Free Next Summer by Hailey Abbott Page A

in love with George anymore? Was that crazy?
    The paved road ended, and Beth turned off onto the dirt track that led up to the cottages. The trees closed in around her, high and fresh-smelling, and she could hear insects hum and the leaves shift and murmur far above. Up ahead, she made out the raised voices of her younger cousins and the clank of plates and cutlery as the Tuttles prepared for their nightly barbecue-fest. It was dinnertime already?
    She felt like bursting into tears.
    “Beth!” her father called from where he stood at the barbecue. “You almost missed dinner!”
    “I lost track of time,” Beth murmured.
    Beth’s dad—always the most enthusiastic griller in the family—dispensed hamburgers and hot dogs, and a few steaks for the grown-ups. Beth loaded up her plate with cheeseburger fixings and a lot of lettuce she didn’t actually want.
    “You don’t want any potato salad?” her mom asked, eyeing Beth’s plate doubtfully. “I made the kind you like, with the new potatoes and bacon.”
    “I’m fine with this,” she told her mother, and smiled as if she wasn’t feeling horrible.
    “Rabbit food’s not your style, Bethy,” her dad chimed in. “Let me know when you want a second burger.”
    Ignoring them, Beth headed over to the picnic table traditionally reserved for the older cousins. The younger kids were sitting with Uncle Carr and Aunt Claire, fighting over the amount of vegetables they’d been served, as well as the score of a parent versus kids badminton match.
    “You cheat!” Drew was accusing Aunt Claire. “Everyone knows you do!”
    “Eat your tomatoes,” Uncle Carr retorted.
    Beth expected to see both her cousins, but only Kelsi was around. Beth felt a lump in her throat when she swallowed.
    “I went down to the beach to look for you,” Kelsi said when Beth neared the table. “I’m going out with that friend of yours tonight.”
    Adam. There he was again. Looking down at Kelsi, Beth felt scraggly in her sweaty tank and shorts.
    “Um, really?” Beth asked then, before the silence dragged on too long. “That’s so cool!” She thought her voice sounded brittle and fake, but Kelsi didn’t seem to notice.
    “Yeah,” Kelsi said, and shrugged. “It should be fun.” She patted the bench next to her and Beth took a seat. “I have no idea what to wear. Wanna help me after dinner?”
    You’ve got to be kidding me, Beth thought.
    “Well, uh…” She felt like her tongue was made of glue. “I promised George I’d call him, so…” Beth lied. “We’re going to eat dinner together.”
    Kelsi smiled. “Aw…” She made a shooing motion with her hand. “Go on, then. Go be cute. I’ll dress myself.”
    Beth walked into the house, up to her room, and sankdown on the bed. She set her plate on the dresser, not in the least bit hungry. Her phone rang again, echoing loudly in the quiet room. George. Beth let it ring, and then listened while it made another soft voice-mail beep.
    She knew he was waiting for her. But Beth also knew she couldn’t bring herself to call George back. Not when she was feeling so torn between him…and Adam.

 

    12
     
    The bowling alley was alive with flashing lights and the crash and thunder of balls rolling down the shiny, waxed lanes. Outkast was blaring from the speakers, while kids heckled one another over sloppy techniques and low scores. Kelsi could feel the energy zing through her when she and Adam entered all the chaos.
    “I don’t remember the last time I went bowling,” Kelsi said, grinning at him. “I think I was ten and at someone’s birthday party.”
    “I can’t tell you what great news that is,” Adam said, fastening the laces on his rented shoes. “Because I’m terrible. I was afraid you were going to kick my ass and I’d have to sit here and be a good loser.”
    “You’re not a good loser?” Kelsi asked, trying to size him up.
    “Of course not.” Adam flashed his slow smile. “There’s no such thing.”
    Kelsi