Page 8 of Survival
“Most of the time,” I agreed grimly.Except when she goes to work.
“Is this why your mood’s been off today, too? You’re worried about her?”
I allowed a slight smile to play on my lips. “You’re quick, Ems.”
She slapped my arm. “Shut up, Tucker.” I laughed as she tightened the short ponytail that barely held her hair. “Hey, why don’t y’all come out to Breaker Hall tonight? It would distract Izzy, and you-know-who and I could use some cover. Maybe we could actually get in a dance or two if we’re there with a friend group.”
My mouth scrunched, considering. “I thought about it, but Jet’sjustgetting back today. I doubt he and Annie are going to want to go dancing, especially him after being on a plane for so long.”
“But you know it would be the perfect thing for Izzy. I haven’t seen her out in ages, and I bet Jet wouldn’t mind going if he knew she was having a rough day.”
I faltered.Izzywouldlove to go…
“Please, Tucker,” Emma begged. “It’s so much easier to be out with Mat—” She barely caught herself. “When it looks like a group thing.”
“Except the group you want to go out with is all paired off. Won’t that just look like a couples’ thing? Maybe you should ask Megan or some of the girls from the cheer squad. Or Casey and Dinah.”
“Megan’s babysitting tonight, Casey’s still out of town, and Dinah’s sick. Please.”
“My couples’ point is still valid.”
“Details.” She gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “Anything’s better than it looking like I’m there with him alone.”
“I don’t know…”
“Tucker!”
“Okay, okay, I’ll talk to Jet.” I laughed, already planning to call him. I just liked setting Emma off. It was almost as fun as bugging Annie, but damn, the little spitfire could hit hard.
ISABEL
I laid back on my beach towel, wishing I’d thought to bring a book. Or my Kindle. I’d finished all of my recent downloads, but I had a few favorites that were always good for a re-read.
Pulling in a long, slow breath, I released it, enjoying the feel of the warm ocean breeze brushing across my skin and listening to the faint sound of the waves as they lapped gently against the shore, the playful chatter of beachgoers in the background.
I’d been right to come here. Seeing Tucker had been like an instant balm to my frazzled nerves. I knew I hadn’t fooled him, but at least, he hadn’t seen how upset I’d been before.
I shut my mind off then, draping an arm across my eyes as I worked to focus on the sound of the water before I upset myself all over again.
“Arrrhhhh!”
I lifted my arm at the sound and shrieked to see someone racing towards me, rolling so my back would face the impact as my eyes squeezed shut.
“Cannon ball!”
My towel tugged beneath me, and I heard the thud in the sand at my side. Slowly, I eased open my eyes.
“Hey, Izzy. What’s up?”
“Holy crap, Mateo! What the crap?! You’re supposed to do that in a swimming pool, not on top of your friends!” I smacked his arm.
He grinned back at me. “Ah, I wasn’t really gonna do it. I just wanted to freak you out. Wake you up a bit.”
“Mission accomplished,” I snapped, my voice still slightly high from the surprise.
“Good. You looked a little bored. Where’re Tucker and Annie?” he asked as he laid back against his elbows on the sand by my towel. “When’s Jet getting back, anyway?”
I sat up to face my friend, his russet skin not yet darkened by the sun this year. “Today, actually. Annie went to Houston to pick him up. Tucker’s working. Well, just getting off,” I amended after taking a quick look at my Fitbit.