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purred, stepping in front of Jeff and Michelle to tug on Jackson’s hand. She was spilling out of her bright pink bikini top, a tiny wrap secured around her curvy waist. “I need you to help put my sunscreen on.”
    Jeff snickered behind her. “Tough job, Jackson. Need a hand?”
    “Hey, somebody’s gotta do it.” Jackson winked, draping his arm around Kayla’s shoulder to guide her toward their room. “I’ll take it from here. I have to change first. We’ll see you guys down there.”
    “Lotion her up real good, Jack.” Jeff punched him in the shoulder before turning to follow the others down the hall.
    Whitney smacked him upside the head as he passed by and she stayed behind with me, her expression concerned the moment she noticed my tears welling up. “What is it, Em? What did he do to you?”
    I held the piece of paper out in front of me, staring down at it as if it would jump up and bite me. “He gave me Jen’s obituary.”
    “He what?” Whitney’s eyes widened and her nostrils flared, and before I could say anything else, she snatched it from my hand and turned on her heel for Jackson and Kayla’s room.
    I darted after her, wiping the tears away before they overtook me completely. “Whit, calm down.”
    “I will not calm down.” She banged mercilessly on the door and cursed under her breath, reaching in her jean shorts pocket for the spare key. Sliding the card through the lock, she pushed the door open and I winced at the sight. Jackson and Kayla were half naked on the couch, Kayla shrieking and covering herself while Jackson fumed and yanked his zipper up, eyes flashing to mine.
    “What the fuck, Whitney?”
    “What part of ‘no’ do you not understand?” she snapped, holding the paper up.
    “Whit.” I pulled the paper from her hand and tugged at her shoulder, averting my gaze from the scene on the couch. “Don’t, please. Let’s get out of here, come on.”
    “No, Emma, I’m sorry. Somebody has got to tell him ‘no’ because he obviously doesn’t hear it enough.” She cocked her head to the side and shot an accusatory look at Kayla.
    “Oh screw you, Whitney,” Kayla said. “You’re just pissed because you want Ruben but you think you’re too good for him. Get over yourself. At least I go after what I want.”
    Whitney’s eyes narrowed. “Watch yourself.”
    “Oh, for the love of God.” I charged toward the door. “Whit, just let it go.”
    Jackson was in front of me in an instant, blocking the door. “Hold on a minute. First off, this is between me and Emma, Whitney. So butt the hell out. And Emma, I didn’t give it to you to upset you, I thought it would help.”
    “Oh, please,” Whitney barked. “Don’t lecture me on privacy. You’ve heard why she doesn’t want to read it. You need to mind your own business and back off.”
    Kayla wrapped her arms tighter around her bare breasts. “Jackson, what’s going on?”
    “Nothing,” we both answered.
    “It doesn’t sound like nothing.”
    Jackson rubbed his eyes. “Kayla, can we do this later? I need a minute with Emma. Whitney, please get out.”
    “ Excuse me ?” Kayla said, her head snapping to Jackson.
    “You don’t have to talk to him about this, Em,” Whit said, turning to me.
    I pressed my palm to my forehead and shut my eyes. “No, it’s fine. We’ll be quick.”
    “You’re sure.”
    “Yeah, thanks,” I touched her elbow. “I’ll be right out.”
    Kayla huffed and grabbed her flimsy bikini top, then stormed out the room, with Whitney stomping after her.
    “I don’t know how you deal with that girl,” Jackson grumbled, pulling his shirt on and plopping back down on the couch.
    “That girl is my best friend in the whole world and she’s just watching out for me.”
    He leaned forward on the edge of the couch to rest his forearms on his knees. He wouldn’t look at me. “I’m sorry. I just...”
    “I know,” I said, crossing my arms uncomfortably. “I get what you were trying to do.