Baby Girl: Bad Boys of Summer Series by Reagan Phillips

Author:Reagan Phillips [Phillips, Reagan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-21T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Ash

July fourth is a big deal in Marshville. Huge. Saying it’s the most celebrated holiday in town is an understatement.

Along our coastline sits one of the forts used during the revolutionary war. Though nothing remains of the original structure, it is marked by a plaque and is a tourist destination. Every year, the town throws a colossal barbecue and fireworks show, and we watch from the roof of our house or on one of Dad’s friend’s boats.

This year I’m grounded, so the roof and a plate of food brought over from the barbecue are about as festive as it gets.

At least it’s Camron who brings the food and tells my father she will take personal responsibility for making sure I stay home.

He only agrees because she’s the senior partner’s daughter and, other than making my life difficult, work is his only priority.

“He was tending the bar,” Cameron says as soon as we are alone. “I bet that’s why your dad is being so harsh.”

I bite into the hamburger she brought and smile. “Who?” I ask around my bite like I can’t guess she means Cole.

“His cousin’s bar services all the local events. If your dad plans to keep you away from Cole, you’re going to miss out on every summer tradition in South Beach.”

“I’m not feeling very traditional these days,” I say when she gives me that concerned, crinkle eye. I’ve done the South Beach Marshville social scene since I was five and in pigtails on my dad’s shoulders. Same people. Same parties. I want something different.

Carmon takes the stool next to me at the kitchen counter and picks up one of the fries on my plate. “God, I’ve missed this. They don’t have fries like this in Europe. So, what’s the deal with you two anyway?”

“Nothing,” I answer quickly. “Why does knowing someone have to come with a label attached? We met at my graduation party and have run into each other a few times since.”

Carmon nearly chokes on her fry. “What I saw the other night wasn’t a casual run-in. That boy had eyes for you and only you. You should have seen his face when your father hauled you out my front door. Lost puppies couldn’t touch his big sad eyes.”

“He didn’t even know I was gone.”

“Trust me,” she picks up another fry and bites off the tip. “That boy knew the second you left the house.”

“We’re just friends,” I say, though I feel the heat on my cheeks, and I know she sees it too. “Fine,” I drop my burger to the plate and push it away. My stomach is too unstable to eat now. “If we’re going to talk about Cole Blake all night, I might as well head upstairs and bury my head under a pillow. It’d be about the same amount of fun.”

“Good. I’m glad you feel that way. It’ll make this easier to hear.”

“This what?” Now she has my full attention. While we were in school, Camron was always the first to hear everything.

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