Page 29 of The Publicity Stunt

“That’s an option?”

“Not really, but it’s manners to ask.”

“No … no, it’s fine.” My heart hammers against my chest. “Let’s do it.”

“Do you want me to count to three?”

“Yeah. Yeah, that might help, I guess.”

She starts. “One …”

This is happening.

“Two, and—”

Before she can even say the “thr” of three, April yanks my hand and we go hurtling off the fucking cliff, right into the cold waters of Otsego Lake.

I’m going to kill her.

“Oh my God! That was amazing!”

“April Moore!” My voice gurgles as I rise through the surface of the ice-cold water. “You’re dead to me!”

She swims toward me and puts her hands around my neck. “Oh, crap, is that a cut?” she asks, running her fingers over my forehead, sweeping my wet hair aside.

“Hilarious.” I splash some water on her and she starts laughing even more. “I don’t know why we’re friends.”

“Wanna do it again?” April wags her eyebrows and I shove her aside.

“Get away from me,” I say and start swimming ashore. Laughing, she follows me out.

To no one’s surprise, we do it again. Three more times.

What can I say? April Moore’s craziness is goddamn contagious.

* * *

I reach Tyler Hockman’s house around eight p.m.

“You came!” April yells and walks in my direction. Behind her I see Holly, April’s sister, wearing a black dress and her usual resting bitch face. I’m sure even God is terrified of her.

“I told you I would.”

April flings her arms up, pulling me down into a hug.

“Is this a drunk hug?”

“Yo, Parker!”

I glance up and see Tyler approach us. Something I realized way later than I should have. The house party that led me to meet April two years back was at Tyler Hockman’s house, aka the universe’s idea of a sick joke. Still blaring with crappy music and reeking of secondhand smoke, this house is the last place I want to be right now.

“Why does it smell so bad in here?” I let go of April and ask, mainly to piss him off.

Tyler lets out a loud obnoxious laugh-like sound and wraps his arm over April’s neck, pulling her close. My muscles tighten into taut strands.

“It’s a party, dude!”

“Enlightening,” Holly mutters. “I’m gonna go get something to drink.” She looks at April before walking past me toward the living room, shoving my shoulder in the process.