The Seacrest Read Free Page A

horror of that night.
    With a sigh, I slumped in the back seat of the limo. Libby touched my hand, and I felt my resolve crack.
    Just five more minutes. Hold on for five more minutes.
     

Chapter 4
    July 2 nd , 1997
     
    W e played with the beach ball for about an hour, laughing and churning up sand three hundred yards up the beach, away from the sunbathers and family picnics. After the first few nervous minutes, the whole thing felt very natural, as if we were just kids and there were no boy-girl elements to be embarrassed about.
    But there certainly were boy-girl elements.
    I watched her tawny arms as they flailed and whapped the ball and marveled at her long, delicate legs when she ran back and forth along the quiet stretch of sand we’d chosen. Her eyes had a way of widening in mock horror when I tossed it too high and she missed it, quickly followed by a wide smile that dizzied me.
    She had a nice figure, with slim legs, a narrow waist, and pretty shoulders. Her one-piece black suit covered areas I tried not to stare at, but couldn’t help wanting to. I wondered how it would feel to touch her. Probably softer than silk. Her hair cascaded along her back, bouncing dark against her summer brown skin.
    We collapsed on the sand with the ball between us, breathing hard and laughing.
    “You’re pretty good at this,” she said.
    I leaned back on my arms and chuckled. “So are you. For a girl.”
    She sat up and hit my arm. “What? For a girl ?”
    Afraid she’d storm off, I took her hand and pulled her close to me. “I’m just kidding! Really, you’re good, even for a guy.”
    She smiled that lazy, sweet grin again and I felt my heart melt.
    “Okay. That’s better.”
    “I haven’t seen you at my school. Are you from around here?” I asked.
    “I just came back for the summer.”
    “Back from where?” I said. “Reform school?”
    She hit me again and I knew I deserved it.
    “Just for that, I’m not telling you. You’re horrible!” Her smile belied her words.
    I grinned back at her. “So, what’s your name?”
    “Guess.”
    “What?”
    “Guess.”
    “Okay.” I sat up, furrowed my brow, and placed fingertips against my temples, staring at her. “I’m getting something. It’s coming.”
    She laughed and poked my chest. “Oh, really? What do you see?”
    I gave it a shot. “Jennifer?”
    She snorted. “No!”
    I tried again. “Sarah?”
    She giggled. “Heck, no.”
    I tried to think of the most popular names of our generation, hoping it was one of them. “Allison?”
    “Uhnt-uh.” She shook her head.
    “Give me a hint.”
    “No.”
    “Oh, come on!” I frowned. “How can I guess?”
    “You have to.”
    “Okay. Hannah? Jessica? Carly? Jenna? Lisa?”
    “No, no, no, no, and no.”
    “Hey. How ‘bout if I tell you my name?”
    “What is it?”
    I hesitated. “It’s a weird one.”
    “Tell me.”
    “Okay. It’s Finn.”
    She tilted her head. “That’s not weird. I like it. Finn.” She seemed to taste the letters on her tongue, enjoying the feel of it. “It’s different. But nice.”
    “Okay. Your turn.” I sat forward expectantly.
    “Nope. I’m not telling. You have to keep guessing.”
    I ran through all the names I could imagine, and didn’t hit on it. Frustrated now, I flopped back on the sand. “Okay. Then I’m gonna make up a name for you.”
    She made a face. “Really?” Quickly, she leaned over me, her face blocking the sun.
    In a sudden rush of feeling, I wanted to pull her to me, to smother her in kisses, to taste the salt on her skin.
    “Okay, what’s it gonna be? What’s my new name?”
    “Let me think.”
    Her hair danced over my bare chest. I caught it and played with it. “You are sweet. I could call you Honey.”
    “Boring,” she said.
    “How about Candy?”
    “Sexist,” she pouted.
    “Bambi?”
    “Even worse! I’m not a playboy bunny!”
    “Okay, Well, you look delicious. How about Cupcake?”
    She hissed. “That sounds like a chubby