Chapter 7

“I feel so guilty.” I said to Mark as we walked down the beach in the direction of the smoothie shop. 

“Don’t. She doesn’t have the right to do that. She has no authority over us. Besides, two thousand points? It’s not like you committed murder or anything.” Mark shrugged. 

I nodded, pushing my short hair back from my face. I’d blow dried it straight after my shower this morning. It only took me like 15 minutes. Short hair was amazing. 

I was wearing a small white dress and a blue strapless bikini. 

“She’s going to be so mad though.” I laughed, biting my lip. 

“It’s going to be hilarious.” Mark replied. 

I nodded in agreement, a laugh escaping my lips. 

“It’s fun plotting with you.” I nudged my brother’s arm. 

“Exactly. Why didn’t we channel our devious sides together instead of using them against each other?” Mark teased as we got to the smoothie shop. 

“Yea whatever. I’ll see you after work. How long are we avoiding her for?” I asked. 

“I say we go to the pier for dinner.” Mark told me as I walked around to the back of the counter. “And then do whatever until we feel like going home.” 

I nodded in agreement. 

“Alright, see you later.” Mark gave me and Chris a wave as he walked away. 

“Whoa your hair is short.” Chris laughed as I started wiping down the counter. 

I laughed and nodded. 

“I like it. It’s hot.” Chris grinned, giving me a wink before walking around to the back of the shack. 

I couldn’t help the blush that formed on my cheeks as I continued cleaning the counter. 

But my hand wrapped around the necklace that I’d put back around my neck, and I found myself wondering if Logan would like my short hair…

~*~*~

“I feel so guilty.” I said to Mark as we sat down at one of the picnic tables for dinner. “Wait no. I take that back. She’s being awful to us. We don’t need that crap. I’m not guilty.” 

Mark laughed, taking a bite of his hamburger. 

“Dad’s going to be pissed though.” Mark shrugged. 

“Yea whatever. I really don’t care what he thinks since he shipped us off here for the summer.” I rolled my eyes. 

“Agreed.” Mark said, his mouth filled with food. 

“Hey Ryders. We’re heading in to the city for the evening to see a movie. Want to come?” Nick asked, appearing at our table. 

“We as in who?” I asked curiously. 

“Uh me and Naomi, Tommy and Katie, and uh I think Hannah will be there too. And Chris.” Nick smiled. 

“So it’s like a group date?” I raised my eyebrows. 

“Chris and Hannah aren’t dating.” Mark said, shaking his head. 

Nick laughed. “It sort of is. Chris said you two were getting flirty or whatever?” Nick raised his eyebrows at me. 

I glanced at Mark. We’d had enough group dates together…

“Sounds great.” Mark grinned, taking another bite of his hamburger. 

“Awesome. Meet us in front of the smoothie shack in 5 minutes. We’re taking two cars.” Nick said before walking off. 

I raised my eyebrows at Mark. 

“And why would we do that?” I laughed. “I don’t want to go on a date with Chris.” 

“Think of it more as a group hang out thing.” Mark laughed. “Besides, what a better way to piss off Aunt Audrey then to go in the city the night after she grounds us?” 

“I like the way you think.” I grinned.  

It was about a 45 minute drive into the city. I’d expected it to be something lame like the town, but it was an actual city. With lots of nice stores, a Starbucks, a movie theater, lots of restaurants. I liked it.

Chris drove me, Mark, and Hannah in his truck. Then Nick, Naomi, Tommy, and Katie were in the Wrangler. I guess it was like a shared car between some of them?

“At least look like you’re having fun.” Mark said softly to me as I’d been nervously playing with my necklace while standing in line to get tickets. 

I nodded, giving him a smile. 

“I’m good, I’m good.” I reassured him. 

Mark nodded before turning back to Hannah. 

“I’ve got it.” Chris said to me as we bought our tickets. 

“Oh thanks.” I said happily, suddenly realized that if he hadn’t offered, I didn’t bring any money. 

And then I realized that he was paying. Which meant it was a date. 

Was I ready to go out on a date with someone else?

I was pulled out of my thoughts as Chris wrapped his arms around my shoulders, following everyone else into the movie theater. 

I was seated in between Chris and Mark. 

During the previews, I leaned over to Mark. 

“This is weird that we’re on a group date and not fighting about the fact that we’re with each other’s best friends.” I whispered. 

Mark nodded with a soft laugh. 

“I’m half expecting Nicole to be next to me and leaning over to whisper things to you the whole movie.” He whispered back. 

“I know it’s weird that you’re not freaking out and being a jealous bitch.” I teased, nudging his arm. 

“Oh trust me. It’s not just Logan that isn’t allowed to make out with you during a movie.” Mark gave me a look. 

“That was one time.” I groaned, my cheeks burning red with embarrassment. 

“Still.” Mark shrugged. 

“Not going to happen tonight. Don’t worry.” I whispered. 

Mark and I didn’t talk throughout the movie, and I was stuck watching the movie in silence while Chris kept putting the moves on me. 

First he had his arm around me which was extremely uncomfortable. 

Then he was holding my hand, which was slightly less uncomfortable. 

Mark and I kept exchanging silent glances, both of us stuck on dates that we didn’t want to be on. 

After the movie, everybody decided that we were going to walk around for a bit. 

“If you pretend to have a good time, you might actually start having one.” Mark whispered in my ear as we were walking out of the movie theater. 

I just nodded, giving Mark a soft smile as I slid my hand into Chris’s. 

Chris smiled down at me, squeezing my hand. 

We went to ice cream and I pretended to be having the time of my life. 

And just like Mark said, by the time we were driving back, I was actually having a good time with Chris. 

But I was thankful that Mark was there too, because when Chris dropped us off, I knew he would’ve tried to kiss me, and I didn’t know if I was ready to be kissed at the end of a date yet…

“I’m kind of scared.” I said to Mark as we walked up onto the front porch. 

“Don’t be. She can’t do anything to us.” Mark shrugged, opening up the front door as we took off our shoes. 

Aunt Audrey was waiting in the kitchen. 

“And extra one thousand points for each and I’m calling your father.” She said harshly before disappearing down the hall to her room. 

I almost laughed. 

“That’s the best she can do?” I whispered to Mark with a laugh. 

Mark nodded, laughing as well. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” I told him before walking down the hall to my room. 

It was the weirdest thing ever, not being able to shut my door while I slept. 

~*~*~

I sat up straight in bed, shaking uncontrollably. 

My dream was so real… 

It was as if Logan was really in the room, really talking to me, really telling me he loved me. 

“You alright?” Mark asked in my doorway. 

“Why are you awake?” I asked, pushing my hair back from my face. 

Mark shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep. You okay?”

“I’m fine.” I mumbled, laying back down in bed. 

I heard Mark away from my room as I pulled my pillow close to my face. 

A sob escaped my lips, because right now all I wanted was Logan. 

All I wanted was for Logan to tell me how much he loved me…

But I don’t think I’d ever get that again. 

Because of my stupid father and his idiotic idea that sending Mark and I to North Carolina for the summer was a good idea…