I shouldn’t care what the brothers are doing. I shouldn’t care about anything that has to do with them, but I can’t stop my feet from carrying me over to the window. Of course, I would be graced with the bedroom closest to the pool.
Pulling the curtain back, I peer into the pool and see three guys swimming, one of whom is Odis. I’m not sure where Denver is, but I let the curtain fall closed and tell myself not to worry about what they’re doing. Who cares if the water looks nice? I’m on my way back to the bed when a knock sounds against the door.
I freeze and look at the heavy wooden door. Who could it be? Tiptoeing over to the door, I unlock it and pull it open just enough to pop my head outside. Denver’s smug face comes into view, and I almost pull my head back into the room and slam the door.
However, the remorseful look in his eyes has me stopping in my tracks.
“I just wanted to come up and see if you wanted to come out by the pool. No one will say anything to you or bother you.”
“As tempting as it may be, I’d rather just stay up here and read my book.” I point back to the bed where I left my phone.
Disappointment flashes in his eyes. “I guess, but it’s nice out, and I figured you would want to come out. You don’t even have to hang out with us.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
Denver doesn’t say anything but shakes his head. He turns around and walks down the stairs, and a stupid pang of guilt fills my chest. I don’t have to feel bad, but for some reason, I do. As I close the door, I think about it more—how I have nothing to hide and no reason to stay in this room all day long. I believe Denver when he says no one will mess with me.
Last night made me see a different side of him. Finding my bag, I dig into my clothes and pull out my swimsuit. It’s a two-piece bikini with sunflowers on it. I walk out into the hall once I have it on, feeling a little self-conscious.
Deep breaths.
I remind myself that everything is going to be okay and grab a towel from the bathroom before heading out to the pool. Slowly, I walk outside, where I hear laughter and the splashing of water. It doesn’t take but a second to notice the two other guys here are Justin and Jackson, a pair of identical twins that have been friends with Odis and Denver since grade school. They both give me a once-over, but their stares don’t compare to the heated look Odis gives me. His hair is wet, slicked back, and his eyes look like melted chocolate. Beads of water glisten on his tan skin. My mouth waters, and I freeze mid-step.
His gaze is hotter than the sun, holding me in place.
“You decided to come out after all,” Denver says from behind me, his voice pulling me from the trance his brother’s stare put me in.
I clear my throat. “Yeah, it’s so nice out, and I could use some sun.” I gesture to my pasty white skin. Even being in Florida for the last year, I never tanned.
I feel Justin’s eyes on me—or are they Jackson’s? I never spent much time trying to figure out the differences between them. My insides freeze up for a second, and I might as well be right back in school with them.
Only a few things have changed. I’m not that girl anymore. Instead of ducking my head and hoping my hair will make me invisible or something, I glare at him. “What are you looking at?”
His mouth falls open before snapping shut. “Uh, sorry. You, um… you look nice.” His brother laughs and splashes him, and suddenly they’re having a water fight and not bugging me anymore.
I look nice. Right. I’m sure that’s what he was thinking. A glance at Odis tells me he’s trying not to laugh, and Denver is suddenly interested in the clouds overhead. What is it with these people?
I have as much right to be out here as they do, so I settle myself into a chair with the towel under me for comfort. “What, you’re not going in?” Odis asks.
I shake my head, lying back with my eyes closed. Looking at him is too dangerous. It’s like I lose control of my brain or something. “No, thanks. I’m happy to lay out.”
“Come on. That’s no fun.” I raise my head to find Denver grinning my way. There’s a look in his eyes that tells me he’s thinking about last night, and I don’t know if I like that or hate it.
“Yeah, we could do chicken fights.” Justin/Jackson dunks his brother, and the two of them tussle. Who do they think they’re impressing?
“Isn’t it better with more than one girl?” I ask, propping myself up on my elbows and flinching when I get splashed. The water does feel good, but I don’t trust the four of them to not do something stupid once I’m in there. “Unless one of you wants their brother on their shoulders.”
“No, thanks.” Odis snickers. “I don’t want Denver—”
“We’re here!”
I swear to God. There I was, actually starting to loosen up a little, if not enough to get in the pool. I was at least able to talk to these guys without my tongue feeling like it’s too big for my mouth. Maybe things could’ve gone okay.
Now? There’s no fucking chance. I’m going to throw up. Of all people to show their face, why did it have to be the girl who hurt me worse than anybody in school? Chelsey took pleasure in humiliating me every chance she got.
And now she’s here.
“What are you doing here?” There’s cold irritation in Odis’s voice when he calls out across the yard. The girls came in through the gate in the fence, bypassing the house.