We get a refill from the blender and head out to the backyard where Wolfe is hanging upside down siphoning beer from a keg. We walk over and watch the little competition that the hockey team has going.
“Rebel, introduce me to your friend,” Ryse McGuire, a player from the Westfall U hockey team, says. I know who he is. I’m pretty sure everyone on campus knows the names of the hockey players.
Rebel cocks her brow. “Holland Donovan. Meet Ryse McGuire.”
I’m more than tipsy now as I shake his hand. Ryse grins widely. “Pleasure to officially meet you.”
“Thanks. You too,” I reply, my lips spread from cheek to cheek. Ryse has dirty blond hair and green eyes. Like the rest of the hockey team, his body is sculpted of stone.
He turns to a girl beside him and says, “This is my sister, Poppy.”
“Nice to meet you.” I nod and smile.
“You too,” she says as she fidgets with the hem of her T-shirt.
“Poppy is starting at Westfall U this fall,” Ryse explains. “She’s majoring in journalism, it’s one of the most prestigious programs at Westfall,” he says sounding proud.
“Ryse,” Poppy whines, giving her brother the stink eye.
“Don’t worry about it. He’s proud of you. It’s sweet. I know the program. Kudos to you.” I nod and lift my red Solo cup to her. Westfall alumni have definitely made a splash in the world of journalism. The university likes to make a big deal about famous people that went here.
“What program are you in?” Poppy asks softly. The alcohol is going to my head and I feel like I sound funny but I answer. “Premed.”
“Kudos to you, too.” Poppy smiles. She looks uncomfortable. I know the feeling. I’m not used to parties like this or drinking, but I’m committed to letting loose tonight.
Ryse then turns around and points a finger at all the guys around us. Two of whom are hanging upside down siphoning beer. “Everyone one of you Dragons is to stay the hell away from my sister,” he warns. His finger lands on Wolfe and he mutters. “I don’t need to worry about you, but the rest of you. . .” He points at Declan McAvoy. “Especially you. Hands off.”
“Why you singling me out?” Declan asks sounding so innocent.
“You damn well know why,” Ryse retorts and leaves it at that.
“Ryse, stop it,” Poppy begs. Her arms are wrapped protectively around her stomach. “How am I supposed to make friends if you’re threatening everyone?” She blushes and she pushes her round glasses up her nose.
“Fine, sorry,” Ryse mumbles. It’s actually sweet how protective he is over his sister.
“Let’s go slip and sliding.” He then cheers and raises his arms above his head and pounds his fists in the air. His gaze narrows on me. “You up to go sliding?”
A deep voice materializes almost out of nowhere and says, “She’s busy.” When I turn around, I see that it’s Cole shooing Ryse away.
“What on earth are you doing?” I ask Cole. Has he lost his mind?
“You’re coming with me on the slip and slide,” he says and he takes my hand.
I take my hand back. “I’m not going anywhere with you,” I insist. I hear some oohing and aahing in the background.
Cole looks seriously offended but I don’t care. He can’t butt into my life like that. Besides, as hot as Ryse is, he isn’t my type anyway. Even though I hate to admit that everything about Cole calls to me.
Rebel starts laughing her head off and then so do I. “Come, I’m going slipping and sliding,” I cheer.
Rebel gives Wolfe an open-mouthed kiss with lots of tongue and then she breaks apart from him and walks me over to the slip and slide. She is being conscientious about spending time with me and I appreciate it.
Next to the slip and slide are a bunch of lawn chairs lined up on the grass, and I remove my cover-up and throw it on one of the chairs. I chose a simple blue-and-white polka dot bikini. I only own two bathing suits and my other one was a Speedo from my swim competition days in high school.
I get some catcalls but choose to ignore them. Between the alcohol and the heat outside, the slip and slide is looking very enticing.
“You’ll need to run with one of those floating devices then dive,” Rebel says. “I think I’m too drunk to coordinate it right now.”
“Okay.” I shake out my shoulders. “I can’t believe I’m doing this, but I’m going in,” I cheer, extending my arms up for a little stretch. I kick my legs out too.
Rebel is beside me laughing so hard she’s holding her belly. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m seriously drunk,” I admit laughing.
“No shit,” she says. “Cheers to margarita night.” She sips her drink.
I don’t remember leaving my cup. Did I drop it? I lose my train of thought while I wait in line. My turn comes and some guy passes me a floaty.
“What the hell am I doing?” I ask Rebel.
“Living,” she answers like she knows I’m not just asking about the slip and slide.
Damn straight.
There’s a sprinkler running over the slide. I make a run for it and glide. I take off quickly on my belly. The cool rush of the water a shock at first, but adrenaline spikes my blood—along with the rush of alcohol—and I am loose and carefree, baby. I break out into a laugh attack. At the end of the slide I get up and go again.
I make friends with a girl named Elle and her friend, Marsha, while I’m waiting in line. Dec comes over and offers us watermelon Jell-O shots and we each take one. Then we head back on the slide. I don’t remember having this much fun ever.
The dancing has now moved outside and so Marsha, Elle, and I head over to the dancing crowd, sopping wet and barefoot, and begin to dance. Rebel is right next to me making out with Wolfe on the dance floor, and I am just so happy. For me, for my friend. Why have I not partied all this time in college? It is the bomb.
Cole walks over to me and we start to dance. His body moves in closer and he whispers, “Hmm, you smell like watermelon,” in my ear. Goosebumps run down my body from the mere contact of his lips.
His gaze drops to my nipples. His eyes smolder.
“The water is freezing,” I say with a shrug, as if it explains my hardened nipples.
“Sure,” he answers, wrapping his arm around my waist as our hips move together. “Why don’t we take a ride on the slip and slide together?”
“Okay,” I agree because I am drunk and agreeable right now, and he smells like coconuts and something deliciously and distinctly male that calls to my pheromones.
He takes my hand and we walk over to the slide. A smile spreads my lips and, damn, I can’t stop. I don’t want to. He takes one of the floaty device thingies.
“How do we do this?” I ask him.
“Get on my back,” he says.
“Seriously?” I ask.
From behind me Elle says, “Do it. It’s so much fun.”
Okay, well if Elle says it’s fun then it must be fun says my alcohol infused brain.
I hop on to his back piggyback-style and wrap my legs around his waist, and holy hell, I feel. . .aroused? This can’t be happening.
“Hang on, beautiful,” he says.