“You’ll have funky burn marks if you don’t get everything. I’ll be quick.”
The chair sagged as he sat behind me. His arm brushed against mine as he reached around to take the bottle of sunscreen from my hand. I moved my hair to the side and tensed, waiting for his touch.
Hunter’s hands were warm and slick as they finally made contact with my skin. He rubbed them in circles across my shoulder blades, over my spine, then down to my lower back. It was the first time Hunter had ever touched me like this. In fact, I’d never hadanyguy make contact like this before. My skin tingled as he worked his firm fingers into me, and I wished it would go on forever.
“That breeze is chilly,” he suddenly said.
“I don’t feel it,” I said.
His hands slowed down. “Really? You’re covered in goosebumps.”
“Oh. I guess I do feel the breeze, but the sun makes up for it,” I said.
Hunter gave one final swipe across my lower back, then patted my arm. “All right, you’re all done.”
“Thanks,” I said, glancing over my shoulder. My face was reflected in his sunglasses. He lingered just behind me, so close I could practically feel his body heat. A fresh round of goosebumps ran up my arms, making the hairs stand on end.
His smile deepened. “No problem. I…”
Before he could finish his sentence, the sliding glass door opened again. We both turned to see Brad walking out onto the patio. Behind him was a girl I had never seen before.
“Your girlfriend is here.” Brad scowled as he said it, eyes darting back and forth between us.
Hunter jumped away from me like I was suddenly made of lava. “Jessica is just a friend.”
The girl let out a playful giggle. “We’ve been ontwo dates. I think we’re more than friends.” She saw me and her smile wavered. “Hi, we haven’t met. I’m Jessica.”
“That’s mybaby sister, Erica,” Brad said.
I groaned and ignored the dig.
Jessica’s smile returned when she realized I wasn’t a threat. “Nice to meet you, Erica. That’ssucha pretty name.”
She said the compliment as if it were an insult. I hated her immediately.
My opinion solidified as she pulled off her clothes, revealing the bikini underneath. She was better looking than me for sure. Bigger, perkier boobs and round hips that were accentuated by her bikini bottoms. My brother didn’t bother to hide the way he looked at her from the doorway before closing the door and going back inside.
“Hunter, can you put lotion on me?” Jessica asked in a pouty voice. “I don’t want to get my fingers sticky.”
You just want him to rub your body.
Hunter held up his hands. “Perfect timing. My hands already have lotion all over them.”
I laid back in the chair and pretended I wasn’t watching as he rubbed sunscreen all over her body. She squirmed as he tickled her, and then they play-fought a little bit before finally sharing a small kiss.
It was torture for me. Knowing that my biggest crush was dating someone was bad enough, but seeing them play and flirt right in front of me was a million times worse. I wanted to leave, but I didn’t want them to think it was because I was uncomfortable around them. Besides, Hunter hadjustput sunscreen on me, so it would look silly if I left.
Jessica scooched her chair so that it was right next to Hunter’s, and then stretched out her long legs so that her feet were up against his. I closed my eyes and tried to enjoy the warm sun.
They chatted for a while in low whispers. Talking about school and college, and Hunter’s YouTube channel.
“Only eighty-five followers?” she asked. “I thought you were, like, bigger than that.”
“It takes time,” Hunter said, more than a little defensive. “I’m slowly building momentum.”
Jessica spoke like she hadn’t heard him. “I almost got a ticket on the way over here. My side mirror is still broken. But I was able to convince the officer to give me a warning.”
I struggled not to groan while picturing Jessica sticking out her big perky tits at the cop.