Side Effects by Awesomeness Ink

Author:Awesomeness Ink [Calonita, Jen;]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781941341506
Publisher: DreamWorks Animation Publishing

14// JASON

What are we doing here? Did anyone really think we’d pull up to one of these places on the Connolly memory train and Dad would just be waiting? “Hey, kids! I was hoping you’d come find me! Let’s go home!”

God, I sound bitter. I am bitter. I can’t help it. While the others have their little ABC Family sitcom moment back there putting up the tent, I’m keeping it real. We came, he’s not here, let’s move on. But no, they want to stay and do what? Roast marshmallows? Give me a break. We’re not a TV movie. This is real life and ours right now sucks. Why are Keith and the others trying to pretend otherwise?

I reach a clearing between the redwood trees and scream as loud as I can. My voice bounces off imaginary caverns and hits me in the face. There. That felt better. I don’t even care if the others heard me. Let them think I’ve been attacked by a bear. Okay, maybe that’s harsh. I imagine Sam running down the path screaming my name and now I feel crappy. I’ll head back and let them know I’m okay after I gather firewood for our campfire. But if they think I’m going to sit around and sing “Kumbaya” and all that shit, they’re mistaken. I push through the brush and start gathering whatever twigs and small logs I can find. I hear footsteps behind me. Yep, it’s got to be Sam. Or maybe it’s our family spy. I roll my eyes when I think of Whitney harping on me.

“Go away.” I gather as much wood as I can carry in my arms. “I’ve got this.”

“Well, that’s not a very nice hello.”

I turn around so fast some of the twigs fly out of my arms. I’d recognize that flirty voice anywhere. “Rachel?”

My skinny-dipping partner is standing on the path in front of me and she looks every bit as hot as she did when we were caught two years ago. I take that back. She looks hotter. Her waist is so small I could cup it with my two hands and my fingers would touch, and she’s still got that gloriously long blonde hair that I adore. Her shorts are shorter than ever, and she’s wearing a hot pink velour hoodie that has me wondering what’s underneath it. She bats her hazel eyes at me.

“How are you, Jay?” She walks toward me and I feel like a deer caught in headlights. I can’t move. All I can do is watch her hips. “My sister texted me the Connollys were at their old campsite.”

“Yep. We are.” Ugh. Is that all I could come up with? Lame, lame, lame.

“Your parents finally dragged you guys back out here.” Rachel looks amazed. Were her eyes always that light? They look almost yellow in the afternoon sun. “How is everyone?”

My back stiffens. For a moment, I just want to forget. “They’re good,” I lie. “Same old, same old. Nothing’s really changed.”

“Same here.

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