“Next,” I order.
Deke moves on to another one of her, and it looks to be inside a club. There’s neon lights, and she has her head thrown back, that guy with the tats has his head buried in her neck, his hands gripping her ass.
“Next,” I growl.
This one is of her on the beach. She has her brown hair up and big glasses on her face. She is wearing a white bikini, and that guy is there with her again. But only this time he is holding her up. Her legs are wrapped around his waist, his arms around hers, and her head is bent down as she kisses him. You can see the tattoo on her side.
“Fuck, man. She has a tat? That’s hot,” Deke says with a nod. I glare at him.
Becky’s phone vibrates in his hands, and he exits out of her pictures.
“Wait …” I reach for it, but he pulls it away.
“Hang on, I’ll go back.” He presses some more buttons then holds it up to me, but I don’t know what I’m looking at. I don’t do this social media shit. “Look at this shit,” he says.
“What?” I ask, needing him to point it out to me.
“I posted that pic of the girls and tagged Becky. She then tagged Austin in it,” Deke explains.
I still don’t get it. “Meaning …?”
“Meaning that their friends see the post I made. And look who commented.” He holds Becky’s phone closer to my face.
Hey Austin. Looking better than ever. I sure miss hitting that ass.
My anger rises, and I fist my hands. “Who is that?” I demand.
“It’s him,” he answers. “The guy in the pictures with her.”
I sit back in my seat. I sure miss hitting that ass? I’ll be sure to tell her that tonight when I’m buried between those sweet legs.
“I deleted the comment,” Deke announces, but I ignore him. “She needs to delete those pictures of him and her kissing now that she’s with you, man.” He hands Becky her phone back and growls. “Text Austin and tell her to delete those pics of her ex off social media.”
Becky lets out a sigh but starts to type away on her phone. It dings immediately with a response. “She said she will when Cole gets a social media page.” Then she gives us her back, laughing at the thought of me ever doing that.
Deke looks at me. “You know what you gotta do.”
I smile. She’s calling my bluff. Just wait and see, Austin.
I’ve never wanted a woman to myself. Didn’t want to deal with the drama and bullshit. Looks like I don’t do well with competition either.
I was already nothing.
Well, Austin Lowes, I’m about to make you something. Completely fucking mine! And the world is going to know it.
AUSTIN
I pace inside my closet while Becky stands in front of me, staring at my clothes.
“I don’t know what to wear,” I tell her for the third time.
I called her in a panic. I may have lived in California, but the only time I went to the beach was to swim in the ocean. Not party on it.
“Do I wear boots?” I ask. “Like you can’t wear heels unless you plan on carrying them. And then what’s the point in that? I could wear tennis shoes but those aren’t sexy for a party.”
She laughs. “You can wear boots. The beach will be sandy and rocky but since it rains so much, it will be packed down somewhat.” Looking down at her phone, she starts typing out a message. “Deke and Cole are on their way over.”
“Both of them? Why?”
“I called Deke on my way here, and he said they would just come pick us up.” She looks up from her phone. “And by the way, my parents think I’m staying with you tonight.” Her eyebrows wiggle, and I laugh.
“Now let’s get you dressed. The guys will be here soon.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m in my bathroom just finishing up my lipstick when I hear my bedroom door open. “I don’t know what time I’ll be home. But I don’t expect to be out too late,” I holler, knowing it’s Celeste.
“You’re not coming home at all.”
I spin around to see Cole leaning up against the doorframe to my bathroom. “What are you doing up here?” I ask.
He crosses his arms over his chest as his eyes scan over my black sweater and red skinny jeans with my black knee-high boots. When they meet mine, he pushes off the doorframe and walks toward me.
I take a step back, but the countertop stops me. He looks angry. His usual mask is in place, and his eyes are dark. His right hand slides into my hair, tilting my head back. “Cole …” His lips are on mine before I can say anything else.
I melt into him just like all the other times. My knees buckle when he deepens the kiss, demanding my breath. His tongue dances with mine, and I moan into his mouth. He presses his hips against mine, and I can feel he’s already hard.
“Screw the party,” I whisper when he pulls away.
He runs his hand through my hair. “As much as I’d like to do that, we can’t let Deke down.”
“Deke?”
Cole nods once. “He wanted to throw you this party.”
“Now, I’m really nervous.” I laugh.
“Don’t be.” He kisses my lips softly as if he can’t get enough. Or it’s all part of his game. At this point, I can’t tell the difference anymore. And that’s not good. “Don’t tell Deke this, but he’s harmless.”
“I watched him help you kill someone,” I remind him.
“Yeah.” He smiles as if he’s remembering that night fondly. “But he would never hurt you.” I raise an eyebrow. He chuckles, that anger in his eyes fading a little. “If he didn’t have me to beat his ass, Becky would do it. I didn’t realize she was so feisty until yesterday at lunch.”
I laugh. “Come on. Let’s go. If we don’t hurry, Becky and Deke may already be naked in the car.”
“Pack a bag real quick.”
I stop and turn back to face him. “That’s not a good idea, Cole.”
His eyes narrow, that anger returning so easily at my denial. “Pack. A. Bag.” He orders this time.
I place my hands on my hips, refusing to back down to him. “I’m not staying at your father’s house.”
A smile spreads across his face. It’s not friendly. “Who said we were staying at my father’s house?”
_______________
“What the hell?” I ask as Deke pulls up to the beach. Cars are on the sand, well those who drive lifted trucks and Jeeps. There’s a bonfire. Kegs line the shore, and white folding tables hold liquor bottles and Solo cups. Kids of all ages litter the sand. Some I recognize from school, but others I don’t. “How did you pull this off?” I ask.
“Magic,” Cole answers.
Deke scoffs. “Please. This isn’t magic. This is all me, baby.” I roll my eyes, but Becky laughs at him while we get out.
“Stay close to me,” Cole orders.
“Where would I go?” I ask.
He grabs my hand and pulls me along with him. A Jeep missing its top and doors is parked on the sand, and it has speakers all inside it blasting out “Feel Invincible” by Skillet.
We make our way over to a white table, and Cole lets go of my hand to start making us drinks.