Heavy innuendo laces his tone. Is he…flirting with me right now? What bizarre world have I woken up in where the popular guys want me around for more than someone to laugh at?
Narrowing my eyes, I smirk. “Hell no. I’d join the race and show you all up.” I bump my hip against Devlin’s. “Tell them how I beat you this morning in our race through the wooded trail.”
This bikini is like a magic charm, instilling confidence I haven’t used before. I’ve never cared to engage with these people, but something about Sean implying I’m only worth his time in a cheer uniform or a bikini lights a stubborn fire in me.
Glancing at Devlin, I find a proud, matching smirk on his face.
“You’re a speedy little demon,” he confirms. “You owe me a rematch before we go to bed tonight.”
My lips part. Devlin might as well have told them I’m living with him. Even Bishop pointed out Devlin doesn’t do girls in his bed, let alone allow them into his house.
Not that I’ve seen his bedroom. Yet.
Sean’s eyes widen more as Devlin’s hand glides down to rest scant inches above my ass. Devlin’s smallest finger tucks into the band of my bikini bottoms. He claims me in front of his teammate with that single gesture. Other nearby guys from the soccer team and people from Nina’s friend group glance our way with surprise etched in their expressions.
Devlin might flirt openly with girls at school, but he never makes a public gesture that screams this is my girl, back off.
Warmth floods my chest and pours through my body.
“Come on, let’s take a walk.” Devlin threads his fingers with mine.
He leads me away from the others, taking us to the wet sand where a passing speedboat creates a ripple of waves that rush over our feet. Devlin keeps holding my hand.
Ahead of us, Gemma has her camera out, taking photos of the party and the landscape. Lucas stalks up and she snaps the shutter. His predatory grin spreads right before he scoops her into his arms. Gemma’s shoulders shake with amusement as Lucas’ hands roam her body. They kiss, their lips connecting lazily.
“I should buy you an engagement ring,” Devlin says. “It’ll beat back the other guys who think they can touch what’s mine.”
I sputter. “Sorry—what?”
Things just went from zero to sixty.
“What?” Devlin smirks. “They already suspect I must be fucking you if you’re here.”
My eyes narrow. That escalated quickly. He was so sweet all morning, but this taste of the viper lurking beneath Devlin’s mask reminds me I shouldn’t trust him.
“First of all, fuck you. I’m not wearing a fake engagement ring. We’re eighteen. That’s insane.” I pull my hand from his. The corners of his mouth tighten, but it serves him right. “If you buy a ring, I’ll hock it at a pawn show for the cash the first chance I get.”
Leaving Devlin with my snarky retort, I find a secluded spot far down the beach, away from the bustle of the party. I sit on the sand, sticking my feet in the water. From this distance, I can watch whatever goes on.
Trent and Sean attack each other with neon water guns, then turn on the girls, squirting Nina’s big boobs. She pouts, then gets all the guys howling like coyotes for her as she piles her long wet hair on her head, showing off her curves.
Someone turns the music on and a dance party starts up. Devlin hovers around the edge of it for a while, a plastic red cup dangling in his grip. Bailey and Nina both approach him. I hold my breath, digging my toes into the sand.
He’s not yours, I remind myself. He might want to claim me as his territory so none of the other boys come onto me, but Devlin isn’t my boyfriend.
I expect him to hook up with Nina. She flashes her bedroom eyes at every guy here.
But Devlin walks off to stand with his feet in the water, surprising me.
Still. He’s not mine.
I stamp out the happy bubble that has no right to exist.
Twenty-Six
Blair
For a while I watch the clouds drift by. The sun warms my skin and the sand. I could fall asleep like this.
Gemma’s yelp draws my attention. She’s running toward me, splashing through the water’s edge. Lucas chases her and Devlin follows close behind.
“Come on, B!” Gemma calls as she approaches.
Gemma and Lucas cut through the water. Devlin reaches me, grabbing my hand. He hauls me to my feet with a secret smile playing on his lips, bringing out his dimples.
“What’s happening?” I gasp.
“War,” Devlin says, mouth pressed to my ear from behind. His arms lock around my waist and he carts me deeper into the water, heading for Lucas and Gemma. The lake is chilly and refreshing as it licks at my hips. “We’re playing chicken. I need you for this. You’re on my team against Lucas and Gem.”
Before I can answer, Devlin dives under the water, hoisting me onto his shoulders. I shriek, nearly losing my balance as he stands. He secures his hands around my legs, wading deeper into the water.
“Wait—Devlin!” My only choice is to hold on tight while his splayed palms burn into my skin like iron brands. “I don’t know how to play chicken.”
Instead of pool parties in the summer, I rode a bike around Ridgeview looking for cans to take to the recycling center. I’d do anything when I first noticed how much Mom watched our funds.
While other kids had a regular childhood playing games, I spent most of mine forgetting about idealistic dreams and learning harsh realities.
“It’s easy. You wrestle Gemma. Lucas and I are the support. You win when you knock Gemma off her cocky steed.”
“I heard that,” Lucas snarks.
Devlin laughs.
I have no idea where to put my hands, so I hold on to his hair. The wet strands glide through my fingers. “She’s stronger than me. What if she knocks me down first?”
Devlin squeezes my thighs. “You’re scrappy. You can do it.”
The resolute confidence in his tone pierces into my heart, putting a crack in the stone wall I keep around it. Devlin believes in me.
“Okay.”
“Bring it on!” Gemma crows.
“We’re taking you down,” Lucas promises.
Devlin slides his fingers higher up my legs, tickling the inside of my thighs. “Ready to fight for it?”
My breath shudders out of me at his distracting touch. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”
The four of us circle each other. Water laps at Lucas and Devlin’s stomachs, though we’re pretty far out from the shore. Gemma comes at me once we’re in range. We clasp hands, pushing and pulling to win the battle.
A laugh breaks free as I try different tactics to throw her off her game.
“Come on,” Devlin heckles, throwing his own distractions. He moves us forward and back, creating an unwavering base of support so I don’t feel like I’m falling. “You stop playing football and all of your footwork goes to shit.”
“Shut up, you little dick.” Lucas grins, swiping at Devlin. “Damn it! You can do it, babe.”
Gemma squirms for better leverage. I lock my shins against Devlin’s back, giving a good push. Lucas wobbles, but finds his balance again. We back up a few paces, luring our opponents into deeper water.