South beach (28 page)

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"You mean us kissing?" Tyler asked, his warm breath tickling her ear.

She nodded. "I mean, I feel like it all happened so suddenly."

"I know," Tyler said with a grin. "But sometimes that's how the best stuff in life happens." He put his arm around Holly and drew her into his chest. "It doesn't feel strange at all," he whispered. "It feels
awesome."

"Awesome," Holly echoed, and they started kissing again.

This
is
awesome,
Holly thought. Their being together felt so natural that she didn't hesitate for a second as Tyler laid her back on the towel. They snuggled warmly, holding each other tight.

For the briefest instant, Holly wondered if Alexa would be upset if she knew what they were doing. But, no; Alexa had ended things with Tyler. Holly couldn't help but wonder why. He was amazing. Holly felt a little sorry for Alexa maybe she just didn't know how to fully enjoy herself. Holly hoped that her friend would one day experience the exquisite happiness she was now feeling here, on this beach, under the full moon.

Funny. The moon had also been full that night when Diego had kissed her all those years ago. But

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Holly felt older and wiser now. Kissing Tyler felt meaningful, but Holly wasn't going to turn this sweet moment into anything more than it actually was. And no matter what happened between her and Tyler down the road, Holly would never let it change the memory of this magical night.

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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Forever

The sun was rising over the ocean, streaking the horizon pink and gold, as Alexa stepped out of Diego's car onto a silent, serene Ocean Drive. She shut the car door, blew Diego one last kiss, then waved him on. She watched, clutching a bunch of orchids to her chest, as the dark-blue Honda slowly pulled away from the curb and drove into the misty dawn.

As Alexa walked under the Flamingo's arch and pulled open the door, she gave a sigh that was equal parts sadness and satisfaction. She was missing Diego already. She crept up the stairs, almost tripping over a stray can of Bud. Her hallway was utterly still. Alexa figured that her neighbors were either conked out, or still drunkenly weaving their way home.
And Holly,
Alexa thought as she turned the knob to Number
7,
is

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probably sleeping peacefully after her chill dinner with Ida.
Alexa quietly opened the door and tip-toed into the room.

Holly lay on her bed, sleeping in her tank and skirt from the night before. And, nestled at her side, his arms holding her gently, was a boy with dark-blond hair. He, too, was fast asleep, and his bare, muscular chest rose and fell at the same time as Holly's. Alexa froze in the doorway. The sunshine peeking through the shade cast dappled shadows on the couple's blissful faces. If Alexa hadn't known the two people on the bed, she would have thought they made the sweetest, most adorable couple she'd ever seen.

Instead, all she saw was her ex-boyfriend cuddled up with her oldest friend. And all she felt was pure, hot astonishment -- and rage.

"What the hell is going on here?" Alexa demanded, effectively killing the idyllic moment.

Tyler and Holly were jolted awake at the same instant. Tyler sat bolt upright, his hair mussed and his cheek bearing the pillow's imprint. He looked from Holly to Alexa in bewilderment. Meanwhile, Holly rubbed her eyes and struggled to sit up, also clearly surprised to find herself in the current situation. They both seemed totally vulnerable and caught off guard, but Alexa didn't care. She wanted some answers.

"I -- did we -- we must have fallen asleep," Holly

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mumbled to Tyler, then glanced at Alexa, who was still standing by the open door.

Alexa crossed her arms over her chest. "You move fast, don't you?" she asked Tyler snidely.

"It's not like that," Tyler protested, his face reddening as he sprung off the bed.

Alexa couldn't believe what she was seeing. Tyler and Holly, together? They hardly knew each other. Alexa wondered, with mounting anger, if Tyler had hooked up with her old friend out of pure spite. Not that Holly had exactly turned him down.

"Yeah? Then what
is
it like?" Alexa spat. "Oh, wait. I'll tell you. It's
gross."

"Alexa, don't get mad," Holly added quietly, standing up. "We didn't mean for you to see us like this and--"

The way Holly said
we,
as if she and Tyler were an actual couple, only added fuel to Alexa's fire.

"I can't
believe
you would do this to me, Holly," Alexa snapped. "After everything we've been through on this trip. Some friend you are."

Holly jerked back, surprised by the venom in Alexa's voice. Then she felt her own anger flare up. Alexa was, once again, tainting one of Holly's perfect memories. Did she always have to act like such a diva?

In one fluid motion, Tyler reached for his T-shirt and hoodie on the floor, pulled them on over his track

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pants, laced up his sneakers, and made straight for the door.

"I'll call you later," Tyler said, giving Holly a soft smile as he turned to go. Then he glanced awkwardly at Alexa. "And I'm, uh, really sorry about this, Alexa. I'll, um, see you, I guess."

And he was gone.

Alexa slammed the door behind Tyler and faced Holly again. Alone in the sun-drenched room, the girls glared at each other, their eyes narrowed and their mouths set in stubborn scowls.

"Why did you
freak
like that?" Holly asked. "You didn't even let me explain--"

"Did you have sex with him?" Alexa cut in.

"That's private," Holly replied, turning cherry-red. "But, if you must know, we didn't, okay?" She rolled her eyes, irritated by the accusation. "God, Alexa. Do you always assume
everyone
is like you?"

Alexa gritted her teeth. Did Holly have to go flinging that issue in her face again?

"No," Alexa hissed. "I'm just realistic. I walk in here, see you on the bed with my ex-boyfriend -- how am I supposed to react?"

"But, look, I'm still fully clothed," Holly said. "We met down on the beach, and started talking, and then we came up here to talk more. That's all..." Holly's face warmed at the memory of how she and Tyler had

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cuddled on her bed for hours. Drifting off in his strong-arms had felt so comfortable. "Stop jumping to conclusions," Holly added, narrowing her eyes at Alexa.

Alexa paused.
So this is how Holly must have felt that night at the Delano,
Alexa realized with a twinge of guilt. She must have had the same involuntary jealous-girl reaction: He's
mine!

But Tyler
isn't
mine,
Alexa reflected.
I dumped him.
And, despite her moment of weakness the other night, Alexa knew she didn't have feelings for Tyler anymore. She remembered how Holly had selflessly urged her to call Diego yesterday, putting aside her own raw emotions.
Who's being the baby
now? Alexa thought, suddenly feeling a little silly.

Holly watched as Alexa's face softened, and her own anger subsided. She sympathized with how surprised Alexa must have felt, seeing her with Tyler; after all, Holly had been in that same position herself only a few days ago.

"Listen, we're being stupid," Holly said quietly. "We can't get into
another
fight." It was their last full day in South Beach, after all; Holly didn't want their trip to end in more hostility.

Alexa relaxed her shoulders. "Especially not over a boy," she agreed. She felt a smile tug at her lips. "I'm sorry I overreacted," she added.

"Truce?" Holly offered, smiling back.

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"Truce," Alexa affirmed. She leaned against the dresser, setting down her orchids, as Holly sat on the edge of her bed.

"So ..." Alexa said after a moment. "How
did
you and Tyler start talking last night?" Now that she was less pissed, Alexa was extremely curious.

Holly blushed, folding her hands in her lap, as she told Alexa about running into Tyler on the shore, and their instant chemistry.

"But I don't know if it's anything serious," Holly concluded. "I mean, it might have just been a onetime thing." Though she couldn't help but remember the way Tyler had looked at her while he was making his swift getaway. They'd exchanged cell numbers last night, and he was still staying at the Flamingo -- they could easily see each other again. And, of course, there was school. Holly shook her head. She had to be careful not to get too invested.

"Well, you never know," Alexa said. She tapped a finger to her lower lip, thoughtful.
Of course.
Holly and Tyler -- it suddenly made perfect sense. They had the whole sports obsession in common. And they were both -- sometimes annoyingly, sometimes adorably -- innocent. Alexa remembered that when she and Tyler had broken up in Oakridge, she'd assured him he would find the right girl for himself. Maybe, in a totally unexpected way, Tyler had done just that.

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"The whole thing's so surreal," Alexa said. "I mean, it's
Tyler.
And it's
you.
" She shook her head, then gave Holly a half-smile. "And at the same time, it works. Though it'll take some getting used to."

"That's how I feel about you and Diego," Holly said. "I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it."

Alexa laughed at the absurdity of it all. "I guess we kind of... swapped boys, huh?"

"The great spring break switch." Holly giggled. She looked at Alexa affectionately, thinking about how far they'd come together. Naturally they were both weirded out by their respective boy situations who wouldn't be? But they weren't going to let the weird-ness ruin their bond.

A knock sounded on the door. When Alexa opened it, there stood a wilted-looking Daisy. Barefoot, she wore a tube top and hot pants and held in her hands the red flip-flops Alexa had loaned her on their first day in South Beach.

"Hey," Daisy whispered. "I wasn't sure if you guys were up but I thought I heard you laughing in here. I just got back from Mac's Club Deuce, and I remembered you guys were leaving this morning, so I wanted to return the flip-flops."

"Thanks," Alexa said, accepting the flip-flops. "We're actually leaving
tomorrow
morning."

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"Great!" Daisy said. "So can you guys come to the bonfire and concert on the beach tonight?"

"Of course," Alexa replied. She'd seen posters advertising the concert tacked up around the beach, and had been intrigued. Daisy said she'd see them there, and headed to her room. Alexa shut the door and looked at the flip-flops in her hand, remembering how Daisy had come to their room their first day at the Flamingo. Alexa couldn't believe how much had happened between then and now.

"Hey, Alexa," Holly said gently. "Is it okay with you if I invite Tyler to the bonfire, too?"

"It's up to you, Hoi." Alexa shrugged. "You don't need to ask my permission."

"I just wanted to make sure ..." Holly trailed off.

Alexa walked over to the bed and sat beside Holly, poking her in the ribs. "I know. I appreciate your asking."

"What about you?" Holly asked, leaning back on her elbows. "Are you gonna bring Diego?"

"No. He has to do family stuff tonight. So we already said our good-byes." Alexa stared off, her expression dreamy.

Holly sat up, her eyes round. "Wait," she said, as if something had just occurred to her. "You spent the night at Diego's!" In all the chaos that morning, that fact had barely registered.

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Alexa nodded, not offering anything else.

"So ... what happened?" Holly asked, holding her breath for Alexa's response.

But Alexa only smiled mysteriously, stood, and glided over her to the dresser drawers to take out a towel for the shower. Holly gave an impatient sigh, and Alexa turned to face her again.

"As you said, Hoi, it's private, right?" Alexa replied breezily, her eyes sparkling. Then she grinned and drifted out of the room with her towel.

Holly fell back on her bed, secretly relieved. Maybe there were some things best left unknown.

Alexa and Holly spent the rest of the morning packing. Their flight was early the next day, and they wanted to leave their last night free for fun. Alexa felt a twinge of melancholy as she spread her outfit for the plane on top of her luggage: Seven Jeans, a faux-fur chubby, and moccasin boots.
Back to winter,
she thought.
Back to reality.
Holly, who was laying out a hoodie and cords on top of her zipped-up bags, looked equally forlorn.

But, with the packing out of the way, there still remained a full day of sunshine to savor. As he'd promised, Tyler called Holly, and they agreed to go for an afternoon run on the boardwalk. Meanwhile, Alexa mellowed out on the beach and talked to Diego on her