Free Aftermath by Sandy Goldsworthy Page B

it.
    “Hey, I’ll catch you later. Bring your friends,” Drew said when he finally noticed Melissa and I were standing on the pier.
    “Yeah, for sure,” Matt answered, reaching for my hand. We walked along the water’s edge, weaving through sunbathers and kids playing in the sand.
    “Thanks for coming with me,” I said and looked up at him.
    “Yeah, no problem… I wanted to.” Matt squeezed my hand gently.
    “So how well do you know that guy… the one at the pier?”
    “Who? Drew?”
    “Ah, yeah... I think that was that his name.” The sun was hot on my shoulders.
    “He’s friends with Lewis. I met him when I came to visit this summer.” I nodded, and he continued. “He’s a big partier.” He shot me a look, and I knew exactly what he meant.
    “Yeah, I got that part. You missed this year’s party on the Fourth, huh?” I asked. Waves gently rushed in, covering our feet.
    “Apparently so. I heard they got busted. Some guy got caught with drugs. Drew said everyone laid low after that. Just a few parties at his place. Not like what they used to be.”
    “Drew lives on the lake?” My feet began to sink in the wet sand when the water retreated.
    He nodded. “Yeah… on the opposite end. There’s only a few houses by him, and I think he said they were vacant or something.”
    I stumbled. My right foot got bogged down in the clumpy, wet sand. Matt waited while I regained my step. He chuckled, but he didn’t say anything. I couldn’t help but laugh, as I caught myself from falling a second time. His arms were around me before I knew it, lifting me up. When our eyes locked, I realized how much I would miss him. I was sure he would kiss me until some kids ran past us, interrupting the moment.
    When we reached the equipment rental office, we were third in line. Matt crossed his arms tight against his chest while we waited. I glanced around. Wake boards and skis were stuck in the sand, propped against the small building. Weathered white shutters were folded back, exposing a window where a bronze-tanned brunette girl stood behind the counter.
    The girl stared at the couple in front of her as they completed paperwork. The middle-aged man asked her a question and when he wasn’t looking, she rolled her eyes.
    If she didn’t like her job, why didn’t she quit?
    I was sure Aunt Barb wouldn’t be happy if the girl didn’t at least fake it in front of customers. I wondered if Aunt Barb would let me work here. I was lost in thought when Matt’s voice startled me.
    “So when are you moving?” His voice was soft, and he uncrossed his arms. It was a topic I didn’t want to think about, even though he deserved to know.
    “Next weekend. I think.”
    “That quick?”
    “Yeah.” I focused on the dirty-white sign above the rental window. The Carmichael Inn logo was neatly printed in navy blue with Rentals Here in red capital letters. The customer at the counter pushed the clipboard to the bronze girl. She handed the man a receipt and pointed the couple toward the beach.
    “I guess I’ll have to visit Lewis more often,” Matt said as we moved up in line.
    “Do you come up here a lot?” I couldn’t help but wonder if he did and if I’d get to see him after I moved.
    “A couple times a summer. Not as much in winter,” he said. Then he quickly added, “We were here that week you were on vacation. Before football started.”
    “Oh… yeah.” I remembered him sending a text about it.
    The bronze girl giggled. I noticed how she hovered over the dark-haired guy filling out paperwork. She had a bright smile with exceptionally white teeth against her dark skin. Interesting… she didn’t smile at the older couple.
    I barely noticed the guy in front of us before, but took a look at him while the bronze girl continued flirting. From the side view, I agreed he was attractive. He stood several inches taller than Matt did, but seemed to carry himself with more confidence. When he smiled, his eyes squinted and his