“You went to that Halloween thing with Cole the other weekend.”
My head snaps up at that, and Conner chuckles. “What, baby brother didn’t tell you about our little trip back to the Heights?”
“I’m not his keeper,” I say, feigning indifference despite the knot in my stomach.
“I wouldn’t mind being leashed to you, Hadley, baby.” He winks.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, brother.” Cole growls the words, tension crackling around us.
“Relax,” Conner grins, “I’m just busting your balls. We all know you’re not interested in steady pussy.”
My stomach dips, heat spreading through me.
“Conner, stop.” Remi scolds him, and I shoot her an appreciative glance.
“Fuck it.” Cole shoots to his feet. “Let’s go out.”
“For real?” Ace gawks at him like he’s grown a second head.
He shrugs. “Beats sitting listening to Conner attempt to push my buttons. By the way, fucker, it’s not working.”
“We’ll see.”
The two brothers share a long look.
Remi shakes her head as she clambers off Ace’s lap. “Try living with them.”
“Seriously,” Conner snorts, “you spend most of your time here, fucking my—"
“Conner,” everyone but me shouts.
“Okay, okay.” He holds up his hand. “So where are we going? We could go to Surfs?”
“I’d rather not,” I say. Most of the football team and cheer squad will probably be there.
“What about the pier?” Remi suggests. “There’s the arcade and a diner. Could be kind of fun to watch me and Hadley beat you at air hockey and foosball.”
“You think just because we’re from the Heights we’ve never played foosball?” Ace ropes his arm around Remi’s neck and pulls her back against his chest. “We should make a little wager.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” He smirks. “Winner gets—”
“Orgasms?” Conner explodes with laughter and Cole grumbles something beneath his breath, while I stand there trying not to think about the ache between my legs.
As if he knows exactly what I’m thinking, Cole stares at me, through me. A shiver runs up my spine, the invisible thread between us pulling taut.
“You’re a fucking idiot,” Ace grumbles as he grabs his keys. “We’ll take the bike. Meet you there.”
“Sure thing,” Conner says. “I’m sure Hadley won’t mind riding the two of us. I mean, riding with the two of us.”
I dip my head and follow Remi out of the pool house, but not before I hear the sound of skin hitting skin, followed by Conner’s yelp.
I smile to myself. I can’t help it.
The Jagger twins might like to think they’re the ones under my skin, but I can’t help but think the feeling is entirely mutual.
The ride to the pier is surprisingly quiet. Cole is driving, his hands tight around the wheel, while Conner plays with his cell phone.