Page 116 of Pucking Around

“With you and Mars. Did you invite him?”

I fiddle with my sunglasses. “There is no me and Mars.”

He nods, glancing back over my shoulder. “Does he know that?”

“Caleb, I—”

Just then, Tess drops down at my side, a wild grin on her face. “Girl, who isthat?”

I look around. “Who?”

“Who?” she cries, incredulous. “Him, Rach. The hot as sin Ragnar Lothbrok lookalike!”

“Scuse me.” Caleb unfolds himself from his beach chair and walks off.

I sigh, rolling my eyes as Tess snags his chair. “Thanks for that,” I mutter.

“For what?” she replies, digging in the cooler for a soda.

“Never mind.”

“So, spill. Who is he?” she presses, slurping the top of her Diet Coke can.

“That’s Mars Kinnunen.”

“The goalie?” She gasps. “Oh—wait—like…thegoalie? The one you…” She twirls her finger, leaving the rest silent.

As of now, Tess is the only other soul who knows about the kiss in the hallway. I don’t know why I told her, but I did. I just felt like I had to say something to someone. It meant nothing. He was mad and deflecting it all on me. That’s all.

“Girl, he’s looking at you like you’re a damn snack,” Tess murmurs.

I go stiff. “He is not.”

“I mean, he’s standing over there. But in spirit, he’s right behind you dripping an ice cube down your neck.”

“Stop,” I hiss, sitting forward in my chair. “You’re crazy, Tess.”

“Am I? Is Tess Owens known to be wrong about these things?” She leans over, elbow on the arm of her chair. “Let’s recap, shall we? Exhibit A: I told you that nurse at the clinic was way into you, and you ignored me, and then he tried to stalk you into our building. Remember how fun that was?”

“Tess—”

“Exhibit B, Your Honor,” she says over me. “I said the guy at Trader Joe’s was flirting with you, and you didn’t believe me, and then he wrote his number on your receipt. No one gives away free samples at Trader Joe’s!”

I laugh, shaking my head.

“And the guy at the bar with the tattoos and the lip ring? I said he was going to try to take you home and you said ‘no, I think he’s gay,’ and then he cornered you by the bathroom, and you made out with him in a stall. You remember that one?”

“Okay, fine,” I mutter. “I will admit that you do sometimes…on rare occasions...and usually fueled by alcohol…make educated guesses about men’s intentions where I’m concerned.”

“This is all I’m saying,” she replies, settling back into her chair. “So, what’s the deal there?”

“There is notherethere,” I reply for the second time.

“Uh-huh…then why are you blushing?Do the boys know? Do they not want to share—oooohmigod, three-way sharing.” She slaps her forehead, mouth open in awe. “I don’t even—how would that work? I guess we have three holes…but I don’t see how that would—”

“Tess,” I hiss, slapping her arm. “Will youshut upabout orgies? This is a family fun day at the beach. Emphasis onfamily.” I point to the many little faces dotting the sand in front of us.

She just laughs. “Girl, better you than me. I don’t know if I would enjoy being made into a human Twinkie, I don’t care how good the books make it seem. When I’m with a man, I want to give himallllmy attention. And you better believe I want all his attention on me.”