Free Summer of Seventeen by Jane Harvey-Berrick Page A

“Let me know when she gives you your balls back.”
    I watched him stagger away, crashing into the bunch of guys playing football.
    “Asshole,” I muttered.
    Yansi was right—something was up with Sean, but the mood he was in, I didn’t think he’d be letting me in on what was bugging him. Maybe we could hang later in the week—if I wasn’t working or sleeping.
    I yawned and stretched. If I didn’t get up and do something, I’d be spending the day with my eyes closed. I watched Yansi talking to Esther and Megan. Esther saw me and shook her head.
    “Girl time!” she yelled.
    Yansi laughed at the expression on my face, then blew me a kiss. All the guys whooped and yelled, and I felt my cheeks heat up. Fu c k ‘em; just because they didn’t have a girlfriend as hot as Yans.
    I decided to go for a swim. The tide was way out, and the beach was wide and flat. The light gray-brown sand was soft as sugar and burning hot. I broke into a jog, relieved when the ripples splashed up my legs. I dove into the water, the light turning hazy as I opened my eyes, a slight sting from the salt, but one I was well used to.
    The beach seemed distant when I surfaced, and I was amazed how far I’d swum. Yansi was right—even in just a week of yard work, my muscles had gotten stronger. It felt good. It felt really good. I swam further, enjoying the silky feel of the sun-warmed water on my skin. When I turned to look at the beach again, I could just make out a figure standing on the shore watching me.
    She raised a hand and waved.
    My girl. Looking out for me. And then the sudden realization hit me, I love her .
    I was so surprised I nearly sank, and then panic started to set in. I must be wrong. I liked Yansi; I liked her a lot. But it wasn’t love, no way. I couldn’t love her. Love was too big, too risky, and people you loved died.
    But the idea wouldn’t go away. With every beat of my heart, the truth pulsed through me, You love her, you love her, you love her .
    It was the scariest fucking thing ever.
    She was waiting for me, paddling at the edge of the water, stunning in a pale yellow bikini that showcased her curvy body; her long hair loose, begging for me to tangle my fingers in it.
    I love her .
    “Hey, you,” she smiled. “The food’s ready. But I wasn’t going to put out the Yiyimbre till you got back in.”
    I offered her a weak smile, afraid to meet her eyes, knowing that she was too good at reading me.
    She frowned. “Are you okay?”
    “Just … tired,” I stuttered.
    Her raised eyebrows told me that she didn’t believe me, but she didn’t call me on it either.
    “Okaaay,” she said slowly, and held out her hand.
    Her skin was hot against mine and darker. I stared at our joined hands, feeling a jolt of painful pleasure, as if someone had jumpstarted my heart. Maybe she had.
    She didn’t try to talk to me as we walked back to join the others. Unlike most girls who seemed to think they had to talk 24/7 to keep a guy interested, Yansi didn’t make me talk when I didn’t want to. And right now I couldn’t. Words kept sticking in my throat, and I felt dumb in more than one way.
    When we joined the others, at least I had the distraction of loading up a plate with some food. I knew Yansi wasn’t buying the whole ‘tired’ excuse, but I knew she wouldn’t force the issue in front of other people either.
    “Oh my God, my parents are so stupid!” laughed a girl. “They totally believed me when I told them I’d never smoked weed and I never would. Are they serious?”
    “Yeah, well your mom thinks Santa Claus is real and that you’re still a virgin!”
    “Bitch! Like you can talk?”
    “At least your parents let you have your own car. Mine are so pathetic—they say I have to share with my sister. I really hate them.”
    Yansi threw me a sympathetic look and moved our towels further away. She knew I couldn’t stand it when other kids whined about their parents, calling them losers and assholes. I’d