Who We Could Be - Chelsea M. Cameron Page 0,24
going to arrest us for violating the rules. Plus, Tessa had worked here a few summers in high school and knew everyone who worked here so she could talk her way out of being in trouble.
“I guess,” I said, popping the can and taking a sip. I wasn’t a beer person, but when in Rome.
“I know I’ve said it before, but I’m really sorry, Monty.”
“Thanks, Gus.” He gave me a hug and I sighed. Gus was a great guy, honestly. He was so steady and solid and Tessa needed someone like that in her life.
“So, we were talking about something and I need your input, Ford,” Tessa said, leaning back on her elbows and turning her face up.
“What’s that?” I sipped my beer and then pushed it into the sand so it didn’t tip over.
“Milk vs. no milk in cereal. Discuss.”
“Well, on the one hand, you have milk, which makes the cereal less dry, and you get cereal milk as a treat at the end. Downside is that, depending on the cereal, it can get soggy and there’s no coming back from that. Upside of no milk is no dilution or sogginess, but given the right cereal, you might end up with your mouth bleeding.”
Tessa grinned at Gus in triumph. “See?”
“Why, what did you say?” I asked him.
“I don’t like my cereal wet. That’s disgusting.”
“Yeah, and who is the one who bitches about your mouth being sore?” Tessa shot back and I closed my eyes and lay back on the blanket, listening to them bicker. It was never about anything serious, and I was so used to it, I would have been thrown off if they weren’t sniping at each other over something as inconsequential as cereal.
The next thing I knew, Tessa was rousing me and the sun had dipped lower in the sky, setting us up for what looked to be a brilliant sunset. Most of the people had left, and there were just a few people walking their dogs or sitting in the sand.
“What did I miss?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.
“Nothing. Gus is just mad that he’s not coming on the trip with us.” Gus made a sputtering sound.
“That’s not true. I think it’s great that you’re going together. Why would I be mad?”
Tessa bumped his shoulder with hers and grinned. “You know I’m just giving you a hard time.”
Did Gus want to come? I mean, I guess that would be fine, but it would be a little weird. Sure, we’d gone on trips together, but this was a whole week, and I’d already started looking at places in Savannah that Tessa would want to go. She didn’t know that she’d be coming with me on several historical tours, but we’d cross that bridge when we got there.
“I’m starving,” Tessa said. “Dinner?” She looked at Gus.
“Yeah, you want to stop and grab a pizza?”
I looked out at the ocean as they argued about what kind of pizza to get. That argument always ended the same: half pepperoni and olive, half green pepper and mushroom. No idea why they fought to begin with, since that’s what they always ordered.
There was a chicken defrosting on my counter at home. The plan was to bake it in the oven, but with the impromptu nap I’d taken, I didn’t have the energy anymore.
“You want to come over? We’ll get you your own spinach and artichoke,” Tessa said.
“No, that’s fine. I have something in the crockpot,” I lied.
“Okay,” she said, and let Gus help her to her feet. I also got up and helped them pack up the blanket and everything else.
“Thanks for this. I needed a break from everything,” I said.
“Anytime. What are friends for?” Gus said, and gave me a hug. The three of us hadn’t hung out as a trio in a long time, and I probably needed to work on that. I guess when they’d gotten engaged I’d pulled back on being with them because I thought they wanted privacy, but they’d never asked for that. Maybe I needed to reconnect with them now that I wasn’t going to be spending time with TJ. The future stretched out in front of me and I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep through it.
“Call me later?” Tessa said, brushing her hand on my shoulder to get rid of some sand.
“Yeah, I will.”
She looked like she was going to say something else, but instead wrapped her arms around me. I melted into her and sighed.
“Thanks for being my best