“So you’re saying you want to reconcile with your friends from home? I don’t want to be in the middle of this. I know you seem to think otherwise, but I’ve stayed out of it. It’s up to them. Maybe you should talk to them instead of me.”

  “But you’re here, and since you’re the one who got harassed online, you are part of it.”

  Daisy surprises me when she speaks up. “None of us want to spend the next three years of college avoiding your group. The sorority doesn’t want to have a bad rep or a bad relationship with Brazen.”

  Fliss must take this as permission to voice her opinion as well. “In case you haven’t noticed, your boyfriend and his crew are the hottest people around, even if they’re in Jay Beach now. Everyone wants a connection to them. They’re big and only getting bigger. If word gets out about us being kicked out and shunned by them? We’ll ruin our sorority.”

  “Maybe even get kicked out of the sorority,” Daisy adds. “Well, you two might,” she clarifies.

  “What are you guys asking of me exactly? You want me to vouch for you or something?” On what basis would I do that anyway? “Everyone’s formed their opinions without my influence. I know you think I’ve brainwashed them.” Isn’t that the word Sydney used? “But I haven’t weighed in at all really.”

  Fliss and Syd share a brief glance that shows their skepticism, but they don’t voice it. “We have a proposition for you,” Syd declares, and now I’m really bracing myself. Here we go.

  “We want to help you find the person behind the account who harassed you and stalked Griffin.”

  “We already brought it to the cops,” I share, looking at Fliss for a reaction. She only appears curious. “You can’t just ask Instagram to provide private info about its users. There’s not really anything we can do. Besides, I’m not getting harassed anymore and as far as I know, Griff isn’t being stalked by anyone.” I haven’t asked him recently, and maybe I should. My social media accounts haven’t had anything like the kind of messages and comments I experienced last fall.

  “Weren’t there two accounts that really threatened you?” Syd pushes. “What happened to the other one that you aren’t accusing Fliss of running?”

  “Nothing. There’s been nothing from it for a long time.”

  “Well, we can dig there too.”

  This conversation is making me tired and I’m ready to get back to the condo. It’s Thursday afternoon, and if I tackle my homework right away, I can head to Jay Beach later for the rest of the weekend.

  “I’m not sure what you mean by digging. I’m still not real sure what you want from me.” I let the impatience into my tone, hoping they’ll get to their point, if they have one.

  “If we find these people,” Fliss says, “we want an apology and acceptance with your group. Not just your roommates but your boyfriend’s group too.”

  “We don’t even need an apology,” Daisy jumps in. When Syd lets out a little growl, Daisy rolls her eyes. “Well, I don’t. But we don’t want all of you against us and the sorority.”

  “Not just that,” Sydney pushes. “We want to be friends with all of you. Or at least friendly enough. Maybe we aren’t fighting right now, but with the way my former best friends straight up ignore me or glare at me, it’s far from friendly.”

  I’m still not sure why they’re asking this of me specifically. I’ve also got no clue what the point is, or how they plan on “digging” for this information.

  “Look, without any recent activity from the accounts, it’s not a big problem for any of us.” This is only partly true. I know Beck and I would both sleep easier if we knew who they were, even if it turned out to be total strangers. It’d put it to rest, keep us from wondering. “But if you want to try to play detective and find some proof so we don’t keep thinking it’s Fliss, I’m not going to stop you.”

  “And if we do?” Fliss asks.

  I shrug. “I’ll be appreciative. We’ll all appreciate it. I can’t speak for everyone else though.”

  Sydney’s jaw clenches when I don’t respond the way she’s hoping. “I can’t believe all three of my childhood friends are in relationships now,” she says, and I do take a little pity on her when I hear some genuine sadness. “So much has changed.”

  Wait, all three? “Zora’s still single.”

  Sydney smirks. “You don’t have to hide her new relationship from me. I already know about it. I’ve even seen them together.”

  What is she talking about? I want to ask, but I also feel like I should know this. I’m not sure I want to let on that Syd is more aware of what’s happening with Zora than I am. “I’m not hiding anything from you,” I say instead, hoping she’ll tell me more. It works.

  “Zora’s had her flings with girls. Said she was experimenting and having fun. Good for her finally coming out, you know? And Brie Charles? All of you are going for the older ones.”

  “Well connected too, can’t forget that,” Daisy adds, but I’m only half listening. I feel like an idiot.

  “I’ve got to go,” I mumble. Am I supposed to thank them for this chat? For offering to help me? I mean they made it pretty darn clear it’s not out of goodwill, it’s to keep from getting shunned by their own sorority. Fortunately, I’ve got my board under my arm, and it allows me a quick getaway. I’m skating away before I can overthink whether I said too much or too little, the right thing or the wrong thing. I don’t know how to talk to girls like that, who’ve clearly got some sort of strategy in mind. Hell, Syd probably purposefully dropped that bomb about Zora to fluster me or make me doubt my friendships. Well, it certainly worked.

  As I skate up to our condo complex, I watch Taylor’s car pull up. Lucy and Ellie hop out a moment later with takeout bags in hand. “Hey girl! Eat with us by the pool before you head to Jay Beach? We got enough to share,” Ellie calls.

  I stop in front of them, unable to ignore the sinking sensation in my chest. “Did you guys know Zora’s in a relationship?” I ask.

  Lucy snaps her head back like I slapped her and Ellie chuckles, waving her free hand. “Zora’s never had a boyfriend in her life. Why do you think she does now?”

  My eyes move to Lucy’s. They aren’t hiding this from me, are they? Why would they?

  “I mean, now that I think about it, she’s been gone a lot more than usual. Did she tell you she’s with someone? Who’s the guy?”

  Relief fills me like oxygen and I can breathe normally again. “Maybe she hasn’t been here as much, but she’s been at Jay Beach a lot. And Sydney just informed me why.”

  “Sydney? Where’d you see her?” Ellie is instantly suspicious, and side-tracked.

  “Don’t believe anything that girl says,” Lucy tells me. “She’s on Team Fliss now.”

  “I don’t know, maybe she was messing with me, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense.”

  “What’d she tell you?”

  “That Zora is with Brie.”

  Both girls stare at me, processing this, probably trying to decide if Sydney’s up to something.

  I hear a cough and remember Taylor was driving. He’s standing by the hood. “Uh, how would Sydney know that?”

  Ellie spins and points an accusing finger at him. “Wait, did you know this? Brie’s your roommate.”

  Taylor’s eyes dart to the side as he adjusts his ball cap. “Uh, yeah, I knew. Zora asked us not to say anything yet since it’s still new.”

  And that sinking sensation is right back, moving relief to the side. I’m now remembering Beck making some comment last weekend about all his roommates except Griff being in relationships.

  I’m upset but I don’t know who I’m upset with. Maybe myself. Maybe we’ve all been so caught up with our boyfriends it’s our own fault Zora hasn’t confided in us. Because this isn’t only her first relationship. Judging by the mixture of confusion and hurt on Lucy’s and Ellie’s faces, she hasn’t come out to them either.

  Lucy echoes my own thoughts when she breaks the silence. “I can’t decide if I’m angrier at myself for spending so much time with Coby that I wasn’t around to talk to or didn’t notice, or if I’m more angry with Zora for keeping this from us.”

  “Especially when Taylor already knows!” Ellie exclaims, clearly leaning toward anger at Zora.

  “Beck knows too, pretty sure,” I add. I mean, I get it put him in a tough spot if Zora asked him not to tell, but still, it sucks. Sucks knowing he had a secret from me.

  Lucy sighs and rubs the space between her brows. “Well, she’ll be here in a few minutes. I just texted we’ve got food and to meet us at the pool. Was about to text you when we saw you,” she tells me. “Coby is coming too.”

  So much for getting right to my homework so I can head to Jay Beach. I was planning on catching a ride with Taylor, but he’s got a bottle of some dark liquid in one hand and a six pack in the other, so looks like he’s planning to crash here.

  Beck is meeting with his agent tonight after work, and I don’t want to ask him to drive here afterward. I’ll figure it out. Without my own car I don’t always have the logistics hammered out. Usually Beck drives me back here Monday night and if he doesn’t have an early morning meeting Tuesday, he’ll spend the night. I’ve always figured out a ride to Jay Beach Thursday night, usually with Taylor though last weekend it was Zora. She said she was going to stay in one of the guest rooms and surf there all weekend since she’d be going to the Brazen party anyway.

  Knowing I’m not the only one she’s been lying to soothes the burn a little bit.

  Zora’s car pulls up then, and when she sees all of us waiting for her quietly instead of our usual loud greetings, she hesitates, watching us through her open window.

  Her eyes move to Taylor behind us. “Did you tell them?”

  “Sydney did,” I answer.

  “Sydney! What the hell?” Zora’s momentary anger apparently gives her the courage to open the door and stand in front of us, hands on hips. “You guys have been hanging out with Sydney?”

  Ellie nudges me with her elbow. “Yeah wait, why were you talking to Syd anyway?”

  Lucy brings us back on point. “We’ll talk about Syd in a second. Zora, why haven’t you told us?”

  “It’s still new. I just wanted a chance to talk to all of you at once and since you’re with your boyfriends all the time, it’s never just the four of us. I’m not saying that because I’m pissed about it. We still hang a lot and your boyfriends are cool so it’s all good,” she adds. “I’m just saying, it’s like two big things happening here. One, I’m a lesbian. That’s a weird thing to tell you in passing. And two, I have my first relationship, which also deserves an actual conversation. I have no idea what I’m doing and it’s not something I could just be like, oh hey, I know you’re about to head to class but by the way I finally accepted I’m into girls not guys and I think I might be falling for someone too.”

  She rushes all this out so fast and all I want to do is give her a hug. So I do. I wrap my arms around her tight and tell her I’m really happy for her. Lucy and Ellie want in on the hug too, and pretty soon it’s a four-way hug and I think I’m actually crying. “I’m so happy for you!” I blubber.

  We hear Taylor behind us. “We haven’t even started drinking yet. This is going to be quite the night, isn’t it? Should I leave you ladies with the food and booze and get out of here?”

  We all pull away to look at Zora. “Well, I already invited Brie and she’s on her way.”

  Coby pulls up then with a car full of his friends. “Guess we’re having a party then?” Ellie asks.

  “Finally, I get to be Brie’s girlfriend in public!” Zora exclaims. She turns to me. “I so feel for what you and Beck went through now on a whole new level.”

  “Uh, yeah, except you did this to yourself,” I remind her. “And we’re still having a heart to heart about all of it. All four of us without our significant others,” I tell her. It might have taken a full year, but I’m finally at a point where I can make these kinds of demands in my friendships with these girls, even though they’ve been friends much longer. “So don’t think just because we’re partying tonight you get away with not giving us all the details.”

  Zora grins. “You really want allllllll the details?”

  Ellie puts a hand up. “No, Zora. Not those kinds of details. You’ve always been an over-sharer and you know how uncomfortable it makes Lucy.”

  Lucy snorts. “Admit it Ellie, you’re the prude in the group even if you’re also the biggest flirt.”

  Ellie glances behind her, and fortunately Taylor isn’t listening as he’s greeting Coby and the guys. Probably trying to keep them away since we’re all still emotional over here.

  “And you haven’t gotten out of telling us about Syd either,” Zora reminds me.

  “I know,” I agree. “Later.”

  “Brunch tomorrow,” Lucy declares. “We arranged to have Fridays off to hang together but we’ve all been off with our significant others instead. Tomorrow we’re doing brunch and talking about all the things.”

  I’m down for that. I love these girls. It’s only one more day without Beck, and one more day without practicing the 720. But if I don’t stay up too late maybe I can get a little skateboard session in around here in the morning before brunch. If I can’t though, it’s not the end of the world. It used to be that I didn’t feel complete without my skateboarding fix. I’d get itchy and kind of cranky. But now, even though I’m pretty sure I’m as obsessed with mastering a new trick as I’ve ever been, as consumed by skateboarding as I’ve ever been in my life, I’ve got other good things going on that matter to me too. These girls and their friendship are more important to me than landing a 720 or beating Sarah Kase, and while that scares me a little, it also feels damn good.

  Chapter Eight

  Beck

  “How’d it go?” Griff’s coming up the stairs from the basement when I walk in the door after my meeting with Vienna.

  “You just finish working out? I could use some time in the gym.”

  “Right now?”

  I’m usually a morning gym person but right now I’ve got some negative energy to burn off. I don’t know if skateboarding is different from other sports this way, but skating through anger just doesn’t work for me. Lifting weights and pounding on some equipment, on the other hand, that helps me clear my head.

  “Yeah, I don’t know what to do about Vienna. Meet me in the gym in five?”

  Griff’s already back down there after I’ve changed. He’s on the bike and I take the treadmill beside him to warm up.

  “So is she dating your dad or what?” he asks.

  “She was, I guess. She was his patient, they got to talking, probably about me, but she says it wasn’t serious.”

  “Why’d she invite him to the opening? She didn’t even give you a heads up.”

  “She said she didn’t know he wasn’t invited. He made it sound like he was, and that they’d just be going together. She didn’t suspect anything until they got to the front door. It was Zora who let them in and she’s never met my dad but he didn’t introduce himself, just acted like Vienna’s plus one. Then she saw my reaction to seeing him and knew he’d played her.”

  “Oh come on, she should know better. She might not be your confidant in all things, but Vienna’s aware it’s not all smooth with you and your dad. Plus she knows about the wedding photo situation.”

  “She was trying to get in touch with me beforehand to give me a heads up they’d be coming together, but I never got around to calling her back.”

  Griff doesn’t say anything right away and I glance over at him.

  “She’s not his usual type,” he comments.

  “I don’t know if it was really going anywhere. Didn’t pry about it either. But she said there’s nothing happening now.”

  “I hope not. She must have realized he was using her to reconcile with you.”

  “I’m surprised he’s even trying. And to go out of his way to date someone who doesn’t need his money or status? It’s weird.”

  “You’re his son. He might not have the best intentions but he doesn’t want you out of his life.”

  “So you think I should just keep putting up with him to avoid surprise encounters like the other night?”

  “No, you can’t go on like that with him for the rest of your lives. I mean you could but it’d suck.”

  “What am I supposed to do then? And what do I do about Vienna?”

  “You thinking of cutting her loose over this?” He sounds surprised. Vienna was his agent too while he was a pro and she’s been with me for years, nearly a decade at this point.

  “Thought about it. I won’t ever look at her the same or trust her the same, but not sure I really want to cut ties and try to build a new relationship with another agent at this point.”

  “Have you talked to Jordan? What’s she think?”

  I check my phone, remembering the other reason I’m not in a great mood. Usually after these three days without seeing her I’m counting the minutes until she gets here. The last text I got from her was earlier this afternoon, letting me know she’d try to catch a ride with Taylor. He can manage to do more remote work than I can, and gets to go up to Summerside and work from there mid-week.

  “I haven’t talked to her much about it, and this is the first time I’ve heard Vienna’s side of things. You heard from Taylor? He coming back tonight?”

  “Told him he didn’t need to come in until Monday. You know he can do most of his work remotely, and so far he’s proven he’ll get it done. That kid’s a way more reliable employee than I thought he’d be.”

  “He’s not a kid anymore, Griff,” I remind him. “Wait, so he’s not coming back tonight?”

  “Nope, and Brie took tomorrow off too. She said there’s a little party going on now that Zora finally told her friends.”

  I stop the treadmill. “When did she tell them?”

  “Today, I think? I don’t know. Brie was heading to Summerside when I pulled in after work. Told me she’d be back tomorrow morning but I gave her the day off. She’s been working too hard.”