“You’re not theirs.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I’m not his either, but I can feel people watching us, and I know if they are watching, they are listening. “You’ll just have to get over it,” I grit out through clenched teeth before I storm off toward Janelle, who’s talking to Eva.
“Is everything okay?” Eva asks, reading my expression as I join them.
“Just peachy.” I force a smile, and she looks over my shoulder.
“Ah, Jace saw your swimsuit.”
“What’s wrong with her swimsuit?” Janelle asks, looking me over. “I think that suit looks very flattering.”
“Did you see the back, sweet sister?” Eva asks, and heat travels up my neck to my cheeks. “Don’t be embarrassed.” Eva grabs my hand. “You look awesome. Men just tend to become Neanderthals when they are in love.”
“He’s not—” I cut myself off, because I was just about to say he’s not in love with me. “—always a Neanderthal.” I sigh, and Janelle laughs, linking her arm with mine as we make our way to the water.
Chapter 19
You Only Live Once
Lying in bed, I stare at the dark ceiling and silently beg for my mind to shut down so I can sleep. It’s not that I’m not exhausted. My body is tired after the events of the day, and even my brain needs a break from overthinking. Still, I can’t seem to drift off. And having the man—who happens to be the reason for all my problems—next to me, sleeping peacefully, isn’t helping.
This morning, Jace didn’t immediately go back up to the house to work like I figured he would after our confrontation. No, he stuck around and even joined in each time we had to go out in the water again. And although he didn’t complain out loud, I could tell he was annoyed, which only made me more annoyed with him.
Then, when all was said and done and the winners were proclaimed—winners who were not us, by the way—I wandered off to sit alone, because I needed to have a talk with myself. Needed to remind myself that Jace and I are not in a real relationship, so whatever issues he has are not mine and vice versa. Only, my reprieve didn’t last long. Sammy joined me, along with Troy, and then Jace came over to let me know he was going back up to work.
Before I could even say “okay, have fun by yourself,” he grabbed my face and kissed me so hard my lips hurt after he pulled away.
The kiss wasn’t like any of the others he’s given me. It was filled with what I could only describe as anger, and it confused me more than the rest.
After that, I didn’t see him for the rest of the day, not even for dinner. But more than once, I would feel someone watching me, and when I’d glance up at the house, I’d see his shadow outlined in the upstairs window.
Like… what the hell was that about?
Now, I’ve been lying awake for the last… I don’t know how many hours, after pretending to be asleep when he finally came to bed. And the fact that he’s able to sleep like he doesn’t have a care in the world only bothers me more.
Wondering if some fresh air will help me clear my head, I get out of bed, then grab my sweater from the back of the door and leave the room. The house is quiet and dark when I step out into the hall, and I tiptoe into the kitchen and quietly slide open the back door. Putting my sweater on over my sleep shorts set, I walk down the steps and head toward the water. With everyone asleep, the silence washes over me, and the feeling that has been sitting in the pit of my stomach all day starts to fade away.
When I reach the end of the dock, I take a seat, then lie back and look up at the night sky. The stars seem even brighter with the moon just a sliver in the sky and all the lights shut off, and even though the sound of people around has no effect on your sight, as far as I know, it’s like I see them more clearly being out here alone.
When I hear footsteps on the wooden planks I’m lying on, I tip my head back to see who’s coming, and my stomach muscles tighten when I spot Jace walking toward me.
Great.
He doesn’t say a word as he takes a seat, and I don’t either. Then he lies back in the same position I’m in.
“Couldn’t sleep?” He asks after a minute and I let out a long breath.
“No.” I sigh.
“What’s keeping you awake?”
“You,” I say without thinking, and his fingers that are just touching mine twitch.
“Why?” he asks after a long moment, and I shake my head.
“So many reasons.”
“Name them.”
“First, the comment about my swimsuit was out of line. Then, you acting put out that you had to join in with your family, even though no one was forcing you. And… And that kiss you gave me before you disappeared.”
“I was a dick to say anything except you look amazing in that swimsuit,” he says quietly, and my muscles tighten. “And I wasn’t put out that I was spending time with my family. You scared the shit out of me when you went under and didn’t come right back up. I was worried the whole time after that it would happen again.” He pauses. “And… I’ve seen the way Troy is around you.”
“Troy?” I turn my head to look at him, wondering what Troy has to do with anything.
“His eyes are constantly tracking you, Penny.”
“You’re seeing things.” I roll my eyes.
“I bet you get hit on all the time and have no fucking clue it’s happening.”
“I don’t.”
“Right,” he mumbles.
“I don’t,” I repeat—for good measure and because I don’t want him to have the last word. “And Troy is so not my type.”
“What is your type?”
You.
Oh my God, where the hell did that thought come from?
“I don’t have one,” I say quickly, sitting up, and he sits up with me.
Swinging my legs, I look down at the dark water.
“Have you ever gone skinny-dipping?”
“What?” I let out a laugh as I look over at him, the change of subject catching me by surprise.
“Have you ever gone skinny-dipping?” he repeats.
“No.”
“Let’s go.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Of course I am.” He stands up and strips off his shirt over his head.
“What are you doing?” I glance around.
“Are you coming?” He drags his shorts down over his hips, and my breath sticks to the back of my throat as I take in all of him. And I do mean all… of him. “My eyes are up here cupcake.” He tsks, and my cheeks heat. “Come on!” he calls out before diving into the water, and I jump up to my feet and search for him.
“Jace?” I call out when he doesn’t come up after a couple of seconds. “Jace!” I start to panic and look around, but there is no one out here to help me.
“You’re still dressed.” He appears suddenly grabbing the edge of the dock, and I hold my hand against my pounding heart.
“You scared me.”
“Come in. The water’s nice.”
“I don—”