Chapter 31

I found myself staring out at the ocean, thinking about how Edd's eyes were the same color as the water. I missed him and it was driving me crazy. I had been with him every day for the last week. Being without him was weird.

Nazz shifted beside me, leaning in close. But she wasn't the only one. Rolf and Nat were also leaning towards me, staring at me. I ignored them and continued to stare out at the sea. I tried to soak in the air and the smell of the salt but their faces pressed closer. I knew exactly what they wanted, and in all honesty, I wasn't in the mood to talk about it. I could feel the heat in my cheeks rise as a question popped up into my head. I had a rather strong feeling someone was going to ask-

"So did you guys have sex," Nat blurt out and my hands slipped out from under me, causing me to fall back into the sand.

Nazz broke out laughing, "Nat, we said we weren't going to ask that! At least not as the first thing."

"I can't help it, I'm curious! They both just disappeared last night. And," Nat looked down at me, his eyebrows raising a bit, "judging by your reaction-"

I quickly sat up, cutting him off. "We had a good reason to disappear. If you don't remember, Justin was…" I cut myself off. I didn't want to go back down that train of thought. But my mind went there anyway as Nazz asked me what happened.

"Nat told me a little bit, but what exactly happened, Dude?"

I shook my head, hoping she would take the hint that I didn't want to talk about it. But she still stared at me with eyes telling me she wanted to hear every little detail. I stared at her for a moment, hoping that she would understand just how hard it was going to be for me to talk about it. She only bat her lashes a few times and her lips curled into a tempting smile, as if demanding that I tell her the story.

I sighed, "Justin took it upon himself to try to show Double D his true feelings. Apparently, Justin really likes him."

Nazz shook her head. "That's so wrong."

"Yeah. If it wasn't for Nat and Rolf helping me look, I wouldn't have found them in time."

"Well at least you did. But, what about Eddy?"

"What about Eddy," I asked, turning to face her.

"Have you told Eddy you're dating his friend?"

"As if. Why would I want to travel down that rabbit hole? Double D said that he would tell him. So I will let him take care of it."

"Double D Edd boy won't tell," Rolf said, pushing his hands into the sand behind him and leaning back on them.

"I agree," Nat shifted beside me, his eyes focused on the water in front of us. "For a smart guy, he really isn't all that smart. I'm pretty sure he knows darn well that he won't be able to tell Eddy about the two of you."

"Well," I looked down at my phone to see two unread messages from Edd. I slide my thumb across the bottom of the screen and continued my train of thought, "if he doesn't tell Eddy and wants me to tell him then I will. I'm not afraid of Eddy. He can think what he wants. Regardless of what he thinks, it's not going to stop me from liking Double D."

"That's so cute," Nazz squealed beside me.

"I'm surprised you are taking all of this news so well, Nazz," Nat said, tilting his head to the side to look in her direction.

"What are you talking about, dude?"

"Well, just that you have liked Kevin for how long now? And suddenly it comes out that he's in love with someone else—a guy someone else. I thought you would be a little more upset at that."

"Well," Nazz's whole body sank and she turned away from us, pulling her knees into her chest and wrapping her arms around them. "Sure it was shocking at first. And I can't deny that I cried after I found out. It is weird, sure. But," her eyes darted to mine, "as long as you are happy."

I stared at her for a moment before nodding. "I am."

Her face fell into an even sadder expression and I felt as if I had been stabbed in the side. I couldn't help it. I had known for the longest time that Nazz had liked me. Hell, for the longest time I thought I liked Nazz. I have no clue what happened to make my heart just decided that I wanted someone like Double D.

My eyes darted down towards my phone as it vibrated, indicating I had received another text. I found myself sitting up straight, pulling the phone closer to my face.

From: Edd3

12:26 pm

Kevin—I regret to inform you that I have yet to tell Eddy of our relationship. I don't know if I will have it in me to be able to actually tell him. Please forgive me.

Double D

From: Edd3

12:39 pm

Kevin—I know I told you earlier, as I passed you this morning, that Eddy, Ed, and I were going to the river. When we got there, we wound up turning around and headed back to the cul de sac. Justin was there with his friends. Upon returning to Eddy's, Ed shouted that he wanted to go to the beach. We are on our way there now. If you are still there, then I will see you soon.

Double D

From: Edd3

1:10 pm

Kevin—we just got to the beach and I have still not told Eddy about us. I don't know if I will be able to. When I told him there was more to the story between you and I he started shouting and asked numerous questions. He may come towards you, shouting at you to tell him what I haven't. Please forgive me.

Double D

Shouting came from behind us as another car pulled into the parking lot. The others turned to see what all the commotion was and I found myself staring off at the ocean. I knew darn well that it was Eddy shouting at Double D. My main concern wasn't whether Double D would be able to handle himself—I knew he would. Instead, my concern was figuring out how I was going to tell Eddy a fact that would sure as hell have him wanting to puke. His enemy is dating his best friend.

"Is that Eddy," Nazz asked. "Why is he yelling so much already?"

"Double D hasn't told him about us yet," I said. "He's only managed to tell him that there's more to the story than just the fact that he helped me with football and chemistry."

"Well," Rolf turned his attention back towards me, "Rolf thinks you should be straight forward, yes?"

"It's not that easy, Rolf," Nat said with a slight chuckle. "That's like feeding yourself to a pack of wolves."

"Kevin," I heard from behind me. It was more of a high shriek than that of a holler. "We need to talk, now!"

I rolled my eyes and got to my feet as Eddy made his way to stand right in front of me. Double D was right behind him, trying to talk at the same time Eddy was; probably trying to get him to calm down. I had drowned them both out. It was quiet in my mind for the split second it took me to make up my mind on how I was going to tell Eddy.

"Eddy," my lips spat his name, causing both boys to stop talking and look at me.

"What," he spat back.

"I'm in love with Double D."

The entire beach fell silent, minus the sound of the crashing waves and the call of the gulls.