Bats laughs again as Grinder levels a glare on him. It’s clear Grinder isn’t pleased, but his displeasure melts away as he too begins chuckling. “You knew?” he asks Bats.
“Knew what? That Autumn would glitter-bomb your dumb ass? Nope. But maybe next time, you might reconsider before bothering her when she’s getting ready for fashion week.”
The snippet of information piques my interest. “Your sister’s in fashion?”
Grinder shrugs. “Kind of. She’s a personal assistant for a designer in New York City. She has a couple of shows coming up, but they’re not until June. Plenty of time.”
“Uh, no. Not plenty of time,” I retort. I only know this because when she’s not talking about school and boys, Rachel lives for high fashion. “Her boss is probably working overtime to get the designs complete and accessorized. Especially since the biggest shows in June are in Europe, which means she’ll have to arrange for shipping as well. Your sister must be busy as hell right now. Out of curiosity, who’s her boss?”
“Something Haynes,” Grinder replies, standing to dust even more glitter off of himself.
“Wait. Meredith Haynes?”
“Yeah. Sounds about right. You’ve heard of her?”
My jaw drops in shock. “You can’t be serious. Meredith Haynes is one of the top names in fashion right now. Rachel adores her. She doesn’t let a season pass without adding something from Meredith’s line to her wardrobe. She would kill to work for Meredith.”
“Point her toward Bryce and I’ll see what I can do,” Grinder blurts out.
I clutch my stomach as another round of laughter escapes from me. Given the shitty way the douche has affected me every time he’s taken to Instagram, I can’t help it. I still don’t know what he wrote today, but if it made Nova cringe, I don’t want to. Soon, the guys are joining in, laughing along with me. It’s music to my ears.
When the laughter subsides, I walk up to Grinder and hug him. Glitter be damned. “Rach probably would kill the asshat for a piece from the Meredith’s collection, so let’s not suggest it,” I tell him. “But thanks. I needed that.”
Grinder squeezes me tight, holding me for a moment. “Truce on the coffee bet?” he offers.
“Sure,” I hedge. “We work pretty well together. Collaborate?” I hold out my hand to shake on it.
He grins and takes the offer. “Deal.”
***
Once we reach our cabin, we head inside to get changed for the pool, but not before making Grinder strip outside. There’s no way we’re letting him drag craft herpes around the cabin. Thankfully, he’s wearing boxers. Though I can’t seem to break away from watching him strip. Where Nova is lean and toned, Grinder is stacked and firm. Well-defined muscles that glisten in the daylight. Oh, wait. That’s more glitter. Glitter he might need a hand removing . . .
Grinder catches me ogling near to the point of drooling. “Need something, princess?” he purrs.
“Nope,” I reply, spinning and heading inside as fast as possible. It’s not like me to fantasize about multiple guys in the steamy ways I’m finding myself thinking about Grinder. And I certainly wouldn’t act on those thoughts while I’m with Nova. That’s not me. Especially after going through what I have because of Bryce. No, it’s best if I don’t picture Grinder naked at all, I tell myself as I change into my bikini.
When I leave the small cabin, I find myself in even worse trouble. Nova, Grinder, and Bats are all waiting for me in their swimsuits. The first time we took a dip together in Idyllwild, they were already in the hot tub when I got there. They all wore T-shirts to the hot spring, and I was so wrapped up in Bats’ story and dreading telling my own, I hadn’t noticed them while they swam. Now, all three are standing there shirtless, and I swear my ovaries explode with excitement. Because holy shit, they look yummy. If any of my favorite authors need inspiration for their next heroine’s harem, I’m staring at it.
“Are you coming?” Grinder asks. His eyes seem to drink me in the same way I am.
“Not yet,” I mutter, remembering Nova’s response to what must have been a similar question back in Cajon Pass.
Nova offers me a hand as I descend the short staircase. Which is good, because I almost stumble down them beneath the stares of these three enticing men. What the hell is wrong with you tonight, Lizzy? I wonder as we make our way to the pool.
As we draw nearer to the sounds of laughter and splashing, I let out a sharp curse. “I left my phone in the cabin. I was going to call Rach while we relaxed,” I explain to Nova, handing him my towel and giving him a quick kiss. “Save me a spot. I’ll be right back.”
Back in my room, I dig my phone out, turning it on as I leave the cabin to return to the pool. Sure enough, Instagram has exploded with notifications. I’m starting to hate this app. I’m doing it for Rach, I tell myself, opening my phone. The guys have been screening my feed all day, but I should be able to open my damn phone without them around.
At first, the feed is positive and uplifting.
Ashes1787: You can totally do it!
PeacefulDuck: You got this!
Callie4841: Can you post another sunset like the one from Lake Hemet? Or a sunrise? Pleeeeease?
BCarrill: Are you feeling igneous or sedimentary?
AdesinaCat79: I can’t believe you are making rocks sound cool. Who are the hotties? Be safe, girl.
Scorch2094: I’ve taken a lichen to you ;)
I roll my eyes at the last one, but I recognize the tag. He’s a friend from the hiking club. Nice guy, but you never know if his puns will make you laugh or cringe.
Then I get to the latest piece of trash.
BGriff1166: They must be playing her. @Hiking_Belle, do they tell you the same shit I did? Like how great those bumps you call tits are? Do you get on your knees for them when they tell you how pretty you are? Or screw them when they say they love you?