Breathless Read Free

rode home.
    “I’m sorry about earlier.” Lainey parked her bike by the porch.
    Rachel shrugged. “It’s okay. Oliver should have left you alone. He’s been nagging me to talk to you for a few weeks every time I run into him.”
    “Seriously? Next time tell him to –”
    “I get the picture,” Rachel interrupted with a smile. “Did he ruin your birthday?”
    Lainey put an arm around her sister as they walked up the stairs. “Nope. You see, this amazing girl made me a chocolate cake. My day is made.”
    Rachel laughed, and Lainey couldn’t help but join her. She wished Becca could have seen her call Oliver a dick.
     
    *~*~*
     
    Her mom and Peter were just finishing supper after the girls showered and dressed. It was Lainey’s favorite; spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread, dripping in butter and salt.
    “How was the pool?” Peter asked.
    Lainey let Rachel talk about the afternoon, grateful when she omitted her disagreement with Oliver. Rachel was excellent at deflecting.
    “Did you swim?” Her mom wasn’t easily deterred.
    “Yeah, I did some laps, and started my new book. It’s pretty good.” The lie slipped smoothly from Lainey’s lips.
    The rest of dinner involved her mom telling embarrassing stories about Lainey, and lots of laughter. She even forgot about her best friend for a bit. Peter and Rachel washed up the dishes as Lainey flipped through cartoons on the television.
    “Are you ready for your birthday present?” Her stepfather held a pink glittery cloth in his hands.
    “Yes, I’m definitely ready!”
    “Good, but I have to blindfold you.”
    Lainey’s shoulders fell. “You’re kidding, right?”
    “Nope.”
    “Don’t be a spoil sport,” Rachel gently ribbed her.
    “Fine, blindfold me, but if I fall and break something I’m suing.”
    Lainey sat still as Peter tied the cloth around her head. “It itches.”
    “Just be quiet.” Mom’s voice was gentle.
    Lainey let her mom take her other arm as her parents guided her out of the house, keeping up the snarky comments as they walked. All she knew was that she was walking in sand and could hear the ocean louder. The ground beneath her flip-flops changed, and Lainey furrowed her brow. Rachel let out a squeal of excitement and her mom gave Lainey’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
    “Can I look now?” Lainey bounced anxiously.
    “Just one more second,” Peter said, letting go of her arm.
    She waited another moment before the blindfold fell away. Her jaw dropped. She was a beauty, floating on the ocean with her sail spread and her body kissing the surface of the water. A blue scarf was wrapped around the mast, blowing in the breeze. A sailboat. They got her a boat!
    Lainey screamed. “Is it really mine?” she asked as she jumped up and down.
    Peter laughed. “Yes. Your mom and I know you’ve wanted one for a while. You’ll have to pay for some of her. We paid a good down payment on it, but she’s yours now. Old Ferny wanted to part with it since he hasn’t sailed since his wife got sick. It’s in great condition.”
    “Can we go tonight?”
    Lainey’s mom frowned. “I don’t know. It looks like a storm is blowing in.”
    “Please. We won’t be long,” Lainey begged. “Peter can sail it and Rachel can help too.”
    “Please, Mom!” Rachel added her two cents. “It’s her birthday.”
    Her mom pressed her lips together, but it slowly became a grin. “I guess you can go. Don’t stay out late, and come in if the water changes any more. Storms blow in too fast here.”
    “We promise, dear.” Peter kissed his wife’s cheek. “Let’s let Lainey take her first voyage.”
    “Thank you!” Lainey hugged her mother before climbing into the boat.
    She rushed towards the front, in love with it already. This was her boat. She could sail and not have to spend all day lying on the beach. She couldn’t believe it! Peter climbed on and put his arms out to help Rachel. When Rachel was aboard, he opened a small chest and