Laguna Cove

  “Okay. How about that guy right over there.” Diego pointed.

  “The one in the Hooters T-shirt, with the mullet and the beer gut? Is that the one? Gee, thanks a lot.” Lola laughed and punched him in the arm. They had somehow survived the last of the many cotillion rehearsals and now they were lounging on one of the benches on Main Beach, eating frozen yogurt and watching all the people. “I double-dare you to find me another one,” she said. “And this time, make sure he’s cute.”

  Diego removed his sunglasses and scanned the beach. In the last week they had known each other they’d become extremely close, confiding all their dreams and secrets through late-night telephone calls and early-morning IMs. They had also managed to successfully fool everyone they knew into believing that they were seriously dating. And it was going so smoothly, they figured they could carry on like this for years. Allowing them both to discreetly date the men of their choice while staying under their parents’ hypersensitive radar. It’s genius, Lola thought, a definite no-brainer, and everybody wins. The only thing she felt really bad about was lying to her friends. But if the plan was going to work, then no one could know the truth. Because the more people were in on it, the more potential there was for a major leak.

  “Come on, Diego. There must be one gorgeous straight guy on this beach. Just one. That’s all I ask. Lie to me if you have to,” she pleaded.

  “Hold on. Just give me a minute,” he said, glancing at her briefly before getting back to the task at hand. “Oh. My. Wow. Lola, right in front of us. Twelve o’clock position. He’s holding a surfboard and coming out of the ocean. And check out those abs!”

  But Lola wasn’t looking at his abs. Her eyes were fixated on his face. While her body felt sweaty, stiff, and solid like a block of ice.

  “He’s looking right at you, too! You little vixen!” He punched her playfully in the arm. “Wait. Is he? It seems like he’s approaching us. Lola, do you know that guy?” he whispered, looking at her in shock.

  Lola did know him. She knew him better than she’d ever known any guy. And she’d told him things she’d never told anyone else. Hell, up until a few weeks ago she even thought she loved him. But she couldn’t tell Diego that. Because her mouth had suddenly grown so dry and parched, she wasn’t even sure if she could speak. And now he was standing right in front of her.

  “Hey,” he said, running his hand through his wet, sandy hair and looking from Lola to Diego, and then back again.

  “Hey,” she said softly, forcing her lips into a half smile.

  “So, how’ve you been?” he asked, looking right at her.

  “Great!” she said, feigning an enthusiasm she definitely didn’t feel. “How’ve you been?” She didn’t want to be mean, but she was really hoping he hadn’t been doing so great. She also hoped there were no yogurt chips stuck between her teeth.

  “Okay.” He shrugged.

  “So how’s the project coming along?” she asked.

  “A little stalled, but …” He shrugged without finishing his sentence, but Lola was in no mood to finish it for him. Not anymore.

  “Um, Lola,” Diego said, giving her an impatient look while not so gently elbowing her in the ribs.

  “Oh, I’m sorry I totally forgot to introduce you guys. Diego, this is my ex-boyfriend and Ellie’s brother, Dean.” She pointed to the gorgeous surfer standing in front of them. “And Dean, this is my new boyfriend, Diego,” she said, smiling brightly and leaning over to kiss Diego on the cheek.

  chapter fifty-two

  All day at school Ellie could barely concentrate. She had a major bad case of precompetition jitters. It was all she could think about. So when the final bell finally rang at exactly 3:20 P.M., she already had her car keys in hand and, for the first time ever, she was actually the first person out the door.

  And she’d almost made it to the parking lot when she ran smack into Chris and Anne.

  “Whoa, where you going in such a hurry?” he asked, leaning down to help her pick up all the books she’d dropped.

  “Oh, I’m just trying to get home. I’ve got some stuff to do before registration tonight,” she said, brushing some dirt off her AP History textbook and looking from Chris to Anne.

  “We’re headed up there later,” he said, wrapping his arm casually around Anne’s shoulders. “Why don’t you ride with us?”

  Ellie and Anne looked at each other, both obviously hating that idea. Chris still doesn’t get it, Ellie thought, shaking her head and feeling totally annoyed with him. “That’s okay, but thanks anyway,” she said. Then looking right at Anne, she continued, “I’m surprised you’re still competing. I mean, I would’ve thought you’d change your mind by now.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Anne asked, her eyes narrowing to angry slits.

  “Well, we’re the same age, so you’ll be competing against me. I’ve been surfing for years and you’re just starting out. I mean, I’d hate to see you embarrass yourself out there.” Ellie looked right at her.

  Anne just stood there, glaring at Ellie. “From what I’ve heard, it’s just a really fun, laid-back event that’s not all about winning and killer instinct. So I should be fine. It’s you that should be worried,” she said.

  They both stood there, eyes narrowed, totally glaring at each other, while Chris looked increasingly uncomfortable. “Okay, that’s enough. We’re out of here,” he said, pulling Anne away from Ellie and toward the parking lot. “See you tonight, El.”

  “Whatever,” she said quietly, rolling her eyes as she watched them walk away, arm in arm.

  chapter fifty-three

  “God, she is such a bitch!” Anne said, shaking her head and looking out the window as Chris pulled out of the student lot. “I’m so over trying to be nice to her. You heard her this time. So even you can’t deny it anymore.”

  “Okay, so she was a little harsh,” he said, turning to look at her briefly. “She just gets really wound up, you know? But really, she’s not as bad as you think. I mean, maybe you should just cut her some slack.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding? I mean, why would I do that? You heard the same thing I just did!” Anne said, feeling totally frustrated with his refusal to see Ellie for what she really was—a conniving, nasty control freak. She shook her head and stared at him.

  “Listen, you haven’t known her as long as I have. She’s been through a really rough time the last couple years.”

  “For your information, I’m going through a rough time, too. But you don’t see me treating people like that.”

  “What are you talking about?” he asked, glancing at her briefly before turning left on PCH.

  “Nothing, forget it,” she said, crossing her arms in front of her and looking out the window. She was dying to confide in someone about her mom, but this was definitely not the right time. Not to mention that it was beginning to seem like he might not be the right person.

  “All right, so she got a little bitchy with you. Why can’t you just let it go? I mean, what’s the big deal?”

  Anne turned to face him. Was he serious? And why should she let it go? She’d put up with it long enough as it was. “I guess the big deal is that you always seem to be sticking up for her instead of me.”

  “That’s not true,” he said, shaking his head. “Look, I’ve known her for a really long time, and I guess I just don’t see her the same way you do, that’s all.”

  “Well, I guess it’s easy for you to say that, since she’d never treat you like that. She’s totally in love with you!” Anne said, still glaring at him.

  “What? Are you serious?” He looked at her.

  “You didn’t know?” Anne asked, regretting having told him as soon as she saw the look on his face. Was he surprised? Was he flattered? She really couldn’t tell, but whatever he felt, she knew it wasn’t good. She watched him avoid her eyes now, staring straight ahead at the road in front of them, his hands gripping the wheel in the proper ten and two position, instead of his usual left hand
on six, right hand on hers.

  And by the time he pulled up to the Laguna Cove security gate they still hadn’t said a single word to each other, and Anne wasn’t sure how to break the silence.

  How had things gotten so awkward so quickly? Had he really not realized how Ellie felt about him? And now that he did know, had he decided that he liked her, too?

  Chris pulled up to her driveway and slowed to a stop. Normally he would park the car, get out, and come inside for a little while. But now he just sat there with the engine idling.

  “So what time are you picking me up?” she asked, watching his face like a detective, searching for clues as to what could possibly be going on in his head.

  “I don’t know. What time’s registration?” he asked, rubbing his chin and looking at her, but only briefly.

  “I’m not sure, exactly. But I was thinking we could get there around seven and it should be fine. There’s supposed to be live music and food and stuff,” she said, her voice trailing off, noticing how distracted he seemed.

  “Yeah, I know. I’ve been a few times,” he told her.

  “Okay, well, you wanna come in?” she asked, opening the car door and grabbing her purse.

  He shook his head. “I can’t. Listen, I don’t know what time I’ll be by so I’ll just call you a little later, okay?”

  She stared at him for a moment. Did he really want to leave it like this? Because she just wasn’t capable of that. “Uh, is something wrong?” she asked, reaching down to grab her books.

  “No. Why?” he asked, attempting that famous smile of his. But it wasn’t really working this time.

  “Never mind,” she said, getting out of the car and closing the door between them. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  Walking in the door, she saw Jake sitting at the kitchen table across from her dad and Brooke. Oh great, she thought, just what I need, a nice, cozy family gathering.

  “Hey, honey, how was your day?” her dad asked, looking up from his pile of papers and smiling at her.

  “Okay.” She shrugged, setting down her books and grabbing a container of yogurt from the fridge and a spoon from the drawer.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, going over to where they were working and leaning against the table.

  “Just going over some numbers,” her dad said, looking up at her briefly. “Hey, try not to spoil your appetite.”

  “Why?” she asked, enjoying another spoonful.

  “We’re all going out to dinner tonight, to celebrate.”

  “Celebrate what?” What could there possibly be to celebrate? Her mother and her shotgun marriage? Her boyfriend, who had just discovered he was in love with someone else? But her dad didn’t know about any of those things, so it couldn’t be that. Besides, he wasn’t nearly as cynical and sarcastic as she was.

  “We’ve been green-lighted for our next project. And some really big names have signed on,” he said. “So I’ve booked us a table at Studio.”

  “What’s that?” Anne asked, scraping the bottom of her yogurt cup with her spoon.

  “Supposed to be one of the best restaurants in town,” he told her.

  “Well, maybe you can find someone to take my place. I kind of have plans.” She looked briefly at Brooke, who, up until now, she’d been trying not to look at.

  “So bring Chris. He’s more than welcome.” Her father smiled.

  “Well, actually.” She hesitated. “We’re supposed to go to this party at San Onofre tonight.”

  “Can you skip it?” he asked.

  “Not really. I’m kind of supposed to register for tomorrow,” she told him.

  “Are we talking in code?” her father asked, shaking his head. “Can you fill me in here? Register for what?”

  “Well, I’ve decided to enter this surf contest.” She studied his face closely, trying to determine whether or not Jake had betrayed her confidence.

  “I didn’t know you were that good.” His eyes lit up as a proud smile spread across his face.

  “Believe me, I’m not. I just really love surfing, and I kind of miss competing. And this is supposed to be really low-key and fun, so I figured it would be a good opportunity to get my feet wet. So to speak.” She laughed. “I mean, I’ll probably just totally embarrass myself, since I’m really not very good yet. But I gotta start somewhere, right?”

  “When were you planning on telling me this?” he asked.

  “Maybe never?” She shrugged. “I mean, you totally don’t have to go. It’ll probably be really embarrassing for you to watch me wipe out and stuff.”

  “Nonsense. We’re definitely going,” he said.

  We? She looked over at Brooke, who was nodding and smiling. Oh great, she’s coming, too, Anne thought. So let’s see, in the course of one weekend, I’m losing my boyfriend but gaining a new daddy, a new sibling, and possibly a new mommy … .

  It really didn’t seem like a fair trade.

  chapter fifty-four

  Lola was sitting in the passenger seat of Ellie’s Mini Cooper, singing along to the radio as they drove down the 5 freeway. The top was down, the cool wind was rushing against her cheeks, and her hair was loose and slapping lightly at the air around her head. She loved moments like this, when everything just felt so free and full of promise.

  “So where’s Diego tonight?” Ellie asked, glancing at her briefly as she merged into the exit lane.

  Lola shrugged. “I think he’s out with some friends, enjoying a boys’ night out or something,” she told her, laughing inside at the huge difference between what Ellie probably thought that meant and the reality

  “So are you guys, like, pretty serious, or what?” she asked, slowing as she exited the freeway

  “I don’t know.” Lola shifted uncomfortably. She felt bad about lying to her friend, but she really had no choice, since she and Diego both agreed that absolutely no one could know the truth.

  “Well, you’re together all the time, and you seem really happy,” Ellie pressed, refusing to let it go.

  Lola sighed. “Well, he is pretty awesome. And yeah, we have been spending a lot of time together, but mostly it’s because of the cotillion. It’ll probably slow down a bit once we’re past all that. I mean, it’s better if we take it slow, you know?” she said, noticing a total hottie in the parking lot and suddenly realizing how awkward it would be to flirt with him now that everyone thought she was committed. Hmmm, maybe we should have thought this through a little better, she thought. Maybe if I just tell Ellie, and swear her to secrecy …

  “Dean said he saw you guys at the beach,” Ellie said, killing the engine and pulling her key from the ignition.

  “Oh, really?” Lola flipped down the mirrored visor and checked out her lip gloss.

  “Yeah, he said you guys looked really cozy together.” Ellie was looking right at her.

  “Hmmm,” Lola muttered, casually flipping the mirror back up and opening her door. Maybe I won’t tell Ellie just yet. Maybe I’ll keep it a secret just a little bit longer.

  chapter fifty-five

  Just as Anne was getting out of the shower, she heard her phone beeping. Wrapping one towel around her head like a turban and another tightly around her body, she walked over to her desk, flipped open her phone, and listened to the message.

  “Hey Anne, it’s me, Chris. Um, sorry [static] but I’m not gonna be [static] but I’m still gonna try [static] okay [more static and then nothing] .”

  After replaying it three times, trying to hear through all the static, she finally just erased it and threw her phone on the bed. Bad reception or not, she knew when she was getting dumped. And that brief message had exhibited all the signs.

  She finished drying off, dragged a comb through her wet, tangled hair, and then stood in front of the mirror staring at her reflection. I have no idea what just happened, she thought, but there’s no way I’m calling him back to find out.

  Then she threw on her robe and padded down the hall to where her father was still sitting a
t the kitchen table.

  “Hey, Dad?” she said, standing next to him and dripping water onto the floor.

  “Yeah?” He and Brooke both looked at her.

  “I just have to make one quick stop before I meet you at the restaurant, okay?” she said, turning and heading back to her room before he even had a chance to answer.

  chapter fifty-six

  “It’s so weird, not having Jade here,” Ellie said. She’d already registered for tomorrow’s first heat, and now they were sitting on a blanket on the sand, eating fish tacos and listening to the all-girl band.

  “I know.” Lola covered her mouth as she swallowed. “I talked to her today in trig, and she’s so bummed. She really wanted to compete. This is like her favorite event.”

  “I know; it’s the only one she’ll ever compete in because it’s not all cutthroat. Jeez, I can’t even believe how her parents are reacting. It’s like tough love over there for weeks now. But I guess my dad totally surprised me, too, by being so nice about it. Too bad it didn’t last.” She shrugged.

  “Yeah.” Lola nodded. Then looking up, she said, “Hey, isn’t that Chris?”

  “Oh no, where?” Ellie said, sounding totally panicked.

  “Directly in front of us. Hey! Chris!” Lola called, waving her arms so he’d see them.

  “Why’d you do that? Now he’s gonna come over,” Ellie whined, shaking her head at Lola.

  “What’s the big deal?” Lola gave her a strange look.

  “I saw him after school today with Anne, and I’m not proud of it, but I was a total bitch to her. So I’m sure he’s not very happy with me right now. I was really hoping I could avoid him for a while,” Ellie said.

  “Well, too late for that. He’s headed right for us.”

  “Hey,” Chris said, walking up and smiling. “Have you guys seen Anne?”

  Lola shook her head, while Ellie just sat there, staring at the ground.

  “I’ve been trying to reach her but I can’t get ahold of her. So I thought I’d drop by and see if I could find her here,” he said, shaking his head and looking around.