“You here on vacation?” he wonders, perching himself on the edge of the rock.
“More like a quick trip. We come here all the time, so it’s become a second, way better home, than a vacation spot.”
He chuckles, looking out over the party. “I hear you. I’m here during the summer mostly, but I try to make it this way a couple times a year other than that.” He bends, digging into the small ice chest near his feet and pulls out a beer. “Want one?”
“She’s got one,” comes from behind me and the guy’s head snaps toward the voice.
Chase slips between us with a glare, completely blocking me from the surfer boy to my right and holds out a freshly filled cup.
I lean forward to meet the man’s eyes and smile, lifting my cup. “Thank you, but I’ve got one, and thanks for the s’more.”
The guy nods, an easy-going grin on his lips. “For sure, you guys have a nice night, huh?” He waves, grabs his bag and moves over to a group of people a few feet away.
I face Chase, bringing my drink to my lips.
“What?” He frowns.
“That was rude.”
“You don’t even know the guy, why would you take anything from him?”
“He was just being nice.”
Chase scoffs, facing away.
Now I’m the one who’s asking, “What?”
“Nothing.” He shrugs. “Didn’t think Cam was being serious about the whole beach boys thing, that’s all.”
My mouth opens, but nothing come out, so I busy myself with my beer.
Is that jealousy?
It can’t be, can it?
It’s simply him being an ass, mimicking Mason as he’s known to do.
Before I can think on it anymore, Cam walks up.
“’Bout ready to head back? It’s getting dark, and I’ve got sand in places eyes have never seen.” Cam laughs.
“Yup.” Chase kicks off, and Cameron raises a brow, but wipes it away before anyone can see.
The walk home from the party feels like it takes twice as long than the walk there.
We’re beat from the sun and surf and the bit of day drinking added to it.
Nate and Lolli wave us off as they keep forward toward their place and we drag ourselves down our driveway.
Cam and Brady beat us out in rock, paper, scissors, so they got dibs on first showers, assigning us as the cleaner-uppers.
Together, we haul the ice chest up onto the deck, and move back down to secure our equipment.
Mason and Chase drop the paddle boards into their slots, and I come behind them, loping the lock through the fin boxes. I get them all laced together, but the lock itself has sand in it, and won’t clamp.
“Piece of crap.” I sigh, trying to jam the stupid thing in place.
Chase wipes his hands on his shorts and comes up behind me, his arms coming around, caging me in. His hands cover mine and he gently takes the lock from my hands. “Here, let me.”
I’m not sure if he whispers, but it feels like it, his warm breath rolling over my wet skin with slow accuracy. I look up over my shoulder and his eyes meet mine, a covert smirk trying to break free.
He brings the metal item to his mouth, blowing into it, and my eyes fall to his lips.
I want to feel them again. I want them to glide along my neck as his breath is.
The lock clicks, and Chase chuckles when I jump from the sound.
And then I jump again when the paddles are tossed at our feet, Mason’s body pushing itself in front of us, so he can begin sliding them into their posts.
Chase backs away and does the same, so I slip away, headed up the dock.
As I reach the platform, my eyes glide their way once more and, what do you know, Chase’s are on me.
I pinch my lips to the side and continue into the house, where my smile breaks free.
As I cut an apple and scoop some peanut butter into a small bowl, I can’t help but remember the words spoken in the dark only a few nights ago.
Nothing forces a man to face his feelings for a woman than the interest of another man.
I’m not sure if that’s what’s happening here but bless you Noah Riley for your man knowledge.
You might be the very reason I get everything I’ve ever wanted.
Chapter 8
Arianna
* * *
We came down to Lolli’s today for breakfast, and after eating, moved out to the patio for a couple games of Cornhole, but us girls didn’t last long, so everyone decided to take a walk down the beach to the coffee shop.
Mason, Chase, and Brady all hover over Payton as she climbs up the small set of stairs to sit beside us on an abandoned lifeguard’s post, the only place on the beach that offers any shade if you don’t pop up a canopy.