Chapter 05.8

The other girls came out of the tents, drawing the guys’ attention away.

“Jay,” Jenny said quietly in Italian, ”you don’t have the right to be jealous. We’re just friends. I imagine it’s not any easier for you than it is for me, but you were the one who told me to come on this trip. I wouldn’t have come otherwise.”

“You’re right. I don’t have the right,” I admitted. ”I’ll try to do better.”

“Thank you.”

Brian and Paul had seen the exchange but didn’t say a word.

“Alright then,” Paul called out, ”let’s get to the boats and hit the lake.”

He and the guys carried the boats down to the water. The girls followed, chatting and laughing. Brian and I lagged behind, pretending to pack.

“Alright, tell me—how dumb were you?” Brian asked. I told him about the conversation from the beginning of summer.

“Pushing the whole ‘just friends’ thing was a mistake,” he said. “You’re never going to get over her. You treat every guy like a threat. I watched you the entire trip—jealousy is rotting your brain. Yesterday, I could barely stop you from ripping the bartender’s head off,” he chuckled.

“I don’t want to get over her, and yes, this whole trip is driving me crazy,” I admitted. “But I can’t say anything yet.”

“About what? You’re not dropping out of school, are you?” he asked, alarmed. ”She’d never forgive you for that.”

“No way,” I grinned. ”I transferred to your town. I’m retaking all the exams at the end of summer.”

“Finally came to your senses,” he laughed. ”I’m guessing you don’t want her to know until you’ve passed?” I nodded. “I told Mayoko that you’d change something big,” he said proudly.

“Don’t tell her. Don’t tell anyone,” I said firmly.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he smiled. “I’m proud of you, man.”

“You guys coming?” Aaron shouted from the lake.

We headed toward the boats, but the girls waved us to stop at the shore.

“Your girls say,” Aaron called out, ”whoever reaches their boat first earns a point for their team.”

Brian and I exchanged a look—then sprinted into the water toward the boats.

It was close, but Brian reached his boat first.

“Guess that gold medal was well-earned,” Paul teased as he helped him in.

I looked around—Brian’s boat had the Japanese speakers, while the rest were with me.

“We’ve got one point,” Paul announced.

“Little Girl,” I called out, steering our boat closer so we didn’t have to shout, ”how do we earn points?”

“For each challenge, the team picks one person to compete,” Jenny explained.

“And we take turns choosing the challenges,” Mayoko added.

“What does the winning team get?” I asked.

“The losers cook dinner for everyone else,” Jenny replied.

“Challenge accepted,” I winked at her and stood up.

“Thought so,” she said, standing too and offering her hand.

“Alright, Jay,” Brian said, ”your team’s up. I got us the first point.”

“Do we pick the competitor first, or hear the challenge first?” Daryl asked.

“Challenge first,” Jenny said. ”But everyone can only go once—so our captain and Jay are already out. Use strategy.” She winked, and I had to fight the urge to pull her into the boat.

“That’s not fair,” Aaron called out. “Your team gets three challenges, ours only two.”

“Fine,” Paul raised his hand, laughing. ”One person can go twice, and you get three challenges too. Deal?”

“Deal,” Aaron said, sitting back down.

“You’re up with the first challenge,” Brian said.

“Who can stay underwater the longest,” I announced. ”Daryl’s our guy.”

The Japanese group huddled to discuss—but didn’t even bother lowering their voices. Not that we understood a word.

“Jay,” Aaron said, ”you really should learn the languages Jane speaks.”

“Yeah, sure,” I rolled my eyes. “She’s only got a few years’ head start.”

“We’re sending Susy,” Brian said suddenly.

“Susy?” Daryl looked surprised. ”Did you guys even understand the challenge?”

“Completely,” Paul grinned.

The two challengers got into the water. Paul counted them down, and they both dove under. I kept track—and Susy surfaced first.

“Brian,” I said, ”I really don’t get that choice. You or Paul should’ve gone.”

“Jay,” he replied with mock arrogance, ”worry about your own team.”

“Your turn, Little girl,” I called across to the other boat.

“Everyone gets in the water,” Jenny said, pointing to an old tree on the shore, ”and the two chosen swimmers push the boat to line up with that tree.”

“Who’s going for you?” I asked, though I already had a feeling.

“Me, pretty boy,” she laughed. ”And from your team?”

“Jessica,” I said. Jessica nodded cheerfully.

“Do your best, sweetheart,” Aaron said kindly to her.