Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Wow. That’s…wow,” Dad says.
“The guy goes on twenty-kilometer hikes for shits and giggles,” Tristan explains.
Sam climbs out of the water on our side of the bay and shouts something that gets lost in the wind.
Chase is up next. He looks a lot more apprehensive. He walks to the end of the board, makes the sign of the cross, and jumps. He looks like a terrified dart as he plummets feet first into the water. When he pops out he’s gasping for air. He coughs and sputters and slaps the waves, awkwardly swimming to Sam who cheers him on.
As soon as he’s on the ladder, he vomits into the water.
Me, Dad, and Tristan exchange looks.
“I hope Brody fares better.” But I have my doubts.
We all turn back and watch as our brother steps up. He’s stoic, assessing the jump. Even from here I can sense his unease.
Tristan frowns. “He doesn’t have to do it.”
“He’s gonna do it,” I say.
“As long as he doesn’t break anything.” Dad raps anxiously on the table.
Brody jumps, tucking himself into a ball and protecting his head as he hits the water ass first.
Tristan is already out of his seat. “Oh man. Oh, that’s not great.”
I toss some money on the table, and we abandon our drinks, rushing down to where Sam and Chase are waiting for Brody. His face is green as he pulls himself out of the water and promptly drops to his knees, cupping his junk.
“Nothing hurts more than a water nut-slap,” Sam says.
“Fuck, my balls…” Brody groans.
A mom ushers her preteen daughter away, firing a dirty look over her shoulder at Brody, who is far too busy cradling his bruised balls to notice.
I crouch beside him. “Everything feel like it’s still intact?”
“I feel like they’re in my throat.” He gags. “I’m gonna—”
I move out of the way as he tosses his cookies.
“Guess you boys aren’t up for a round two, huh?” Isaac pulls himself out of the water.
“We’ll take a cab back,” I suggest. Brody can’t handle bouncing his balls across the ocean after this.
We leave Sam and Isaac to continue their adventure and cab it back to the resort. Chase disappears into his room, still looking green, and I grab Brody’s bag from Dad’s room and take him back to mine. He’s in much better form, no longer choking on his balls.
“Look, the room situation isn’t perfect.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
I hold my wrist to the door and let him in.
Brody frowns as he takes in the space. “Who did you piss off? Why do you have this room? Dad’s is super nice. This is like…kinda shitty.”
“It was the last room in the block. There’s also a leak in the roof.”
“Why didn’t you ask to switch?”
My phone buzzes on the table.
Brody glances over. His eyes bug out as he grabs it and holds it in front of me, inadvertently unlocking it and opening to the first message. Which is from Essie. “Holy fuck. Holy fuck! Essie is sending you pictures?” His jaw drops. “Nate.”
I pinch his nipple and pluck my phone out of his hand. “Those aren’t for your eyes.”
His mouth opens and closes. His eyes are saucers, and he looks like his head is about to explode. “Essie is sending you mostly naked pictures. Bro!” He holds his hand up.
I stare at him.
“Dude.” He grabs my hand and forces me to high-five him. “Are you two…like—” He motions to his junk.
“You can’t tell anyone.” I check her most recent message.
Essie
When are you back?
You can stop by my room if you’re interested in a little dessert before dinner.
And help me pick a dress to go over this.
A picture of her in a pink lace bra and panty set follows.
The messages were sent twenty minutes ago.
Nate
I can be there in two.
Essie
Better hurry up. We’re running out of time.
“Dude! Are you sexting Essie?” He spins in a circle. “She is so hot.”
“She’s not just something to ogle, fuckhead.”
“I know. She’s like, super nice. But dude, she’s like…wow.”
“Look, you can’t say anything. This information doesn’t leave this room.”
“I am a vault. I will say nothing.” He makes a lips-zipped-and-throw-away-the-key motion. “She was a legend at our high school, Nate. Everyone talked about how hot she was. And still is. You are the man.” He puts his hand on his chest, his smile sly. “I bow to you, you giant fucking nerd.”
I frown.
“Seriously, though, how did you land her? Was it all your big books?” He smirks. “Did you wow her with your extensive use of words with lots of syllables?” He does jazz hands and a hip shimmy. “Was it science?”
“Fuck you. I’ll be back in half an hour.” I open the door.
“You’re my hero,” he calls after me as I leave him to deal with the shitstorm that is now his room.
Because Essie needs my help.