Page 119 of Our Darkest Summer

“Come on, it’s a boat party.” Kevin joined him, and I sighed, tipping my head back.

“You two are still on my list for throwing me into the water.”

Connor’s grin was unbothered. “Come ooon,” he stretched out the words dramatically. “You can’t just sit here all day and read.”

I arched a brow, in awatch meway. “And I’m not reading,” I corrected him. “I’m doing crosswords.”

“Even worse, Grandma,” Connor pretended to yawn, stretching his arms.

I set down my mojito, crossing my arms as I stood. His tanned skin and sun-lightened curls made him look like the human embodiment of summer. I was feuding with the human embodiment of summer.Great.

“Careful, dino boy,” I warned, my lips twitching. “You haven’t even paid for the last time yet.”

Connor’s smile faltered, and behind me, Thomas snorted.

Then—

A splash.A massive wave of water crashed over us, and I choked, coughing up lake water. Thomas patted my back while I rubbed my eyes, trying to see.

My crossword was ruined. I snapped my head toward the culprit. Braxton grinned at us from his red and black Jet Ski, completely unbothered.

“You all looked hella bored,” he called, smug as hell.

Beside me, Thomas groaned, and I might have too as I eyed my soaked book.

Kevin shook out his wet hair. “Gonna catch you, Brax.” He stepped to the edge of the boat.

Thomas cracked his neck, like a man ready to hunt. “Better hide,” he called. “No technology to save you out here.”

Braxton’s grin wavered. He barely had time to rev the Jet Ski as the boys launched off the boat, diving into the lake’s blue water.

I smirked, looking over the tall woods, my gaze landing on Aaliyah and Cora. Their voices carried through the summer air, their laughter light and unrestrained as they walked down the shore.

I flopped back onto my seat with a wide grin. Connor, still dripping, plopped down beside me, resting his cheek against my shoulder. His warm skin was a sharp contrast to the cool air against my damp arms. At least our war was over with.

From the lake, Braxton let out a string of frantic curses, trying to weave his Jet Ski away from the boys.

Then—

A crash in the water, followed by a yell. Braxton disappeared, his Jet Ski floating lonely on the lake’s clear surface. Thomas and Kevin stood beside it, their features smug.

Braxton surfaced, brushing his hair out of his face and spitting water back into the lake. Then he started laughing. Kevin lunged at him, trying to dunk him under again, while Thomas enjoyed the show, shaking the water out of his dark waves.

The wind shifted, carrying the rich scent of grilled food from the shore again, mingling with Aaliyah’s laughter. The music hummed low in the background. It was one of those songs that made you think of endless summers, and then years later turned you nostalgic.

I took another sip of my drink, letting the sun warm my skin, as the laughter and chaos of my friends wrapped around me like a second skin. A memory I already knew I’d hold onto.

And for the first time in a long time, everything felt right.