“First of all, you didn't answer my first question. Second of all, Jamison just thinks he was the first kiss and just thinks you and Luke have never had feelings for each other,” Hailey said, trying not to raise her voice too much.

  Leave it to Hailey to put things into perspective.

  “Yes. I mean Jamison would flip out if he knew that and also wouldn’t let me and Luke be alone for more than two seconds.”

  “You just admitted that you had or have feelings for Luke.”

  “Uh- Had feelings. I am with Jamison now and happy as can be. Can I get water?”

  “Yes, don't think this conversation is ending. Nolan, can I get water please?” Hailey yelled to the back of the bar.

  “Wait. Who’s Nolan?” I asked.

  “He’s the new guy, “Hailey said in a quiet voice. “And is really cute.”

  “Ooooo. Hey, but you have a boyfriend I thought.”

  Hailey and this guy named Bobby were dating, but I've never seen any pictures or heard much about him.

  “Why are you so excited? And it doesn’t mean I can’t say someone else is cute.”

  “Because now I get to make fun of you for liking someone here at the hotel,” I said as a new guy walked out from the kitchen area that was located behind the bar. He had brown hair, brown eyes, pretty tall, and really cute. I suspected that this was Nolan as I had never seen him before at the hotel or Beach Club.

  “Hailey, here's your rush order,” the new guy said.

  I noticed that he didn’t wear a name tag, but he had a smile on his face when he spoke to Hailey. He put the food down in front of her.

  “Thanks,” Hailey said, taking the food order and moving it down to the customer waiting for it. I watched as she thanked them and left a guest check in front of them. She turned back to me and said, “Piper, just please make sure Jamison is the one you want.”

  “Hailey, I'm sixteen. It's not like I’m getting married,” I said. “And yes, Jamison and I are perfectly fine and Luke and I are just friends. Remember, Luke is the one who just wanted to be friends.”

  “I know you're not getting married, but I still think you and Luke have something special.” Hailey said, giving me that I'm trying to prove a point sassy look.

  “Hailey, if we are meant to be then it’ll happen. But for right now-” I said before Hailey cut me off.

  “You’re with Jamison, I know. Well, this is Nolan. He’s the new guy,” Hailey said, pointing casually to Nolan.

  “Nice to meet you, I’m Piper,” I said. I grabbed a water and gulped it down.

  “Nice to meet you too, Piper. Hailey and Jax already gave me the rundown on you and Luke. My bets are on Luke,” Nolan said smiling.

  “I am pretty sure everyone is betting on them,” Hailey said.

  “Okay, I am leaving before you guys start screaming L plus P,” I said turning around and walking away.

  “Bet you anything you're wishing we would,” Hailey said as she wiped down the bartop.

  I walked back to the pool and jumped in. Swimming over to where Luke and Jamison were waiting on me to get back.

  “Piper, what took you so long?’ Jamison asked.

  “Don’t even ask. She tells me everything except what her and Hailey talk about,” Luke answered for me.

  “True that.” I agreed and looked over at Luke, who had his usual smirk on his face, and then I looked over to Jamison who didn’t look happy.

  “I asked Piper, not you Luke,” Jamison said, getting over protective.

  “Jamison, it's okay. Me and Hailey were just catching up,” I said facing towards him, trying to get him to calm down.

  “Hey man, I'm sorry,” Luke said, trying to get back on Jamison’s good side.

  “Why don’t you go order us lunch?” I ask. Jamison.

  He hesitated for a moment but then agreed. I watched as he reluctantly left the pool and walked to the Beach Club, where Nolan took his order.

  “Sorry Luke, Jamison can get a little...” I tried to find the right words to say.

  “It’s okay.” Luke waved me off. “No explanation needed. Let’s talk about what you want to do for dinner?”

  “Okay, so promise me you won’t be mad,” I said looking at him, holding out my pinky finger.

  “Promise.” He locked his pinky with mine.

  “So umm. Jamison asked to take me to The Kitchen the night before my birthday and I told him yes. Look I am sorry, we can go the night before that or go out to brunch. Even though I know it’s like an annual Vacation Buddy dinner but-” I said trying to explain so he wouldn't get mad. But he cut me off.

  “Piper breathe, it’s okay! I can’t get mad at you, I pinky promised. Didn’t I?” Luke splashed a little on me.

  “So you're not mad?”

  “No! I could never be mad at you.”

  “Thanks gosh! What are we going to do instead?” I said, splashing him back.

  “I have an idea but I’ll need help.” Luke said smirking, looking at Jax who was swinging his whistle a few feet away. A gaggle of older girls had entered the pool and Jax’s full attention was on them at the moment.

  “Oh boy, I’m scared now,” I said following Luke’s gaze.

  Luke took off and started swimming toward Luke, and motioned me to follow him.

  “What do you too love birds want?” Jax said looking at us as soon as we got within a few feet of his lifeguard chair. “Wait I can’t say that anymore. Piper went out and found a guy better than Luke.”

  “Wow, that hurt.” Luke said holding his hand over his heart trying to act all upset.

  “Stop being a baby,” I said laughing.

  “She’s sassy today,” Jax said, still playing with his whistle.

  “Piper is always that way. I don’t think her new boyfriend can handle that.” Luke motioned over to where Jamison was walking back over to the pool juggling three cups of water. He was frantically looking around trying to figure out where we went.

  “Y’all stop it,” I said. I didn’t want Jamison to hear our conversation. I love Jamison but he is very over protective and gets jealous easily and for whatever reasons, doesn’t like Luke that much.

  ‘Because of that reason,” Jax said, pointing to me. “Everytime we mention something about you and Luke being together or something you look around to make sure Jamison didn’t hear.”

  “Piper, why are you doing that?” Luke asked, punching my arm very lightly.

  “Because he just doesn’t really understand our friendship and will get jealous. Jamison is a great guy, but in case you didn’t notice, he is very overprotective of me.” I tried to explain to them, but I just don’t think they understood it.

  “This is exactly why I can’t make fun of you anymore,” Jax said, getting off of the lifeguard chair. He kept his eyes scanning the pool while the next guard was climbing up to relieve him.

  “Is that a bad thing?” I asked with a little bit sassiness.

  “Yes!” Luke answered instead.

  “Shut up!” I yelled at him and then gave him a punch on the shoulder.

  “Ow! Anyways, Jax later I need your help.” Luke said, rubbing the part of his shoulder that I hit.

  “Okay, now you guys leave and let me do my job!” Jax said in a serious tone. We knew we could talk to him for a little but after a while we had to leave. We didn’t want him to get fired.

  Luke and I swam away and got out of the pool to meet Jamison. Once we got out, Luke handed me a towel and we walked over to where Jamison was waiting.

  “I will compromise with you. You and Jamison eat lunch together. Then we can meet up for a night swim later?” Luke proposed, running a towel through his hair.

  “Don’t have to ask me twice. Meet you at the spot?” I asked, putting on my cover up and shoes.

  “Well duh!” Luke said, throwing me the towel and walking away.

  “Cue dramatic exit!” I yelled at him.

  “Have fun with Mr. Perfect!” Luke yelled, not turning around.

  I didn’t reply. All I did was smile at him walking away.

  “What was that all about?” Jamison asked. He sat the waters down on a nearby table.

  “Oh, Luke being his usual goofy self.” I grabbed Jamison’s hand and pulled him down the pathway that led back to the hotel. “Let’s go get ready for lunch.”

  Chapter 12

  After Jamison and I had lunch we went back to the hotel to get showers and get ready to go to Adventure Plaza tonight. Jamison went to his room that he shared with Wake and my Dad. Leaving my Mom and me in a room by ourselves. I walked next door to my room and unlocked the door with my keycard. As I walked in I saw Chanel sitting on one of the beds next to my mom, she had on a white sundress with the same colored sandals and a small glass of wine in her hand.

  “Hey! I’m back,” I said, walking in the room and taking off my flip flops.

  “Hey sweetie!” My mom replied.

  I couldn’t help but notice she had a glass of wine in her hand, too. Apparently I walked into a serious discussion between the moms. This could be dangerous territory. I needed to tread carefully if I was going to make it out alive.

  “Hey Piper, it’s really nice to see you, sweetie,” Chanel said. “Is it just my imagination or are you getting taller every time I see you?”

  Chanel had always been like a second mom to me. If I needed help or advice and couldn’t find my mom, I would go to Chanel. Even when we were back at home in Georgia, I knew that I could call on her anytime.

  “It's really going to see you too! And not as tall as Luke. I remember when we were the same height.”

  “I invited Chanel and Luke to join us tonight when we go to Adventure Plaza. Hopefully, that’s alright with you and Jamison,” my mom said.

  “Of course it's alright, Jamison will have to just suck it up!” I said, walking over to the small closet and grabbing a white crop top and red velvet shorts.

  “Cute outfit! And thank you again for inviting us. Luke has been all over the place,” Chanel explained.

  ‘What do you mean?” I asked, shutting the closet door.

  “Well, Jax told me that Luke has been having a hard time.” Chanel explained farther. “I honestly don’t know what to do. Do I go and talk to him? He hasn’t really said much about Jett and I separating, and everytime I bring it up he changes the subject.”

  “Maybe he just needs some time. He’ll open up.” My mom tried to comfort her.

  “It’s just not like him to shut me out,” Chanel said. She took a sip of her wine as a lone tear slipped down her cheek.

  “He’s kinda shut me out too,” I added.

  “You know it’s bad when he shuts the person that means the world to him,” Chanel said, pointing to me.

  “Me?” I asked. My mind filled with thoughts. I mean the world to him? I thought I only felt that way about him? Why me and not his best friend?

  “Well, yes of course. I don’t there has been a day that has gone by where he hasn’t talked about you. I hear him and Austin talking all the time in his room about you.” Chanel said, puzzled as to why I wouldn’t think it was me. “Have you seen his phone?”

  Austin was Luke’s best friend. They met when they were eight, and have been best friends since.

  “Yeah, I have been on his phone so many times I know the password,” I said laughing.

  “I guess you haven’t noticed that your beautiful face is now the background picture on his phone,” Chanel said.

  “Oh yeah. It’s probably his favorite pictures of us, you know the one. Where he is throwing me in the pool.” I said, reminiscing.

  “No, it’s just a picture of you,” Chanel said.

  “Where did he get the picture?” I asked

  “I think it was a selfie you took on his phone,” Chanel answered.

  “He’s such a stalker!” I exclaimed, walking into the bathroom to get ready.

  ***

  We all walked to Adventure Plaza. It took awhile for us to decide where to eat but we decided on Red Brick Pizza. I sat in between Luke and Jamison. We talked about school, gaming, and dancing. Luke told us that he was thinking about starting a band with his friends.

  After dinner, we walked around Adventure Plaza taking pictures. I couldn’t stop thinking about how Luke put my picture on his phone. Not me and him, just me. That was kinda a big deal. I just wasn’t sure exactly what that meant for us, though.

  We walked around Adventure Plaza and ended up on the big staircase that surrounded the waterfront stage. A hula hoop competition was going on at the bottom of stairs in front of the stage, and of course, Wake went to join it. I sat in between Jamison and Luke again. Luke on my right and Jamison on my left, of course, Jamison has his arm wrapped around my shoulder.

  We sat there watching Wake and cheering him on. I remembered just a couple years ago when I competed in these Hoolahoop things with Wake.

  Chanel, Grant, and Page we’re sitting on the stairs above us taking pictures and drinking margaritas from the Margaritaville popup. Jamison was being more quiet than usual.

  “I forgot to tell you something,” Luke whispered into my ear.

  “What?” I asked, whispering back.

  “You look amazing. And I love your hair.”

  I looked over at him and he just had a smirk on his face.

  “And you look like a wet dog,” I said jokingly.

  “Wow, I am being nice to you and you say this.” He sat there shaking his head.

  “You know you love me,” I said without thinking.

  “Yeah I do. You mean the absolute world to me,” he whispered in my ear and put his hand on top of mine.

  We were so caught up in whatever this silliness was that we didn’t realize that Wake had lost. He ran up to Luke with tears streaming down his face.

  “Luke! Piper! I lost!” Wake wailed. He balled his hands into a fist and his face was bright red. I recognized that he was heading into a complete meltdown.

  “Come here, buddy,” Jamison said.

  Wake shook his head and wedged himself between me and Luke. Luke gave him a side hug and quietly whispered something to him. Whatever it was it made Wake start laughing. Soon, he forgot all about the stupid hulahoop competition.

  Wake had never really liked Jamison all that much and was always close to Luke, despite the distance between us most of the year.

  “It’s okay, he’ll come around,” I said to Jamison. I felt bad because I could tell Jamison was really trying hard.

  After Luke and I had calmed Wake, my mom told us to go back to the hotel and watch a movie while the adults stayed at Adventure Plaza. So we all got up and took the path back to Barefoot Bliss. Jamison started telling Wake funny jokes and Wake began to warm up to him a little more. Halfway through a walk, Wake ended up hopping on Jamison's back. They both ran up ahead, goofing off, and leaving Luke and I alone.

  “It got dark fast,” I said, walking close to Luke. I wasn't scared of the dark, I was scared of the unknown, and the part of the path we were on was pretty dark.

  “What are you scared of?” Luke asked, laughing at me. How did he know? I swear he can read my mind and that’s not a good thing, sometimes.

  “I'm not scared,” I said, looking at him. But as soon as I said that we heard a loud noise in the bushes. I jumped and wrapped my arms around Luke holding him tight.

  “What was that?”

  “I don’t know, but dang you got a tight grip.” Luke chuckled and placed his hands on my arms.

  “Haha, very funny,” I said. A large jack rabbit hopped out of the bushes and made his way across the path in front of us.

  “Look, see nothing to be afraid of,” Luke said, still holding on to me.

  “Yeah,” I said, letting go of Luke, but still standing really close to him.

  “Why’d you let go?” he asked. I didn’t answer, instead we stepped closer to each other our faces inches apart. Luke started to lean in for a kiss until Wake yelled at us.

  “Come on slow pokes! Hurry up!”

  Luke pulled away and smiled slyly at me. He raised his eyebrow at me. “That was close.”

  “Ummm...” I stared at my feet, which suddenly became stubborn and didn’t want to move. The silence grew more awkward between us.

  “Do your feet hurt?” Luke said, breaking the quietness.

  “No, I’m okay,” I said laughing, still not looking at Luke.

  “Here.” Luke turned around and offered for me to hop on, piggyback style. “Is this okay?”

  “Yeah, just don’t drop me.” I hopped on.

  “I got you. Hold on tight.” He jogged to catch us up to Wake and Jamison. “Wait up, buddy!”

  I wrapped my hands around his chest and could feel his heart beating fast as we caught up to my brother.

  Wake was waiting by the bridge. We were just a few hundred feet away from the hotel’s gate. As soon as we reached him, Luke gently crouched down so I could hop off.

  “I never doubted you,” I said walking next to him. As we got closer to the gate, we saw Jamison leaning against it.

  “What took so long?” Jamison asked.

  “We saw a bunny,” I said. I reached up and gave Jamison a peck on the cheek.

  “And you didn’t tell me,” Wake said, running up to Luke.

  “I will next time buddy,” Luke said.

  Jamison opened up the door for us and we took the elevator up to our floor. I put on a movie for Wake, but he feel asleep right away. Luke went to the lobby to meet a girl he met yesterday at the pool. Jamison and I watched a movie until my parents got back at midnight and we all fell asleep.

  I woke up late the next day and everyone was already down at the pool, but Jamison and I were still sleeping. I got up, put on my teal swimsuit, slipped on a cover up, shoes, and headed down to the pool. I walked up to the Beach Club to get something to drink.

  “Good morning Hailey!” I said sitting down.

  “Hello, Piper.” Hailey sat down a napkin. “Whatcha want?”

  “I’ll take a Coke.”

 

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