Page 15 of Just My Style

“You’re acting like a kid, and I’m sick of it,” Sean retorts.

Jared laughs scornfully. “You’re the one with the criminal record, my friend, so I don’t think I need to take advice from you.”

“My record was expunged! But do you remember why I used to get into so much trouble?”

Jared throws up his arms. “Beats me?”

“Because I was desperate to get my dad’s attention in any way I could. It never worked, because my dad is a scumbag. But your dad—”

“He’s not my dad!”

“We don’t get to choose our dads. Trust me, I know. But Victor moved all the way to Georgie to be closer to you. I’d give anything for my dad to care about me even half a much.”

Jared runs a hand through his hair. “It’s just—he’s not going to stay here, man. He’ll leave, just like Mandy did.”

Sean shakes his head. “I know she hurt you, but Victor hasn’t left, even with you pushing him away. Give the guy a chance—or don’t. But stop stringing him along. It’s cruel.”

Jared hangs his head. “Okay.”

Sean crosses his arms. “Okay? What’s that mean?”

“I don’t know,” Jared admits. “But I promise I’ll give it some thought. Now, are you going to help me win this competition or not?”

“Not.”

“Seriously?” Jared asks. “Why not?”

Sean shrugs. “Because I don’t know the first thing about building sandcastles.”

Jared laughs and pushes his friend into the rail. They run over the dune and out of sight.

And I stay in the shadow of the building with my heart pounding in my chest. I can’t ask Victor to move away from Friendly. Not when there’s a chance Jared will let him be a part of his life.

Chapter 12

Victor

When I reach the beach, I’m surprised to see a few people are already there. My eyes find Cara immediately. She’s standing in the surf, letting the water lap over her feet. I creep up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist.

She turns to face me, circling her arms around my neck. “I knew you were there.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. I just did.”

I smile down at her. Her brunette strands glimmer in the dim glow of the sun. “You’re so beautiful.”

She glances away. “I was planning to ask you to move back to New York today.”

My throat grows heavy with emotion. When I speak, my voice cracks. “I want to be with you, Cara. But I can’t leave Friendly. Not yet. Not while there’s a chance…”

“I know,” she says.

“Do you think you could stay here?”

Her eyes snap up to mine. “What?”

“Stay here. In Friendly. With me.” Please…