“You cheated! You started without saying anything. I won fair and square because I’m fast.”
An easy laugh puffs out of Devlin. “Yeah, you are.”
As we pant, I can’t hold back a wide smile while I catch my breath.
Maybe living with Devlin won’t be such a hardship.
Twenty-Five
Blair
By early afternoon, the sun is baking the world alive as Lucas pulls the Jeep into the parking lot at the beach. Party music drifts through the air, along with boisterous laughter from people already here. The sun sits high in the sky and a slight breeze makes small waves lap across the surface of the lake.
“Oh my god, I can’t wait to dive into that water,” Gemma groans, fanning herself on the bench seat beside me. “I hope it’s frigid as fuck.”
“Mood,” I agree quietly, tying my hair into a sloppy bun on top of my head to keep it off my neck. “Where is fall?”
“That pumpkin spice bitch better show up soon,” Gemma says. “I just want to wear flannel and my leather jacket.”
I smile. I really missed Gemma and her sharp humor.
Devlin and Lucas hop out of the front of Lucas’ Jeep to grab the cooler they stocked before we left.
When we arrived at Lucas’ place earlier, Gemma had blinked in surprise that Devlin showed up with me in tow, then gave me a goofy grin, hooking her arm with mine. “What the hell is going on?”
I shoved her as we got into the Jeep to ride around the lake to get to the beach. “Nothing.”
“Uh huh. Sure.” Gemma and Lucas had exchanged a look of silent communication in the mirror. They certainly have come far from when they first met and were at each other’s throats constantly. “So much changes when you leave for college, huh, babe?”
Lucas cut a sly glance at Devlin, who flipped off his cousin. Lucas chuckled. “So much.”
Devlin wouldn’t let me skip this beach party. I tried hiding in the closet, but he found me and dragged me out, hoisting me over his shoulder while I protested.
A few high-pitched squeals pierce the air, followed by splashing.
As we hover by the back of the Jeep, I twist my hands on the strap of Gemma’s beach bag. She takes one of my hands and tugs me toward the beach.
“We’re grabbing a spot!” Gemma calls over her shoulder.
“Right behind you, Gem,” Lucas says.
I never told Devlin I hadn’t packed a bathing suit, but somehow a bikini in my size was waiting for me on my door handle when I woke up this morning.
It’s fucking red.
At least I have Gemma with me for moral support. Her pretty blonde hair falls to her shoulders in french braids. She picks out a semi-shaded spot on the soft sand—totally shipped in, a high altitude lake like this should have a rocky beach—and gestures for her striped bag.
“I packed a ton of sunscreen. I’m not dealing with a sunburnt Lucas. He got so sulky on our vacation to Jamaica over the summer. The first day, too! Pitiful beefcake.”
Gemma shakes her head, but she sports a fond smile, and her eyes are faraway. She’s in love.
I hand over the bag, losing my reason to stand around and keep my oversized t-shirt on to cover up.
“Take that off.” Gemma gestures to the shirt that hits above my knees. “I’ll do your back.”
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I cast a glance around the crowded beach. Bishop chases Bailey, Nina, and a third girl through the shallows, splashing around. Half the soccer team is here, plus most of the popular crowd that bow down at Bishop and Devlin’s shared throne.
They don’t matter. It’s fine.
Crossing my arms and grabbing the hem of the big shirt, I peel it overhead, tossing it down on the blanket Gemma spread in the sand.
“Damn, girl,” Gemma says admirably. “Will you pose on the rocks later? You know I have my camera with me. This look is killer and I need to capture it.”
“Stop, it’s not even mine.” I cover my face. I peek between my fingers. “It’s okay?”
“Dude.” Gemma gives me a once over. “You look hot.”
A relieved exhale leaves me. I peer down at the red bikini. It’s bold, something I’d never have gone for. The sun kisses my pale skin. I’ll probably have fresh freckles dotting my cheeks by sunset.
Gemma shucks off her white shorts and strips out of her Oak Ridge College tank top, revealing a military green bikini that crosses over her boobs. I feel less out of place with Gemma beside me. She’s used to the party scene, but it’s never been for me. I kind of wish Lucas brought his sweet pug dog, because he’s my best friend at these things.
“So,” Gemma drawls, squinting at me. “What’s the deal with you and Dev? Are you, like, a thing now?”
“I, uh.” There isn’t a straight answer I can offer. “It’s…complicated.”
“Hah, I know what that’s like,” Gemma says with a burst of laughter. “But seriously. Is he being chill? Do I need to kick his balls into his teeth?”
“No. He’s a smart ass dick, but I handled it.” I’m not about to have Gemma fight my battles for me.
“Good. You’d tell me if you needed help, right? Because I have your back, even if I’m not in Ridgeview.”
“Yeah.” I grant her a thankful smile.
“Cool. Now come here, pasty.”
“I’m coming for you, sweetheart!” Lucas interrupts before Gemma has the chance to apply the sunscreen.
He grabs Gemma in his big, muscular embrace. With a deep whoop, he scoops her up and runs for the lake.
“Lucas, no!” Gemma shouts, breaking off into laughter. “You freakin’ caveman!”
“Ayyy!” Bishop cheers further down the beach, following up with a coyote howl. “Get her, Saint! Watch out, a king and his queen coming through!”
Once they hit the water, she screams, wrapping her arms and legs around his waist as he free-falls backwards into the lake. The splash they make as they breach the surface is huge, spraying high. They look like the perfect couple, the handsome ex-football-star-turned-architect-student and the sassy photographer he fell hard for. No one would know their start was rocky and fraught with tension.
Bending down, I grab the abandoned tube of sunscreen. Strong arms wind around my waist, and a solid, warm bare chest plasters to my back. My heart skips a beat as Devlin’s decadent, spicy musk envelopes me.
“Fuck,” Devlin rasps in my ear, his lips pressed to my lobe. “I’ve changed my mind. No one else gets to see you like this. I have a dock. We can swim at the house. How much would it cost me to drag you home right now?”
The way he says home makes my stomach flip over.
“Too rich, even for your blood,” I sass, turning my head to view him in my periphery. “You did everything to make sure I was here, so I’m staying. Plus, Gemma wants to take photos of me later.”
Devlin splays a hand low over my stomach, skimming the bikini bottoms with his pinkie.
He groans in my ear. “You’re in my color.”
“You put me in this color.”
He hums and nuzzles his nose into the crook of my neck.