Rounded arches ahead lead to a gathering area with patio furniture set-up and a bar at the end with a fireplace behind it. There’s no fire since it’s already hot, but it’s definitely a neat area to hang out in when you need a break from the sun. I could definitely see myself curling up on the couch over there with a good book on a drizzly fall day.
I’m distracted taking in the new space until I hear laughter. Not Hunter’s laugh, either… it’s a female.
Oh no.
I recognize that obnoxious giggle.
I wish I hadn’t come now, but it’s too late to turn around. I understand why Hunter’s mom’s mood changed so abruptly. She knew I wouldn’t enjoy finding Valerie at Hunter’s house.
At least she’s not here alone with him, I guess.
I step forward slowly into a setting pulled straight from my nightmares.
Half the football team and all the cheerleaders are gathered around the pool or splashing around inside it. They’re all talking and laughing. They haven’t noticed me yet.
Valerie Johnson is in the pool with Hunter.
Not just with Hunter, but all over him.
She’s grinning as she jumps on his back, grabbing his sexy shoulders to keep from slipping off. My stomach twists at the sight of her body pressed against him, her boobs smashed against his muscular back, her legs wrapped around him underwater. She’s wearing a Barbie pink bikini made of very little fabric.
My chest tightens. I wish I didn’t understand why, but I do.
It’s jealousy. I can’t stand seeing her all over him. I hate how little fabric is keeping every inch of their bare bodies from touching.
I want to rip Valerie Johnson out of the pool and punch her in the face.
I wonder if I could flee without anyone noticing me. Sure, Hunter’s mom will know I was here, and yes, she’ll probably tell him after I’m gone, but this isn’t us in eighth grade anymore. Clearly, he’s not going to show up outside my bedroom window tonight, wanting to explain himself so my feelings aren’t hurt.
I realize, as my chest continues to feel tight just breathing, I cannot face Hunter right now. It doesn’t matter which option would save face—I have to get out of here.
I turn to head back the way I came. Before I get far, I hear Wally shout, “Hey, Maxwell!”
I glance back, but I don’t slow down. Wally must have tipped him off that I’m here, because the second Hunter looks away from him, his gaze snaps in my direction.
We lock eyes.
He freezes, and my heart does, too. Especially because he immediately grabs Valerie’s legs, unlocks them from around his body, and dumps her in the pool. He doesn’t miss a beat as he turns and slices through water, making his way toward the ladder to climb out.
“Wait,” he calls out.
I know it’s for me, but I only speed up. It feels like this hallway is three times as long as it was when I wasn’t trying to escape him, but he’s dripping wet, so he probably won’t follow me into the house. I just have to get through the door…
Before I can, Hunter’s wet hand locks around my bicep. “I said wait.”
“I heard you,” I snap, trying to tug my arm free from his grasp. He doesn’t let go right away, but when I pull harder, he does.
Since I didn’t make it through the door, I know I’ll have to face him. The surge of jealousy has thankfully subsided, but it might come back if I look at him again.
I try to steel myself as I turn around, tip my chin up, and gaze up into those magnetic brown eyes of his.
“You didn’t stop,” he points out.
“Correct. I saw you were busy.”
Dammit.
Hunter’s lips curve up, his eyes sparkling with amusement at my snippy tone. There’s no reason to be snippy about him playing grab ass with Valerie Johnson in his pool unless I care.
Dammit, dammit, dammit.
“That’s not what I meant,” I say immediately. “I meant… you have all the worst people in the world at your house today, and I figured I would let you entertain them. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Unconvinced, he nods his head. “Uh-huh.” Then he casually runs his fingers through his wet hair. Little droplets of water fall as he does.
I don’t mean to check him out, but my eyes seem to have a mind of their own.
I already knew he looked good shirtless these days after seeing his Instagram photos, but in person, with rivulets of water running down over his cut muscles… damn.
I swallow, feeling my face warm. I can’t keep my bearings about me if I keep looking at his tanned, toned abdomen, so I redirect my gaze to something I know will annoy me—Valerie Johnson. Her gaze is glued to us as she climbs out of the pool.