This interests me because that means Niall hasn’t confided in her either. And I was under the impression they didn’t have secrets. I know it was my own unsubstantiated conclusion, but I really believed it to be true.
“Let’s just put it this way. I know something happened on Nantucket seventeen years ago. Something that ruined my mother’s friendship with Maggie and made her break it off with the love of her life. Whatever it was, Niall covered it up. Like he does everything. And maybe you know; maybe you don’t. But I do know it’s about my father. And now … I’m paying for it.”
Olivia is stunned speechless.
“So you can tell my mother that if she wants her box of secrets back, then I want an explanation. I’m not going to let her screw up my life too.” I turn to walk away but pause to face her with one more message. “Oh, and tell your husband that Vic Thorne is the guy from the convenience store. He’s the same guy who put Allison Pixley in the hospital. Not that he can or will do anything about it, but I thought it was time he knew.”
Olivia watches me with her mouth ajar. I continue my exit down the stairs. Given her profession, I find it hard to believe she’s never been assaulted with blatant honesty. But I guess I can be a shock to anyone’s system.
Before I reach the bottom of the stairs, I hear footsteps, and a moment later, “What the hell has been going on?”
Eavesdropping isn’t usually my thing, not counting spying on Grant and Lily in the library, but I’m really tempted to listen. Except Olivia’s voice disappears behind a closed door, and I can’t hear anything else. Well, maybe the adults will finally start confessing.
Kaely, Lance and I spend the afternoon floating and swimming in the lake. Grant arrives in the late afternoon while I’m napping on a lawn chair under an umbrella. I wake to goose bumps erupting along my skin when a hand skates over my back and lips press against my shoulder.
I smile dreamily at him, slowly rousing. “Hi.”
He rests his chin on my arm, sweeping loose strands of hair off my cheeks. “You are beautiful.”
I blink, heat rushing to my face. He leans in and brushes his lips against mine, a wisp of a kiss. Before he can pull away, my hand slides into his hair, not allowing him to escape. I press my mouth hard to his, sweeping my tongue along his full lower lip. Grant crawls in next to me on the chair, both of us lying on our sides.
His arm wraps around my waist, bracing me to him as our mouths explore lips, jaws and necks in unison. My legs entwine with his. His hot hand presses firmly against my bare back. I can’t get close enough. I’m desperate to—
“Whoa,” Lance calls out. “You’re damaging our impressionable virgin minds.”
Kaely giggles. Grant groans against my neck. I’m fighting to regain my breath, reluctant to let him go.
“Can you disappear for a half hour?” I ask Lance, captivated by Grant’s blue eyes in a silent exchange, letting me know he’s just as desperate.
“So my mother can walk down and find you naked on the beach?”
That kills it. He might as well have dumped ice water over us. I flop onto my back, and Grant adjusts to somewhat of a sitting position beside me.
“Did you see Dr. Kendall’s message?” Lance asks, trudging up the sand, dripping wet. He grabs a towel and hands it to Kaely before using another to wipe his face.
“What message?” I ask, uncertain where I left my phone. Pretty sure it’s in my tote bag in the house.
“They changed the coed policy this year. We’re allowed guests of any gender in our rooms as long as we keep the door open and they’re out by nine. Cool, right?”
My eyes automatically search for Grant’s, a smile already spread on his face. “Anyone?”
“As long as they’re approved, yeah.” I’m lost in Grant’s gorgeous smile when Lance clears his throat. “Did you hear the open door part? I’m not sure what dirty thoughts you two are secretly sharing right now, but … stop.”
I beg Lance, “Half hour, please?”
“Dirty, dirty girl,” he teases, snapping his towel at me.
“You’re officially official right?” Kaely confirms, her face the shade of bubblegum.
We probably just blew her PG-mind.
“Yes, I think, is the right answer,” Grant says uncertainly, looking to me for confirmation.
I nod, grinning with ease.
Kaely beams. “Phew! That’s so good. I’ve been dying for you two to be a two all summer.”
“And what about you?” I ask, my eyes flashing between them.
Lance turns away. “I’m, uh, going to grab something to drink. Want anything?”
Grant shoots me a questioning look. I shrug, not expecting the abrupt reaction.
“I’ll come with you.” Grant stands, and the guys disappear up the path to the house.
I make an apologetic face at Kaely. “Sorry. I thought you were a thing after hearing about the Ball-vitation.”
“Oh, it’s not a big deal.” Kaely brushes it off with a wave of her hand. “He wants to date. I don’t.”
“You don’t?” I question in surprise. “Really? I thought you liked him.”
“I don’t know. He’s so nice, but I don’t feel it—that thing you and Grant so obviously have.” She sits on the lawn chair next to me. “It’s nothing he did. Guess he’s just not my forever, you know? But I’m happy we had the summer. I’ll never forget it.”
I don’t question her. She’s being honest. When I think about it, Ashton had no idea anything was going on between them until Kaely told us.
Now I feel bad for Lance. “Is it going to be weird for you at the Ball?”
“No. We’re still friends or whatever. It’s a little confusing. We’ll always have fun together,” she assures me. “Has your costume arrived yet?”
“I think it’s supposed to arrive today,” I say, trying to remember. Considering the dance is only a couple days away, I should probably find out.
“We’re going to Nantucket!” Lance announces, in a much better mood than when he left.
“Who?” I ask, accepting a bottle of water from Grant.
“All of us.” Lance beams, spreading his arms wide. “Labor Day weekend. I was waiting to hear back from my uncle to make sure he’d be there. My parents wouldn’t let us bring everyone unless an adult was there. But now, it’s a go.”
I exchange a glance with Grant, not as excited by this invite as Lance. This island seems to be at the center of my drama storm. But when Grant quirks his brow suggestively, reasons why I should be excited to escape campus for a long weekend flood my thoughts.
Grant drives me back to the dorm, giving Lance and Kaely time alone after my question made everything awkward.
I check with the administration office when I arrive and discover I do have a package waiting from the costume company.
“Do you have your outfit figured out?” I ask Grant. I told him how I’m dressing and left him to decide what he wants to wear to complement it—or not.
He flashes a devilish grin. “Wait ’til you see it. You’re going to love it.”
I bite my lip, smiling. “Are you going to tell me?”