Brazen Girl by Ali Dean Page 0,32
though.”
“So, are you saying they have footage that would make it look that way?” I trust Beck, but what exactly is he asking from me here?
“One girl tried to kiss me, another straddled me, and I was straight up asked if I wanted to hook up, more than once,” he says quickly.
Beck looks so distraught about all this I can’t help it, I start laughing. “I’m sorry Beck, that actually sounds really obnoxious. I can’t believe you stuck it out.”
“See? I’m actually holding onto a lot of frustration you didn’t let me quit,” he teases, though I wouldn’t blame him if there’s some truth to it.
My phone beeps with a text message for the third time in a row, so I take a look. “You want to meet my friends?” I ask Beck.
“Yeah, definitely.”
“Good, because you don’t really have a choice. They’re dying to meet you.”
We start walking to the car as we finish our cones. “By the way,” Beck says, opening my door for me. “There’s some good news about Shred Live.”
“Oh yeah?”
“It’s airing three months early.”
“Seriously? That’s in what, five weeks?”
“Yep. Guess a better slot opened up or something, no clue. I wasn’t sure if it would matter, but as soon as I get a chance I’ll call Vienna about getting the relationship clause to terminate three months earlier too.”
I don’t know what to say to that. It’s good news yeah, but the contract’s not the only thing that makes me wary of a public relationship with Beck.
Chapter Fourteen
Beck
“You know, I haven’t seen her this happy the whole time she’s been home,” Phoebe tells me as I hand her a dish to dry. We’re at Levi and Devon’s apartment, and the others are on the little balcony outside.
“I haven’t been this happy in a long time either,” I admit.
“I mean, it’s not just a matter of happy or sad,” Phoebe goes on. “We were all psyched when we ran into Levi at the beginning of this semester, and he’s grown up but he’s even better than before. Then we met Devon and that was awesome. It definitely brought some light to our girl’s eyes too. She and Levi have always had this bond, and they’re already close again.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” I agree, grateful the guy is seriously committed to his boyfriend or I’d be struggling with some major jealousy issues.
“But she hasn’t totally been herself until tonight. So yeah, that’s what I’m saying.”
“I think it’s because she finally got out on her skateboard.”
“I was wondering about that,” Phoebe says, glancing behind her. She dries the last dish and we turn around, watching the others through the screen door. “I didn’t know for sure, but I suspected she hadn’t been skating much. At first I thought she was going solo and wasn’t telling us because she hadn’t been cleared yet and didn’t want us worrying. I mean, it was really only the bigger features in the park she needed to stay away from. But then she got cleared, and she still won’t come with the rest of us when we all go.”
“Today was the first day she’s skated since the crash. Maybe it’s wrong for me to tell you if she didn’t tell you herself, but I know you’re her best friend. Besides, I have to leave in a couple of days, and someone’s going to have to drag her out there.”
“Drag her out there? Really?”
“Basically. I think she’ll be after it again soon, but she needs…” I hesitate, not exactly sure I know what it is she needs. “To keep showing up, I guess. It’ll click and come back and she’ll be herself again on a skateboard but I don’t think that’s going to happen if she doesn’t skate at all.”
“Yeah Beck, we’ll get her out there. I’m more of a fair-weather skater, but I’ll up my game. I skate to get around campus, but only hit the parks if it’s a nice day and I’ve got some free time. Devon’s really into it though, so we’ll all drag her with us.”
“Thanks, it’ll help knowing she’s in good hands.”
“What? She didn’t tell you all about her kickass friends from little ol’ Hartsville?”
“Oh, she told me all about you, we even met for second on Facetime, remember? But you’re better in person.”
“You are too, Beck,” Phoebe tells me.
We clink beer bottles and then, I guess both feeling the love, go for a hug too.
“Hey! Are you hitting on my boyfriend, Phoebs? Break it up, you two.”
Jordan’s come