Summer was going to rock.
Only, Justin didn’t turn and throw his arms out. Instead, he stiffened. Strange, since he texted me, asking me to meet him here… and even weirder because he still had yet to face me.
My feet slowed of their own volition. It was as if they knew what I’d yet to admit. Saw what I was refusing to see. Because now that I was closer, despite my rapidly slowing steps, and even with Justin’s head still turned, I could clearly see his profile.
Along with the bright pink lipstick stain emblazed on his left cheek.
I staggered forward. My hand slapped across my mouth as the peanut butter crackers from the vending machine threatened a comeback. No. Justin wouldn’t do that. Not to me. He wouldn’t cheat. Justin loved me. I knew he did.
Only, the proof was damning. Not only the lipstick stain, but the muffled giggle. Lauren Hays ducked beneath his arm, stepping out from behind the building with a little grin like she was embarrassed. I wasn’t fooled. She made a production of wiping her bright pink mouth and said, “Oh hey… Peyton, is it?”
I didn’t answer, didn’t nod, and she continued on, a picture of innocence. “Don’t mind us. Just had to give my man a proper summer send off. We didn’t think anyone was around.”
I had no words.
I had no emotions.
I simply stood there, staring at the couple before me, in complete and utter… nothing.
Oh, my brain still functioned. It reminded me that Lauren had staked her claim in January. That she’d spent the entire semester baking Justin cookies and decorating his locker, attaching herself to his hip before and after every game. The entire student body believed they were together, but each time my insecurity got the best of me and I got the courage to ask Justin about it, he’d swear he wasn’t interested.
My brain screamed he was a big fat liar. That I was nothing but a fool.
“As you know, it’s my job to service his needs,” Lauren said, sliding her hand along his shoulder. Justin knocked it off, shooting her an angry look, but she just grinned. Then she looked at me. “Especially if no one else is.”
“That’s enough,” Justin growled, pushing her hand away. “Knock it off.”
Lauren looked shocked. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open, utter confusion replacing her previous gloat. I should’ve found satisfaction in that, but I didn’t. I was too busy acknowledging that she clearly knew who I was, what Justin and I were to each other, and that I was the only one in the dark.
Finally, Justin turned. He took a step toward me, his face twisted in… what? Remorse? Shame? I didn’t know and frankly, I didn’t care. He’d proven his point loud and clear by asking me to meet him here—I was nothing to him.
A sob built in my chest, shaking my shoulders, and I lifted my hand in a wave.
“Peyton!” Justin called my name, over and over, his voice strained with emotion.
But I was already gone.
SATURDAY, MAY 31ST
1 Week until Graduation
?Senior Year
PEYTON
GALVESTON BEACH HOUSE 11:00 A.M.
My suitcase is open on the bed. I toss another shirt inside, and Mi-Mi reaches in to fold it. She shares a glance with Aly, who then turns to Gabi, a surprising tagalong in this Operation Keep Peyton Busy. Kara, bless her heart, is wearing double sensor bracelets in the living room, watching Aly’s and Mi-Mi’s babies so they can talk me down from the ledge.
“You’re sure you don’t need anything?” Aly asks, giving me a hopeful look. “I could head down to the kitchen and grab a plate of snacks—I made a batch of dark chocolate chili brownies this morning. I think I even surprised myself. You liked them, right, Gabi?”
She nudges her best friend in the side, and Gabi rolls her eyes. “Excuse her. In her mind, chocolate cures everything, but in this case, she ain’t wrong. They really are good.”
I smile, grateful they’re trying so hard. “Thanks, but no. I’m not really hungry.”
Aly sighs, like she can’t believe anyone would turn down chocolate, and I toss a pair of shorts into my case.
When I stormed up from the beach, she and Gabi were sitting on the stairs talking. They took one look at my tear-soaked cheeks and Justin hot on my trail and went full-on grizzly. While Aly threw her arms around me, Gabi threw her hand in Justin’s face, telling him to cool his jets, then they both hustled me up the stairs. Kara and Mi-Mi joined the rescue team somewhere between the first and second floors, and after closing the bedroom door behind us, Mi-Mi let loose a shocking string of curses.
I think I love them all.