“That I can’t think about anything else until Ashlyn and her mom reconcile.”
“Good. Go with that. You know what to do.”
The minute the idea popped into her head, Summer decided it was the only way. “I’m going to tell them it’s coming.”
Gabriella’s face dropped. “You can’t. That’s not how it works.”
“Why not? It’s simple. I’ll tell Ashlyn and her mom what I know, and they’ll
“I’m telling you that you can’t do it like that.” Gabriella’s voice took on a frantic edge. “If all of our Ciphers told their charges they were going to die, it would be total chaos. People need to have faith. Hope.”
“You keep saying it’s my job, and I’m gonna do it however I can. I’m not letting Ashlyn down, even if I have to scare her and her mom first.”
There was practically glittery steam coming out of Gabriella’s ears. “You think you know better than thousands of years of experience?”
Summer shrugged, determined this was the way. “Maybe things need to get shaken up.”Gabriella’s watch chimed, and Summer was actually glad for the interruption this time. She didn’t want to listen to Gabriella go on and on about what she was supposed to do. It had never helped her before.
“You know that means I’ve got to go, but this is the wrong way to approach the subject. If you simply realized that I know what I’m doing, we’d avoid a lot of this stuff we don’t have time for. I’ll explain more later, but you can’t tell Ashlyn or her mom that she’s going to die.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ashlyn secured the surfboards to the top of her car. “Troy called this morning and asked if I wanted to catch some waves with him and a few friends. I told him I already had plans with you.”
“Good.” Summer pulled her hair into a bun.
“Can’t we just invite him to come along with us?”
“I don’t want to deal with the weirdness, but if you’d rather go surfing with him, you can.”
Ashlyn climbed into her car and waited until Summer got in to continue. “Of course I’d rather go with you. You make me feel like a pro surfer.”
“Thanks a lot,” Summer said with a laugh. She tossed her bag and towel into the back seat. “I probably should get my own board if I’m going to go surfing all the time.”
Ashlyn backed out of her driveway. “I never use the one you’ve been using, so I really have no problem with you borrowing it. In fact, you can have it.” She waited for a car to pass, then entered the flow of traffic, turning down the road that would take them to their usual beach spot.
“You want me to change it? I’m thinking a little
“
Ashlyn blasted the song, and they belted it out right along with the band who had helped bring them together.
The lyrics hit Summer as she sang along. Her friendship with Ashlyn had helped her figure out who she really was. Had helped her find herself when she was lost. She owed Ashlyn more than she could ever repay.
She wanted to slow down time and speed it up, all at the same time.
Fresh ocean air wafted over Summer as she climbed out of Ashlyn’s car, and again she thought how much she loved this place. She froze when she spotted Troy, already on the beach. A couple of guys and three girls were standing by him. One of the girls had her arm around him. The chocolate doughnut she’d had this morning turned sour in her stomach.
“See what I mean?” Summer pointed down at the beach. “He’s always got a girl hanging all over him.” She wasn’t sure if she should feel better or worse that he was with a different girl and not the volleyball player again.
Ashlyn glanced from Troy and his group, back to Summer. “You want to go up shore a bit?”
“No, it’s fine.” Summer pulled the long board off the car’s roof. “Let’s just go get in the water.”
Summer and Ashlyn made their way down the wooden steps to the sand. Summer held her board to try to hide her from Troy and his group, hoping he wouldn’t notice her trying to sneak past, but no such luck.
“Sunshine! Ashlyn! Glad you decided to come catch some waves with us.” Troy walked over to Summer, leaving whatever girl he was talking to minutes ago looking all sad and bewildered. “So, do you have another riddle for me?”
Summer raised an eyebrow. “Did you figure out the first one?”
“No. I can’t figure you out at all.”
“Troy,” the girl whined. “I thought you were going to teach me to surf.”
“Sounds like you’ve got to go.” Summer started to turn as she threw out, “Later.”
Troy grabbed her arm, stopping her mid-stride. He moved so close his bare chest bumped her shoulder, and then he lowered his lips to her ear. “You’re the one who kissed me then ignored me for days. I don’t understand why
Her heart pounded out a rapid rhythm, and her skin blazed every place it touched his. Finally she met his green eyes—a mistake, really—but she managed to find her voice again. “You’re right. Look, I didn’t mean to mess up our friendship. I wish we could go back to the way things used to be. Before I . . . ” Her gaze dropped to his lips. She swallowed, the action taking way more effort than usual.
“That’s what you really want?” he asked, his eyes never leaving hers.
Words wouldn’t come, so she nodded.
“Okay then.” Troy ran his fingers down her arm, and then they were gone, and he was stepping back. And she was hating herself, even as she was telling herself it was good she’d been strong—she was never letting another boy walk all over her, even one she cared about as much as Troy. “Maybe I’ll catch up with you in the water.”
The girl Troy had been next to earlier was shooting daggers at Summer. Summer looked from her back to Troy. “I’m guessing you’ll have your hands pretty full.” She readjusted her board then moved over to Ashlyn. They walked a few more yards down the beach, where there was a nice open spot.
Ashlyn pulled at the sleeves on her wetsuit. “So, as I stood there, feeling out of place and awkward while you talked to Troy—thanks for that by the way—”
“Sorry,” Summer said.
“It’s okay. You two were pretty lost to the world there for a few minutes. I did happen to notice that you didn’t exactly tell him how you felt, though.”
“What was I supposed to do? Plant one on him right there in front of his date and tell him to pick me instead?”
