the sand dunes. I shift back and forth on my feet.

“Emma?” I hear a voice call my name. I must have zoned out because Jameson is looking at me strangely.

“Do you have to pee or something? You can’t keep still?” There is amusement on his face. I know this is the perfect opportunity to get him to escort me to the portable bathroom on the beach.

I laugh, looking at him. “What gave it away?” I reply with a big smile.

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