Cole looked like an Abercrombie model, messy sandy brown hair, low body fat, athletic. He looked closer to my age than Luke. “How’s your little brother?”
“Ornery as ever; no worse than before.”
“Does your dad know what happened?”
I wanted to say he wasn’t my dad but didn’t really feel like getting into that discussion. “He hasn’t said anything, but Max can’t keep a secret.”
“Are you in trouble?”
“Not yet, but I’ll hear about it when I get home. Max is usually fearless, today being the exception. Jon is used to being horrified by his stunts but still holds me responsible for his safety.”
“So he isn’t limited to trying to drown?”
“Not at all. He’s devious too.”
“Fearless and devious. I like the kid.”
“He could entertain you for hours with his stunts and Gabe too, for that matter. They will climb anything. Being athletic just adds to the danger quotient. I think my brothers are part monkey.”
“Must run in the family.”
I raised my eyebrow. “And you were doing so well until just now.”
“Not the monkey part,” he laughed. “The athletic part. I saw you playing volleyball earlier.”
“The kids were all younger. It wasn’t difficult to appear athletic among a bunch of ten-year-olds.”
“Do you play on a school team?”
“No, we move too much.”
“Where did you move from?” Cole had a smooth, easy going demeanor. It made me feel comfortable and better about my social skills.
“Savannah.”
“How long were you there?”
“One month.”
“And before that?”
“Florida, 3 months.”
“And before that?”
“Maine, 3 months.” Cole seemed unaffected by my brief answers and didn’t ask nosy questions about why we moved so often.
“At that rate you must have lived in most of the states.”
“We’ve lived mostly on the northeast coast. I like the southeast coast better.”
“I’ve always lived in South Carolina.”
I searched my mind for a question and drew a blank.
“We should turn around,” I said, stopping. He was determined to stay with me all the way back to the dreaded family campsite. I wondered how long it would be until Jon drove him away.
“It must be hard moving that much. What’s it like going to new schools all the time?”
“I don’t go to school.”
“You don’t go to school?”
“We are homeschooled. It would be too hard any other way.”
“Why do you move around so much?” So much for not asking nosy questions.
“It’s my dad’s work. He’s transferred often.” We were almost back to Jon. He stood up and tried to look intimidating. “Oh no.”
“What?”
“My dad is going to pull the protective dad act while mortifying me.” I really didn’t like referring to Jon as my dad, but anytime I tell someone he’s my stepdad they ask where my real dad is.
“All parents embarrass their kids.”
“Well, mine is especially good at it.” I sighed as I took my last couple steps toward humiliation.
“This is Cole. Cole, this is my dad, Jon.” Jon preferred that I introduce him as my dad instead of my stepdad. I was hopeful it would work in my favor.
“He’s one of the kids that saved me,” Max immediately interjected.
Thanks, Max.
“Yes, well, we’ll talk about that later, won’t we, Tessa?” Jon put on a stern face. “Thank you, Cole, for rescuing my youngest.”
“Well, we may have acted too quickly. I think he would have been just fine without our help.”
“Nonetheless, Tessa should have kept a closer eye on him.”
“The tide here pulls people out rather quickly. My friends and I are always watching for newcomers to the beach. No disrespect, sir, but your kids really weren’t being careless. They should post some warning signs.”
I wondered if Jon saw through his ‘sir’ and ‘there should be warning signs’ routine. I can’t imagine he was buying the responsible act. Although, I had to admit Cole delivered it with impeccable sincerity.
“What did you say your name was?”
“Cole, sir.”
“How old are you Cole?”
“Sixteen.” John pulled at his chin as he took a long look at Cole.
“Well, thank you again, Cole. You’re right. Signs would be a good idea.”
I couldn’t tell if Cole was trying to score points with Jon or me, maybe both. Jon continued to ask questions.
“So what do you kids do for fun around here, Cole?”
“Mostly hang out at the beach. On the weekend we have bonfires at night. We’re having one here tonight if Tessa wants to come.”
Very smooth, Cole, but there was no way Jon would let me go to the beach at night with a complete stranger. Besides, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go.
“How late does this bonfire last?”
“Everyone has to be off the beach by midnight.”
Jon composed his answer. I was certain it would come complete with a lecture to Cole about things that happen after dark…yadda, yadda. Jon loves a good lecture. There was an awkward silence. Jon’s eyes narrowed.
Here it comes.
“We move so often Tessa isn’t able to spend time with kids her own age.” There was an undertone of guilt in his response I had never heard before. “A bonfire sounds like fun. You can go, Tessa.”
My eyes widened, but I knew I couldn’t have heard him right. Mom would kill him if she found out. A bonfire—with a guy she didn’t know—in a town we just moved to? Is he suffering from heat stroke? Maybe I fell asleep on the beach and this is just a dream. I pinched myself to make sure I was awake.
“Does Tessa have a curfew?”
Guilt or no guilt, Jon was going to tell him to have me home by 10 p.m., maybe 9 p.m.; not a moment later; maybe earlier. That should discourage Cole from wanting me to go.
“Her mother and I really haven’t set a curfew,” Jon offered looking over at me for a reaction.
Because I have no need for one; I have no life, no friends and I am never out without my over-protective mother or annoying stepdad.
“What time would you like her home?”
“We just moved in a week ago. Midnight sounds,” he looked at me again, “reasonable for a bonfire; after all, it is the summer.”
My jaw dropped. Jon continued talking to Cole.
Gabe reached over and pushed my chin up to close my mouth.
“Smooth, Tessie,” he whispered, “careful not to drool.”
I shot him one of my death glares and he stopped giggling. I think I