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Authors: Kelly Mooney

Tags: #Teen & Young Adult, #Romance, #Contemporary

Please Don't Tell (6 page)

BOOK: Please Don't Tell
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“What? Mom how could you not tell me this? Why am I just finding this out now?” I felt horrible. I’ve never lost anyone close to me yet. But sometimes I felt like I could understand since I only saw my Dad twice a year. I knew it wasn’t the same, but sometimes it felt like it.

             
How could I say no? “Fine, but we’ll need some rules,” I said, before stomping away and slamming directly into Peter.

             
“Hey, Soph. Where’s the fire?”

             
“Did you know about this? I mean about Ethan and the exchange program thingy?” I smacked him in his arm as hard as I could. “And how come you didn’t tell me about his father?”

             
He stood back surveying me, his eyebrows arched. “Ethan’s not doing well with the loss of his Dad. He doesn’t like to talk about it and I’m not sure why I didn’t tell you. As for the exchange program thingy? I think it’s brilliant. I’d love to come too, but well, with Claire and University. Besides, I really don’t want to leave her to the other blokes. I could pop in for a visit.”

             
I pushed my hand into his chest. “You should have told me. Wait, you’d come too?”

             
“No. I said I would if it weren’t for Claire. We’re really hitting it off.” His head tilted and he pulled me in closer. “What? Are you afraid of having him around?” He asked, his perfect face tilted next to my ear.

             
I stepped back and crossed my arms. “I’m not afraid to have him around. It’s just weird.”

             
He exhaled. “Well, I’m sure Austin would love to have him...think of your little brother. It’ll be good for him to have a man in the house again.”

             
Austin, how could I forget about Austin? He would love it. I knew he would. Austin was off in Seattle for a few weeks of Daddy time.

             
I closed my eyes briefly. “I know you’re right. I just...I just don’t know. It’ll be strange having him there.”

             
“Loosen up, Sophie. Come sit with us and I’ll slip you a Corona. We haven’t spent anytime together.” No shit, Sherlock!

             
I glanced over his shoulder. Behind him, Claire was lying in a lounge chair in her black string bikini. I wanted to yell at him and take advantage of being alone even for the briefest minute, but I didn’t have time. Claire started to eye the two of us talking and sat up. So, instead of bringing up last year, I asked, “How did you get beer?”

             
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me toward Claire. “Drinking age is eighteen in England and the hotel isn’t checking. Besides, you know my birthday’s next month.” Sadly, I was aware of his birthday and planned to give him the best present ever--me!

             
I quickly glanced around for Ethan, but he was nowhere to be found.  I sat down and grabbed a beer from the silver bucket and twisted the cap. I looked around before I placed the bottle to my lips, letting the coldness of the beer feel good as it swirled inside of my mouth. I pulled away reluctantly. “Where’s Ethan?” I asked.

             
“Ethan prefers the ocean. All those bloody years down under.”

             
I nodded. My instant reaction was to glance past the pool bar and out toward the beach. I wondered momentarily why he preferred to be alone then hang with Peter.

             
Peter raised his beer before he took his next swig. “He misses Australia. The last year has been a huge adjustment for him.”

             
I started to feel really bad for Ethan, and part of me wondered why living in England was so hard for him and part of me still wondered why he wanted to come to New York.  I knew I was being ridiculous for being short with him on the beach and every time he came close to me. So, big deal, he used to be mean to me when we were little. He’s all grown up now. It’s obvious he’d changed. So, he knows a few things about me. I’m sure he’ll never tell anyone. After all he promised. I just hoped his promises actually meant something to him, because my promises were usually a little more on the flexible side.

 

 

             
             
             
             
             
Chapter 6

 

             
The sun was scorching hot on the last day of our vacation. On the plus side, my body was tanned to perfection for the beginning of my junior year.

             
With my suitcase opened and a few things already packed, I pulled out the final three shirts from the wicker dresser and tossed them inside. I threw my favorite travel outfit onto the edge of the bed to wear on the plane the next day, and then sat on the edge of the bed. I picked up the bottoms and eyed the color of blue as my fingers ran over the denim material to my favorite shorts. The gentle knock on the bedroom door pulled my attention away from my thoughts of next year.

             
My mom peeked around the door as she pushed it open. “Honey, are you done packing yet?”

             
I motioned to my suitcase as she walked in. “Almost.”

             
She smiled as she leaned on the dresser. “Leave it by the front door when you’re done.” Her head tilted and her smile became even bigger than before. “It was great getting together with everyone, huh kiddo? Well, other then everything that happened on Yost.”

             
“It was great, Mom,” I agreed, even though it was pretty much a sucky trip all the way around for me. I knew if I had told her how I really felt, it would only upset her. Peter and Claire were together every minute of the trip kissing or holding hands. I’d never told my mother about the kiss last year. Although, secretly I believed my Mom and Aunt Anna had some hope for the two us to get together. Once in a while they would make comments about how great it would be to see us as a couple. It was painfully obvious now that that wasn’t going to happen.

             
My nightmare boat ride with Ethan, and my mom agreeing to the exchange program thingy was something that still bothered me. I couldn’t believe I would have to spend six months with Ethan living in my house, attending my school, hanging out with my friends, let alone share a bathroom with him. That thought completely nauseated me. I had visions of trying to go pee and having him hear every little drop that hit the water. Or worse, what if I had some horrible aversion to some kind of food I ate. That would be completely embarrassing and no way recoverable. I wouldn’t be the sixteen-year-old girl a mere ten steps down the hall. I would be the girl down the hall who smelled up the bathroom.

             
After she left me alone, I paced around the room and chipped off the last of my nail polish. I walked over to the window, pushing the gold curtain back and peered down below to the pool. The view from my room was heavenly. The pool sat directly below, the ocean a mere fifty feet past the outdoor cafe. I saw two things as I looked out. Peter and Claire were snuggled up together on the same chair and Ethan had a towel draped over his shoulder heading toward the walkway that led to the beach.

             
I dropped the curtain back in place and trotted into the bathroom to grab my bathing suit draped over the shower railing. I tied the top of my skimpy bathing suit around my back and pulled the little bottoms up then twisted my body and stood on the balls of my feet. I smiled as I looked into the mirror. All those squats definitely paid off.

             
Grabbing my bag, I walked out and down the blue carpet toward the elevator. I found myself thinking about Ethan, the death of his father and wondered what he was doing. I knew I needed to say something--anything.  As I opened the doors to the pool area, the heat was overwhelming. I grabbed a fluffy white towel from the wooden shelf and took the path out toward the beach. I didn’t want to face him, except I also sort of wanted to and knew I had no other choice. Ethan had been nothing but friendly on the trip and I hadn’t been fair to him, and at the very least, he deserved better. I needed to let the chip on my shoulder go, and soon since he’ll be living with us.

             
Ethan was already out in the water when I walked up. As I placed my toes in the ocean, his mouth curved up into a small smile before he dropped to his knees and tipped his head back under the water.

             
I gently bit down on my bottom lip waiting for him to pop back up and when he did my breath hitched. I couldn’t think of one boy at school that remotely looked as good as he did. His chiseled abs, his broad shoulders, his green eyes and sandy blondish brown hair went perfectly together. His height was the only thing that I had a hard time with. I felt like a munchkin compared to him. I even started growing fond of that scar over his eye. It somehow seemed to make him sexier.

             
He flung his hair back and waved for me to come out and join him.  My eyes scanned the water for fish swimming close to the shoreline. A blue one swam away as my legs took me out, Ethan moved forward closing the distance.

             
He stopped a few feet away. “Well, well, well and here I thought you were still avoiding me.”

             
I bit down on my lip. “Truth?”

             
He nodded. “Of course.”

             
“It beats watching three women drinking way too early or hanging out with the happy couple so...I chose this.”

             
“So, I’m not the first or second choice, but I’m the third?”

             
I shrugged, lifting my hands out of the water. “Sorry.”

             
He laughed softly. “I have to admit that’s why I’m out here, too. Although I wasn’t going to make you my third choice, but I’m glad you chose it,” he said, before he dropped onto his back and started to float. “Feel like a swim?”

             
I tucked my hair behind my ear nervously, rethinking my decision to come out here. I glanced back over my shoulder wanting to head back to the pool. After our little incident I just felt safer soaking in chlorine. I laughed before I caught him staring at me. “How about the pool instead?” I looked up to the beach, then finally back to him.

             
Ethan stood up and shook his head. “Ah, don’t really like the pool. It’s a little crowded,” he said as he reached for my hand tugging me out further. “It’s just an ocean, Sophie.”

             
I let go of his hand and stared at him. “I’m not afraid of the ocean.” I was never afraid of the ocean. I loved to swim in the turquoise water just as much as the next person, but our little adventure left me a little on edge.

             
His hands ran through his wet hair shoving it back and gave me a look that said he didn’t believe me. He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “Prove it.”

             
“I’m here aren’t I?”

             
His eyebrows furrowed. “Considering you’ve avoided the water and me entirely for the last week, I would have thought differently.”

             
My fingers ran down to my hips trying to adjust my suit. “I’m sorry if you thought I was avoiding you. I really wasn’t doing that,” I lied with a halfhearted smile. I hated the fact that he seemed to know me so well.

             
He exhaled and cocked his head slightly. “Did I mention that I really love your suit? I think it’s my favorite one by far,” he teased as his hand flicked the string on the back of my neck.

             
The warmth of his hand as it touched my neck caused me to shiver even though it had to be well over ninety degrees. I tensed and took a step back. As much as I wanted and needed to tell him how sorry I was about his Dad, I couldn’t think of what to say. Peter mentioned he didn’t like to talk about it. “I’m so...you know what? I think I’m gonna head to the pool.”

             
He placed his hand over his heart. “And here I thought you were going to prove that you’re not afraid of the ocean.”

“It’s not the ocean I’m afraid of,”
             
I mumbled under my breath. I turned to suppress a smile not wanting him to know that I enjoyed the banter back and forth and trudged out of the water.  I grabbed my towel from the chair letting my pace pick up as I made my way back to the hotel.

             
I just needed to make it through this last day and I would be back on a 757 making my way home. I closed my eyes as I fell back onto the comfy lounge chair thinking about shopping with Val and the start of my junior year. The soft sound of reggae music echoed in the background mixed with gentle laughter behind me.  I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to my mom and her friends reminiscing. And drifted off to the sounds of Bob Marley.

             
I woke with a start, feeling a warm hand on my shoulder. “Sophie, wake up. You’ve been baking away for hours. Oh, honey just look at your nose, it’s so red. I told you to put sunblock on.”

             
I held my hand over my eyes to block out the sun. My mother had been peering down with her glasses resting on her head before she reached down with her thumb pressing it to my nose. “I did put sunblock on.”

             
My hand instinctively pinched my nose between my fingers. It was definitely going to hurt tomorrow and the day after and the day after that.

             
“I guess I fell asleep,” I said, as I sat up. “Did you bring the aloe?”

             
Her nose scrunched up and she sighed, “Oops, forgot that one. Maybe you should head up to the room before our last dinner.”

             
I swung my legs out and placed them onto the concrete. “I think I’ll pass. I’ll just order room service or something.”

             
She placed her hands on her hips and glared. “You are not passing tonight, young lady. It’s our last time together for a while. Besides, you’ve barely hung out with Peter and Claire.” Her arms reached down and pulled me to a stand. “I know that you are upset with Peter. I think everyone knows since the two of you barely have spent anytime together. But, I also think you should spend some time with Ethan since he’ll be coming to stay with us in a few months. He’s like family.”

             
“About that...” I bended over to grab my towel, then wrapped it around my waist. “Do you really think that’s such a great idea? And, how did you know about Peter?”

             
She reached up and pulled her glasses off. “Sophie, do you really think I couldn’t see how you felt about him over the years,” she answered easily as I tried to keep a subdued face.  “I’m sorry. I had no idea Claire was coming. And as far as Ethan goes, you said you were fine with it. He really needs this, Sophie and I don’t want you and Austin staying alone when I’m off for business.”

             
“And, you think that a know-it-all seventeen year old guy is the answer? And what about Gran?”

             
“Sophie, please this is something I’m doing for an old friend and her son. It’s not the end of the world. Besides, I trust him and his mother implicitly. Now run up and get ready.” Her eyes shifted toward the hotel door. “Dinner is at seven.”

             
I rolled my eyes and slid past her. “Fine.”

             
Seven o’clock came and went, my mother long gone. I really was going to go down, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. My mother was meeting up for a pre-cocktail gathering with her friends.  I grabbed the remote and the menu on the side table and threw myself down onto the bed. I clicked on the television and had just been about to call in my hamburger order when the chime of a bell rang out.

             
I hopped out of bed and tied the strings to my sweat shorts tighter. I approached the door, peeking through the peep hole. Oh, my god, Peter! Peter, my perfect taken Peter was on the other side of the door. Looking for me! Why?  I reminded myself that I’d known him forever and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Feeling the hurt build up inside of my chest, I decided that I really hated the name Claire and I also really needed to move on.

             
“Sophie, I know you’re in there,” he said, tapping on the door again.

             
I took a deep breath just as I’d twisted the knob to open the door. “Hey.”

             
His eyes glanced at my body from head to toe making me feel a little twinge of happiness. Wondering if he’d liked what he saw? Briefly thinking maybe he ditched her to come see me.

             
“Nice nose. Is this what you’re wearing to dinner?”

             
I opened the door wider and gestured for him to come in. I felt a little off balance as he strolled past me. I’d replayed that kiss a million times, and I still hadn’t been sure what happened. “I thought I’d take a pass tonight.”

             
He whirled to face me. “I’m not allowing you to pass on dinner...so get dressed.”

             
I closed my eyes briefly. “Did my mother send you up to get me?”

BOOK: Please Don't Tell
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