Get Lucky: A YA Anthology Read online

  He stopped walking and turned to me. A smile played with the corner of his lips. “And be responsible for taking Charlie Wade out of this world?” he joked, and laid his hand on his heart. “Definitely not.”

  “You say that like I’m someone important.”

  “Aren’t you?” It was two words, but the assuring tone in his voice, and the way he cocked his head at me when he said them, made it seem like so many more.

  I was just a speck amongst all the people in the world, a tiny, insignificant nothing, but, when Hunter looked at me, I felt like I was the most important person on Earth. Words got lost somewhere between my head and my mouth.

  “We’re almost there,” he said, taking my hand into his. Knowing about Piper, I shouldn’t have liked the way it felt to have my fingers intertwined with his, but I did. I liked everything about it because I liked everything about Hunter. Especially the way one touch from him made my entire body spark to life.

  We crossed the street, and walked down a wooded area, into a clearing. The street was no longer visible, and we were surrounded by the lake and a tiny cottage made of rocks just over the lake. It was dark, but the moonlight shining off the lake lit up the night sky. Moss and ivy overtook the structure, making it look like it was part of nature. A shutter hung from a single broken window. The building met the ground, and jetted out to a stone path that sat above the water.

  “What is this place?” I asked, as we came closer to it, admiring the beauty within the antiquated space.

  “It used to be a boat house. It’s been abandoned probably longer than we’ve been alive.”

  I imagined the people who once frequented this place, and where they were now. I wondered how something so beautiful could be left to such disarray. “How’d you find it?” I asked, since it wasn’t visible from the street.

  “Went out canoeing one day and stumbled upon it. If you come by boat, you can actually ride right into it.”

  “Do you come here a lot?”

  He shrugged. “When I need to think.” He walked over to the stone path, and followed it down to the very edge. He sat down, dangling his legs over the side. I joined him, and watched the moonlight dance across the water’s surface. “It’s nice to just get away sometimes, you know?”

  “Is this where you came the other day when you were MIA?”

  “You noticed I was gone?” he said with a smile.

  “Yeah,” I admitted.

  “I was here.”

  “Were you here with Piper?” I asked, and then wanted to smack myself for even bringing her up. I just couldn’t seem to get the two of them out of my head. It bothered me that he would like someone like her. I might not have known her all that well, but you could learn a lot about a person when you first meet them, and she was mean.

  “No,” he said, shifting so he could look at me. “You’re actually the only person I’ve ever brought here.”

  “Really? Why?”

  He shrugged and then looked out across the lake. “I guess I come here to get away, but, when I’m with you, I never have the urge to leave, and, because of that, I don’t mind sharing this place with you.”

  His words moved me in a way I wasn’t expecting. Hunter Davison was full of surprises and, even though there were a million reasons floating around in my head that warned me to stay away, I wasn’t strong enough to walk away from him. There was so much more to him then what he exuded and, chip by chip, layer by layer I was getting to figure him out.

  So, I slid my hand into his, relishing in the warmth of his skin against mine and how perfectly our hands fit together. We sat there with our legs dangling over the edge, neither one of use saying a word, but feeling completely content.

  Chapter Ten

  It was another beautiful day with the sun shining bright above the lake. Joey and Parker were fishing off the dock, and I was lounged a few feet away reading. I was beginning to realize that I didn’t have to choose between reading and fun. I could have both. It was all about finding a balance.

  I heard footsteps behind me, and glanced over my shoulder to see Hunter coming toward me. He was in a pair of navy blue and white board shorts, and no shirt. I tried to keep my eyes on his, just like we agreed to the other day.

  “Do you have your bathing suit on?” Hunter asked, as he plopped down on the dock beside my chair.

  I reached under my t-shirt, and pulled at the black string of my bathing suit top. “I do. I wear it at all times now, you know, just in case. Why? What do you have up your sleeve for today?” I asked, and shut my book.

  He nodded his head toward the lake. All morning, sounds of boats whizzing by echoed through the air, but now the noise was getting closer. I looked out across the water, and saw a boat coming toward us.

  I counted four people and, as they neared, the four heads bobbing along with the boat became clear. Dylan pulled the boat right up to the dock, and Colin threw a line to Hunter. Piper lounged on the back seat in a teeny bikini that didn’t leave much to the imagination while Mason stood watch next to Dylan.

  “Cool!” Joey exclaimed, as he and Parker dropped their poles and ran alongside the boat.

  “Hey, guys,” Colin said to them.

  “You ready to go?” Dylan asked, running a hand through his windblown hair.

  Hunter turned to me and smiled. “You ready?”

  I’d been on boats before, but never one that wasn’t being driven by an adult. I looked around to see if my parents were going to come running to tell me absolutely not, but they never appeared. Besides, Dylan seemed to know what he was doing, and I assumed he had to have gotten permission to take the boat out.

  “Is that your dad’s boat?” I asked, needing reassurance for whatever reason.

  “It’s mine,” Dylan said. “A gift from good ol’ dad for my fifteenth birthday.”

  The only thing I got for my fifteenth birthday was a signed copy of my favorite book, a gift certificate to the local bookstore, and an ice cream cake. My gift was personal. His was over the top, and seemed like his dad was trying to buy his love.

  I stood up, book in hand, not really sure where to put it.

  “Don’t tell me she doesn’t know how to get on a boat,” Piper moaned.

  Hunter held out his hand, palm side up. He waved his fingers at me. “I’ll take that,” he said, and I placed the worn copy in his hand.

  “Can we come? Can we come?” Parker asked, excitedly bouncing up and down.

  “Not today, little man,” Hunter said, and the huge smile on Parker’s face fell. His brows furrowed together, and I wasn’t sure if he was going to cry or throw a temper tantrum.

  “You never let me come with you!” Parker whined, as he kicked the dock with the tip of his foot.

  Hunter bent down to him, and rested a hand on his shoulder. He said something, but I couldn’t hear over the roaring of the engine. The smile that had vanished only seconds ago returned, pulling wide across his small face. “Okay!” he yelled out and gave Hunter a high five. Parker waved Joey over, and they went back to their fishing poles.

  “What did you say to him?” I asked, curious how he was able to flip a switch on his little brother so easily and without much effort.

  “Just promised him I’d take him for ice cream later, and give him quarters to play a few games at the arcade.”

  “So you bribed him,” I said.

  “I don’t look at it as bribing. Just a big brother taking care of his little brother.”

  “Oh, my God. The sun will be gone by the time you two get on the damn boat,” Piper muttered, and I wondered if she was more likely to throw a temper tantrum than Parker was.

  Hunter got on the boat, and tucked the book into the waistband of his shorts. He went to hold his hand out to help me on when Piper jumped up from her throne and engulfed him in a hug. I was never a jealous person, but, right then, I wanted to jump on the boat and claw her eyes out. The only problem was, I didn’t exactly know how to get on the boat.

  Hunter jum
ped right in, like it was as natural as walking. I wasn’t much of a jumper. I put my foot out to the shiny white edge, and the boat drifted away, causing my leg to stretch beyond its limit. I quickly pulled my leg back and onto the nice solid, unmoving dock.

  “Let me help you there,” Colin said, holding one hand out to me, while the other anchored the boat in place against the dock.

  I got on without any mishaps, and smiled up at Colin. “Thanks for the help.”

  “Anytime, lass. I saved a spot for you right here,” he said, smacking his hand down on a white vinyl bench seat. I sat beside Colin, across from where Piper pulled down Hunter, and tried not to stare as Piper rested her legs on top of Hunter’s.

  The green eyed monster of jealousy started twisting its way in and out of me. I wanted to be the one sitting with Hunter just like I was last night.

  “How was your evening, love?” Colin asked, and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to him. His build was leaner than Hunter’s, but it was just as warm.

  I froze, at first unsure of what was going on between us. But, then I remembered yesterday and the concert. How much fun I had just sitting with Colin and listening to music. Talking to him about random things. So, I leaned into his embrace and decided to go with the flow instead of trying to control it.

  Mason untied us from the dock, and Dylan navigated the boat away from the shore. Joey and Parker waved to us as we sped away and I waved back until they were nothing more than tiny specks in the late morning canvas.

  “Have you ever gone tubing before?” Colin yelled in my ear, so I could hear him over the hum of the engine.

  “Never,” I yelled back.

  “Then you’re in for a surprise. It’s a blast.”

  Dylan killed the engine, and we drifted along the water. Mason got the tube from the bow of the boat and threw it overboard. “Who’s going first?” he asked.

  “I think Charlie should,” Piper said, a smugness in her tone. She sat up straighter in her seat, and crossed her arms under her chest, causing her boobs to look even bigger.

  “I…I,” I stuttered, not wanting to back down from her challenge but terrified of what I’d be getting myself into.

  “Why don’t we let someone who has gone before go first? That way Charlie can see what it’s all about, and then decide if she’s up for it,” Hunter said and Piper rolled her eyes.

  “Whatever,” she sing-songed.

  “I’ll go!” Colin bellowed, jumping up from beside me. He climbed up on the side of the boat and dove off into the water. He barely made a splash before surfacing a few feet away.

  “When you go in,” Hunter said to me. “Always go off the side of the boat. That way you don’t get chopped up by the propellers.”

  “Chopped up?!” I exclaimed.

  “Dylan always cuts the engine, so it would never happen, but just to be safe,” he explained, and I nodded in understanding, trying not to envision being chopped up into tiny pieces by the propeller.

  Mason tied the rope from the tube onto the back of the boat as Colin swam to it. When he got there, he pulled himself onto it and went on all fours.

  “Is that how you sit on that thing?” I asked, not exactly looking forward to having my boobs bouncing around and on view for everyone to see.

  “No, he’s just showing off,” Hunter scoffed.

  “Ready?” Dylan called out, and Colin gave him a thumbs up from his position on the tube.

  Dylan gave the throttle some gas, and the boat leapt to life. I kept my eyes on Colin as the boat zigzagged across the lake, flinging him back and forth and sending him flying through the air on occasion. He was far enough away that I couldn’t make out much detail, but I could still see the big white toothed smile on his face as he held on tight.

  “Should I dump him?” Dylan called out over his shoulder, the wind tossing his dirty blonde hair around.

  “Do it!” Mason cheered.

  Dylan cut the boat hard, and I held on so I wouldn’t go flying off the side of the boat. The sudden change in direction caused the tub to fling itself across the water, sending Colin flying through the air. His hands slipped from the tubes handles, and he went airborne.

  “Oh, my god!” I exclaimed, my hand smacking against my lips as I watched Colin smack into the water and disappear beneath the surface. “Is he okay?” I asked, frantically searching the waters for his bobbing head.

  Dylan slowed the boat down, and turned it back in the direction where Colin was only moments ago.

  “He’s fine,” Hunter assured me.

  Piper grabbed his face, and turned him back to her. “I was talking,” she stated with venom in her tone.

  I focused back on the water, searching for Colin who had finally surfaced and was bobbing in the water. We pulled up alongside of him, and Dylan shut the engine off, probably to avoid Colin chop suey.

  Colin swam over and grabbed onto the tiny ladder on the back of the boat. He pulled himself up, water dripping off his body and glistening in the sunlight. His stomach was bright red, and I assumed it was from hitting the water.

  “How’d I do?” he asked, grabbing a towel and swiping it down his face.

  “Awesome,” I said. “I’m very impressed.” I nodded to his abs. “Does that hurt?”

  “Nah. Well, maybe a wee bit,” he said, holding up his thumb and forefinger. “Totally worth it though. So are you ready to go?”

  I shook my head, afraid of the evil red marks streaking his stomach. “I don’t think so.”

  “I’ll go slow,” Dylan said. “I just did that to throw his dumbass off. I won’t do that to you.”

  “Promise?” I asked.

  “Promise,” he said with a laugh.

  “Okay, then.”

  I went to jump off the boat when Hunter’s hand stopped me. “You should put this on,” he said, holding open a life jacket for me. “Just until you get the hang of it. Plus, it’ll help prevent you against that,” Hunter said, and smacked Colin’s abs. Colin let out a howl, and bent over clutching his stomach.

  “Ejit,” Colin groaned, and I almost felt bad for him when he and everyone else started laughing. “Wait until you’re out there,” Colin said, pointing to Hunter.

  “Keep talking,” Hunter joked, as he pulled the life jacket into place on me. He snapped the clips one by one, and, when he was finished, he looked at me with that adorable smile. “You’ll do great,” he said.

  “Come this way,” Mason said. He was hanging over the boat, holding the tube close to the boat. I jumped off the boat, letting the feel of the cool water calm me. “Grab here and here,” Mason said, and pointed out the two handles.

  I grabbed onto them, and pulled myself onto the tube with a flop. Mason pushed me away from the boat, and then took his place at the front. Dylan started the engine and, slowly, like he promised, began to move forward.

  “You ready?” Dylan called out.

  I gave a thumbs up like Colin did, and then held on for dear life. The rope tightened, as the boat got farther and farther away from me. Then, it was pulling me, gliding me across the water, the wind blowing at me and around me. Exhilaration pumped through my blood, and a laugh rose in my throat, pushing out until I couldn’t stop the constant flow of laughter.

  Water sprayed my face, which only made me laugh harder and louder. The tube bounced around, but I held a strong grip on those handles as if they were my lifeline. Colin raised his hand to me, giving a nice big wave. I didn’t attempt to wave back, too scared I would be tossed from the tube and belly flop into the water.

  The boat slowed before coming to a stop. Mason reached over the side, taking hold of the rope, and began wheeling me back in. Colin and Hunter stood watching, as I was pulled toward them. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to push it off my face, but my fingers just got caught in the tangled mess.

  I dunked my head back into the water letting my hair fall into place. When I made it to the edge of the boat, Mason helped me get on to the outboard.
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  My eyes met Hunter’s, and his lips parted, but, before he could say anything, Colin ran up to me, engulfing me in his arms. “You did it. You were awesome!” he exclaimed, swaying me back and forth.

  Over his shoulder, I watched as Hunter backed away from me and sat back down next to Piper.

  Chapter Eleven

  We spent a better part of the day on the water, cruising around on the boat and taking turns on the tube. Around five o’clock, Dylan dropped Hunter and I off where he picked us up so we could be home in time for dinner. Dad and Mitch had grilled up burgers and hot dogs while Mom and Janice had put together a big salad and some other side dishes. Full and completely satisfied, I took a shower and changed into a pair of jeans with a light flowing top.

  We met back up at Dylan’s a few hours later where Dylan and Colin had a huge bonfire going. Both had a can of beer in their hand, and were stoking the fire. Chairs were still set up around the fire, and I sat in the same one I did my first night here. Hunter sat next to me, and Colin walked over holding two beers. He held them out to us, and I hesitated.

  Waking up the other morning, feeling like I was hit by a bus, made me hesitant to go for a replay. I did not want to have to go through that again, even if Hunter would leave me another hangover kit. Reminders of the headache and the queasiness in my stomach was enough to turn me off. Still, I was embarrassed to say no, afraid they might think I really was a goody.

  Hunter waved his hand. “I’m good tonight,” Hunter said, and relief flooded through me.

  “Me too. I’m good, but thanks.”

  “More for us then,” Colin said, with a smile, just as Mason and Piper showed up. He turned to them and his smile flattened. “Or not. Here you go.” He handed the cans off to Mason and Piper, who didn’t hesitate for a second to take them.

  Piper held the can at her side, and strutted over to Hunter. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his cheek, lingering for much longer than necessary. As she pulled back, she gave me a dirty look before grabbing his hand. “Come sit next to me,” she said, yanking on his arm.