Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

Her mother’s help to protect the lighthouse—and essentially Sanoa Bay—
worked like magic, after all. Her grandmother fought us on it, but her father
backed off surprisingly quickly, even though he was one of the people who
lost when the development deal fell through. I think he just lost the energy to
do anything else that might make his family any more unhappy.
“What are you all doing here?” I hear someone exclaim.
We look up, seeing the coach in a sundress with her glasses pushed up on
top of her head. She looks like she was passing by on her way back from the
beach.
“I have no idea,” I tell her, shooting Clay a look.
Coomer checks her phone. “Prom is in four hours, Clay!”
Everyone looks to Clay, my devious angel feigning innocence.
“All right, we’re going,” she laughs. “See y’all tonight! Get out of here!”
“Whooo!” a unanimous howl sounds.
Everyone grabs their gear, thunder cracking across the sky, and I rise,
pulling Clay in for a kiss now that everyone is clearing out.
Her hands immediately go to my face, and I’m trying not to count the
days left, but it’s always in the forefront of my mind.
“Come on.” She takes my hand. “Hair, makeup…”
“Shower,” I tell her, implying all good things start there.
“I’ll be at your house in an hour,” Krisjen says to Clay.
“Okay.”
We put away our gear and take our bags, and I notice Amy sitting on the
benches, packing up her stuff. Alone.
The first day after the ball, Clay and I ate by ourselves in the cafeteria
until Krisjen and Chloe joined us. Over the next few days, others found their
seats closer until eventually, we were in the mix, no separation between our
little party and everyone else. We’re a part of things now, despite whispers
here and there.
Amy never showed.
And while she’s not alone at school, she looks lonely, because her pride
won’t let her grow up.
I eye Clay.
She narrows her eyes, following my gaze to Amy and then back to me.
She shakes her head.
Yes, I tell her with my glare.
Enemies are a choice. A result of our egos. They happen when we’ve