Preston, Josh, and I bust out laughing at the same time, knowing no one is taking her coffee and she will gripe about it all day long. Happens every time.
* * *
Lenaand I take a walk along the beach while the guys gather firewood and get it ready for the bonfire. The sound of the waves surrounds us as we walk in silence for about a hundred yards.
Lena is the first to speak, asking, “Are you going to be okay tonight? With Ethan here, I mean.”
“It’ll be fine.” I hope saying it makes it real.
“Last night, Preston asked me what was going on with you and Ethan. He started telling me how Ethan has been acting weird, then he said you looked like you had seen a ghost last night watching Ethan with that chick the guys brought. He was very persistent.”
“You told him!” I almost yell.
She shakes her head. “No, of course not. But I did tell him that if he had questions about you and Ethan, then he should ask either you or Ethan.”
“If he’s asking, he knows there’s something. I’m sorry for putting you in the middle.”
“Don’t be sorry. You just need to figure things out before everyone knows there is something to question.”
“I’m with Caleb. I’m going to keep it that way. I just need to get over this stupid crush on Ethan.”
She purses her lips, then asks, “Are you sure it is only a stupid crush? Are you sure there is nothing more to your feelings for him?”
This is exactly what I am terrified of finding out. My feelings for both guys are so mixed up I don’t trust myself. I can’t answer the question truthfully because I don’t know the answer.
I shake my head and say, “I really don’t know.”
By the time we get back to the house, more people have arrived, and Preston introduces Lena to everyone. Ethan and the band are hanging out in the living room with the new girls. Groupie Girl is stuck at Ethan’s side, continuing to incessantly flirt. I feel myself staring in their direction, so I walk out of the living room and into the kitchen to grab a snack.
Paige comes out of the bedroom with my phone in her hand, talking to someone. She yells at me, “Come get your phone, Sof, if you want to talk to your boyfriend!”
Ethan’s head snaps up as I rush over to her, leaving my unmade sandwich. As I place the phone on my ear to say hello, she begins making loud smacking kiss noises then finishes her spectacle with, “No phone sex, Sof.”
I turn to her responding, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
That’s when I hear Caleb respond jokingly in my ear, “What! No phone sex! Damn, then I gotta hang up right now!”
I laugh and tell him, “Save it for another time!”
Just as I was about to leave the room, out of the corner of my eye, I see Ethan get up off the couch, his body tense and fists clenched, and walk out onto the patio.
Our bonfire has attracteda large crowd, including lots of people from the surrounding houses, so our small party has increased significantly in size. It made for a nice mix, with lots of flirting and mingling, and everyone is having a great time. A couple of guys have hit on me, and it feels nice, but my mind isn’t in it. Josh is by my side, running off the guys that try too hard. I am enjoying his company and the safety his presence creates.
I’ve been able to avoid Ethan and Groupie Girl for most of the afternoon. Thinking that they were there all alone made me nauseous, but it was better than watching them. I have a buzz from the day drinking, so my ability to ignore and avoid Ethan is becoming hazy. I also have Caleb on my mind because every time I stick my hands in my hoodie pocket, I feel my phone. I’m waiting for his call.
We are sitting around the bonfire, music playing, when I see Groupie Girl stand up and straddle Ethan. I begin to feel physically sick as I watch her kiss his neck. Josh, who is next to me, gets up and grabs my hand, pulling me up and back toward the house.
He stops halfway up the boardwalk, standing in front of me and holding my shoulders. “I’m sorry for pulling you away so quickly, but if I didn’t…” He stops his sentence and looks in my eyes.
“I need a few minutes. I’ll be back down in a few.”
He hugs me. “Call me if you want me to come up to the house with you.”
I lay down on my bed, pulling out my phone. I’m surprised Caleb hasn’t called yet. It’s already after ten o’clock, so I decide to call him. As it’s ringing, I wonder what he’s doing when I hear, “Hello?” from a female voice.
Confused, thinking I may have called a wrong number, I look at my phone and see Caleb’s name on my screen, so I ask, “Is Caleb there?”
The female on the line begins giggling, then slurs, “You should have called about thirty minutes ago. He’s passed out!” She continues giggling. Where is he? And who is this chick?