“Then I made your life difficult when you came back.” Rubbing my hand along my face, I turn to face her. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I reacted without thinking first.”
She shrugs. “I didn’t expect a parade when I came back. Actually, you were much nicer than I expected. I remember how Reed used to rule this school with an iron fist. I figured you would too. Besides, if it weren’t for my injury, I probably would have never come back.”
“I hate to say this because it sounds selfish as fuck, but I’m glad you got injured—not that you were hurt, but that it gave you the excuse you needed to get out of that school. It broke your spirit, but I can see it coming back.”
She gives me a slight smile. “I get what you’re saying. At first, I was so depressed about my injury and having to come back here. I don’t think I truly realized how miserable I was until I came back. Now? I’m actually happy. I’m finding my love for ballet again in teaching Mrs. Caron’s younger class. I’ve learned aerial silks. Not to mention, I have a friend in Tinsley. That’s something I didn’t have at HDA.”
“You have me too, you know. I’m your friend too.”
Her face softens as she looks at me. “I know, Keat.”
After a few moments of silence, she stands and makes her way back across the room.
“You didn’t come here to listen to my ‘woe is me’ story. What are you doing here?”
Getting to my feet, I make my way over to her and pull her into a hug. She tenses before melting into me.
“I will always want to know what’s bothering you. That’s what friends do.”
She tenses again before pulling away. “Thanks, Keat, but for real, why are you here?”
This time I smirk. “You got a bathing suit, Red?”
“I didn’t miss that nickname.”
“Oh, but I did. Go get changed. We leave in ten.”
“Leave where?”
“It’s a boat day.”
✽✽✽
The entire drive back to my house, Morgan’s beaming with excitement. It only took her five minutes to change, coming down the stairs in a pair of cutoffs and a tank top, with the brightest smile covering her face.
“I can’t believe we get to go out on the boat today. I didn’t realize it was so warm out.”
It’s an unusually warm day for September, but I’m used to this. We spend most summers out on the boat, and as fall sweeps in, we try to hang on to our warm days for as long as we can.
“Me either. I think this will be the last one of the season. We almost put the boat up last week. Glad we didn’t now.”
While we have servants and employees to do a lot of tasks for us, Reed and I have always taken care of the boat ourselves. It was our brother bonding time when we were younger, but now it’s become more of a pride thing. We don’t want anyone else touching our baby.
“Do you still have the S.S. Tank?” Morgan asks.
I huff at her. “As if we would ever get rid of our baby. She’s in great condition too.”
She rolls her eyes. “How dare I ask if you could hold on to something for more than five minutes? As if I don’t know your newfound reputation.”
“Maybe, but don’t believe everything you hear. Only about 75 percent of it’s true. I can hold on to something if it’s worth it.” I send her my panty-melting wink and smile when I see her cheeks turn red.
As we pull up to the house, Morgan asks, “Who all is coming? That’s a lot of cars.”
“A couple of friends. Don’t worry, we don’t invite assholes to our parties.”
She gets out, meeting me at the front of the car. “You’re not a fair judge of character. You’re an asshole yourself.”
“Touché.”
Grabbing her hand, I lead her through the house, stopping in the kitchen where Sage and Tinsley are preparing snacks. “Can you wait here for a minute? I need to go change.”
She nods and turns to the others as I leave.
Once changed, I make my way back down the stairs. I make out the girls talking and am about to interrupt, but I pause when I hear my name.
“So, you came with Keaton,” Sage probes.
“Well, seeing as he showed up at my house without an invitation, I figured why not take him up on boat day? It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to see Tank.”
“You’re here for the boat then?” I hear the edge to Sage’s voice.
“No, but I do enjoy the boat and the company.”
“Stop questioning her,” Tinsley protests.
“I’m not. Keaton doesn’t bring girls to this kind of stuff, that’s all.”
“You mean, Keaton’s usually looking for someone to fuck at these things,” Tinsley says in jest.
“We’re just friends. Always have been.”
Deciding it’s time to end this little chat, I make my way into the room. “Did I hear my name?” I sling my arm around Morgan’s shoulder.
“Get over yourself, Keat. Not everything is about you.” Morgan pokes me in the ribs, making me jump back.
“You mean to tell me the entire world doesn’t revolve around me?” I hold my hand to my chest with my best shocked face. “That’s not what my momma told me.”
Tinsley pipes in, “Like Mom has ever told you anything. Cut the shit. Let’s get going.”
“You all wound me. I’ll be down at the boat getting it ready to chauffer your asses to the sandbar.”
“Please do. Oh, and make sure you take your shirt off for our viewing while you do it,” Sage calls after me.
“Ew. That’s my brother,” Tinsley complains.
Once I get to the boat, I see Reed already has it all set up. A couple of others are hanging around.
“Where’s Sterling?” I ask.
“Said he was staying in the city for the weekend. Who
