The Shore Read Free Page B

back downstairs and out to the pickup to bring in the rest of their gear.
    â€œWhy’d you do that?” Curt asked. “I probably could have gotten him down to nothing.”
    â€œIt wasn’t fair,” Avery said. “He’s trying to run a business, not a charity.”
    â€œWell, it wasn’t fair of him to give away our room,” Curt argued.
    â€œHe made a mistake,” Avery said. “That doesn’t mean you have to crucify him. Let’s have a good summer, Curt, please? It’s about having fun, not winning every battle.”
    Typical Avery, Curt thought. Always running from a fight. Never standing up for what she deserved. “You can’t let people step all over you,” he shot back.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Avery asked. “He didn’t step all over me. We got that other room for a bargain, and you know it.”
    With the last of the gear, Curt followed her into the house and up the stairs. In their new room, he dumped the stuff on their bed. “You’ll put everything away?” he asked.
    Avery looked up, surprised. “What?”
    Curt broke into a smile. “Just kidding.” He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and he breathed in her sweet scent. “I figured if you let Fred take advantage of you, you’d let me, too.” It had been nearly a week since he’d held her this close and he could feel the growing desire mute any lingering annoyance he felt toward her for letting the blonde get their room.
    Avery kissed him, but when his hands began to wander, she pulled back. “You can take advantage of me later,” she whispered. “In ways that Fred will never know. But for now, help me unpack.”
    They started opening bags and putting things away. Even though he’d just as soon live out of a suitcase for the summer, Curt knew Avery enjoyed doing stuff like this. To him it was a little like playing house, but if she got a bang out of it, he was glad to oblige . . . up to a point. After a while other concerns began to nag him. The band wasn’t ready. Their songs weren’t ready. Shouldn’t he be spending his time and energy on that?
    â€œI better get back over there, Ave,” he said. “The band’s still got a long way to go and we should be rehearsing.”
    â€œOh, okay.” Avery hung her head, clearly disappointed.
    â€œHey, I’ll be back later.” Curt took her in his arms. “And if you’re a good girl, I might just let you take advantage of me.”
    She smiled. “You should be so lucky.”
    â€œNo, you should be so lucky.” He kissed her hard and held her tightly, knowing she liked it when he lingered.
    Soon enough, he left the room and headed back down thestairs. He was just going out the front door when a girl came up pulling a heavy black suitcase on wheels. She had reddish, neatly bobbed hair and was wearing a baggy pink polo shirt with pleated khaki shorts. She looked like the kind of preppy girl who’d be class secretary.
    â€œExcuse me,” she panted. “You wouldn’t know if the bathrooms are working, would you?”
    â€œWhat?” Curt said, taken by surprise.
    â€œI was warned that plumbing on this street can be kind of a problem. My cousin said she once rented a room in number twelve and they had to use a Porta Potti for half the summer.”
    â€œNo kidding?” Curt said.
    â€œSo, can you tell me if they’re working,” the preppy girl said. “And if they’re not, when they might be?”
    â€œHow should I know?” he asked, trying to figure out what was up with her.
    â€œAren’t you”—she gave him a once-over, taking in his clothes—“like, a workman or . . . something?”
    Now Curt understood. “No, I happen to be moving in here,” he answered indignantly.
    The girl raised her hand to