Page 31 of Best Vacation Ever

We’re on a little boat that’s towing the tube out to sea. It’s basically a big yellow tube that looks like a banana, and you sit on it one behind another and hold on to the strap on the tube in front of you so you don’t fly off once the boat moves.

We’re far out when the boat comes to a stop. We put on our life jackets and one at a time climb onto the banana tube.

Somehow, I end up near the end, with Kellan in front of me and Dylan behind me. Kiara, of course, ends up right in front of Kellan, and I swear, if I hear her giggle at another one of his pointless jokes, I’m kicking them both off this banana.

I’m too busy scowling to notice that the boat is moving, dragging the banana behind it, and the momentum causes me to half land on Dylan.

“If you wanted to get closer to me, all you had to do was ask, Faye,” he jokes, flicking my nose, and I elbow him in his life jacket–covered chest before scooting back up into position.

Soon I lose track of time and let myself give in to how much fun I’m having. The bouncing of the tube makes me squeal and grab on tighter, while the ocean spray soaks me from head to toe.

But then we take a sharp turn and I notice Kellan place a steadying hand on Kiara’s waist, and I see red.

I don’t take a second to think. When the boat turns again, the banana follows suit, and I hook my hands in the straps of Kellan’s life jacket and lean the opposite way from the turn.

Together, we fly off the tube and land in the water.

I pop up for air and roll my neck. Hitting the water hurt a lot more than I thought it would.

Somehow, the entire banana didn’t flip over with us, and the boat goes farther away before looping back around to get us.

“What the hell, Fayanna?” Kellan wipes the water from his eyes and splashes water at me.

I splash water right back at him. “What?”

“Why did you throw us off?”

He’s so . . .ugh.

“I was trying to throw myself off to escape your pathetic flirting with Kiara, but I guess the universe decided you needed to go for a swim too.”

I send him my best scowl, but Kellan just shoots me that stupid smile he has when he thinks he knows something.

“You’re jealous.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Am not.”

Isoam.

“Why can’t you just admit you’re jealous and that youlikeme?” Kellan’s knowing grin widens even more, as if that was possible.

“Because I don’tlike you,” I say, burying the part of me that knows I’m lying. “Why would I like an asshole like you who flirts with anything that moves?”

Kellan swims closer to me. His hair is messy and curled in an undeniably sexy way, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Because I make you laugh, I’m great in bed, and I’m ridiculously good-looking.”

I focus on treading water, willing myself not to give in to him. “More like ridiculous-looking.”

“Just admit you like me.”

“And if I did?” I challenge, my heart beating faster, secretly hoping he’ll give me an answer I want.

He’s serious for a second, but then his full lips twist into a victorious grin. “Then I’m right, like always.”

I splash him with water, ignoring the feeling of my heart deflating, as the boat pulls up beside us.

He is such a jerk. I have no idea why I like him.